• New Literacy ConneXus encourages ministry_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  New Literacy ConneXus encourages ministry

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  WACO–Literacy ConneXus, a ministry to encourage churches to reach people by teaching them to read and write, has been launched by the Baptist General Convention of Texas Missions Equipping Center and Baylor University.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Innovative literacy program offers hope to Waco families_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  A volunteer teaches adults to read and write through an innovative family literacy program co-sponsored by Baylor University.

  Innovative literacy program offers hope to Waco families

  By Sarah Farris

  BGCT Summer Intern

  WACO–The words “Yes You Can, Si Se Puede” frame a large wall at Cesar Chavez Middle School in Waco.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Malpractice crisis limits care for patients in free clinics_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Malpractice crisis limits care for patients in free clinics

  By Kirsten Pasha

  Associated Baptist Press

  WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (ABP)–High-priced malpractice insurance, which is prompting many physicians across the country to reduce their practices or leave the field, also is limiting health care for patients who use free and Christian-operated clinics.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• Judiciary committee sends Marriage Protection Act of 2004 to House floor_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Judiciary committee sends Marriage
  Protection Act of 2004 to House floor

  By Robert Marus

  Associated Baptist Press

  WASHINGTON (ABP)–The same day a gay-marriage ban failed to move forward in the Senate, a different approach to opposing same-sex nuptials passed a House committee.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Churches minister to isolated Mexican Indians_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Churches minister to isolated Mexican Indians

  By Ferrell Foster

  Texas Baptist Communications

  GUAGUACHIQUE, Mexico–Three Texas churches have their mission eyes looking steadily southward, and they've banded together to reach a people group that years ago fled to the isolation of Mexico's mountains.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  STEVE MUNSON: Frontline ministry_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  Chaplain Steve Munson, pastor of Grace Fellowship Baptist Church in Fort Worth, conducts an outdoor worship service in Iraq during his 14-month tour of duty. He served as chaplain to the 607th Military Police Battalion.

  STEVE MUNSON:
  Frontline ministry

  By George Henson

  Staff Writer

  FORT WORTH–Steve Munson doesn't feel comfortable in his bed just yet, but his pulpit fits fine.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  New churches most effective in reaching people for Christ, experts insist_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  New churches most effective in
  reaching people for Christ, experts insist

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  The need for more congregations can be summed up in several ways, but the bottom line is new churches mean more people come to know Christ, according to Texas Baptist leaders.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  New Orleans Seminary trustees will weigh sole membership alternatives_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  New Orleans Seminary trustees will
  weigh sole membership alternatives

  NEW ORLEANS (BP)–New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees apparently will weigh alternatives to sole membership during their October meeting, according to comments by the trustee chairman reported in the New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper.

  Messengers to the SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis voted this summer to ask seminary trustees to adopt sole membership. Sole membership seeks to clarify–in legal language–that the convention owns all of its entities.

  The other five seminaries previously have adopted sole membership, as have the North American Mission Board, International Mission Board, LifeWay Christian Resources, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and Annuity Board.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  On the Move_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  On the Move

  Mike Acker has resigned as minister of youth at College Heights Church in Cleburne.

  Mike Auten to First Church in Clyde as minister of education and administration.

  David Brackett to First Church in Randolph as pastor from Parker Grove Church in Ravenna.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Texas cowboy churches successfully rounding up lost strays_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  The Baptist General Convention of Texas recently bought a trailer to haul several cowboys and their horses around the state probing areas for western heritage individuals.

  Texas cowboy churches successfully rounding up lost strays

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  Open Range Cowboy Church is one of the latest rapidly growing ventures in an expanding Baptist General Convention of Texas cowboy church starting effort, where the extraordinary is becoming commonplace.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

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  Worshippers saddle up for new life at Open Range Church_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  The Open Range Cowboy Church band leads a packed worship service. About 300 people regularly attend the church, which baptized 14 people in its first month.

  Worshippers saddle up for
  new life at Open Range Church

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  WHITNEY–Cowboys and cowgirls are finding new lives on the open range.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Looking for a morality play Pull out the popcorn_72604

  Posted: 7/23/04

  "Spider-Man 2" is one of several summer movies that capture moral themes of good vs. evil. (Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures.)

  Looking for a morality play? Pull out the popcorn

  By Kristen Campbell

  Religion News Service

  WASHINGTON (RNS)–Stories of epic struggles between right and wrong are coming–and not just to a pulpit near you.

  07/23/2004 - By John Rutledge