News

Lincolnton couple heed God’s call to serve in Moldova
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published July 7, 2005

Georgia Baptists have a missions partnership with the Eastern European nation of Moldova. Formerly a part of Romania, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. The country is landlocked with Romania on the west and surrounded by Ukraine on the north, east and south. The poorest nation in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a communist as its president in 2001.

Johnson Ferry pastor Bryant Wright elected president of SBC Pastor’s Conference
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published July 7, 2005

For the seventh time in the last 23 years a Georgia Baptist pastor has been elected as president of the Southern Baptist Convention Pastor’s Conference. Bryant Wright, pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, was elected to serve in this position for the 2006 Pastor’s Conference to be held in Greensboro, N.C.

Messengers focus on evangelism, end Disney boycott during annual convention meeting in Nashville
By Michael Foust
Published July 7, 2005

Under the banner of “Everyone Can,” Southern Baptists June 22 launched an ambitious effort to baptize one million people in a year, capping an annual meeting that also saw an end to the Disney boycott, a special recognition of Billy Graham and an address via satellite from President Bush.

SBC to unveil Billy Graham tribute sculpture at ‘06 meeting
By David Roach
Published July 7, 2005

The Southern Baptist Convention will unveil a bronze statue honoring the life and ministry of evangelist Billy Graham at the 2006 annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C., SBC President Bobby Welch announced during the closing session of the 2005 annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn.

Bush commends Southern Baptists, reaffirms call for compassionate society
By Tom Strode, With reporting by Keith Hinson
Published July 7, 2005

President Bush told Southern Baptists June 21 their belief in a “free church in a free state” requires establishing a culture of compassion.

Southern Baptists end eight-year boycott of Disney
By Adelle M. Banks, c. 2005 Religion News Service
Published July 7, 2005

Southern Baptists voted overwhelmingly June 22 to end their eight-year boycott of the Walt Disney Co., claiming the protest had an impact in making the company more family-friendly.

Idaho partnership nearing end, relationships will last forever
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published July 7, 2005

The Mission partnership between the Georgia and Utah/Idaho Conventions is quickly moving toward its conclusion. A few more months and the official partnership will end, but wonderful relationships have been established between individuals and churches across the broad expanse between the two conventions.

Georgians awarded at Southeastern service
Published July 7, 2005

Southeastern Seminary honored six Georgians May 19 as part of its chapel commissioning service. The awards denote academic excellence among recipients.

Memorial services ‘toughest part’ of chaplain’s service in Iraq
Published July 7, 2005

Ernie Carroll’s life now has two time frames: “before Baghdad” or “after Baghdad.”

Documentary on Southern Baptist teen headlines religious film festival
By Chris Herlinger, c. 2005 Religion News Service
Published July 7, 2005

At a time of year when summer blockbusters have a virtual stranglehold on the local cineplex, an annual film festival exploring issues of human rights, war, reconciliation and religion has come to be an enduring New York institution.

Georgia NewsBriefs

Volunteers needed for Indonesian relief
Published July 7, 2005

Ten workers are needed for a relief team going to the Indonesian island of Simeilui Aug. 1-15.

Baptist News Summary

Book: Southern Baptist martyrs were Lives Given, Not Taken
Published July 7, 2005

A just-released book, Lives Given, Not Taken: 21st Century Southern Baptist Martyrs by International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin and IMB senior writer Erich Bridges, tells the story of eight Southern Baptist workers killed in the past three years.

Da Vinci Code workshop audio posted at Midwestern’s website
Published July 7, 2005

Audio recordings of The Da Vinci Code Workshop at Midwestern Seminary have been posted to the seminary’s website.

Chapman joins Rehnquist, Moore in receiving honorary doctorate
Published July 7, 2005

Morris H. Chapman, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, joined Chief Justice William Reinquist and Sam Moore, CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, in receiving an honorary doctorate from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix along with eight other notable leaders.

GuideStone to offer online retirement planning services
Published July 7, 2005

With the goal of providing more education and guidance for retirement plan participants, GuideStone Financial Resources will offer online retirement planning services from Morningstar Associates, LLC, to its participants this fall.

Religious NewsBriefs

Gallup Poll shows more people claim evangelical label than hold the beliefs
Published July 7, 2005

Four in 10 Americans identify themselves as evangelical or born-again Christians, but a significantly smaller percentage of Americans actually subscribe to “core evangelical doctrine,” the Gallup Organization has found.

Campus prayer room causes concern
Published July 7, 2005

A room for peaceful reflection and prayer at the University of Michigan-Flint has become the focus of a months-long controversy because some students said Muslims took over the space.

Human Rights Watch: Cycle of religious violence since last year persists in Nigeria
Published July 7, 2005

The Nigerian government has failed to prosecute those responsible for a cycle of violence between Muslims and Christians that resulted in the deaths of 900 people in north and central Nigeria in 2004, Human Rights Watch says in a new report.

Christian music co. teams with Disney for access to Christian retail
Published July 7, 2005

A top Christian music distributor and Walt Disney Records are collaborating to provide Christian vendors access to Disney’s family-friendly audio products, the companies announced in a joint statement June 2.

People and Places

Anniversaries
Published July 7, 2005

Obituaries
Published July 7, 2005

Honors
Published July 7, 2005

Cooperative Program Stories

Bowen Association helping provide migrant relief
By Sherri Brown, Communications, GBC
Published July 7, 2005

One man has a rash, another a sore throat. Doctors, physician’s assistants and students take temperatures, check blood pressure and listen to patients. They pass out pills and give instructions on staying healthy.

Bible Study

Being Joyful
By Dan Spencer, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Thomasville
Published July 7, 2005

Many people who were raised in church remember singing this song as a child: “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart … and if the devil doesn’t like it he can sit on a tack!” Another song says, “This joy that I have, the world didn’t give it to me; the world didn’t give it, and the world can’t take it away.”

Discerning Truth
By Dan Spencer, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Thomasville
Published July 7, 2005

In the year 62 AD, the Apostle Paul wrote to a group of believers whom he had never met. Paul had commissioned a man named Epaphras to plant a church in the city of Colosse in the Lycus River Valley of Asia Minor. The church had been planted and it was growing, but Paul had become aware of some threats to this fledgling church.

Columns

SBC President Bobby Welch: Champion of Evangelism
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published July 7, 2005

When England was reeling on the precipice of discouragement and defeat from the constant onslaught of the German blitzkrieg in World War II, Winston Churchill inspired a weary and fainthearted nation with his persuasive and powerful words.

The day my world changed
By John Avant
Published July 7, 2005

Want to wake up Monday morning and be glad the alarm is going off? I know – that would take a miracle.

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC
Published July 7, 2005

In 1953, a motion was made at the Georgia Baptist Convention meeting in Columbus for Georgia Baptists to consider a ministry to senior adults. That motion and subsequent study and events resulted in the creation of Baptist Village Retirement Communities in 1958 and Baptist Retirement Communities in 1967. Today, Georgia Baptists provide homes and health care for seniors from Lake Park, to Waycross, to Macon, to Atlanta.

Successful marriages fight against ‘natural distancing’
By Jomes Dobson
Published July 7, 2005