News

Georgia Baptists spearhead Acts 1:8 Challenge
1,000-plus churches nationally commit
By Scott Barkley, Staff Writer, Additional reporting by Tim Yarbrough
Published August 18, 2005

Georgia Baptists are leading the way among the more than 1,000 Southern Baptist churches pledging themselves to a new missions initiative designed to reach their community, region, continent and the world.

Thomas S. Rainer recommended as LifeWay's president-elect; will succeed Jimmy Draper Feb. 1
By Rob Phillips
Published August 18, 2005

The presidential search committee of LifeWay Christian Resources' board of trustees recommended Aug. 5 that Thom S. Rainer become the Southern Baptist entity's next president after James T. (Jimmy) Draper Jr. retires Feb. 1.

Gwinnett County laypeople join festival where missions is a family affair
By Scott Barkley, Staff Writer
Published August 18, 2005

When LuAnn Marlow planned the family vacation this year, she wanted something a little different for her kids to experience.

Minnix resigns evangelism leadership position
Served Georgia Baptists for nearly four years
By Gerald Harris, Editor
Published August 18, 2005

After nearly four years as Georgia Baptists' vice president of evangelism Mike Minnix stepped down on Aug. 15 to take an early retirement. Known as a powerful preacher and an able administrator, Minnix, 61, has led Georgia to achieve notable success in evangelism.

After 46 years at Mt. Harmony, Bob Baxter still loves his role as pastor
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published August 18, 2005

Bob Baxter, who grew up near Bremen, and Gloria Twitty, a native of Gainesville, met in their first year as students at Mercer University. It didn't take long for Baxter to ask the bright young lady from Hall County for a date, but she declined to grant the request until the last quarter of their senior year. He recently quipped, "I think she was looking for a rich lawyer."

VBS motto modeled by students to help Heard County church with VBS
Show Me! Teach Me! Guide Me!
By Sherri Brown, Special Assignment Reporter
Published August 18, 2005

Nobody remembers exactly when the last Vacation Bible School was held at Concord Church in LaGrange. Long-time members say it was at least eight or nine years ago and five people showed up for the event.

Plans for 2006 VBS set to be on the 'arctic edge'
Published August 18, 2005

In 2006, Vacation Bible School will go to the top of the world and then some.

Bush says intelligent design should be taught in schools
Published August 18, 2005

President Bush set off a new wave of debate over whether intelligent design should be taught alongside evolution in public schools when he gave his opinion in a roundtable discussion with Texas newspaper reporters Aug. 1.

Adjusting to the big leagues, Braves rookie finds spiritual support
By Tim Ellsworth
Published August 18, 2005

Blaine Boyer shares a clubhouse with some of the most recognized faces in baseball.

Rookie Braves pitcher, Boyer, just a good old boy at heart
By Tim Ellsworth
Published August 18, 2005

David Parker met Blaine Boyer earlier this season while Boyer was pitching in Jackson, Miss., for the Atlanta Braves' Double-A affiliate. One day before a game, Boyer simply came over to Parker and his family and started talking to them. A friendship was born.

Missing generation: African AIDS epidemic leaves elderly to raise kids
By Sue Sprenkle
Published August 18, 2005

Children run wildly up and down the path - turning cartwheels and chattering along the way. Several steps behind, their granny walks stiffly, holding onto her oldest granddaughter's arm for a steadiness she hasn't had in years.

Abstinence in midst of pressure is possible, African teens learn
By Sue Sprenkle
Published August 18, 2005

A scream escapes from the front row of the auditorium as middle schoolers frantically knock over chairs and try to escape the man dressed in all black and a scary mask.

Baptist News Summary

Southern Baptist missionaries die in separate incidents
Published August 18, 2005

Southern Baptists are mourning the recent loss of two volunteers.

HCSB signs licensing agreement with American Bible Society
Published August 18, 2005

Broadman & Holman Publishers announced July 26 that it has signed a 15-year agreement with the American Bible Society for distribution of products containing the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) translation by the ABS and the United Bible Societies.

Canadian seminary, via Internet, to reach across Canada and beyond
Published August 18, 2005

The Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary has worked with the Association of Theological Schools to launch a new delivery system, seminarylink.com, allowing the seminary to work with students across Canada and the world.

