Archives
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Cross Plains church helps wildfire victims through recovery
Posted: 1/20/06
A handwritten sign by fifth and sixth graders at First Baptist Church in Cross Plains is intended to lift the spirits of wildfire victims. Cross Plains church helps
wildfire victims through recoveryBy John Hall
Texas Baptist Communications
CROSS PLAINS–Everywhere Shayne Childers turns, he is reminded of the wildfires that devastated his community. Charred fields line the roads. They cry to him from across the street as he picks his son up from school.
01/20/2006 - By John Rutledge
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EDITORIAL Stewardship encompasses all of life
Posted: 1/20/06
EDITORIAL:
Stewardship encompasses all of lifeSoon and very soon, people from all over the globe will settle down in front of our TV sets for two solid weeks, mesmerized by the XX Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. We'll cheer for athletes we've never heard of competing in sports we only think about once every four years. And don't say you won't, because you know you will. “The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” are the best drama on TV (with the slight exception of any episode of Lost).
One of the most attractive aspects of the Olympics always has been the uniquely individual nature of the competition. Of course, I love baseball and football, respect basketball and have developed a growing appreciation for hockey. Team sports are thrilling and larger than life. But individual sports, such as the majority featured in the Olympics, are so compelling because they highlight a solitary competitor striving against nature, time, gravity, human limitations and/or other individuals with the same dreams and aspirations. When you watch many of these solo competitions, you witness the world in microcosm.
Many factors determine which athletes climb up on the medal stand and which ones pack up and head for home. They include everything from climate to equipment to talent to genetics to funding to, sometimes, sheer good fortune. But the No. 1 factor inevitably is this: Stewardship of individual resources. Sure, raw ability plays a part. (Remember Eddie the Eagle, the British ski-jumper? Everyone knew his physical skills wouldn't fly him to a medal.) Every other factor, however, is impacted by stewardship of resources–how well the athletes use everything at their disposal. The medal stands are populated by athletes who commit themselves to gaining quality experience, training extremely hard and well, understanding the dynamics of both the sport and the specific competition, eliminating distractions, resting body and soul, and focusing intensely on the one thing that matters at the moment: The competition. We call them champions.
01/20/2006 - By John Rutledge
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Transitional home for girls offers hope in Guatemala
Posted: 1/20/06
Buckner Orphan Care International celebrated the opening of its first transitional girl's home in Guatemala City Jan. 7. The home will hold 10 girls and provide a place for them to live as they continue their education and learn life skills. "Some of (these girls) had never had a home before, and they look beautiful now–like normal teenagers. And they all have opportunities that they otherwise wouldn't have had," said Leslie Chace, director of Latin American programs for Buckner Orphan Care International. (Photos by Randy Daniels/ Buckner Benevolences) Transitional home for girls
offers hope in GuatemalaBy Jenny Pope
Buckner Benevolences
GUATEMALA CITY–Buckner Orphan Care International celebrated the grand opening of its first transitional girls' home in Guatemala City this month. Unlike orphanages, the transitional home will provide a place for girls age 18 and older to live as they continue their education and learn life skills.
01/20/2006 - By John Rutledge
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Sponsors needed for children in Russian foster care
Posted: 1/20/06
Buckner employs two case managers and provides financial assistance and training to 24 foster families in the St. Petersburg region of Russia. (Photos by Felicia Fuller/Buckner Benevolences) Sponsors needed for children
in Russian foster careBy Felicia Fuller
Buckner Benevolences
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia–Having spent her first year of life in the cold institutional confines of a Russian orphanage, 2-year-old Anya still struggles with social phobias and speech delays.
01/20/2006 - By John Rutledge
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Buckner addresses HIV epidemic in Russian orpha
Posted: 1/20/06
Above: Hospital 15 in St. Petersburg, Russia, is improving its medical services to HIV-positive orphans thanks to Buckner supporters like Blair and Melissa Pogue of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas. At Right: Buckner and Russian government officials met recently on ways to stem the surge of infections in Russia's government-run orphanages. (Photos by Felicia Fuller/Buckner Benevolences) Buckner addresses HIV epidemic in Russian orphanages
By Felicia Fuller
Buckner Benevolences
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia–With children and young adults accounting for 80 percent of HIV cases in Russia, Buckner and Russian government officials met recently on ways to stem the surge of infections in Russia's government-run orphanages.
01/20/2006 - By John Rutledge
Stacy Martin to Shady Shores Church in Denton as youth minister. 
