News

Constructing ministry opportunities on the Web
More churches explore Internet in evangelism
By Scott Barkley, Staff Writer
Published April 14, 2005

When his family moved to Cherokee County at the beginning of March from Naples, Fla., Ron Lee knew he wanted to find a church that he, his wife Ana, and two children, 11-year-old Alan and 10-year-old Amy, could consider home.

Exclusive Interview: 2005 Atlanta Braves marked by men of faith
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published April 14, 2005

It is springtime, the time of the year when a young man's fancy turns to ... America's favorite pastime, baseball. Of course, young men do not have exclusive rights on celebrating the arrival of another baseball season. It is the privilege of all sports-minded, TBS and ESPN-watching, peanuts-and-cracker jacks-loving, swinging-for-the-fences baseball fans.

Revival Report
Published April 14, 2005

First Person: Precious in His Sight
By Barbara Curnutt, Executive Director-Treasurer, Baptist Woman's Missionary Union of Georgia
Published April 14, 2005

As a child I loved to sing, "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight..." Through loving parents and a caring church family, I learned early in life that children are indeed precious in God's sight.

Schiavo, Pope John Paul II, provide 'teachable moment'
By Kevin Eckstrom, c. 2005 Religion News Service
Published April 14, 2005

(RNS) At a residential hospice in Pinellas Park, Fla., the life of a 41-year-old Catholic woman hung in the balance as supporters mounted an unsuccessful bid to shield her from "the culture of death."

South Georgia pastor has given up fried chicken and 170 pounds
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published April 14, 2005

Recent reports indicate that for the first time in United States history today's younger generation will most likely have a shorter lifespan than their parents. The reason: obesity. Diets and weight loss programs abound, but the percentage of overweight people continues to increase.

Baptist Student Unions take time to break for mission fields
By Terry Gaston, BPC Public Relations
Published April 14, 2005

Mount Vernon -- Three groups of Brewton-Parker students joined other Georgia Baptists who passed on vacations during spring break in order to participate in missions opportunities.

Where they went: Georgia students minister worldwide
Published April 14, 2005

Other Georgia BSUs took time during spring break to engage in mission opportunities.

The cost of communicating
By Scott Barkley, Staff Writer
Published April 14, 2005

Although it is possible to attain a Web site for free, it's not a move Rod Hampton, Web consultant for the Georgia Baptist Convention, recommends.

Georgia NewsBriefs

Abercrombie named state coordinator for HKC
Published April 14, 2005

Greg Abercrombie has been named coordinator for the Healthy Kingdom Churches initiative in the Georgia Baptist Convention. The announcement came March 28 from the executive director's team.

Ferguson new associational missionary for Hebron Baptist Association
Published April 14, 2005

Steve Ferguson has been named associational missionary for Hebron Baptist Association, beginning service there April 11.

GBC president announces members of 2005 Committee on Nominations
Published April 14, 2005

Georgia Baptist Convention President Tony R. Dickerson has announced the members of the 2005 Committee on Nominations.

Baptist News Summary

FamilyNet's At Home - Live! marks 5 years, 1,000 programs
Published April 14, 2005

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) - FamilyNet celebrated the five-year anniversary and 1,000th show of At Home - Live! with Chuck and Jenni Borsellino! on April 1.

La. College pres. elected legitimately; trustees address accreditation concerns
Published April 14, 2005

PINEVILLE, La. (BP) - A district judge has ruled that Louisiana College's new president, Joe Aguillard, was legitimately elected by the board of trustees although the action did not follow the college's bylaws; trustees also have taken steps to address accreditation concerns that have put the Baptist school on probation.

LifeWay Worship Music Group replaces Genevox as dept. name
Published April 14, 2005

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) - LifeWay Worship Music Group is the new name of the music section of LifeWay Christian Resources.

Glorieta lodge gets new life, new name thanks to Southern Baptists of Texas
Published April 14, 2005

GLORIETTA, NM (BP) - It seems fitting that the dedication of Cottonwood Lodge came during Easter week. The building received new life March 22 thanks to the help of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

Midwestern trustees celebrate record year for special gifts
Published April 14, 2005

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP) - In a year of record special contributions totaling $564,309 from Jan. 1 through December 2004, Midwestern Seminary trustees dedicated four rooms in the William Koehn and Martha Myers Center for World Evangelism, the first expansion project in campus academic/administration facilities in more than 25 years.

