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A partnership with our neighbors to the north By J. Gerald Harris, Editor Published May 8, 2008: Western Canada is comprised of majestic snow-capped mountains, spacious ranches, and a spectacular Pacific coastline. There are teeming cities with impressive skylines, hundreds of thousands of square miles of pristine wilderness, and some of the most gracious and hospitable people on Earth.
Georgia Baptists post slight baptism gains in 2006-07 church year By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor Published May 8, 2008: The 2006-2007 church year was not a memorable one among Georgia Baptists, though there were gains in three areas � most notably baptisms for which state convention leaders are expressing gratitude.
Donations of historical record expand GBC archives Creationist Rebecca Morris selected as first GBC archivist By J. Gerald Harris, Editor Published May 8, 2008: Georgia Baptist Convention Vice President for Operations Michael Williams introduced Rebecca E. Morris as the GBC archivist at the April 25 meeting of the Convention�s Historical Commission.
Woodstock's Johnny Hunt allows name to be placed as presidential nominee By J. Gerald Harris, Editor Published May 8, 2008: Johnny M. Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church, will be nominated as president of the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis next month.
Connell, Fossett to be vice president nominees Georgia Baptists to field four candidates in SBC elections Published May 8, 2008: A Dalton evangelist and Savannah pastor will be nominated for key leadership positions at the Southern Baptist Convention to be held June 10-11.
A Christlike wuv By Patsy Pirkle, President, Georgia BWMU Published May 8, 2008: When our four-year-old granddaughter, Sydney, was in her terrible twos, she was getting on her mother�s last nerve. As Pam went after the wooden spoon that signaled a spanking, Sydney looked at her and said, �Mama, wuv is patient; wuv is kind.�
Police say rosaries are newest gang symbol, others call it a stretch By Esmeralda Bermudez, c. 2008 Religion News Service Published May 8, 2008: Never did Jaime Salazar imagine that wearing a rosarylike crucifix to school would provoke a national stir.
Second Stan Wilkins benefit May 10 By Scott Barkley, Production Editor Published May 8, 2008: Gail Wilkins, the widow of longtime Georgia Baptist pastor Stan Wilkins, says her husband would be thrilled that two of his greatest passions now work together to spread the gospel.
End of General Assembly session Legislative Update By Ray Newman, Specialist Ethics and Public Affairs Published May 8, 2008: The General Assembly has come to an end for another session. The lawmakers were able to agree on a twenty-one (21) plus billion-dollar state operations budget. Many long-time observers of the workings under the Gold Dome came away this year somewhat disappointed that more of what was promised did not make it through both chambers.
Embracing Ethnic diversity in Lilburn By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor Published May 8, 2008: It�s a long way culturally from Valdosta to Lilburn, but Ken Hall is proving that he and First Baptist Church know who made the road map that brought them together.
Casting Crowns wins group of the year, McDonough student pastor bags four Doves By Michael Fous Published May 8, 2008: Casting Crowns took home group of the year honors while lead singer/songwriter Mark Hall, a student pastor at Eagle�s Landing First Baptist in McDonough, won four individual honors during the 39th annual Gospel Music Association Dove Awards April 23.
Pastor, Christian rapper reaches Hip-hop culture By Norm Miller Published May 8, 2008: As teaching pastor of Epiphany Fellowship Church in inner-city Philadelphia, William �Duce� Branch also is a Christian rap artist. The group he co-founded, The Cross Movement, has received two Grammy nominations.
Evangelism Response Center aids seekers By Mickey Noah, NAMB Published May 8, 2008: Patricia Zimmerman, a 71-year-old widow in Arkansas, has led nearly 300 strangers to Christ. But the retired registered nurse and substitute teacher never had to leave her home in the heart of the Ozarks to do so.
Survey: Unchurched prefer churchy buildings By Tobin Perry Published May 8, 2008: People who don�t go to church may be turned off by a recent trend toward more utilitarian church buildings. By a nearly 2-to-1 ratio over any other option, unchurched Americans prefer churches that look more like a medieval cathedral than what most think of as a more contemporary church building.
Hitchens brothers agree to disagree on faith By Charles Honey, c. 2008 Religion News Service Published May 8, 2008: Soon after the 2007 release of Christopher Hitchens� best-selling atheist manifesto, �God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything,� another journalist took sharp issue with it � his brother, Peter Hitchens.
Tennessee attorney general says Bible classes OK By Michael Foust Published May 8, 2008: Tennessee schools can teach a nonsectarian academic class on the Bible without violating the U.S. Constitution or previous U.S. Supreme Court precedents, Tennessee�s attorney general says.
Georgia Baptist colleges hold spring commencements Published May 8, 2008: Students at the three Georgia Baptist colleges are joining others around the state this spring in graduation services.

