The priorities Johnny Hunt announced for his tenure as president of the Southern Baptist Convention are the same ones that have characterized his 32 years as a local church pastor – evangelism, discipleship and missions. INDIANAPOLIS (BP) – The priorities Johnny Hunt announced for his tenure as president of the Southern Baptist Convention are the same ones that have characterized his 32 years as a local church pastor – evangelism, discipleship and missions. “I want to see as many people as possible come to embrace Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior and then help as many people as possible become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ and to see churches become personally involved in taking the gospel down the street and around the world,” Hunt said during a news conference after being elected SBC president June 10 on the first ballot among six candidates. When reporters tried to apply characteristics of Hunt’s ministry to existing political agendas, he kept to his message and refused to be drawn into what he regards as lesser issues. “I’ve not really thought that much through things that have divided us. I believe if we’ll keep the focus off of that and our hearts on what’s united us, it can lead us to the best … [Read more...]
Lottie Moon gift offerings 150.4 million
Despite difficult economic conditions, Southern Baptists gave $150.4 million to the 2007 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions to support the work of more than 5,300 missionaries worldwide. RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – Despite difficult economic conditions, Southern Baptists gave $150.4 million to the 2007 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions to support the work of more than 5,300 missionaries worldwide. After financial books closed at the end of May, the annual offering totaled $150,409,653.86 – more than $231,000 above the record 2006 offering of $150.1 million, but falling short of the $165 million goal. “We are grateful for the strong commitment to the Great Commission exhibited by the generous giving of Southern Baptists to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering,” International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin said. “Although we’re disappointed by the failure to meet the goal of $165 million, we think it is significant in the context of financial challenges in today’s economy that we received the same impressive level of giving as last year. “Many families are struggling with mortgages, foreclosures and the rising price of gasoline. Many churches are struggling to meet budgets. Yet … [Read more...]
‘Miz Sarah’ dedicates life to Lord, kids
On Jan. 5, 1969, Sarah Davidson, without asking anyone, climbed the stairs at First Baptist Church Kilbourne and went to work in the Sunday school class for beginners. KILBOURNE – On Jan. 5, 1969, Sarah Davidson, without asking anyone, climbed the stairs at First Baptist Church Kilbourne and went to work in the Sunday school class for beginners. Thirty-nine years later Davidson, who turned 100 on June 9, continues to climb those stairs unaided to teach “her kids.” Amazingly during her nearly four decades of service at Kilbourne, she went the first 26 years straight without missing a Sunday, and in the last 13 has only missed a handful. When one adds in the years she and her husband – Jessie Davidson – spent traveling across the nation, and especially lengthy stays in Missouri, Arkansas and Memphis, Tenn., they’ll quickly discover she has taught children in kindergarten, first, second and third grades for more than 70 years. Kilbourne First Baptist recognized her faithful service with a special day on June 8 as friends, family and old students returned for that one special day. More than 54 family members were in attendance, not to mention numerous former students. She received three plaques in recognition of her … [Read more...]
Louisiana Disaster Relief units remain at alert readiness while on duty in state
Disaster relief units from across Louisiana remain at “alert readiness” status at press time, reports Gibbie McMillan, men’s ministries/disaster relief director for the Louisiana Baptist convention. ALEXANDRIA – Disaster relief units from across Louisiana remain at “alert readiness” status at press time, reports Gibbie McMillan, men’s ministries/disaster relief director for the Louisiana Baptist convention. The media surged over the weekend with reports of flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where floodwaters swamped 1,300 city blocks and forced 24,000 people from their homes; breached levees and flood stages at more than double their design capacity; a 500-year “event” swirling chest-high to a tall man. It’s a disaster the likes of which Louisianians know only too well, and of a scope that stretches across more than five states. Louisiana Disaster Relief volunteers are eager to help, McMillan said. And while they wait for assessments by the Southern Baptist Convention’s National Disaster Relief teams, they’re busy at home. World Changers – crews of Southern Baptist teenage repair teams on mission to spruce up neighborhoods – are in the state, and associational disaster relief trailers – laundry, shower and feeding … [Read more...]
Hunt, two new VPs elected by Messengers
Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention on the first ballot, leading a slate of officers that included two new vice presidents and two re-elected secretaries. INDIANAPOLIS (BP) – Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention on the first ballot, leading a slate of officers that included two new vice presidents and two re-elected secretaries. Bill Henard, pastor of Porter Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky., was elected first vice president, and John Newland, pastor of Fall Creek Baptist Church in Indianapolis, was elected second vice president. John Yeats, director of communications for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, was re-elected SBC recording secretary – a position in which he has served since 1997. Jim Wells, director of missions for the Tri-County Baptist Association in Nixa, Mo., was re-elected registration secretary for the sixth consecutive year. John Marshall, pastor of Second Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo., was elected to preach the convention sermon at the 2009 annual meeting in Louisville, Ky. Larry Wynn, pastor of Hebron Baptist Church in … [Read more...]
