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  Voices of Praise deliver musical gospel message to Spain_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Some members of “Voices of Praise” perform at a BGCT Church Multiplication dinner during the African American Fellowship/Church Health and Growth Conference. The group recently returned from a trip to Spain where more than 100 people made decisions for Christ.

  Voices of Praise deliver musical gospel message to Spain

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  SAN ANTONIO–More than 100 people made decisions for Christ when pastors put their musical talent to use during a recent mission trip to Spain.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Understanding differences in personality types can help church staff head off potential conflicts, c

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Understanding differences in personality types can help
  church staff head off potential conflicts, consultant says

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  SAN ANTONIO–Most church staff difficulties have more to do with personalities than with issues, a Baptist General Convention of Texas consultant said.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

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  Fitness means exercising good stewardship of ‘temple,’ speaker stresses_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Fitness means exercising good
  stewardship of 'temple,' speaker stresses

  By Ferrell Foster

  Texas Baptist Communications

  SAN ANTONIO–Being healthy is not just about losing weight and looking good; it's about “physical stewardship” of the body throughout life, fitness trainer Marsha Taplett insisted.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

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  Learning styles of Bible study pupils require varied teaching approaches_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Learning styles of Bible study pupils
  require varied teaching approaches

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  SAN ANTONIO–The Bible is powerful, but Sunday school teachers need to vary their methods if they are going to make it stick with their students, according to a Baptist General Convention of Texas youth consultant.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

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  Homecoming for children’s home stirs memories, sparks gratitude_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Homecoming for children's home
  stirs memories, sparks gratitude

  By Craig Bird

  Baptist Child & Family Services

  SAN ANTONIO–A trip to the past nourished the souls of former residents of Baptist Child & Family Services who converged on the San Antonio campus for their first alumni reunion in decades.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Former children’s home residents fondly recall tasty Mexican meals as one housemother’s labor of lov

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Former children's home residents fondly recall
  tasty Mexican meals as one housemother's labor of love

  By Craig Bird

  Baptist Child & Family Services

  SAN ANTONIO–Whether it was a grateful gasp of recognition (“he still wears the same hat”) that greeted Leslie Pullin or the public appreciation of Beatrice Gasca Atu (“no other housemother cooked us Mexican food”) for her culinary generosity, former staff members were a welcome part of the alumni reunion at Baptist Child & Family Services.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• American confidence in First Amendment up_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  American confidence in First Amendment up

  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP)–Americans' confidence in the First Amendment, which fell after the attacks of 9/11, is up again, according to a new survey.

  The First Amendment Center in Nashville, Tenn., has released its 2004 survey results on the “State of the First Amendment,” which suggests Americans' concern for protecting freedoms is at levels not seen since before Sept. 11, 2001.

  The survey, conducted in conjunction with the American Journalism Review, showed that when asked whether the First Amendment goes too far in the protections it guarantees, 65 percent said it did not, up from 49 percent in the 2002 poll.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

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  Hunger Hounds track down donations to alleviate suffering, fight hunger_72804

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Hunger Hounds track down donations
  to alleviate suffering, fight hunger

  By Janelle Bagci

  Texas Baptist Communications

  KILGORE–A man and woman living in a shack in the poorest area of town know what it's like to go to sleep hungry. But the mentally disabled epileptic couple still set aside $60 from their meager earnings for world hunger.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Partnership, cooperation fuel churches’ missions engine_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Partnership, cooperation fuel churches' missions engine

  By Marv Knox

  Editor

  HOUSTON–Partnership and cooperation are important fuels for missions, leaders of missions groups insisted during the Texas Baptists Committed annual convocation.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Churches challenged to move outside four walls, be on mission for Christ_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Churches challenged to move outside
  four walls, be on mission for Christ

  By Marv Knox

  Editor

  HOUSTON–No matter what others think, God will judge the Baptist General Convention of Texas by one standard, Ed Hogan told participants at the Texas Baptists Committed annual convocation in Houston.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Around the State_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Henry Landrum of First Baptist Church in Wilmer built this rickshaw for the church's "Rickshaw Rally" Vacation Bible School and parade. He has been a deacon at the church since 1964. He is pictured with Tajéavean and Savannah. David Bugg is pastor.

  Around the State

  Brian Ward has been hired as the first associate director of Internet development and services for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Ward comes to the newly created position from the Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, where he was information systems security manager.

  Paisano Baptist General Encampment's annual family camp opened July 25. Located in the Davis Mountains of West Texas, the camp hosts the family camp each summer during the last full week of July. It has been held since 1915.

  Houston Baptist University graduate Stephanie Smith was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during a special ceremony during the university's graduation exercises. Smith received a bachelor of science degree in psychology and sociology. A second special presentation honored Vice President for Academic Affairs Don Looser for his 40 years of service to the university.

  The San Antonio campus of Wayland Baptist University awarded degrees to 292 students during summer graduation ceremonies. Outstanding student awards were presented to Robert Lee Johnson, religion; Richard Morice, business administration; Billy Jack Harlow, management; Daniel Caluya, human services; Robert Eshelman, occupational education; Clark Fooshee, master of Christian ministry; Karen Wilburn, master of business administration; and Jeff Humphrey, master of arts in management.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Assisted-suicide review requested_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Assisted-suicide review requested

  WASHINGTON (RNS)–The Bush administration has asked a federal appeals court to reconsider its spring decision to uphold Oregon's assisted-suicide law.

  It would like the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to set aside its May ruling that backed the only law in the country that permits doctors to assist patients in hastening their deaths, the Associated Press reported.

  The Justice Department said the case, decided 2-1, should be reheard by a panel of 11 judges.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge