By Mark Kelley, Baptist Press [img_assist|nid=6473|title=Messengers overwhelmingly vote to adopt recommendations of Great Commission Resurgence Task Force|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=59]ORLANDO, Fla. (BP) – By an estimated 3-to-1 margin, the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force report was adopted June 15 by messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Orlando, Fla. After the historic vote, Task Force Chairman Ronnie Floyd recalled the statement issued by northern and southern Baptists after the 1845 founding of the Southern Baptist Convention and told the assembly: “Following the pattern of our leaders of old, we also would say to the watching world that the differences between those who support the Great Commission Resurgence report and recommendations and those who do not should not be exaggerated. “We are still brothers and sisters in Christ. We differ on no article of faith. We are guided by our shared commitment to the Gospel itself and to the articles of faith identified in the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. The Southern Baptist Convention is a convention of churches that is committed to a missional vision of presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and … [Read more...]

By Erin Roach, Baptist Press [img_assist|nid=6475|title=Frank Page|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=72]ORLANDO, Fla. (BP) – Frank Page was elected as the next president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee June 14 in Orlando, Fla. A former SBC president, Page will succeed Morris H. Chapman, who is retiring after 18 years in the position. Page, 57, most recently served as vice president of evangelization for the North American Mission Board and was pastor of First Baptist Church in Taylors, S.C., for nine years and SBC president from 2006-08. Executive Committee members deliberated for nearly two hours in a closed session Monday afternoon before announcing a decision to call Page as president, and he accepted the role with “a great sense of destiny and awareness that God has a great future for Southern Baptists.” Page told the Executive Committee his goal is that the group will be unified in its passion to see the world won to Jesus Christ, and he pledged to love the committee members and to work with all his might. In comments to Baptist Press after the vote, Page said he is following the call of God and is excited about the future. “I’m somewhat nervous because the task before me … [Read more...]

By Philip Timothy, Message Staff Writer WINNFIELD – Jeremy Albright, youth minister at First Baptist Church Winnfield, knows the impact summer camp can have on a student’s life. The Alabama transplant is also acutely aware of the impact the economy has had on families and churches throughout the country, especially in Winn Parish. Therefore, Albright, with the backing of First Winnfield, is financially enabling several  churches to take their kids to summer camp – LifeWay’s Centrifuge at Union University in Jackson, Tenn.  The camp is July 12-17. “God has given our church numerous blessings and we want to share those blessings with others,” Albright said. “I am not trying to steal anybody’s kids. As a matter of fact, I have told each church that when we get there we can do things together, but I also want them to take their own students and have a small-group Bible study. “All we are trying to do is to show we are here to serve the same God,” Albright said. “We want to be the vessel to help our sister churches get their kids to camp.” The congregation of First Winnfield has embraced the idea wholeheartedly. The church is paying for a 56-seat charter bus and will take care of the driver’s room and board for the … [Read more...]