News

NAMB trustees end contracts, chart new course
Agency had been committed to four-year contract for use of corporate jet
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor
Published May 11, 2006

Trustees of the North American Mission Board began charting a new course for the agency on May 2 in their first regularly scheduled meeting since the resignation of President Bob Reccord on April 17.

Presidential search and executive level committees named
Georgian to serve on key committee
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor
Published May 11, 2006

Rincon pastor Bob Rogers will represent Georgia Baptists as a member of a key committee charting the future of the North American Mission Board.

Georgia Baptists named to serve at various positions of denominational leadership
Published May 11, 2006

The 2006 SBC Committee on Nominations has named several Georgia Baptists to serve in leadership roles. Nominees will serve if elected by the messengers to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, June 13-14 in Greensboro, N.C.

Ten Commandments-Georgia director applauds court decisions, announces candidacy
Griffin to challenge incumbent Alan Powell
By Scott Barkley, Staff Writer
Published May 11, 2006

Mike Griffin declares there’s been a shift in courts and the Ten Commandments.

Eight Georgians among 41 Baptist leaders affirming Reccord
Published May 11, 2006

Eight Georgia Baptist pastors have gone on record affirming the integrity and achievements of former NAMB president Bob Reccord.

SBC president and U. S. president meet in Oval Office
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published May 11, 2006

On March 17 Bobby Welch, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, met with George W. Bush at the request of the White House. Two weeks prior to the meeting Peggy Campbell, Welch’s administrative assistant at First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach received the invitation requesting that the Florida pastor come to Washington for the meeting.

Index takes highest honors in annual awards competition
Published May 11, 2006

Southern Baptist communicators gathered in Richmond, Va., in mid-April to recognize outstanding work among their peers. At the top of the list was The Christian Index, which was honored for exceptional contributions to the field of Christian communications.

Georgia Baptist women celebrate, renew personal commitment to missions
By Margaret McCommon Dempsey, Special to the Index
Published May 11, 2006

More than 900 Georgia Baptist women, representing 200 churches in 68 associations, gathered in middle Georgia for the 123rd annual WMU Missions Encounter at Mabel White Baptist Church in Macon. Focusing on the theme, “Portraits of Faith,” participants celebrated the faith of Southern Baptist missionaries and biblical personalities and also were called to a deeper and more active personal faith.

Georgia Baptists crucial in success of new ethnic website
By Sherri Brown, Special to the Index
Published May 11, 2006

Georgia Baptists will determine the future of a new website that contains detailed ethnic information all in one place.

Before the throne as one, ethnics come together at summit meeting
By Sherri Brown, Special to the Index
Published May 11, 2006

All people in America need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That was the underlying theme at the sixth annual Ethnic Workers’ Summit held in Atlanta April 27-29.

GBC staff retreat/revival results in changed lives and spiritual renewal
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published May 11, 2006

The Georgia Baptist Convention staff, including the Ministry Resource Consultants and the Baptist Campus Ministers from across the state, met at the Baptist Center April 18-20 for a Staff Retreat/Revival; a genuine spirit of spiritual renewal swept across the hearts of those involved.

A year in the gap can be crucial, program leader says
Ministry founded by Georgia Baptists set to prepare students
By Scott Barkley, Staff Writer
Published May 11, 2006

Preparation for a life in ministry, whether through a church or one’s workplace, is heavily influenced in the young adult years, attests John White.

Brewton-Parker Softball player shines on and off the field
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published May 11, 2006

Lindsey Hamrick was the first female athlete from Hiram High School to sign a national letter of intent to play a college sport. She is now an integral part of the infield, playing second base on the Brewton-Parker Barons ladies softball team. She has a batting average of over .300 and recently hit the first homerun of her college career.

Hispanic pastors respond to immigration issue
Published May 11, 2006

The extent to which immigration will be a topic during the Southern Baptist Convention is unknown. Much depends in part on what the 10-member Resolutions Committee decides to recommend to messengers – and what any proposed resolution on immigration might say. There also might be motions from the floor.

Carlos Ferrer: interim head of entity that helped Cuban family
By Mickey Noah
Published May 11, 2006

As far as the North American Mission Board goes, Carlos Ferrer has journeyed full circle.

