SBC surveying churches about Cooperative Program

Posted: 1/11/08

SBC surveying churches
about Cooperative Program

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The Southern Baptist Convention is surveying its affiliated churches about the primary giving channel for the SBC and state conventions in an effort that could lead to changes in the way Southern Baptists support missions.

The survey asks church leaders about their thoughts on the Cooperative Program, how often they speak about it in their churches, their financial relationship with their state convention and what they think the Cooperative Program supports.

01/11/2008 - By John Rutledge

Displaced Kenyans in Uganda receive help from Baptist World Aid

Posted: 1/11/08

Displaced Kenyans in Uganda
receive help from Baptist World Aid

Racetracks unite in push for slot machines

Posted: 1/10/08

Racetracks unite in push for slot machines

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

AUSTIN—Pari-mutuel racetrack owners have come together to make another push for being able to install slot machines at their sites.

Bible Studies for Life Series for January 20: Breakthrough in justice

Posted: 1/10/08

Bible Studies for Life Series for January 20

Breakthrough in justice

• Psalm 7:1-17

Explore the Bible Series for January 20: God wants us to value everyone

Posted:1/10/08

Explore the Bible Series for January 20

God wants us to value everyone

• Genesis 1:27, 9:6; Matthew 5:21-22, 22:36-40; Mark 10:46-52

Christians in Kenya administer aid as unrest continues

Posted: 1/10/08

Christians in Kenya administer
aid as unrest continues

By Hannah Elliott

Associated Baptist Press

NAIROBI, Kenya (ABP)—Still-simmering violence sparked by disputed elections in Kenya continues to affect Baptist organizations and missionaries in the previously stable nation.

Gunfire erupted Jan. 7 in Limuru, a small town less than half a mile from Kenya Baptist Theological College. Several people were killed and almost 200 young men were arrested in the melee, according to Don Ashley, a professor of religion at Wayland Baptist University. The Texas-based university’s Kenya campus is housed at the theological school.

01/10/2008 - By John Rutledge

Wayland classes in Kenya will proceed as scheduled

Posted: 1/08/08

Wayland classes in Kenya
will proceed as scheduled

LIMURU, Kenya—In spite of reports of violence about two-thirds of a mile from Kenya Baptist Theological College, Wayland Baptist University will begins regularly scheduled classes there Jan. 14.

Gunfire erupted Jan. 7 in Limuru, Kenya, a small town approximately 1 kilometer from the campus. Don Ashley, associate professor of religion at Wayland, said several people were killed and almost 200 young men were arrested in the melee.

Ashley and his family traveled to Kenya prior to Christmas. He will teach in the upcoming term in Wayland’s Kenya program. While the violence has shaken his family, they are currently safe at the Kenya Baptist Theological College campus, he reported.

A major problem in recent days had been lack of supplies, but Ashley said supply lines have reopened, although it remains difficult to get food, water and fuel. While the campus has sufficient supplies, officials there have stopped accepting refugees for fear of running out.

01/08/2008 - By John Rutledge

Pinkston named Texas WMU interim director

Posted: 1/08/08

Pinkston named Texas WMU interim director

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS—Nina Pinkston has been named interim executive director-treasurer of Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas.

Texas WMU President Nelda Taylor said Pinkston was selected for the position because of her strong administrative skills, as well as her passion for mission work in Texas and around the globe.

01/08/2008 - By John Rutledge

Baptist Children’s Home runaway killed on San Antonio highway

Posted: 1/08/08

Baptist Children’s Home runaway
killed on San Antonio highway

By Craig Bird

Baptist Child & Family Services

SAN ANTONIO—A 15-year-old resident of San Antonio Baptist Children’s Home was killed by a car Jan. 4 as she ran across U.S. Hwy 90.

She was attempting to cross the highway, which borders the campus, with four other youth. None of the others were injured.

01/08/2008 - By John Rutledge

BaptistWay Bible Series for January 13: There are none so blind

Posted: 1/07/07

BaptistWay Bible Series for January 13

There are none so blind

• Mark 8:11-26

Southern Baptists respond to critical hunger needs in Kenya

Posted: 1/07/08

Southern Baptists respond
to critical hunger needs in Kenya

NASHVILLE—Southern Baptists are responding to critical hunger needs in Kenya, where an estimated 250,000 people have been driven from their homes by violence that broke out after the controversial results of December’s presidential elections were announced.

Food packets containing rice, wheat flour, maize meal, beans, vegetable cooking oil and salt will be distributed in seven cities, with the International Mission Board’s Baptist Mission of Kenya coordinating the project. Baptist Global Response, a Southern Baptist international relief and development organization, has approved the release of $25,000 from the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund to fund the relief effort.

“Many displaced people have congregated at safe locations like police stations, Bible schools, Catholic missions and evangelical churches,” said Mark Hatfield, director of Baptist Global Response work in sub-Sahara Africa. “This project will assist 2,500 families in seven cities where Baptists have access to centers of refuge.”

The turmoil has made travel difficult, so Southern Baptists have worked through Baptist Convention of Kenya leaders to assess the situation on the ground, Hatfield said.

01/07/2008 - By John Rutledge

CBF field personnel safe as violence continues in Kenya

Posted: 1/07/08

CBF field personnel safe
as violence continues in Kenya

By Carla Wynn Davis

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

ATLANTA—The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s two Kenya-based field personnel are safe despite violent unrest in the East African country following recent controversial presidential elections.

Melody and Sam Harrell, who have served in Kenya with CBF since 1999, are based in Nairobi.

01/07/2008 - By John Rutledge