News

Representing Christ at Atlanta's (Gay) Pride Weekend
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published July 21, 2005

Atlanta Pride Weekend, formerly known as Atlanta Gay Pride Weekend, has come and gone, but not without Georgia Baptists sharing the Gospel with those present for the festivities. Actually, Bill Adams of Revival-USA reached out to the Georgia Baptist Convention's Evangelism Department to help provide witnesses for what Mathew Hennie, editor of the gay newspaper Southern Voice, called a "party with a purpose."

Hurricane center's meterologist guided by faith in Christ
By Barbara Denman
Published July 21, 2005

As Floridians hunkered down in front of television sets for the latest hurricane news, they hoped reports would not bring word of storms bearing down on their homes and worldly possessions. Yet even in the midst of their turmoil, a single, calm voice guided them through what could have been the most cataclysmic event of their lifetime.

South Georgia pastor leading construction effort to reach others
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published July 21, 2005

Beth Tilson, secretary of Temple Baptist Church eight miles south of Moultrie, describes the church's pastor as "a wild child" when he was growing up. Terry Webb, who will soon celebrate his 15th anniversary as the Temple pastor, readily admits to being a rebellious teenager.

Georgia Baptist disaster relief joins Dennis cleanup effort
By Scott Barkley, Staff writer
Published July 21, 2005

Days after the exit of Hurricane Dennis from the Florida panhandle, volunteers with Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief were on site to help in cleanup efforts.

Tech-savvy megachurches expand with big screens on 'satellite campuses'
By Bobby Ross Jr., c. 2005 Religion News Service
Published July 21, 2005

Most weekends, Pastor Craig Groeschel preaches at 23 services in five church locations across Oklahoma.

Supreme Court split rulings on Ten Commandments leave wake of confusion
By Adelle M. Banks, c. 2005 Religion News Service
Published July 21, 2005

The U.S. Supreme Court's ambiguous, split decisions on Ten Commandments displays has left everyone from community activists to lawyers grappling over what happens next.

Athens' Prince Avenue Baptist celebrates Shettel's 25 years as youth pastor
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published July 21, 2005

Youth pastors tend to have short tenures in the churches they serve, but not Barry Shettel, who just concluded his 25th year as the student minister at Prince Avenue Baptist Church in Athens. Born in 1942, Shettel is still going strong in his 60s and Prince Avenue pastor Bill Ricketts says that he is more effective than ever.

Christian Challenge brings Christ to California campuses
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor
Published July 21, 2005

Without planting in the summer there will be no harvest in the fall. And with that thought in mind, two Georgia Baptist college students are busy sowing gospel seeds in California churches and collegiate communities this summer.

Georgia Baptist earns award for missions work
By Kendra Buckles & Sondra Washington
Published July 21, 2005

Nancy Fountain Harrell is "100 percent missions," according to a fellow church member who nominated her for the Dr. Martha Myers GA Alumnae of Distinction Award.

Columbus church's readiness for change fueled by passion for souls
By Norm Miller
Published July 21, 2005

Few Southern Baptist churches would remove tens of thousands of dollars worth of pews and platform furniture to install theater seats, a sound stage and a small stool and music stand for the pastor and his Bible.

Graham, amid New York's tapestry, continues to point toward heaven
By Berta Delgado-Young
Published July 21, 2005

As he has for 60 years, Billy Graham ended his three-day New York crusade June 26 by offering about 90,000 in the crowd a glimpse of heaven. But as in perhaps no other crusade in his long history of evangelism, New York provided heaven's face.

Baptist News Summary

SBC homosexuality stance unchanged; media reports called erroneous
Published July 21, 2005

The Southern Baptist Convention did not change its stance on homosexuality or homosexuals during its annual meeting in Nashville, SBC ethicist Richard Land said.

N.C. exec Jim Royston plans to return to the pastorate
Published July 21, 2005

Jim Royston, executive director-treasurer of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina since 1998, has announced his intention to return to the pastorate, according to the convention's newsjournal, the Biblical Recorder.

WMU awards recognize local missions leaders at annual meeting June 20
Published July 21, 2005

Woman's Missionary Union honored five women for their leadership and service during the WMU Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting on June 20 at First Baptist Church in Nashville.

