December 6, 2024
33° F
Clear
The voice of Georgia Baptists since 1822
Advanced search
Log in Subscribe
Top stories

Georgia Baptists on tour of state Capitol treated to a visit with Gov. Kemp

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and his wife Marty pose with Mike Griffin, second from right in front row, public affairs representative for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, during a tour of the Capitol, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (Photo/courtesy Mike Griffin)
ATLANTA — Each year, groups of Georgia Baptists are invited to join Mike Griffin, the public affairs representative for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, for tours of the state Capitol building to pray for government leaders and enjoy the festive holiday decorations. Those who went on the Christmas Prayer tour Wednesday, Dec. 4, got a special treat as Gov. Brian Kemp and his wife Marty met with them.
Trending stories
Danilo Miranda, right, IMB missionary, speaks with a seminary student in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo/IMB)
Georgia churches, large and small, join to support Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
Lottie Moon served Southern Baptists as a missionary in P’ingtu and Tengchow, China. She established a new church, saw thousands come to faith in Christ, and persevered through much deprivation and suffering to advance the cause of Christ.
(Photo/Henry Durand)
Attending church during Christmas? Study shows who is going, who isn’t
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. —  As Americans make their Christmas plans, slightly less than half say they usually attend a church service during the holiday season. A Lifeway Research study finds U.S. adults are split on whether they’ll be at church sometime this Christmas—47% say they typically attend church at Christmastime, while 48% say they do not, and 5% aren’t sure.
W. Thomas Hammond, Jr., executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, speaks at the Georgia Baptist Convention annual meeting in November. (Index/Henry Durand, File)
Georgia Baptists adding, revitalizing, and planting churches to reach the state with the gospel
SUWANEE, Ga. — W. Thomas Hammond, Jr., executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, told messengers at the annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention last month that the population of Georgia grew last year by 230,000 people and said, “We have the privilege of introducing Jesus to all of them.”
David Lix shares the gospel with Elizabeth who visited the HMRC for help with her food needs.
Hillcrest Ministry Resource Center in Columbus is making at eternal impact
COLUMBUS, Ga. — Hillcrest Ministry Resource Center is an integral part of the Columbus Baptist Association and exemplifies knowing how to put faith into action. God wants us to be lifelong learners, but once we learn a new truth, we also become responsible for what we have learned. We must not only be hearers but doers of the Word.
Inset: Mars Hill Church building constructed in 1858. After the older building was destroyed by a fire, the current sanctuary was built and dedicated in 1997. (Photos/Dr. Rebecca Bunce)
The church that turned itself around: Mars Hill Baptist celebrates 225th anniversary
WATKINSVILLE, Ga. — A local church is the product of many believers, past and present. It is their many voices combined over time that create a single story of God’s work. Mars Hill Baptist Church in Watkinsville, celebrating 225 years is no exception to the rule.
Baptist Life

Tim Jones called as the associational missionary for Columbus Baptist Association

Tim Jones
COLUMBUS, Ga. — Dr. Tim Jones, pastor of Britt David Baptist Church in Columbus for 24 years, has been called to serve as the associational missionary of the Columbus Baptist Association following Jimmy Blanton, who served the same association for almost three decades.

Read more Baptist Life stories

Stephen Young, right, senior pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, Mount Juliet, and Cody Pendergrass, family pastor, thank the congregation for their support of the Christmas Backpack Ministry. (Photo/via The Baptist and Reflector)
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Tennessee Baptist Convention churches provided a record 7,540 Christmas Backpacks this year, surpassing the ministry’s goal of 7,000 backpacks. With a lot of people still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Helene in northeast Tennessee, the extra backpacks are needed, affirmed Beth Moore, compassion ministry specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.
The building of First Baptist Church Abbeville burns in the early hours of Dec. 4. (Photo/Alan Capps via The Alabama Baptist)
An overnight fire at First Baptist Church Abbeville consumed most of the church’s facilities, according to Pastor Ricky Sowell. Church members gathering Wednesday morning, Dec. 4, to share memories and “trust God with what’s next,” he said.
A Thanksgiving dinner for about 100 college athletes and their coaches is the main way the church ministers to students at Casper College in Wyoming. (Photo/via Baptist Press)
CASPER, Wyo. – Susan Foery simply asked, “How can we help?” That’s how things get done at Boyd Avenue Baptist Church, where Ed Tharp has been pastor for five years, after 22 years as youth pastor.
The first four to complete the Black Multicultural Pipeline residency received their certificates at the recent Florida Baptist Convention annual meeting. Pictured left to right are: former FBC state executive Tommy Green, who supported the program; Patrick Coats II, minister at Kingdom Covenant Church in Homestead; Rashard Wright, planter at Connect Church in Miami Gardens; Erik Cummings, Black Multicultural analyst for the Florida Baptist Convention; Marc Hughes, pastor of Glendale Baptist Church Brownsville in Miami; and Micah R. Whitley, pastor of Kingdom Covenant Church in Homestead. (Photo/via Baptist Press)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP) — In his fifth year as a minister, Greg Perkins hit what he calls his “leadership lid.” “I began facing problems and challenges I wasn’t equipped for,” said Perkins.
Georgia
Former Sen. David Perdue speaks during a gubernatorial Republican primary debate on May 1, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, Pool, File)

