News

Cobb evolution controversy promoting closer look at intelligent design from parents, students, pastors
The question being debated: "Why is a theory taught as fact?"
By Scott Barkley, Staff Writer
Published March 3, 2005

Proponents of creationism in Cobb County want Federal District Judge Clarence Cooper to just have an open mind.

Lesson in discretion comes for Thomasville pastor in scam scare
By Scott Barkley, Staff Writer
Published March 3, 2005

Upon meeting him, Greg Souders didn't suspect a thing.

School is in for increasing number of workers
Georgia VBS receives nationwide recognition for volunteerism increase
By Scott Barkley, Staff Writer
Published March 3, 2005

Ask any Vacation Bible School worker, and they will tell you the more kids participating, the more help needed.

In Dead Sea Scrolls, crowds examine oldest copy of Ten Commandments
By Bruce Nolan, c. 2005 Religion News Service
Published March 3, 2005

MOBILE, Ala. - Portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the ancient manuscripts whose discovery in 1947 is viewed by many as the archaeological find of the 20th century, have gone on display at a small science museum, attracting sizable daily crowds eager to see the oldest biblical fragments ever unearthed.

Catholics mourn death of last living witness of Virgin Mary visions seen in Fatima, Portugal
Published March 3, 2005

VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II and other Catholics mourned the death of the last of the shepherd children said to have received prophecies from the Virgin Mary at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917.

Revival Report
Published March 3, 2005

Rome church to vote on affiliation with Virginia Convention March 13
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published March 3, 2005

On March 13 First Baptist Church of Rome will vote to become a part of the Baptist General Association of Virginia. In a letter written to church members Feb. 11 pastor Joel Snider outlined the plan to transfer the affiliation of the church from the Georgia Baptist Convention to the convention in Virginia.

Resort missionary pointing tourists, athletes to Christ
Former Georgia pastor
By Joe Westbury
Published March 3, 2005

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. - Derek Spain stands in the driving snow, bracing against the harsh wind and the 15-degree temperature. Strangers ask directions and he gives a greeting, turns, and points them in the right direction.

In the Supreme Court itself, Moses and his law on display
By Andrea James, c. 2005 Religion News Service
Published March 3, 2005

WASHINGTON - When the Supreme Court justices consider whether the Ten Commandments should be displayed on government property, they will do so under the watchful eyes of Moses.

Provision coming full circle for Georgia evangelist with golf tournament
Sower now reaping a harvest of goodwill
By Scott Barkley, Staff Writer
Published March 3, 2005

Throughout the seventy-plus years of ministry of Michael Guido, he has depended on God to provide his most basic needs.

The big picture on resort missions
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor
Published March 3, 2005

Resort missions is more than just reaching tourists with the gospel, and it's more than just living in paradise every day. Resort missionaries must be very creative, innovative, and willing to work long hours. Rarely are their nights and weekends to themselves, since that is when many events occur.

Getting to know Annie Armstrong
Published March 3, 2005

Annie Walker Armstrong was the first corresponding secretary of Woman's Missionary Union. Born on July 11, 1850, in Baltimore, Md., to a prominent family active in Baptist life, Annie accompanied her mother to the missionary meetings of Woman's Mission to Woman where she learned the importance of giving and praying for missions.

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions overview
Published March 3, 2005

Georgia NewsBriefs

Dupree named interim ministry resource consultant for the East Central Region
Published March 3, 2005

Leonard Dupree began serving as interim ministry resource consultant for the East Central Region of Georgia Feb. 16. Previously, Dupree served as specialist for church minister relations of the Georgia Baptist Convention for 12 years before retiring Sept. 30.

Baptist News Summary

Tsunami response entering new phase; Southern Baptist gifts top $10 million
Published March 3, 2005

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) - As ministry to Asian tsunami survivors begins the transition from emergency relief to long-term recovery, Southern Baptist gifts to the aid effort through the International Mission Board have topped $10 million.

Humorous spots, video message ready for N. American mission emphasis
Published March 3, 2005

ALPHARETTA (BP) - You won't see the Chimpanzee office workers that were featured in commercials during the Super Bowl, but newly released Week of Prayer promotional video spots also are using humor to illustrate the importance of funding the work of North American missionaries.

Exhibit honoring missionary 'Miss Bertha' opens at SBC Library & Archives
Published March 3, 2005

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) - An exhibit honoring the life and ministry of Bertha Smith, missionary to China and Taiwan, has opened for a two-year run at the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives in the Southern Baptist Convention building.

Texas pastor donates 12,000 books to SWBTS Houston campus
Published March 3, 2005

HOUSTON, Texas (BP) - Southwestern Seminary's Havard School for Theological Studies in Houston recently celebrated the donation of a 12,000-volume theological library during the school's convocation.

SBC registration for June convention opens for childcare, children & youth
Published March 3, 2005

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) - Registration is now open for families who wish to enroll their children in the preschool childcare, the children's conference or the youth Centrifuge June 19-22 in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting here.

For-profit corporations approved for new housing at conference centers
Published March 3, 2005

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) - LifeWay Christian Resources trustees have approved a resolution to establish four for-profit corporations that will develop and manage condominiums and/or townhouses at LifeWay conference centers at Glorieta, N.M., and Ridgecrest, N.C.

Names in the News
Published March 3, 2005

People and Places

Ministerial Moves
Published March 3, 2005

Anniversaries
Published March 3, 2005

Ordinations
Published March 3, 2005

Revivals
Published March 3, 2005

Cooperative Program Stories

Churches bringing to the storehouse collectively
By Sherri Brown, Communications, GBC
Published March 3, 2005

She was young with a new baby. The utility bill was overdue and she didn't have the money. There were precious few diapers in the house and little food.

Bible Study

Jesus: Our King
By Tony Romans, Senior Pastor, North Peachtree Baptist Church, Atlanta
Published March 3, 2005

My high school football team was playing our biggest county rivals. At the end of a play one of their assistant coaches (Coach Akers) got in my face, yelling at me for the hit I had made on his player. In a foolish moment I took a swing at him, luckily I missed, but he yelled out "I've got your number young man."

Jesus: Our Sacrifice
By Tony Romans, Senior Pastor, North Peachtree Baptist Church, Atlanta
Published March 3, 2005

Have you ever tried to pay your grocery bill with Monopoly money? Why not? I know it may be a stupid question, but it makes a good point. Our debts must be paid in official, acceptable currency. The lesson this week causes us to understand why Jesus had to pay for our sins.

Columns

The one-eyed monster
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published March 3, 2005

Television! It's almost impossible to find anything on television worth watching. It hasn't always been that way. I remember the first television set I ever saw. The year was 1948. The TV set was in the show window of a department store in Washington, D.C.

Is it so bad to teach that the God may have designed the universe?
By James Lileks, c. 2005 Religion News Service
Published March 3, 2005

(RNS) It's almost a cliche, or a reality TV show: New York family moves to the Shenandoah Valley and learns that the elementary school breaks in the middle of the day for Bible lessons. You can hear the lawsuits barreling down I-81, can't you?

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC
Published March 3, 2005

For months we have been talking and writing about the WAVE Revivals to begin in February and extend to May. This wave of evangelism would sweep from churches in extreme South Georgia to extreme North Georgia until we see an amazing demonstration of the power of God at work among Georgia Baptists.

Gradual transfer of responsibility prepares daughter for life
By James Dobson
Published March 3, 2005