'Everyone Can' evangelism resources for churches now available online
Published August 18, 2005

Everyone can be on mission to share Jesus.

600 at Black Leadership Week set sights on Acts 1:8 Challenge
Published August 18, 2005

The future of the church is outside its walls, speakers at the 13th annual Black Leadership Week said.

GuideStone medical rates decrease for majority of participants
Published August 18, 2005

Rates for the majority of GuideStone Financial Resources' PPO medical plan participants will decrease for 2006, with improved benefits to be provided for preventive care and other services.

Names in the News
Published August 18, 2005

Trustees of the International Mission Board have overwhelmingly approved the selection of Tom Elliff as senior vice president for spiritual nurture and church relations.

Religious NewsBriefs

Poll: Nearly half of Hispanics say they attend church weekly
Published August 18, 2005

A look at the worship practices of the nation's Hispanics finds that 49 percent say they attend "once a week or almost every week," while 17 percent attend at least once a month and 32 percent say they seldom or never attend church, a recent Gallup poll says.

Pastors issue open letter urging attention to black family 'crisis'
Published August 18, 2005

A group of 25 pastors has issued an open letter July 20 to black church leaders, calling on them to no longer be silent about the state of African-American families.

Senate Democrats launch 'Word to the Faithful' Web site
Published August 18, 2005

Concerned that Democrats are seen as a party that is hostile or ambivalent toward religion, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid on July 19 unveiled a new Web site with "A Word to the Faithful."

Mormon conference to address Church critics
Published August 18, 2005

In what organizers call a push for open scholarship, an Internet-based Mormon think tank's annual conference will focus on defending some of the church's most controversial aspects head-on.

People and Places

Anniversaries
Published August 18, 2005

Obituaries
Published August 18, 2005

Honors
Published August 18, 2005

Homecomings
Published August 18, 2005

Revivals
Published August 18, 2005

Ministerial Moves
Published August 18, 2005

Cooperative Program Stories

Being changed while changing the world
By Sherri Brown, Communications, GBC
Published August 18, 2005

They were just a bunch of middle school kids assigned to paint a house during a week of World Changers in LaGrange. They acted the part.

Bible Study

When Heaven Comes Down
By Dan Spencer, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Thomasville
Published August 18, 2005

Christians love to sing about heaven. A quick browse of a Baptist Hymnal yields dozens of songs about Glory, Canaan Land, Beulah Land, "the beautiful shore," and Home. We sing about heaven, but what do we really know about the "land that is fairer than day?" What will we experience "when the roll is called up yonder?"

Dead End Ahead
By Dannie Williams, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Lyons
Published August 18, 2005

Ecclesiastes is one of the most fascinating books of the Bible. Written by the preacher/king, son of King David, it is the record of the wisdom he has gained from a life lived out "under the sun" (from man's perspective). Like James, Solomon addresses life in a very practical way, his writings serving as signposts to call attention to some of the dead end paths that people of every generation naturally gravitate toward and pursue in their search to find fulfillment and happiness in life.

Columns

Let the pulpits be aflame with the bold proclamation of the gospel
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published August 18, 2005

Early one Sunday morning before going to church I was surfing through the channels on the television set to find some good gospel music and happened to pause at The Hour of Power from the Crystal Cathedral. They were having a patriotic service with beautiful music appropriate for the occasion. I was captivated by the pageantry and music presented in that televised service.

To help your kids, throw out the TV, turn off the computer and eat together
By Tom Ehrich, c. 2005 Religion News Service
Published August 18, 2005

As summer winds down and children gather again at school bus stops, it is time for families to ask the annual question: What will truly make a difference in children's well-being?

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC
Published August 18, 2005

Each September Georgia Baptists join hearts and resources together in support of the Georgia Baptist State Missions Season of Prayer and Offering. This year's goal is 1.5 million dollars, and the suggested emphasis dates are September 7-11. A fourteen-day prayer guide is available to you through the offices of the Georgia Baptist Convention to assist you and your church as you pray specifically about Georgia Baptist state missions.

Teach your sons through your example
By James Dobson
Published August 18, 2005