Trump taps former Georgia Sen. David Perdue to be ambassador to China

ATLANTA – Another Georgian is poised to join the second Trump administration. President-elect Donald Trump nominated former U.S. Sen. David Perdue Thursday to serve as U.S. ambassador to China.

Jose Ibarra listens through an interpreter during his trial at Athens-Clarke County Superior Court, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (Hyosub Shin/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, Pool)

Venezuelan man convicted in Laken Riley's killing asks for a new trial

ATLANTA (AP) — The Venezuelan man who entered the U.S. illegally and was convicted of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley and sentenced to serve life in prison without parole has requested a new trial.

Six Georgia communities receive site development grants

ATLANTA — Six local development authorities have been awarded $9.3 million in grants through a new state program aimed at fostering economic development in rural communities, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Wednesday.
The collapsed wall of the Chez What antique shop lies demolished after the passage of Hurricane Helene in Valdosta, Ga. (Index/Henry Durand, File)

State-run hurricane damage relief program taking applications

ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Agriculture has launched a low-interest emergency loan program to help farmers who suffered losses from Hurricane Helene.

More Georgia news

Nation
Members of the New York police crime scene unit pick up cups marking the spots where bullets lie as they investigate the scene outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan where Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

Hunt for the gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO reveals new clues about movements in New York

NEW YORK (AP) — As the hunt for a masked gunman who stalked and killed the head of the largest U.S. health insurer moved into its third day Friday, surveillance footage provided more clues about the suspect's travels and the places he visited before the shooting.

NASA astronauts Suni Williams, left, and Butch Wilmore stand together for a photo en route to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41 Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla., for their liftoff on the Boeing Starliner capsule to the international space station. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

NASA's stuck astronauts hit 6 months in space, and have 2 more to go

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Known across the globe as the stuck astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams hit the six-month mark in space Thursday with two more to go. The pair rocketed into orbit on June 5, the first to ride Boeing’s new Starliner crew capsule on what was supposed to be a weeklong test flight.
Acting Secret Service Director Ronald L. Rowe Jr. responds to questions from Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, during a hearing on the Secret Service's security failures regarding the assassination attempts on President-elect Trump, on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Secret Service director vows overhaul as Congress presses him on Trump assassination attempt

WASHINGTON (AP) — The acting director of the Secret Service said Thursday that the agency is “reorganizing and reimagining” its culture and how it operates following an assassination attempt against Donald Trump on the campaign trail.
This image provided by the New York City Police Department shows a man wanted for questioning in connection to the investigation into the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (New York City Police Department via AP)

Police release new photos in the search for the gunman in the UnitedHealthcare CEO killing

NEW YORK (AP) — The masked gunman who stalked and killed the leader of one of the largest U.S. health insurance companies outside a Manhattan hotel used ammunition emblazoned with the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose,” two law enforcement officials said Thursday.

Read more national news

World
Fire crew members and police officers work the scene of a fire at Adass Israel Synagogue in the suburb of Ripponlea, Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (Con Chronis/AAP Image via AP)

Australian leader blames antisemitism for arson that extensively damaged a Melbourne synagogue

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Arsonists extensively damaged a Melbourne synagogue on Friday in what Australia’s prime minister condemned as an antisemitic attack on Australian values.

An image of Syrian President Bashar Assad, riddled with bullets, is seen on the facade of the provincial government office in the aftermath of the opposition's takeover of Hama, Syria, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)

Thousands flee as Syrian insurgents advance to the doorstep of the country's third-largest city

BEIRUT (AP) — Thousands of people fled the central Syrian city of Homs, the country's third largest, as insurgents seized two towns on the outskirts Friday, positioning themselves for an assault on a potentially major prize in their march against President Bashar Assad.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi during a meeting with the Japanese government in Tokyo, March 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, Pool, File)

IAEA chief warns Iran is poised to 'quite dramatically' increase stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Iran is poised to “quite dramatically” increase its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium as it has started cascades of advanced centrifuges, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency warned Friday.
Internally displaced people sit in a camp in Tabqa city, northern Syria, on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Hogir El Abdo)

Syrian insurgents capture central city of Hama in severe setback to the Syrian president

BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian insurgents swept into the central city of Hama on Thursday and government forces withdrew, dealing another major blow to Syrian President Bashar Assad days after insurgents captured much of Aleppo, the country’s largest city.