Georgia NewsBriefs

The Index now on Flickr, Facebook Published May 8, 2008: As an added feature in covering the work of Georgia Baptists, The Index now has a home on the popular photo-sharing site Flickr as well as the social network Facebook.

Baptist News Summary

Illness outbreak infects 100 IMB staff Published May 8, 2008: The International Mission Board is working closely with local health officials following a norovirus outbreak that infected more than 100 people following the organization�s annual staff retreat April 22-23.
20th annual Crossover enlisting volunteers for SBC meeting in June Published May 8, 2008: For the 20th consecutive year, Southern Baptists� �Crossover� will relay the gospel throughout the host city for June�s SBC annual meeting.
Prayer emphasis in SBC expands Published May 8, 2008: Several prayer initiatives within the Southern Baptist Convention have been planned for the coming months.
Texas raid at religious compound prompted First Baptist ministry Published May 8, 2008: A Baptist congregation housed about 80 women and children April 4-6 after a raid on the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS) near Eldorado, Texas.
WMU names National Acteens Panelists Published May 8, 2008: Woman�s Missionary Union has chosen six National Acteens Panelists based on their commitment and involvement in missions and Acteens, along with their leadership and involvement in their school, community, and church.
Court dismisses Kentucky Baptist church-state case Published May 8, 2008: A federal court has dismissed a 10-year-old legal challenge brought by Kentucky taxpayers who questioned government funding of a Baptist social service agency.
Names in the News Published May 8, 2008
Tornado stories of Union students and faculty shared in upcoming book Published May 8, 2008: A forthcoming book tells the story of the tornado that hit Union University Feb. 5 and includes stories from students and others who point to God�s care and protection that night.

Religious NewsBriefs

Projections place more worshippers in British mosques than Catholic churches Published May 8, 2008: New research indicates that within the next 12 years, the number of Muslims worshipping at mosques in Britain will outstrip that of Roman Catholics attending traditional church services.
Citizenship renewed for Jews that fled in 1968 Published May 8, 2008: Polish officials have announced that they will allow Jews who fled the country four decades ago to reclaim their Polish citizenship.
Iraqi youth turning against Islamic extremism Published May 8, 2008: Constant violence in the name of Islam may be turning Iraqi youth against Islamic extremists, some observers in the country believe.
Judge rejects man's religious pot claim Published May 8, 2008: Robert George Henry told a Pennsylvania judge April 16 that smoking marijuana is vital to his efforts to connect with God.

People and Places

Obituaries Published May 8, 2008
Homecomings Published May 8, 2008
Honors Published May 8, 2008
Ordinations Published May 8, 2008
Ministerial Moves Published May 8, 2008
Revival Report Published May 8, 2008

Cooperative Program Stories

From the outside in, a change of heart By Sherri Brown, Communication, GBC Published May 8, 2008: At the first Christian Women�s Job Corps graduation, associational missionary Jimmy Blanton openly admitted he �cried like a baby.�

Bible Study

Be Trustworthy By Chuck Owens, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Hinesville Published May 8, 2008: 1 Sam. 18:1-4; 19:4-7; 20:10-13, 16-18
Related Sunday School Lesson, Bible Studies for Life, May 18
Be Ready to Forgive By Chuck Owens, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Hinesville Published May 8, 2008: Eph. 4:22-32; Phlm. 8-10, 15-18
Related Sunday School Lesson, Bible Studies for Life, May 25

Columns

Is it helpful to condemn the world for being worldy? By J. Gerald Harris, Editor Published May 8, 2008: I had given considerable thought to using this editorial page to write a scathing denunciation of Planned Parenthood. Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, acknowledged that her entire life�s purpose was to promote birth control.
Ways to make guests feel unwelcome By David Francis, Director of Sunday School, LifeWay Christian Resources Published May 8, 2008: Got too many people visiting your church? Need to do some things to discourage them from coming back a second time? Here are a list of ways to make guests feel unwelcome should they show up at your church or class.
The Open Door By J. Robert White, Executive Director, GBC Published May 8, 2008: Mother�s Day among Georgia Baptists is a very special day of worship and celebration of our mothers and the importance of the Christian home.
Physicians need to respect parents' authority By James Dobson Published May 8, 2008

Forum

Readers share their thoughts on creation care debate Published May 8, 2008

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