Randy Sprinkle to move from Wyo. for new post in New England
Published July 21, 2005

Randy Sprinkle, executive director of the Wyoming Southern Baptist Convention, has accepted a position with the Baptist Convention of New England as transformational leadership director.

NAMB video series earns 3 Telly Awards
Published July 21, 2005

The North American Mission Board's electronic media team has won three Telly Awards for its "E-ssentials for the On Mission Church" video series.

Black Servants Network receives 3rd journal edition
Published July 21, 2005

The third volume of The Journal of African American Southern Baptist History was presented during the annual meeting of the Black Southern Baptist Denominational Servants Network June 19 in Nashville, Tenn.

Names in the News
Published July 21, 2005

Religious NewsBriefs

Religious groups make pleas for choice of Supreme Court nominee
Published July 21, 2005

Gearing up for a showdown over President Bush's nomination to replace Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Jerry Falwell is circulating a petition to nominate an anti-abortion conservative while an interfaith coalition is asking Bush for bipartisan consultation.

Poll: Americans give most support to idea of faith shaping politics
Published July 21, 2005

Results of a recent 10-country survey show Americans were the most likely to believe religion should have a role in politics.

Fed up with pilgrims, owner of house where pope was born wants out
Published July 21, 2005

Fed up with pilgrims, the owner of the 18th century house in the Bavarian town of Marktl where Pope Benedict XVI was born is looking for a buyer.

Jordan's king calls on Muslims to reject terrorism in the name of Islam
Published July 21, 2005

Jordan's King Abdullah II has called on Muslims to redress the image of Islam as a religion of terrorism by rejecting those who "defame" it with violent acts.

People and Places

Anniversaries
Published July 21, 2005

Obituaries
Published July 21, 2005

Homecomings
Published July 21, 2005

Honors/Awards
Published July 21, 2005

Ordinations
Published July 21, 2005

Ministerial Moves
Published July 21, 2005

Cooperative Program Stories

South Georgia Hispanic camp leaving teens wanting "amor"
By Sherri Brown, Communications, GBC
Published July 21, 2005

The "Cupid Express" is the English translation for the writing on the heart-covered box that sits conspicuously in the middle of the room. The hole in the top is the place for any of the 39 campers and leaders to drop notes - signed or unsigned - to anyone else in the room.

Bible Study

Working for God
By Dan Spencer, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Thomasville
Published July 21, 2005

Many Christians believe that their spiritual life is only a segment of their life, only one piece of the pie. There is a social piece, a family piece, a career piece, a leisure piece, and a few other pieces thrown in. But that's not true. The spiritual life is like the crust on that pie - it is a part of every area of our lives, the foundation for all we do and think and say.

Once and Future Life
By Dan Spencer, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Thomasville
Published July 21, 2005

We live in a world of discouraged people. Many become so discouraged by the pressures of life that they give up. Hopeless people do desperate things; they abuse themselves and others or they seek escape in drugs and alcohol. For some, suicide seems to be the only way out. Still others quietly struggle from one day to the next, wondering if this life is all there is. Paul called it "losing heart" or "giving up" (verse 16).

Columns

Do something that produces big dividends - memorize God's Word
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published July 21, 2005

Angel Martinez memorized the entire New Testament and could quote it without any reservation, qualification or hesitation. I was privileged to know the noted evangelist and had him preach in several of the churches I served as pastor.

Is it really a Holy Bible for Christians?
By Dale Hanson Bourke
Published July 21, 2005

The boys were about 10 years old as I recall, but youth was no excuse, according to my grandmother. During a skirmish after Sunday school, one boy hit the other over the head with his hard-bound Bible. The assailant brought down the wrath of my godly grandmother, who moved him to tears with the words: "This is the holy word of God. How dare you use it as a weapon!"

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC
Published July 21, 2005

Yet again, God has blessed our family with a precious gift from heaven. I would like to introduce you to my newest granddaughter, Hannah Reagan Curtin. She is an angel.

Parents who avoid dinner table arguments can get kids to eat
By James Dobson
Published July 21, 2005