LifeWay Brazil brings resources to Portuguese-speaking churches
Published April 14, 2005

NASVILLE, Tenn. (BP) - Nearly four years ago, LifeWay initiated a partnership with the Brazilian company Bom Pastor, and established a division called LifeWay Brazil. A licensing agreement allows LifeWay Brazil to translate into Portuguese materials published by LifeWay Church Resources and Broadman & Holman Publishers for distribution in Latin America.

GuideStone wellness walk/run slated for SBC in Nashville
Published April 14, 2005

DALLAS (BP) - GuideStone Financial Resources will sponsor the third annual Living@YourBest Wellness Walk/Run during the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn.

Names in the News
Published April 14, 2005

One of the most influential leaders in Southern Baptist work in Hawaii, Dan Hen Chong Kong, died March 14 in Honolulu after a brief illness. He was 76.

Religious NewsBriefs

Atheists decry lowering of flags in Pope's honor
Published April 14, 2005

(RNS) Two atheistic groups have found fault with the government's decision to lower the American flag in honor of the late Pope John Paul II.

Religious leaders protest summertime gay pride parade planned for Jerusalem
Published April 14, 2005

JERUSALEM (RNS) - A group of Jewish and Christian leaders from Israel and the United States has launched a petition campaign to prevent a gay pride parade from taking place in Jerusalem this summer.

Catholic school enrollment falls 2.6 percent nationally; suburban schools growing
Published April 14, 2005

(RNS) - Enrollment at Catholic schools has fallen 2.6 percent from last year, with 173 schools closed or consolidated and 37 new schools opened, according to the National Catholic Educational Association.

Moscow Court calls Russian museum exhibit on Orthodox Church 'blasphemous'
Published April 14, 2005

(RNS) - A Moscow district court has convicted and fined the director and curator of a Russian museum on charges of inciting religious hatred.

People and Places

Anniversaries
Published April 14, 2005

Homecomings
Published April 14, 2005

Ordinations
Published April 14, 2005

Retirements
Published April 14, 2005

Revivals
Published April 14, 2005

Cooperative Program Stories

Training leaders: Baptist Bible Institutes across state teach pastors in theology, ministry implementation
By Sherri Brown, Communications, GBC
Published April 14, 2005

James McCullough believed God called him to be a pastor when he was a young man. However, although he continued to be active in church, he chose another career path. But 17 years ago McCullough accepted his calling from years before and was ordained as a minister in 1993.

Bible Study

Humble Living
By Tony Romans, Senior Pastor, North Peachtree Baptist Church, Atlanta
Published April 14, 2005

If you could ask Christ for any one request what would you ask from Him? Jesus' disciples asked a request of Him (Luke 11:1). They did not ask Him how to heal the sick. They did not ask how to raise the dead. They did not ask for Jesus' secret for walking on the water, or His recipe for multiplying the loaves and fishes.

Seek God's Purpose
By Danny Cochran, Pastor, Holly Creek Baptist Church, Chatsworth
Published April 14, 2005

Change can be very difficult in our lives. However, change can provide opportunities for growth and blessings. This week's study is about a man who was called by God to undergo some major changes in his life.

Columns

Let's discuss death
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published April 14, 2005

Most social functions and teas are probably not characterized by dialogues on death. Indeed, death is a subject to be avoided in the most refined and genial circles. Who goes to a party to eat crumpets, drink Earl Grey tea from a demitasse cup and discuss William Cullen Bryant's Thanatopsis?

A voice for the poor is stilled, but heard
By David Sarasohn, c. 2005 Religion News Service
Published April 14, 2005

(RNS) Last week, the world remembered a figure who warned, "It is manifestly unjust that a privileged few should continue to accumulate excess goods, squandering available resources, while masses of people are living in conditions of misery at the very lowest levels of subsistence."

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC
Published April 14, 2005

I would like to introduce you to a Georgia Baptist treasure, Andy and Elizabeth Hammack and their ten beautiful children. Several friends had told me about this wonderful family, but as I preached a revival for their church, I was able to experience for myself what a treasure they are.

Fathers and sons must find common ground
By James Dobson
Published April 14, 2005