Georgia NewsBriefs

Baptist Building to close May 16, reopen May 22 at new location
Published May 11, 2006

The Baptist Center on Flowers Road will be closed May 17-19 due to the move to its new location in Gwinnett County. Staff will resume work in their new offices on May 22 with their first day in the newly named Georgia Baptist Missions and Ministry Center.

Georgia appointees named to Southern Baptist Convention Committee on Committees
Published May 11, 2006

Two Georgia Baptist pastors were among those named to the Southern Baptist Convention’s Committee on Committees, announced by SBC President Bobby Welch.

Welch appoints Georgians to serve on various Greensboro committees
Published May 11, 2006

Southern Baptist Convention President Bobby Welch has named members of the Credentials Committee and Tellers Committee for the June 13-14 annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C.

Baptist News Summary

SBC missionaries agree to guidelines, will return to the field
Published May 11, 2006

Southern Baptist missionaries Wyman and Michelle Dobbs will be allowed to return to their work in West Africa after telling the International Mission Board’s overseas leadership they are committed to following the IMB’s five levels of partnership and planting indigenous Baptist churches.

City board revokes condemnation ruling against Filipino Baptist church
Published May 11, 2006

After a long stretch of intense negotiations, the members of Filipino Baptist Fellowship in Long Beach, Calif., are claiming a victory now that the city’s redevelopment agency has terminated its efforts to acquire their church building through eminent domain.

Texas pastor proposes resolution on dissent
Published May 11, 2006

A proposed resolution “On Baptist Dissent” generated a measure of that dynamic in an article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Broadman & Holman announces name change effective June 1
Published May 11, 2006

Broadman & Holman Publishers, the trade publishing division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, announced April 27 plans to change its name to B&H Publishing Group, effective June 1.

State convention increases CP giving 15 years in a row
Published May 11, 2006

For each of the last 15 years, the Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania/South Jersey has increased its giving through the Cooperative Program, Southern Baptists’ channel of empowering its missions thrust throughout the world.

White House representative praises Baptist disaster relief
Published May 11, 2006

The White House director of Faith-Based Initiatives told Southern Baptist volunteers, “No longer are you considered a group of last resort, but a group of first resort. The government doesn’t take for granted your contributions, but seeks to take advantage of them.”

Degree requirements approved by SEBTS trustees
Published May 11, 2006

Southeastern Seminary’s trustees approved a revision of the seminary’s graduate and undergraduate programs during their April 10-11 spring meeting on the Wake Forest, N.C., campus.

Names in the News
Published May 11, 2006

People and Places

Ministerial Moves
Published May 11, 2006

Obituaries
Published May 11, 2006

Cooperative Program Stories

A diverse new world
By Sherri Brown, Communications, GBC
Published May 11, 2006

It would be nice if Sid Hopkins could speak the language of all the pastors in his association. But then he’d have to speak in about a dozen or so languages.

Bible Study

Lydia: Willing Service
By Stan Wilkins, Associational Missionary, Bartow Baptist Association
Published May 11, 2006

Acts 16:11-15, 40; Philippians 1:3-11
Related Sunday School Lesson, Family Bible Series, May 21

Mary: Unwavering Focus
By Stan Wilkins, Associational Missionary, Bartow Baptist Association
Published May 11, 2006

Luke 10:38-42; John 12:1-8
Related Sunday School Lesson, Family Bible Series, May 28

Columns

Postmodern World tolerant of everything, but evangelical Christianity
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published May 11, 2006

I recently attended a meeting of a small group of Christian leaders hosted by Alan Sears, president, CEO, and general counsel of the Alliance Defense Fund.

Why is Da Vinci so successful?
By Andreas Kostenberger, Professor, Southeastern Seminary
Published May 11, 2006

One of the questions I get asked regularly as I speak on The Da Vinci Code is, “Why do you think the book is so wildly successful?”

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC
Published May 11, 2006

It is with great excitement and anticipation that your Georgia Baptist Convention staff prepares for the move to our new Georgia Baptist Missions and Ministry Center located at 6405 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth, Georgia. My mind goes back to March of 1999, when a study committee was formed and we began to consider the need to make a move from our present facilities to the new location.

Large inheritance can be threat to responsible living
By James Dobson
Published May 11, 2006