Wednesday, August 03, 2016

• Transplanting families to plant church for students

  by Mark Kelly, posted Wednesday, August 03, 2016 (5 years ago)

  

  Photo by Cindy Boney

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- The need for more churches in Fairbanks, Alaska, weighed heavily on Joe and Cindy Boney. As new church planter catalysts with the North American Mission Board, they were praying fervently in September 2015 that God would show them how He wanted to start new churches in this frontier city of 32,000 souls.

  Within the month, God had answered that prayer -- and over nine months, events have unfolded in a dramatic manner. Read More

• Talking about politics, God focus of new study

  by Bob Smietana, posted Wednesday, August 03, 2016 (5 years ago)

  

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- Politics trumps God for most Americans when it comes to conversations with their friends, a new study shows.

  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 by a 2-to-1 margin. Read More

• Yokefellow with Down syndrome ministers to shut-ins

  by Connie Davis Bushey/Baptist and Reflector, posted Wednesday, August 03, 2016 (5 years ago)

  

  HERMITAGE, Tenn. (BP) -- Mike Kinle and pastor David Taft visit shut-ins for First Baptist Church every Monday afternoon.

  Kinle always reads the Scripture he has chosen for the people they are visiting. He also leads the prayer, including for prayer requests learned of during the visit.

  Kinle may not take the lead in the conversations, but he listens and prepares to pray. A good time is had by all if measured by the smiles which appear, hugs exchanged and conversation. Read More

• Gas explosion burns Alaska dir.; prayers needed

  by Diana Chandler, posted Wednesday, August 03, 2016 (5 years ago)

  

  ANCHORAGE, Alaska (BP) -- Suffering third-degree burns over 80 percent of his body, Alaska Baptist evangelism and church growth director Jimmy Stewart is hospitalized and grateful for prayers after being injured in a gas leak explosion at his Alaska cabin.

  Stewart is expected to undergo his fourth surgery today (Aug. 3) -- one of many anticipated in a hospitalization of at least six months followed by convalescence and a lengthy rehabilitation, according to the Alaska Baptist Convention (ABC). Read More

• Racism alleged as part of pastor's termination

  by David Roach, posted Wednesday, August 03, 2016 (5 years ago)

  

  Screen capture from WTOK-TV

  BUTLER, Ala. (BP) -- A former Alabama pastor and the rural congregation that terminated him last Sunday (July 31) have offered varying reports to media outlets regarding the role racism played in the 31-0 vote to dismiss him.

  Mt. Sterling Baptist Church in Butler, Ala., was the subject of news stories by WTOK television in nearby Meridian, Miss., the AL.com news website and other media outlets when it fired pastor Jonathan Greer, 26, over what Greer described as "pushback" against his intention to invite black children to Vacation Bible School. Read More

• FIRST-PERSON: God doesn't need to be convinced

  by Michael Kelley, posted Wednesday, August 03, 2016 (5 years ago)

  God doesn't need to be convinced to give you what you need, writes columnist Michael Kelley. "He already knows what we need, and He is going to give us just that," he notes. "Of course, that does not mean that God is some kind of cosmic genie, granting the selfish wishes of anyone who rubs the lamp in just the right way. It's better than that." Read More