News

Being innovative at sharing Christ in Yellowstone
By Story and photos by Joe Westbury, Managing Editor
Published July 19, 2007

When Josh Dokey was awakened by the howl of a coyote at 4:45 a.m. – an occurrence he refers to as his personal alarm clock – he knew he wasn’t in Carrollton anymore. And when, 45 minutes later he was arranging pastries and prepping the breakfast buffet at Lake Yellowstone Lodge, he knew he was not on summer vacation.

First Baptist Brunswick helping to transform Ugly Betty into Cinderella
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published July 19, 2007

Sometime ago a family was contemplating a move to Brunswick, got on the Internet to explore suitable communities for their relocation, and came across one blogger who advised, “Avoid neighborhoods like Arco and Dixville.”

Improved NOBTS North Georgia center now offers on-campus credit
By Gary D. Myers, Director of Public Relations, NOBTS
Published July 19, 2007

Seminary students in North Georgia just got more education options.

Israel sees an immigration of choice, not necessity
By Michele Chabin, c. 2007 Religion News Service
Published July 19, 2007

For Tanya and Alex Pomson, life was good in Toronto, where the British-born couple had moved in 1996 to advance Alex’s career. He became a tenured professor at York University and she stayed home to raise their four children.

Arkansas exchange student accepts Christ, loses family
By Charlie Warren
Published July 19, 2007

Sherzod Odilov, an exchange student from Uzbekistan, did not anticipate the high price he would pay for his decision to follow Christ, but knowing the price Christ paid for him, he stands firm.

Yemen hospital's legacy: love & grit
By Erich Bridges
Published July 19, 2007

Southern Baptist doctors Judy Williams and Bruce Roach used to have a friendly competition at Jibla Baptist Hospital in Yemen: Who would work the longest “shift” without walking out the front gate?

Metro Atlanta churches lead recent missions effort in New Orleans
By Marilyn Stewart
Published July 19, 2007

“This team has been a witness in our community,” New Orleans pastor Fred Luter said after 120 volunteers ventured to the still-stricken city from Georgia’s African-American Fellowship and Sisters on Mission.

Texas court dismisses confidentiality case against pastor
By Adelle M. Banks
Published July 19, 2007

The Texas Supreme Court unanimously dismissed a suit brought by a former member of a Fort Worth church who accused her pastor of violating her confidentiality.

American Legion, legal groups to defend religious symbols on memorials
By Adelle M. Banks
Published July 19, 2007

The American Legion has joined forces with two conservative legal groups in a campaign to defend religious symbols on veterans’ memorials.

NAMB missionary John Lewis dies
Published July 19, 2007

John P. Lewis, a Southern Baptist-endorsed chaplain and a 2007 North American Mission Board “Week of Prayer” missionary (an honor shared with his wife Diana), died of cancer July 8 in Benton, Ark. He was 56.

Move over, Harry Potter, Christian fantasy has arrived
By Juli Cragg Hilliard, c. 2007 Religion News Service
Published July 19, 2007

Whether using dragons, firefish, or sword-wielding soccer moms, writers in the emerging category of Christian fantasy fiction are clamoring for a spot in the marketplace.

Missionary fulfills grandparents' goal
By Shawn Hendricks
Published November 30, 1999

After committing his life to missions in Mozambique, Brian Harrell learned that his grandparents also had a heart for the African country.

Mourners lay unclaimed infants and fetuses to rest
By Kate Moran, c. 2007 Religion News Service
Published July 19, 2007

By the side of a grave in Metairie Cemetery June 20, Lise Naccari bowed her head, held her husband’s hand, and let herself grieve.

Mission workers jittery over passport backlogs
By Michelle Rindels, c. 2007 Religion News Service
Published July 19, 2007

In the wake of tighter passport restrictions, thousands of jittery missionaries-to-be added something new to their prayer lists: passport delays.

Colosseum, 'Christ the Redeemer' named new Wonders of the World
By Michelle C. Rindels
Published July 19, 2007

Move over, Hanging Gardens of Babylon and Colossus of Rhodes: An international poll named a new set of Seven Wonders of the World on July 7.

Meds and music: Jubalheirs broaden ministry scope
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published July 19, 2007

With more than 64 people in tow, the Jubalheirs’ recent mission trip to Moldova opened up a new avenue of ministry.

Georgia NewsBriefs

Georgia Disaster Relief personnel dispatched to assist in southeastern Kansas flooding
Published July 19, 2007

Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief Unit 10R was dispatched July 8 to help in recovery and cleanup following flooding in Kansas. The unit joined 27 others across 13 states to assist in the effort.

Committee on Nominations named for 2007-08
Published July 19, 2007

Seventy Southern Baptists from 35 state Baptist conventions have been named to serve on the 2007-08 SBC Committee on Nominations.

Progress of GBC radio right on track
Published July 19, 2007

Usage data compiled on GBC Internet radio shows the new ministry venture for the Georgia Baptist Convention to be where it should.

