Monday, March 09, 2020

• IMB recommends mission volunteers postpone travel

  by IMB Staff, posted Monday, March 09, 2020 (3 years ago)

  

  iStock photo

  RICHMOND, Va. (BP) -- In light of the continuing global expansion of the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus), the International Mission Board's coronavirus task force and senior leadership recommend that mission volunteers from U.S. churches postpone international mission-trip travel through April 30. This date could be extended and will be reevaluated by April 15.

  IMB also recommends that people who have not yet purchased tickets for future travel wait and monitor continued risks of travel before buying tickets. Individuals with pre-existing conditions or immunocompromised health issues are encouraged not to travel. Read More

• Committee on Resolutions named for 2020 SBC

  by BP Staff, posted Monday, March 09, 2020 (3 years ago)

  

  BP file photo.

  ORLANDO, Fla. (BP) -- Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear has announced the members of the 2020 Committee on Resolutions for the June 9-10 SBC annual meeting in Orlando.

  "I believe our 2020 Resolutions Committee reflects the various interests and concerns of Southern Baptists," Greear, pastor of The Summit Church in the Raleigh-Durham, N.C., area, said. "They were chosen because they love Southern Baptists, are committed to sound doctrine, and demonstrate a desire for the Gospel to be above all. Each unequivocally affirms historic Baptist doctrine, including the inerrancy of God's Word, the exclusivity of Christ, and faithful complementarian convictions. I believe they will lead us toward unity and forward progress in the Great Commission." Read More

• Vision 2025 sets a God-sized goal for number of new churches

  by Tobin Perry, posted Monday, March 09, 2020 (3 years ago)

  

  SBC graphic

  BOSTON (BP) -- If anyone had looked at a map of Southern Baptist church plants in Boston just 15 years ago, there would have been just two. And the city's spiritual desert extends far beyond just Southern Baptists. According to a Barna Research study from 2017, of the least-churched cities in America, Boston is fourth (and Springfield, Mass., just an hour and a half away is third).

  David Butler, the North American Mission Board's Send City missionary in Boston, says Christians for decades have prayed for new, Bible-believing churches in the city that was once North America's spiritual epicenter. For much of those decades, God seemed slow to respond to the prayers. Read More

• WEEK OF PRAYER: Answering the questions of life for Mongolians in Denver

  by Brandon Elrod, posted Monday, March 09, 2020 (3 years ago)

  

  Photo by Daniel Delgado/NAMB

  DENVER (BP) -- Thousands of people move to North America every year, many coming from nations and regions that have historically been difficult to reach with the Gospel.

  Mojic Baldandorj, a 2020 Annie Armstrong Easter Offering Week of Prayer missionary, immigrated to the United States specifically to revive Maranatha Mongolian Church in Denver and reach out to the large community of Mongolian immigrants who live there. Read More

• COVID-19 test results negative for Alabama pastor, members held in Israel

  by Diana Chandler, posted Monday, March 09, 2020 (3 years ago)

  

  Photo by Chris Bell

  BETHLEHEM, Israel (BP) -- Test results for the new coronavirus (COVID-19) are negative for pastor Chris Bell and 12 members of his church on lockdown at a Bethlehem area hotel, he told Baptist Press Monday (March 9).

  But Bell was not certain Monday morning when he and other members of 3Circle Church based in Fairhope, Ala., would be able to return home. Read More

• Sunday fire damages sanctuary, other areas at Texas church

  by Diana Chandler, posted Monday, March 09, 2020 (3 years ago)

  

  Photo from Jeff Schreve

  TEXARKANA, Texas (BP) -- A fire hours after Sunday (March 8) services damaged the sanctuary at First Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas, and destroyed the television control room and several offices.

  Pastor Jeff Schreve praised God that no lives were lost, and expressed trust in Him after the tragedy. Read More

• FROM THE SEMINARIES: MBTS Center for Biblical Counseling; SBTS conference on engaging Muslims; Mandrell at SWBTS

  by SBC Seminaries Staff, posted Monday, March 09, 2020 (3 years ago)

  Midwestern Seminary announces Center for Biblical Counseling; Students trained in engaging Muslims with the Gospel at Jenkins Center conference; 'Spend more time with non-religious people,' Mandrell preaches.

  Midwestern Seminary announces Center for Biblical Counseling

  By T. Patrick Hudson

  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP) -- The Center for Biblical Counseling at Midwestern Seminary was announced on March 3, with the intent of offering the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention and beyond a significant resource dedicated to biblical counseling that is rooted in the Word of God and the local church. Read More