Read more world news

Perspectives
Adam Dooley
Of all the things on our wish lists for Christmas each year, being home for the holidays with the people we love ranks at the top for most. So profound is the desire that we sing about it: I’ll be home for Christmas, you can count on me, Please have snow and mistletoe, And presents under the tree. . . . I'll be home for Christmas, If only in my dreams. 
Hance Dilbeck
People struggle from the end of November to the beginning of January. The holidays are difficult. Unrealistic expectations clash with cold hard realities. Everyone around us is pretending and projecting the same false narrative –“All is merry and bright.”
Paul Chitwood. (Photo/IMB)
Because this year’s Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is the most important offering in the history of the International Mission Board, I am asking every church to give 10% more to the IMB this year than you gave last year. If every church raises their giving by just 10%, we can fully support our Southern Baptist missionaries already on the field and those who are in the application process.
Do you recall the scene from “The Sound of Music” when Captain Von Trapp is transformed from a tyrannical, overbearing father to a loving one? Von Trapp, a widower and military man, is raising seven children with an iron fist until Maria, an aspiring nun from the local abbey brings music back into their home. With one song—“The Sound of Music”—his life is changed, and his joy is restored.
Todd Gaddis
Wendy’s launched an advertising campaign in 1984 featuring 81-year-old Clara Peller. Upon being served a small hamburger patty on a large bun, this elderly manicurist/beautician asks, “Where’s the beef?”

Read more perspectives

Business
Construction crew members wait to pour concrete in a parking lot on Sept. 4, 2024, in Waukee, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls.

A TikTok sign is displayed on top of their building in Culver City, Calif., on Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US

A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in a few short months, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S.
President Joe Biden and Chief Operating Officer of Lobito Atlantic Railway Nicolas Gregoire meet rail workers during a tour of the Lobito Port Terminal in Lobito, Angola, on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

'Amtrak Joe' Biden uses his visit to Angola to promote a major US-backed rail project in Africa

LUANDA, Angola (AP) — Even in the waning days of his presidency and thousands of miles from home, U.S. President Joe Biden is finding ways to celebrate trains. Biden used the third and final day of his visit to Angola on Wednesday to showcase the Lobito Corridor railway, where the U.S. and its allies are investing heavily to refurbish 800 miles of train lines in Zambia, Congo, and Angola.
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao speaks at a press conference in Beijing, March 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

China bans exports to US of gallium, germanium, antimony in response to chip sanctions

BANGKOK (AP) — China announced Tuesday it is banning exports to the United States of gallium, germanium, antimony, and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications, as a general principle, lashing back at U.S. limits on semiconductor-related exports.
A FedEx delivery person carries a package from a truck on Nov. 17, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Cyber Monday shoppers expected to set a record on the year's biggest day for online shopping

Consumers in the United States are scouring the internet for online deals as they look to take advantage of the post-Thanksgiving shopping marathon with Cyber Monday.

Read more business news

Sports
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart reacts on the sideline during the second half against Tennessee, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State leading the way as prospects finalize their college selections

The arrival of the early signing period Wednesday offered a stark reminder for college football fans. If recruiting rankings offer any accurate gauge in the era of the transfer portal, those teams competing for College Football Playoff berths now should keep contending for years to come.

Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (12) grabs a rebound from New Orleans Pelicans center Daniel Theis during the first half Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Hawks beat skidding Pelicans 124-112 to extend win streak to 4 games

ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young had 12 points and 15 assists for his 15th double-double of the season, and the Atlanta Hawks beat the skidding New Orleans Pelicans 124-112 on Monday night for their fourth straight victory.
Oregon defensive back Brandon Johnson rallies the crowd during a game against Washington, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)

AP Top 25: Ohio St, Miami, Clemson drop; Texas, Penn St, Notre Dame, Georgia in line behind Oregon

Ohio State, Miami and Clemson plunged in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll Sunday following their losses during a wild weekend, eight of the top 10 teams moved up one spot and Oregon was No. 1 for the seventh straight week.

Kennesaw State hires NFL assistant Jerry Mack as head football coach

KENNESAW, Ga. (AP) — Jerry Mack, the running backs coach for the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars, was hired as Kennesaw State's head football coach on Sunday.

Read more sports news

© Copyright 2024 The Christian Index | Copyright/Terms of Use
Powered by Creative Circle Media Solutions