2007 Archives
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Falwell leaves complex legacy
Updated: 5/25/07
Falwell leaves complex legacy
By Robert Marus
Associated Baptist Press
WASHINGTON (ABP)—Many social observers agree: few figures in the second half of the 20th century proved as polarizing in American popular and political culture as Jerry Falwell, who died May 15 at the age of 73.
But the outspoken preacher and political activist, who preached a black-and-white gospel and described a world of evil versus good in equally stark terms, left behind a legacy far more nuanced and complex.
Jerry Falwell speaking at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2004. (SWBTS Photo by Matt Miller) 05/25/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Vietnam vets to attend reunion of Saigon Baptist church
Updated: 5/25/07
Jim Humphries on a motorcycle during the time he and his wife were missionaries in Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City. They are planning a reunion for their former church members July 27-29 in Tyler. Vietnam vets to attend
reunion of Saigon Baptist churchBy Hannah Elliott
Associated Baptist Press
TYLER (ABP)—Jim and Mary Humphries are planning a reunion for members of their former church, Trinity Baptist in Saigon, now called Ho Chi Minh City. They haven’t seen many of their mostly military church members in over 35 years. But they expect to reconnect as if they had never left.
“The bond formed between military men and women and missionaries who worked beside them has grown through the years and is now stronger than ever before,” Mary Humphries said. “That was a very special time in the lives of all who served together.”
05/25/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Around the State
Posted: 5/25/07
Yvonne Li received an opportunity to succeed at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor nearly 40 years ago when she obtained a full scholarship. After receiving her degree in 1966, she went on to earn a master’s degree in biochemistry and a doctor of medicine degree. The university’s tennis courts deteriorated to the point that the school had difficulty hosting matches. Li, remembering how the university gave her an opportunity for success, was grateful for the chance to do something to show her thanks, she said. Around the State
• The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor will offer an English-as-a-second-language class for adults who want to improve their English skills in preparation for entering university-level classes in the fall. Registration is June 4, and classes begin June 6. For more information, call (254) 295-4556.
• East Texas Baptist University awarded 102 degrees during its spring commencement ceremony.
• Dallas Baptist University granted 337 undergraduate degrees and 201 graduate degrees at its spring commencement ceremony. Dallas entrepreneur David Moon also received a doctor of humanities degree. Moon is the founder of Sam Moon Trading Company. He has served as a deacon at Korean First Church in Dallas since 1984, now called NewSong Church. He also serves on the DBU board of trustees and has established a scholarship fund for Koreans and Korean-American students attending seminary and Christian universities.
• San Marcos Academy’s freshman sprinter Theresa Nealon won first place in the 400-meter race at the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools state track meet held at Baylor University. She ran a 60.91-second race, winning by .03 of a second.
05/25/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Book Reviews
Posted: 5/25/07
Book Reviews
Rescued: A Novel, by John Bevere and Mark Andrew Olsen (Bethany House)
A $12 million vessel on its way to Barbados becomes a 57,000-pound guided torpedo after its captain and sole crew member dies from cardiac arrest. A tourist submarine excursion in the path of the deadly vessel promises more than a leisurely end to a weeklong church-couples’ cruise. In the aftermath of a terrible underwater accident, the adventure is just beginning.
Life and death, grace and obedience, eternity and the here-and-now all come into focus in John Bevere’s novel. Rescued tells the story of a preacher, his family and his congregation as they learn God’s truths can’t be manipulated to make them feel better about life decisions. It is an extended parable reminding us that all are called, but few chosen. It is an eloquent plea for all Christians to return to the basics of salvation.
What are you reading that other Texas Baptists would find helpful? Send suggestions and reviews to books@baptiststandard.com. From the first pages, it becomes obvious Bevere has written an extended sermon. Before long, though, the story takes over, and we become enmeshed in the drama unfolding before us. Though the lesson takes precedence over plot, a danger in the Christian fiction genre, it’s a lesson we all need to learn.
05/25/2007 - By John Rutledge
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Baptist Briefs
Posted: 5/25/07
Baptist Briefs
Latin American Baptists elect president. The Union of Baptists in Latin America’s Executive Committee unanimously elected Raquel Contreras as UBLA president during a recent meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She will serve as president until April 2009. Contreras recently was re-elected president of the Union of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Chile, composed of 27,781 members and 326 churches. Under her leadership, the union reconciled with the Convention of Baptist Churches of the Chilean Mission after 30 years of division and conflict between the two groups. UBLA is one of six regional bodies of the Baptist World Alliance and represents conventions and unions throughout South America, Central America and Mexico. Contreras is a BWA vice president and a member of the BWA Executive Committee and General Council, as well as several committees.
Heritage & History Society to present awards. The Baptist Heritage & History Society will honor a church historian, a student, a denominational entity, a state convention executive and three ministers at an awards luncheon scheduled in conjunction with its annual meeting, June 7-9 in Campbellsville, Ky. Bill Leonard, founding dean of the Wake Forest University Divinity School, will receive the W.O. Carver Distinguished Service Award, the society’s highest honor, for his career contributions to Baptist history. Bonnie Oliver, a religion student at Memphis Theological will receive the Norman W. Cox Award for the best article published by the society in 2006—“The Life and Times of Barbara Jordan: A Twentieth-Century Baptist and Political Pioneer.” The North American Baptist Heritage Commission in Sioux Falls, S.D., will receive the Davis C. Woolley Award for outstanding achievement in assessing and preserving Baptist history. James Porch, executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, will receive the Carolyn Blevins Meritorious Service Award in recognition of his leading the Tennessee Baptist Convention to provide complimentary office space for the society. In cooperation with the H. Franklin Paschall Chair of biblical studies and preaching at Belmont University in Nashville, the society also will present the 2007 winners of the Baptist Heritage Preaching Contest. The first-place winner is Brent Jones, a Baptist minister and doctoral student in American history at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville; the second-place winner is Steve Hollaway, pastor of Latonia Baptist Church in Covington, Ky.; and the third-place winner is J. Adam Tyler, pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Buckingham, Va.
05/25/2007 - By John Rutledge
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