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Georgia Baptists hear evangelism challenge at annual session Dickerson re-elected president By Sherri Brown, Special Assignment Reporter Published December 2, 2004: COLLEGE PARK - Messengers attending the 183rd annual session of the Georgia Baptist Convention annual meeting were challenged to pray for a "tsunami" of revivals in 2005 that will lead to a record 50,000 baptisms in the state.
72 churches, missions welcomed into the GBC Next year's goal is 100 as part of "What Now, Georgia?" emphasis By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor Published December 2, 2004: COLLEGE PARK - Georgia Baptists added 72 churches last year through new starts and congregations voting to affiliate with the state convention.
Georgia Revival Update Published December 2, 2004
Developmental Disabilities Ministries creates self perpetuating board, removes itself from GBC By J. Gerald Harris, Editor Published December 2, 2004: In a letter to the Georgia Baptist Convention dated Nov. 3, Georgia Baptist Developmental Disabilities President Richard Davis announced the agency's intention to separate from the GBC.
Columbus Baptists rally for support of Fort Benning By Sherri Brown, Special Assignment Reporter Published December 2, 2004: It was a day of American contrasts in Columbus.
Baptists working together in perfect harmony for Utah relief By J. Gerald Harris, Editor Published December 2, 2004: Southern Baptists have sometimes been known for having a pugilistic spirit. The truth is that Baptist churches are made up of unique individuals with varying ideas and opinions and it is certainly true that no two Baptists are alike.
Welch's new book equips 'warrior leaders' for spiritual battle against 'unseen terrorists' By Don Beehler Published December 2, 2004: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) - Southern Baptist Convention President Bobby Welch is seeking to capitalize on the country's growing spiritual interest through an ambitious effort to baptize a million people in one year and develop "warrior leaders" who will take seriously the biblical call for evangelism and discipleship.
Photos from the 183rd session of the Georgia Baptist Convention Published December 2, 2004

Georgia NewsBriefs

Kim Griffin named circulation coordinator at The Index Published December 2, 2004: Kim Griffin has been named circulation coordinator for The Christian Index, effective Dec. 1.
Index seeking information for stories dealing with prayer, 40 Days of Purpose, moral purity among teens Published December 2, 2004: The Index is seeking information on Georgia Baptists involved in three areas of ministry.

Baptist News Summary

Hawkins reports positive trends for GuideStone insurance rates Published December 2, 2004
LifeWay survey explores "Top 10 Issues Facing Today's Church" Published December 2, 2004: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) - "The Top 10 Issues Facing Today's Church" is the focus of a two-month online research project launched Nov. 8 by the e-business department of LifeWay Christian Resources.
Study updates stats on health of Southern Baptist churches Published December 2, 2004: NEW ORLEANS (BP) - For some 20 years, a disturbing statistic has left its mark on Southern Baptists - 70 percent of Southern Baptist churches are plateaued or declining. A new study now has examined whether the statistic remains true.
SBCstudents.com offers array of free youth ministry resources Published December 2, 2004: FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) - Youth pastors who need help programming, scheduling and administering their youth ministries have a new online resource in www.SBCstudents.com.
25 certificates mark milestone in women's studies program at SWBTS Published December 2, 2004: FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) - Southwestern Seminary's fledgling women's studies program reached a key milestone with the certification of 25 women Nov. 4.
IMB appoints 68 new missionaries Published December 2, 2004: DEL CITY, Okla. (BP) - A group of 68 new Southern Baptist missionaries were commissioned during a Nov. 16 appointment service at First Southern Baptist Church in Del City, Okla.
Cleveland selected as next site for Strategic Focus Published December 2, 2004: ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) - Cleveland was chosen for the North American Mission Board's 2006-07 Strategic Focus City church planting and evangelistic outreach initiative.

