CONFERENCE CALLED ‘CATALYTIC MOMENT’
By Seth Brown Biblical Recorder BRENTWOOD — A unique Southern Baptist missions conference encouraged attendees to leverage the historically unprecedented migration of peoples around the world for the sake of sharing the gospel with every tribe, tongue, and nationality. The United States is one of the most common destinations for migrants, and the circumstances present […]
RETURN ON INVESTMENT
Van Richmond Former Pastor of New Life Church, Nashville And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15 ESV). Proclaiming the gospel. Some find the prospect frightening. Others find it exhilarating. For Charles Hand, talking about Jesus was as natural as breathing. Cancer gave […]
3,202 DECISIONS FOR CHRIST REPORTED IN BRAZIL
By Will Hall Baptist Press BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (BP) — Southern Baptists returning from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, are sharing testimonies of widespread revival in churches, communities, prisons and schools, following an 8-day schedule of crusades, medical ministries and other outreach efforts in this South American country. Wayne Jenkins, director of evangelism and church growth for […]
CHALLENGES ABOUND IN RIO
Baptist Press RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — Sid Hopkins is an eye-catching sight when he visits the Olympics. The retired director of missions for the Atlanta-area Gwinnett Metro Baptist Association dons a hat and vest decorated with hundreds of pins that people aren’t bashful about inspecting. Hopkins trades pins with other Olympics fans while distributing […]
ENGAGE POKÉMON GO PLAYERS: MINISTERS
By Connie Davis Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector BRENTWOOD — Jay Barbier, minister of high school students, First Baptist Church, Millington, is from South Louisiana, so when one of his students offered to “drop a lure” his first thought was fishing. Then the young man and Joseph Brasher, minister of education at the church, […]
AMERICANS PREFER TO TALK ABOUT POLITICS RATHER THAN GOD
By Bob Smietana LifeWay Research NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Politics trumps God for most Americans when it comes to conversations with their friends. Six in 10 Americans are more comfortable talking about politics than their spiritual beliefs. And most say they aren’t interested in having more spiritual conversations. By contrast, evangelical Christians prefer talking about God over politics […]
IT’S TIME TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME TO JESUS
By Ernest L. Easley Professor of Evangelism, Union University There was a lot of talk on the topic of evangelism during the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in St. Louis. The sermons that were preached, the panel discussions that were presented, and our mission boards’ reports all made reference to the 15-year decrease in baptisms […]
SERVING A DIVIDED COMMUNITY
By David Evans TBC Evangelism Specialist As you are aware, our nation is struggling with a great divide. Those that stand in the middle of the divide are our men and women police officers. They wake every morning to fears that most of us cannot comprehend. They face the unknown everyday to protect and serve […]
‘THE WORLD HAS COME TO TENNESSEE’
By Connie Davis Bushey News Editor, Baptist and Reflector KNOXVILLE — A student from an Asian country visited the Baptist Collegiate Ministry Center at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville with her friend, Ladda Reed, who is from Thailand. She felt comfortable as she enjoyed the luncheons for UTK students and met other students, even […]
“IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS …”
By Ken R. Speakman Member, Tulip Grove Baptist Church, Old Hickory I Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us to “in everything give thanks.” To give thanks when you don’t feel like it is not hypocrisy; it’s obedience. Does this mean even when my flight is cancelled, my vacation has been interrupted, or some difficulty comes my way? […]