2008 Archives
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Baptists focus on relief after deadly storms hit Mid-South
Posted: 2/08/08
Baptists focus on relief after
deadly storms hit Mid-SouthBy Hannah Elliott & Robert Marus
Associated Baptist Press
JACKSON, Tenn. (ABP)—Baptist churches and organizations are both suffering and helping in the wake of deadly tornadoes that devastated the Mid-South Feb. 5-6.
According to initial National Weather Service reports, more than 60 tornadoes struck Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky and Alabama. The storms killed at least 56, making the event the deadliest tornado outbreak in the United States in more than 20 years.
Union University President David S. Dockery surveys damage to the Jackson, Tenn., campus after a Feb. 5 tornado. (Morris Abernathy Photo) 02/08/2008 - By John Rutledge
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Panhandle Pastor’s and Laymen’s Conference slated
Posted: 2/07/08
Panhandle Pastor’s and
Laymen’s Conference slatedPLAINVIEW—Author Calvin Miller will be a keynote speaker at the 87th annual Panhandle Pastor’s and Laymen’s Conference, Feb. 18-19 at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview.
Calvin Miller Miller, a native of Enid, Okla., teaches at Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School and has written more than 40 books of popular theology and inspiration.
Other key speakers on the program include Sandy Maddox from Orlando, Fla., a veteran conference and retreat speaker who leads the Treasures of Heart and Home ministry, and Leighton Flowers, youth evangelism director for the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
Musical guest Blake Bolerjack will perform mini-concerts during the Monday evening and Tuesday morning sessions.
02/07/2008 - By John Rutledge
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Deadly Super Tuesday storms devastate Union University
Posted: 2/06/08
Deadly Super Tuesday storms
devastate Union UniversityJACKSON, Tenn. (ABP)—Baptist-affiliated Union University was one of the hardest-hit spots as deadly tornadoes raked the Mid-South Feb. 5—the same day as Mardi Gras celebrations and the “Super Tuesday” primary elections.
The Tennessee Baptist Convention-related school’s campus sustained extensive damage as an evening tornado tore across the north side of Jackson, Tenn. The city of about 65,000 is located midway between Memphis and Nashville.
The Jackson Sun reported Feb. 6 that emergency workers rescued 13 students trapped in a demolished dormitory complex.
A rescue team carries a female student from a dorm where she was trapped by debris when walls collapsed during a tornado that ripped through Union University's campus on Feb. 5. (BP Photo/Morris Abernathy) Union spokesman Tim Ellsworth told the paper that 51 students were transported to the hospital. While nine students had serious injuries, none of the injuries were life-threatening, he said. In an interview posted Feb. 6 on the website of local television station WBBJ, Ellsworth said school officials had confirmed that all of the seriously injured students “are going to be fine.”
02/06/2008 - By John Rutledge
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As Hispanic population grows, so do ministry opportunities
Posted: 2/05/08
As Hispanic population grows,
so do ministry opportunitiesBy Nora Frost
Texas Baptist Communications
HOUSTON—Hispanics are a fast-growing population in the country, bringing with them increasing ministry opportunities. But those opportunities aren’t addressed as easily as providing material and training in Spanish, said Frank Palos, Baptist General Convention of Texas director of Hispanic evangelism.
Worship culture for Hispanics is as diverse as its demographic composition. About 1,200 Hispanic congregations are affiliated with the BGCT. Although the majority of those churches worship mainly in Spanish, about one-third of them have bilingual worship services, and about 1 percent of the Hispanic churches worship in English.
Participants pray at the Hispanic Evangelism Conference in Houston. (Photo by Nora Frost) See Related Story:
• More than 1,600 Hispanic Baptists gather for evangelism conference
• As Hispanic population grows, so do ministry opportunities
02/05/2008 - By John Rutledge
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New Baptist Covenant: Unity. Harmony. Now, what comes next?
Posted: 2/04/08
New Baptist Covenant: Unity.
Harmony. Now, what comes next?By Marv Knox
Baptist Standard
ATLANTA—Fifteen thousand participants in the New Baptist Covenant convocation arrived in Atlanta Jan. 30 seeking unity in Christ and departed Feb. 1 wondering where their quest will lead.
In the meantime, they demonstrated racial, theological and geographic harmony as they prayed, sang, listened to sermons and attended workshops focusing on ministry to the people Jesus called "the least of these" in society.
Author John Grisham The unprecedented event brought together African-American, Anglo, Asian-American and Hispanic Baptists. They represented 30 Baptist conventions and organizations, all affiliated with the North American Baptist Fellowship, the regional affiliate of the Baptist World Alliance. They also heard from two former U.S. presidents, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, and a former vice president, Al Gore-all Baptists.
02/04/2008 - By John Rutledge