Religious NewsBriefs

Dutch faithful denounce filmmaker's murder Published December 2, 2004: (RNS) Worshippers in churches, mosques and synagogues in the Netherlands paused for thought and prayer Nov. 5-7 after the killing of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh.
Vatican and Italy to catalog Inquisition documents for open study and research Published December 2, 2004: VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican will open its archives to Italian state officials and academics for a computer-driven project that will catalogue all available documents on the Inquisition in Italy.
Korean missionaries advised not to travel to Iraq after group is taken into protective custody Published December 2, 2004: (RNS) The South Korean government warned Christian missionaries in the country Nov. 3 not to travel to Iraq after five South Koreans were taken into protective custody and flown home.
Survey suggests Iraq War was most important 'moral' issue in presidential election Published December 2, 2004: (RNS) The war in Iraq was the most important "moral issue" for voters in last month's election, according to a national poll by progressive groups, far outpacing abortion and gay marriage as top-shelf concerns.

People and Places

Anniversaries Published December 2, 2004
Obituaries Published December 2, 2004
Ordinations Published December 2, 2004
Ministerial Moves Published December 2, 2004

Cooperative Program Stories

Building resources through partnerships and accountability By Sherri Brown, Communications, GBC Published December 2, 2004: The first Barnabas award was presented by the mission volunteers ministries at the Georgia Baptist Convention annual meeting to First Baptist Church Duluth.

Bible Study

Follow Jesus, the Messiah! By Mike Stone, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Blackshear Published December 2, 2004: One of the challenges that will often occur in evangelistic churches is the struggle to balance evangelism with discipleship. Pastors of strong soul-winning churches are constantly confronted with the need to disciple new converts. Well-intentioned believers will express concern that the evangelistic church has become too "shallow" and has forsaken the "deep water" of discipleship.
Praise Jesus, Our Savior! By Mike Stone, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Blackshear Published December 2, 2004: I still recall the Christmas I received the trumpet. As a serious musician in high school I had longed for a professional grade instrument. Years earlier when I started junior high school my parents had purchased a very inexpensive trumpet. Like all wise parents they wanted to make sure their son would "stick with it" before they made a major investment.

Columns

Thinking locally and globally By J. Gerald Harris, Editor Published December 2, 2004: The Christian Index encouraged messengers to the Georgia Baptist Convention to evangelize by offering gospel tracts to those who would faithfully share the glorious story of redemption. Within three days we distributed 85,000 tracts to those who came by our booth. I believe that is a sign that Georgia Baptists are serious about sharing the Good News.
Those threatening Boy Scouts are at it again, believing in the big guy By James Lileks, c. 2004 Religion News Service Published December 2, 2004: Move over, OBL (Osama Bin Laden) - our new national threat comes from the BSA. They're a strange, religiously oriented group whose stated purposes ought to make your blood run as cold as chilled mercury. We've had remarkable success in recent years keeping them from undermining American power, thanks to the U.S. military. But now it's official, and what was once a shadowy war is out in the open.
The Open Door By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC Published December 2, 2004: I recently had the privilege of represent-ing Georgia Baptists at the 150th Anniversary of the Florida Baptist Convention. The Convention was organized on November 20, 1854 in the Clifton Mansion home of Richard Johnson Mays in Madison County, Florida. It was very interesting, as I prepared my remarks, to see the close relationship between Georgia Baptists and Florida Baptists across the years. The following excerpts from my message will illustrate those close ties.
Prolonged depression requires active professional treatment By James Dobson Published December 2, 2004

Forum

Misplaced purposes? By Alvin L. Hobgood, Executive Minister, North Metro First Baptist Church Published December 2, 2004: A recent Index forum article questioned the spending of $80 million by certain churches to "accommodate a few thousand people," while our SBC spent "less than $135 million last year to reach the entire world through the IMB and NAMB."
Churches need higher standards By James Howard, Sylvester Published December 2, 2004: Finally someone is doing something about the failing morality in America. News reports say Bill Cosby is making an attempt to stop 'profanity in public.' Praise the Lord. I'm only ashamed we Baptists did not take a public stand on this issue a long time ago. However, we did "a long time ago." I can remember when a man was "churched, " and dismissed from the fellowship of a Baptist church for cursing a stubborn mule.

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