Baptist News Summary

Baptists continue flood relief efforts
Published July 19, 2007

Despite the Fourth of July holiday, Southern Baptist disaster relief crews in Kansas and Oklahoma braced for a busy week, as floodwaters continued to rise in those two states.

Joshua's Mission honors missionaries' fallen son
Published July 19, 2007

As a tribute to their son, an American soldier killed in Iraq in 2003, Lloyd and Mary Byers established “Joshua’s Mission” to help church members understand the urgency of prayer for the nation.

Universities open bivocational centers
Published July 19, 2007

The Southern Baptist Bivocational Ministers’ Association announced June 11 a partnership with three universities to provide regional centers for bivocational ministry.

Four faculty members elected at NOBTS
Published July 19, 2007

New Orleans Seminary’s trustee executive committee elected four faculty members June 5 and approved an expansion of the seminary’s international certificate training program.

Harris named as NAMB vice president, missions advancement
Published July 19, 2007

Richard Harris, longest serving vice president at the North American Mission Board, will assume new responsibilities effective immediately. Harris served as vice president, evangelism, at the former Home Mission Board before being named vice president, church planting, at NAMB’s founding 10 years ago this summer.

LifeWay announces 2008 VBS themes
Published July 19, 2007

Vacation Bible School options for 2008 – an aloha-style adventure or a trail-blazing trip through the Wild West – were introduced during the Southern Baptist Convention’s June 12-13 annual meeting in San Antonio.

ERLC launches Web community, includes forum
Published July 19, 2007

With overall Internet usage rising from 58 percent of U.S. citizens five years ago to more than 73 percent today according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is laying out plans for a Web-based community.

Names in the News
Published July 19, 2007

David P. Gushee is joining the faculty of Mercer University in Atlanta as distinguished professor of Christian ethics after 11 years on Union University’s faculty in Jackson, Tenn.

Religious NewsBriefs

Polluted Jordan River placed on endangered sites list due to sewage, runoff contamination
Published November 30, 1999

The lower portion of the Jordan River is so polluted that the World Monuments Fund (WMF) has designated it an “Endangered Cultural Heritage Site.”

Mission fields now sending missionaries
Published July 19, 2007

After a century or more of receiving missionaries, Christians in many countries now are becoming missionary senders themselves, according to the leader of an organization that helps Christians use their professional skills in missions ministries in Asia and the Arab world.

Methodists, Presbyterians, Brethren report steady drop in membership rolls
Published July 19, 2007

Three mainline Protestant denominations – the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Church of the Brethren – have experienced continual steady decreases in U.S. membership rolls, according to separate June reports.

Nepalese goddess loses title after U.S. tour
Published July 19, 2007

A 10-year-old Nepalese girl lost her title as a Hindu living goddess because she left the country to promote a film.

People and Places

Ministerial Moves
Published July 19, 2007

Revival Report
Published July 19, 2007

Homecomings
Published July 19, 2007

Cooperative Program Stories

SuperWow students planted where help is needed
By Story and photos by Sherri Brown, Communications, GBC
Published July 19, 2007

Even with the heavy heat of summer, Margie Dyar sits on her porch and watches the comings and goings of her neighborhood and the factory across the street. It’s a familiar place for Dyar – her home since she was born in that little house in 1936. It’s the house where her mama raised 15 children and where Dyar later raised her own three children.

Bible Study

Agreeing On the Basics
By Peter Lumpkins, Church Administrator, Fayetteville First Baptist Church
Published July 19, 2007

Acts 15:1-2, 4-5, 12-15a, 23-29
Related Sunday School Lesson, Bible Studies for Life, July 29

When Overcome by Responsibilities
By Alan Hix, Chair, Department of Religion and Philosophy, Shorter College, Rome
Published July 19, 2007

1 Kings 3:1-15
Related Sunday School Lesson, Bible Studies for Life, August 5

Columns

The why and wherefore of embryonic stem cell research
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published July 19, 2007

A recent Newsweek survey indicates that George W. Bush has a 26 percent overall job approval rating with 65 percent disapproving of his leadership as president. It is doubtless that some Georgia Baptists disapprove of the leadership of the nation’s 43rd president, but all Georgia Baptists should applaud his veto on June 20th.

What will God do on Thursday nights this summer?
By Jim Burton, senior director, Partnership Mobilization, North American Mission Board
Published July 19, 2007

The Thursday commitment service at the Henderson, Ky., World Changers turned into something very special last summer. It happened when staffer Sammy Jo Turner issued a challenge for students to be involved in vocational missions.

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC
Published July 19, 2007

Janice and I made the decision this year that we would drive to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in San Antonio. An important part of this trip would be the opportunity to drop down from I-10 to travel along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and on the return to ride into New Orleans to view lingering damage from Katrina and see how the relief effort is progressing. What a great blessing Georgia Baptist folks have been to those who have suffered from this amazingly devastating storm.

Fathers play critical role in their sons' lives
By James Dobson
Published July 19, 2007