By Josh Owens, Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission YUNNAN PROVINCE, China (BP) - In China's Yunnan Province, there is an ancient temple made of copper that crowns Jindian Park. In English it is literally "Golden Temple Park," reflecting the Daoist religion that it serves. Here on Jan. 14, 1994, a police officer noticed a five-day-old orphan, took him up and delivered him to the nearby orphanage. Josh Owens and his sisters Mary (left) and Grace return to China with their adoptive parents, Waylan and Betsy Owens. Nine months and three days later, that orphan was the first boy ever adopted from Kunming Municipal Children's Home. I visited that Chinese orphanage a few weeks ago, and for the first time in two decades I entered Jindian Park. As I wandered among the rooms of the orphanage and up the temple trail in that wooded park, thoughts and questions muddled my mind. Why would I, in a nation of a billion, be left alone in Jindian Park? Why did someone notice me and bother to act? Why would all this happen right after China opened itself to foreign adoptions in 1992? And why would I be adopted into this family, my family? I am now 21 years old and even if my existence could be explained, … [Read more...]
Guide to protect churches from ‘sexual liberty’
By Tom Strode, Baptist Press WASHINGTON (BP) - The Southern Baptist Convention's religious liberty entity has collaborated with a leading legal advocacy organization to provide guidance for churches and other institutions in the face of the advance of "sexual liberty" and same-sex marriage. The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) and Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) have published "Protecting Your Ministry," a legal manual for Southern Baptist churches, schools and ministries. The 44-page booklet is designed to equip SBC and other evangelical churches and institutions with legal protection against sexual orientation and gender identity lawsuits. The manual includes checklists to guide Christian institutions on maximizing their religious liberty protections under the law and maintaining their freedom to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus. It also provides sample documents -- such as a membership agreement, facility use policy and article for a statement of faith -- to assist churches and other ministries. ERLC President Russell Moore said he is thankful to work with ADF "to produce this resource to help equip churches on how to remain faithful to our mission in a culture that often disagrees with our … [Read more...]
Baptist relief teams practice for preparedness
By Kristen Camp, North American Mission Board ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) - When a major disaster strikes in North America, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief responds to provide help, healing and hope to survivors of the disaster. But what happens when there isn’t a major disaster? Occasionally, SBDR engages in a disaster simulation. SBDR’s most recent exercise occurred May 19 when SBDR staff and volunteer leaders simulated a hurricane hitting Charleston, S.C. “We simulated the hurricane to show the volunteers what they would have to do to support a large operation like that,” said Fritz Wilson, executive director of disaster relief for the North American Mission Board, of the May 19 exercise involving four SBDR staff members and 12 volunteers. “We even sent emails to everyone over the weekend giving updates about landfall to make it seem as real as possible -- as if it was live.” The response team came into the simulation as if it were 24 hours after landfall. At this point, SBDR would begin to move in, learn of specific needs and put teams into place to start ministering. SBDR participates in such simulations about four times a year. In mid-June, they additionally were slated to be part of a national mass care … [Read more...]
Abedini beating intensifies calls for release
By David Roach, Baptist Press TEHRAN, Iran (BP) - American pastor Saeed Abedini has been "viciously" beaten in the Iranian prison where he is being held for his Christian faith, the American Center for Law and Justice reported June 10, prompting renewed calls for Abedini's release as a condition of any nuclear deal between the U.S. and Iran. "It is crucial to speak out for Saeed as we approach the June 30th deadline between the United States and Iran," Abedini's wife Naghmeh said in a June 10 Facebook post. She added June 30 "is also Saeed and I's 11th year anniversary." Naghmeh Abedini is scheduled to address the Pastors' Wives Conference in Columbus, Ohio, June 15 preceding the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting June 16-17. She will also briefly address the SBC Pastors' Conference June 15, delivering an update on her husband. Pastors' Conference attendees will then pray for her and Saeed. Fellow prisoners attacked Saeed Abedini June 3 as he attempted to leave his cell, punching him in the face and demolishing a table he used while studying and reading, the ACLJ reported. Prison guards stopped the attack and a prison doctor determined Abedini did not have any broken bones. Naghmeh Abedini explained in a … [Read more...]
Texas abortion law gets 2nd federal court win
By Sharayah Colter/Southern Baptist Texas NEW ORLEANS (BP) - Contested portions of a 2013 Texas pro-life law, which continually have been challenged in court by abortion advocates, were upheld June 9 by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. The decision to uphold the law as it was passed likely will mean that 49 licensed abortion clinics in Texas will be reduced to eight, as Texas House Bill No. 2 (HB 2) requires abortion facilities to comply with ambulatory surgical center standards. The nonprofit Texas Values pro-family organization called the standards “steps to protect women who go into abortion facilities from being less likely to jeopardize their own lives” in June 9 news release. Texas Values, led by attorney Jonathan Saenz, played an instrumental role in HB 2’s passage in 2013 and has since worked to defend the measure in court and in the public square. “Today we are thankful that the Fifth Circuit upheld a law that protects both women and children,” Saenz said. “The court’s decision ensures that abortion clinics must uphold basic health standards -- standards that are required of other surgical centers in the state.” An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is expected by HB2 opponents, with Center … [Read more...]
