Monday, April 17, 2006

• On Easter, large & small churches alike emphasize the Gospel through baptisms

  by Erin Roach, posted Monday, April 17, 2006 (18 years ago)

  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Individuals stirred the waters in believer’s baptism on Easter Sunday in churches of all sizes across the Southern Baptist Convention April 16 as part of a convention-wide goal to reach more people than ever for Christ during this church year.

        At Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, church members took the challenge from SBC President Bobby Welch to have an Easter emphasis on baptism as 15 were baptized into their congregation.

  Ademir Simoes, the Brazil and Latin America minister at Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, baptized 13-year-old Jose Antonio Zepeda and Jose’s aunt, Christina Zepeda, on Easter Sunday.Photo courtesy of Great Hills Baptist

        Welch’s call for Easter baptisms was part of his “‘Everyone Can!’ Kingdom Challenge” for evangelism, which urges Southern Baptists to witness to, win and baptize 1 million people in a year. In addition to Easter Sunday and Nov. 27 of last year, Welch has asked that churches highlight baptism on Sept. 30, the final day of the SBC's church year and the closing date of the Everyone Can initiative. Read More

• 1,200 to 1,500 Brazilians accept Christ during mission trip

  by Shannon Baker, posted Monday, April 17, 2006 (18 years ago)

  The city streets of the Vitória da Conquista community in Bahai, Brazil, became fertile ground for volunteers from Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga., during a recent mission trip. Photo by Peter Cunningham

  MARIETTA, Ga. (BP)--They exalted the Savior, equipped the saints and evangelized the sinner. Then they watched as 1,200 to 1,500 Brazilians prayed to receive Christ as their Savior.

        Sixteen volunteers from Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga., traveled to the Vitória da Conquista community in Bahia, Brazil, to evangelize and to teach believers witnessing methods during a March 2-14 mission trip.

        Using material from Darrell Robinson’s book, “People Sharing Jesus,” the team taught more than 600 people in seven Brazilian Baptist churches how to share their faith. Read More

• LIFE DIGEST: Univ. Prof leads students to destroy pro-life display; governors veto pro- and con- abortion-related bills

  by Tom Strode, posted Monday, April 17, 2006 (18 years ago)

  WASHINGTON (BP)--Freedom of speech to at least one college professor means the ability to destroy someone else’s right of expression, especially if it communicates a pro-life message. Read More

• NAMB president Bob Reccord resigns; cites ‘philosophical and methodological differences’ as reasons for parting ways

  by Martin King, posted Monday, April 17, 2006 (18 years ago)

  Bob Reccord

  ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--Robert E. Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board, announced his resignation April 17 from the Southern Baptist entity he has led since its creation nine years ago.

        Speaking to nearly 200 NAMB staff members at NAMB’s Atlanta-area offices, Reccord said he made the decision, which was effective immediately, with “mixed emotions.” Read More

• Welch, Chapman thank Reccord, voice optimism for future

  by Staff, posted Monday, April 17, 2006 (18 years ago)

  ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--The North American Mission Board may now be in transition, but Southern Baptists mustn’t waver in their commitment to reach the continent for Christ, SBC President Bobby Welch said April 17 after the resignation of NAMB President Bob Reccord. Read More

• Help for Uganda’s orphans is new organization’s first aim

  by Taryn Hutchison, posted Monday, April 17, 2006 (18 years ago)

  MILL VALLEY, Calif. (BP)--About 15 people affiliated with Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary have launched an organization to care for Uganda’s orphans. Read More

• NOBTS website lists options for seminarians with children

  by Gary D. Myers, posted Monday, April 17, 2006 (18 years ago)

  NEW ORLEANS (BP)--Parents at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary will encounter a new educational landscape when they try to enroll their children in school this fall. In response, NOBTS has created a resource center to help parents make informed choices about the educational options they will have. Read More

• Trustees approve study centers for law & the arts at SBTS

  by Jeff Robinson, posted Monday, April 17, 2006 (18 years ago)

  LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--Trustees at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary unanimously approved the creation of two new theological study centers -- the Center for Theology and the Arts and the Center for Theology and Law -- during the board’s annual spring meeting April 11. Read More

• FIRST-PERSON: Always preach for commitment -- and expect a response!

  by Rick Warren, posted Monday, April 17, 2006 (18 years ago)

  LAKE FOREST, Calif. (BP)--When we were getting ready for the first service of Saddleback Church 26 years ago, I planned to extend a traditional "come forward" altar call at the end of the service. It was the way I’d always done it. I’d been a Southern Baptist evangelist! But as I concluded my first message in the Laguna Hills High School theater, I suddenly realized I had two problems: Read More

• FIRST-PERSON: Is God worthy of this?

  by James M. Hamilton Jr., posted Monday, April 17, 2006 (18 years ago)

  FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)--Upon watching ABC’s “The Ten Commandments,” I was grateful that the movie prompted me to think about some things the Bible says. For instance, there was a scene in which the faithful Israelites killed the idolatrous Israelites who refused to worship Yahweh (after the golden calf incident, see Exodus 32:25–29). As I watched these scenes, what came to my mind was the fact that not only do those who refuse to worship Yahweh meet with misery and death in this life, but they also face an eternal conscious torment. Read More