News

Record 101 churches added to GBC for 2005
93 new churches started, but baptisms drop nearly 11 percent
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor
Published April 13, 2006

Georgia Baptists added a record 101 churches to their ranks in 2005, breaking the former record of 72 set the previous year.

‘Everyone Can’ gaining momentum as SBC annual meeting approaches
By Erin Roach
Published April 13, 2006

More than 800 people gathered at an associational baptism rally in Lincolnton, N.C., April 3 to see a dozen people baptized and several more make decisions to follow Christ, and Bobby Welch believes the rally shows that momentum is gaining toward the Southern Baptist Convention’s next annual meeting.

Mobile Mardi Gras provides harvest field
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published April 13, 2006

“Mardi Gras” in this city dates back to 1703, only one year after Mobile’s founding. Originally called Boeuf Gras (Fatted Ox), the celebration was one of feasting and revelry on the day preceding Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season, which leads to Easter. The celebration, now called Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras Day, attracts as many as 200,000 out of town visitors each year.

Ministry mirrors leadership
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published April 13, 2006

The Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries continues to be one of our most cherished enterprises in Georgia Baptist life. Dr. Ken Dobbs, the president and CEO, of this ministry is a man of Christian character and unusual compassion and has led this facet of Kingdom business with great effectiveness. I have seen him relate to the children he serves and witnessed a genuine love relationship that has warmed my heart. I have also seen him relate to the churches and associations of our Georgia Baptist Zion and have been blessed to see how splendidly he connects and builds relationships.

Christian throwback jerseys promote Bible verses
By Greg Garrison, c. 2006 Religion News Service
Published April 13, 2006

Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Cornell Jackson switches out of his military uniform and pulls on what looks like a Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls basketball jersey bearing the number 23.

Hundreds saved in Roswell Street mission trip to Brazil
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published April 13, 2006

Roswell Street Baptist Church has an effective Brazilian ministry led by pastor Odilon Pereira and has extended their ministry to Brazilians by establishing a three-year missions partnership with Brazil. Pereira, along with Roswell Street Senior Pastor Ernest Easley, recently led a missions team of 16 persons from the church to Vitoria de Conquista, Brazil.

Time on camera has given witness pedestal for BSU and student
By Scott Barkley, Staff Writer
Published April 13, 2006

Did you hear about Trista Wright, a member of the Baptist Student Union at Armstrong Atlantic State University who found money?

Revival Report
Published April 13, 2006

Marjorie McCullough, former national WMU leader, dies
By Julie Walters, WMU
Published April 13, 2006

Marjorie Jones McCullough, former missionary and national WMU pre- sident, died March 18 following a lengthy illness. She was 81.

Groups launch Web sites to refute The Da Vinci Code
Published April 13, 2006

Anticipating a spirited response from the Christian community, Sony Pictures Entertainment has launched a Web site (www.thedavincichallenge.com) to provide a forum for religious scholars to discuss theological questions raised by the film. Sony says the site will feature essays from prominent Christian leaders and scholars, as well as quizzes on early Christian history and a discussion forum.

Georgia NewsBriefs

Two options available for Georgia Baptists to register at SBC, Greensboro for June 13-14
Published April 13, 2006

Georgia Baptist churches will have two ways to register messengers at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C. June 13-14.

Bowen tapped as new director of missions for Sarepta Baptist Association
Published April 13, 2006

Lex Bowen was given a unanimous call by the executive committee of the Sarepta Baptist Association to serve as its new director of missions, beginning May 1.

Georgia Baptists named to Resolution Committee for SBC, Greensboro
Published April 13, 2006

SBC President Bobby Welch has named Gerald Harris, editor of The Christian Index, and Mike Stone, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear, to the list of members of the Resolutions Committee. They will be among those serving during the June 13-14 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C.

Baptist News Summary

Moore named a senior editor of non-SBC magazine
Published April 13, 2006

One of the leading young theologians in the Southern Baptist Convention, Russell D. Moore, has been named to the editorial board of the national magazine Touchstone.

Wyoming convention staffer, daughter killed in wreck
Published April 13, 2006

A Wyoming Southern Baptist Convention staff member and his infant daughter were killed March 26 in an automobile accident during blizzard conditions.