Kendrick brothers’ latest film an option for messengers, others after SBC Pastors Conference
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Messengers and others looking for a way to spend their time after the Monday evening session of the Southern Baptist Pastors Conference can watching the next film from the Kendrick brothers. War Room, the fifth film from Alex and Stephen Kendrick, will be screened at 9 pm in the Battelle Ballroom. An exclusive Q&A with the Kendricks will follow. Scheduled for an Aug. 28 release by Sony Picture Entertainment’s TriStar Pictures, War Room is a drama “with humor and heart that explores the power that prayer can have on marriages, parenting, careers, friendships, and every other area of our lives,” according to a press release. The main characters, Tony and Elizabeth Jordan, seem to have it all – great jobs, a beautiful daughter and a dream house. However, their marriage is failing. Elizabeth meets a client of hers, who challenges her to establish a war room and battle plan for prayer for the family. Meanwhile, Tony struggles surface and he must decide whether he will make amends for his family. The Kendrick brothers previously made Courageous, Fireproof, Facing the Giants and Flywheel. … [Read more...]
Carver: ‘withhold judgment’ on Marine’s conviction
By David Roach, Baptist Press JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (BP) -- Although evangelical commentators have protested the court-martial conviction of a Marine who defied an order to remove a Bible verse from her workstation, the North American Mission Board's executive director of chaplaincy says believers should reserve judgment because there likely is "much more to this particular story than Scriptures that were just in a public place." Douglas Carver When news breaks of an apparent religious liberty violation like this case, "everyone is alarmed," Douglas Carver, the former U.S. Army chief of chaplains, told Baptist Press. But usually "as you begin to dig," there's "more to the issue." Carver added, "From my perspective of 38 years in the military, I have found no more fair legal process than military justice. It's thorough. It's fair. It's merciful." The Marine at the center of the case, Lance Corporal Monifa Sterling, has appealed her conviction to the highest military court, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Sterling was convicted of violating a lawful order after refusing to obey a staff sergeant's 2013 order to remove three copies of Isaiah 54:17 -- "No weapon formed against me shall prosper" -- from her … [Read more...]
MVP Curry credits God, family for success
By Daniel Woodman, Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) -- At four minutes left in the first half, the camera catches a blur moving in the corner of the screen. Enter Stephen Curry, who receives a pass from his teammate and drains a 3-point shot over a lunging defender on the biggest stage of the NBA, game one of the Finals. After his shot, the camera also picks up Curry making a quick fist pump to his chest and then pointing a finger toward the rafters of Oakland's Oracle Arena. It's Curry's way of thanking God for his success and eventual victory that night over the Cleveland Cavaliers. While Curry put on a dazzling display in the spotlight, the young star had an even more impressive regular season campaign. The number of 3-pointers made by Curry this season (286), was good enough to break the previous record of 272, which Curry notched just two years ago. Combined with a 67-win season by his Golden State Warriors and the number one seed in the Western Conference Playoffs, Curry's ability as a dynamic shooter garnered him the NBA's Most Valuable Player award. Lebron James and James Harden were just a couple of the superstars Curry edged out for his first MVP award in his six-year career. Unlike many superstars, Curry … [Read more...]
Louisiana College receives update from SACSCOC
By Norm Miller, Special to the Message PINEVILLE --Louisiana College president, Dr. Rick Brewer, received notice today that the college’s probationary status has been extended to allow the college to provide more information regarding Comprehensive Standard 3.2.4, External Influence. “Our accreditation remains intact,” Brewer said, “and our academic reputation speaks for itself. We remain encouraged because of the recent upsurge of interest in and support for the college. Our stakeholders continue to entrust their students into our care as evidenced by our enrollment numbers that are on track,” Brewer added. An official of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) notified Brewer of its governing board decision via telephone, saying that a detailed letter about the matter is forthcoming. During the coming weeks, officials from both SACSCOC and LC will confer prior to the college filing an official response later this year. “We are crafting several academic and revenue development initiatives that we anticipate launching this year. We believe these efforts underscore our commitment to preparing graduates and transforming lives in a culture that is relational, rigorous and … [Read more...]
State disaster relief teams watch, wait, prepare to respond to flooding
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief officials are making preparations now to respond to those directly impacted by the floodwaters of the Red River – and every Louisiana Baptist has a chance to participate. According to Louisiana Baptist state Disaster Relief Director Gibbie McMillan, four areas in north and central Louisiana likely will serve as staging areas when disaster relief teams are activated. Teams will use locations in Shreveport, Coushatta, Natchitoches and Alexandria as ministry hubs to sleep and eat at themselves. It is not certain that feeding for the public will be needed until the assessments are completed. Though trained disaster relief team members will be working, Louisiana Baptists who have not completed official training may also serve, McMillan said. Donations to the response along with prayers also are needed. Those interested in volunteering should call the disaster relief office at 318.448.3402. Donations can be made by going to louisianabaptists.org/disasterrelief or by mailing checks to Louisiana Baptist Convention, Attn: Disaster Relief, PO Box 311, Alexandria, LA 71309. In addition to teams from throughout Louisiana, others from out of state are also … [Read more...]