Even when you are right you are wrong
“Hide and watch,” my dad used to say. When my father said this he was indicating that if I would be quiet and observe, I might learn something. “Hide and watch,” my dad used to say. When my father said this he was indicating that if I would be quiet and observe, I might learn something. Those who did hide and watch a recent government hearing concerning the effectiveness of abstinence-only- sex-education learned that some so-called sex-ed experts are nothing more than ideological hypocrites. Under the guise of hearing objective testimony from a panel of experts the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, chaired by Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman, was subject to a barrage of ideological attacks on abstinence sex-ed. Though Waxman indicated in his opening remarks that government policy must be based “on the best science and evidence, not ideology,” it was clear that the panel was little more than a stacked deck of rabid supporters for “comprehensive” sex-education which includes instruction on sexual activity as well as information on contraception. The committee convened the week that a new Heritage Foundation review of 21 abstinence education programs showed that a solid majority of them – 15 – showed … [Read more...]
Is the sky really falling?
I was raised in the mountains of East Tennessee. I was never very conscious of the sky because, frankly, I couldn’t see it without looking straight up. The view of the sky over the mountains is very limited. As a teenager on a family trip driving through the flat cornfields of the Midwest, I suddenly realized something had changed. The sky had grown. It was enormous. I was raised in the mountains of East Tennessee. I was never very conscious of the sky because, frankly, I couldn’t see it without looking straight up. The view of the sky over the mountains is very limited. As a teenager on a family trip driving through the flat cornfields of the Midwest, I suddenly realized something had changed. The sky had grown. It was enormous. Although it is obvious that the sky hadn’t really grown, nor was it falling, a similarity can be found between that experience and overseas missions. What once seemed so far away and distant years ago is now more accessible than ever through advances in technology and travel. The opportunities for us to take the Gospel to the nations have grown. In fact, they are enormous. Churches of like faith and practice formed the organization that is today the Southern Baptist Convention primarily for the … [Read more...]
Letter to the Editor
Dr. Paige Patterson’s response to the LifeWay study on the decline of baptisms and church membership stimulated my own concern about this issue. We must follow our Lord’s instructions Dr. Paige Patterson’s response to the LifeWay study on the decline of baptisms and church membership stimulated my own concern about this issue. For many years my concern has been the fact that Southern Baptists have been afraid to acknowledge that the key to success in evangelism is in our following the instruction of our Lord to wait until we are endued with power. The final words of the Lord Jesus before his ascension are recorded in Acts 1:8: But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. The power of the Holy Spirit came to the disciples at Pentecost and that power has not been withdrawn. We as Southern Baptists have allowed those who have distorted the work and power of the Holy Spirit to rob us of the power to succeed in evangelism. We have substituted gimmicks and our own schemes for the plan that our Lord Jesus gave us. Jesus clearly told us in His words recorded … [Read more...]
Messengers elect new president, launch bold initiative
Southern Baptist Convention messengers meeting in Indianapolis June 10-11 elected a new president, launched a bold initiative to share the Gospel with every person in North America by 2020, accepted a detailed report from the Executive Committee on the subject of child sexual abuse prevention and adopted a much-discussed resolution on regenerate church membership. INDIANAPOLIS (BP) – Southern Baptist Convention messengers meeting in Indianapolis June 10-11 elected a new president, launched a bold initiative to share the Gospel with every person in North America by 2020, accepted a detailed report from the Executive Committee on the subject of child sexual abuse prevention and adopted a much-discussed resolution on regenerate church membership. New SBC President Johnny Hunt long has been known among Southern Baptists for his passion for evangelism, discipleship and missions, and those themes dominated his post-election press conference and a brief address to messengers. His election came on the heels of LifeWay’s Annual Church Profile report showing that Southern Baptists in 2007 baptized the fewest number of people in two decades. “I pray that these next two years will be exciting times as we turn the tide and begin once … [Read more...]
Landscapes
Antioch Baptist Tickfaw LaTangi Baptist Association TICKFAW – Lois Oller teaches her Sunday school lesson like a preacher preaches, and she’s been teaching like that continuously for the last 75 years. The 91-year-old Oller began teaching Sunday school when she was only 16. She has pretty much taught all age groups, but she’s taught the seniors adults for the longest period of time. “She is one of the most radiant Christians I’ve ever met,” Charles Bigner, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, said in describing her. “She is a wonderful, wonderful person. A true gift from God.” While a broken hip suffered after a fall several years ago forces her to use a walker, she hasn’t let that stop her, Bigner said. “She doesn’t let her age slow her down, no sir. I’m 71 and she is way ahead of me. Her mind is very sharp and she always has a smile on her face,” Bigner said. “She is truly a joy to know and be around.” On May 25th, Bigner and members of the church showed their appreciation for her faithful service with a birthday party/special recognition day at Antioch Baptist Church, which is located near Tickfaw. The special day allowed everyone to celebrate Oller’s 91st birthday, but more importantly to recognize and thank … [Read more...]
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