Saddleback Church celebrates 20,000th baptism in March
Published April 13, 2006

Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., celebrated the 20,000th baptism in its 25-year history in a quiet ceremony March 19.

Five NAMB missionaries named top church planters for ’05
Published April 13, 2006

Five North American Mission Board missionaries have been named “Church Planting Missionaries of the Year” for their work in starting new Southern Baptist churches last year.

First Baptist Gulfport members bid farewell to hurricane-battered site
Published April 13, 2006

Members and friends of First Baptist Church bid farewell March 26 to their beloved beachfront facilities brought down by the wind and waves of Hurricane Katrina last year.

Boston church marks 25 years by $100,000 gifts to 2 seminaries
Published April 13, 2006

A Southern Baptist church in Boston celebrated its 25th anniversary March 5, but instead of receiving gifts from well-wishers, the church gave $200,000 to two Southern Baptist seminaries.

Dakota Baptists begin educating ministers via streaming video
Published April 13, 2006

Pastors affiliated with the Dakota Baptist Convention typically drive at least three to six hours one way simply to attend a meeting or a conference. But convention leaders are implementing an initiative to bring ministers together in a more efficient manner.

Names in the News
Published April 13, 2006

Theologian, philosopher and apologist Ronald H. Nash died March 10 at his home in Orlando, Fla., after a long illness. He was 69.

Religious NewsBriefs

British pray-as-you-go Web site an international hit
Published April 13, 2006

A Roman Catholic order in Britain has successfully launched a “pray-as-you-go” Web site aimed at putting stressed-out commuters and other travelers in touch with God via their iPods and cellphones.

Christian prayer tent open on Mount of Olives
Published April 13, 2006

Since March 25, Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land have been worshipping at a new prayer tent on the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem.

Danish parents can soon name their kids Jesus without breaking law
Published April 13, 2006

Beginning this month, parents in Denmark can legally name their children Jesus.

One out of five Americans consider themselves holy
Published April 13, 2006

A new survey indicates that 21 percent of Americans consider themselves holy.

People and Places

Obituaries
Published April 13, 2006

Groundbreakings
Published April 13, 2006

Ordinations
Published April 13, 2006

Ministerial Moves
Published April 13, 2006

Cooperative Program Stories

Once a cadet, now a leader in Christian ministry
By Sherri Brown, GBC, Communications
Published April 13, 2006

James Forrester is the only Georgia Baptist campus minister who is saluted by every student in uniform that he meets on campus.

Bible Study

You Have a Mission
By Stan Wilkins, Associational Missionary, Bartow Baptist Association
Published April 13, 2006

Acts 1:1-14
Related Sunday School Lesson, Family Bible Series, April 23

You Have the Power
By Stan Wilkins, Associational Missionary, Bartow Baptist Association
Published April 13, 2006

Acts 2:1-4, 22-24, 32-33, 36-41-4, 22-24, 32-33, 36-41
Related Sunday School Lesson, Family Bible Series, April 30

Columns

Spiritual Malpractice
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published April 13, 2006

Those of us who serve on the Southern Baptist Convention Funding Study Committee finished our recent meeting in Arlington, Texas ahead of schedule. I decided to try to get an earlier flight home via a stand-by status. When they called my name to inform me that I had been awarded a seat I was elated even though it was a middle seat between two other passengers.

Responding to The Gospel of Judas
By R. Albert Mohler Jr., President, Southern Seminary
Published April 13, 2006

Headlines around the world are announcing the publication of a “long lost” and “suppressed” ancient document, known as The Gospel of Judas. The National Geographic Society announced the publication at a major media event April 6, just in time to boost publicity for its special on the National Geographic Channel April 9.

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC
Published April 13, 2006

From our house to your house our family sends you greetings and best wishes for the most wonderful Easter you have ever experienced. Even if your life over the past year has been marked with the greatest suffering, the greatest sadness and loss in your entire life, this can still be the greatest Easter you have ever experienced.

Today's teenagers have more dangers to avoid
By James Dobson
Published April 13, 2006