Baptist Press Archive

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

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  • LifeWay store's customers find more than Bibles & books
    by Carol Pipes, posted Wednesday, December 12, 2012 (11 years ago)

    DANVILLE, Va. (BP) -- Jean Ellis, manager of the LifeWay Christian Store in Danville, Va., beams as she recounts story after story of how God is working through the sales associates at the store to impact their community.

    "Let me tell you about the girl from Subway ... oh, and then there was the time...."

    Ellis' excitement bubbles over with each anecdote. Her enthusiasm is understandable -- the staff has led seven people to Christ since the store opened four years ago.

    Recently, Kate*, a young woman who works at the Subway restaurant a few doors from the LifeWay storefront, came in searching for answers. Struggling with some of life's tough issues, she thought maybe, just maybe, she might find something in the store that could help her.

    Kate made her way to the Bible section where sales associate Mitch Cifers was working. He asked Kate if she needed some assistance. She explained what she'd been going through and said, "I think a Bible might help."

    Cifers realized God had opened the door to share how the Bible could help her. "Definitely, the Bible can help you," he told Kate. "Do you know Who the Bible is about? Let me introduce you to its Author."

    Cifers began to talk about Jesus with Kate. "She had no church background and was completely caught off-guard that someone could love her the way that she was," the sales associate recounted.

    Kate gave her life to Christ that day in the LifeWay store. Cifers then introduced her to Ellis, who was able to talk with her about the issues in her life and pray with her before she left the store.

    "It's awesome to watch the Holy Spirit work through a situation like that," Cifers said. "She came in the store with such a heaviness in her life, and she left completely transformed. It's always amazing to see hopelessness turn to hope."

    "Kate has come back to the store numerous times to pore over books as she learns more about her new life if Christ," Ellis said. "It's wonderful to see someone who gets it and is growing in her faith. She even brings friends in with her who don't know Christ. Read More

  • Online poker opponents warn of Senate battle
    by Staff, posted Wednesday, December 12, 2012 (11 years ago)

    Legalization of online poker would not be "a winning proposition for America."

    -– Richard Land

    WASHINGTON (BP) -- The Southern Baptist Convention's ethics entity and other gambling foes are speaking out against legislation to legalize online poker that is a threat to gain U.S. Senate passage before the end of the year. Read More

  • Moore urges biblical view of adoption
    by Craig Sanders, posted Wednesday, December 12, 2012 (11 years ago)

    WASHINGTON (BP) -- Understanding what the Gospel is about is at the heart of recovering a Christian commitment to adoption and orphan care, said Russell D. Moore in a lecture at the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C. Read More

  • 'Jeopardy!' mentions Angola extension center
    by Frank Michael McCormack, posted Wednesday, December 12, 2012 (11 years ago)

    NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- For casual and competitive "Jeopardy!" fans alike, it's not unusual to know at least a few of correct questions to the show's answers. (Note: Jeopardy! poses statements or answers, and contestants respond with questions like "What is...?" or "Who is...?") Read More

  • Prof: 'Charlie Brown Christmas' can be helpful
    by Benjamin Hawkins, posted Wednesday, December 12, 2012 (11 years ago)

    FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) -- In the classic TV special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," Linus reminds the rest of the Peanuts gang of the true meaning of Christmas by reciting the story of Christ's birth from Luke 2. Read More

  • Okla. Baptists renew focus on Sunday School
    by Staff, posted Wednesday, December 12, 2012 (11 years ago)

    MOORE, Okla. (BP) -- The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma set forth a "ReConnect Sunday School" initiative at its 106th annual meeting Nov. 12-13 at First Baptist Church in Moore.

    The meeting, with its "Connect" theme, provided an opportunity for Oklahoma Baptists to conduct business, elect officers, gather as a community of faith and share their vision for 2013.

    The "ReConnect Sunday School" initiative calls on Oklahoma Southern Baptist churches to revitalize adult and children'... Read More

  • BGCT budget to remain at $38M
    by Staff, posted Wednesday, December 12, 2012 (11 years ago)

    CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (BP) -- The Baptist General Convention of Texas approved a $38 million budget for next year during its 2012 annual meeting in Corpus Christi.

    The budget has remained the same since 2010. It includes $33.85 million in Cooperative Program receipts from BGCT member churches and $2.15 million in investment income.

    Messengers allocated 79 percent of the budget for the work of the state convention and 21 percent for national and international causes, allowing each churc... Read More

  • FROM THE STATES: N.C., Ala. & Texas evangelism/missions news
    by Staff, posted Wednesday, December 12, 2012 (11 years ago)

    EDITOR'S NOTE: From the States, published each Tuesday by Baptist Press, relays news and feature stories from state Baptist papers and other publications on initiatives by Baptist churches, associations and state conventions in evangelism, church planting and Great Commission outreach, including partnership missions. Reports about churches, associations and state conventions responding to the International Mission Board's call to embrace the world's 3,800 unengaged, unreached people groups also ... Read More