Tuesday, June 16, 2020

• Through focus on relationships, churches' international missions continue despite pandemic

  by Tess Schoonhoven, posted Tuesday, June 16, 2020 (3 years ago)

  

  Submitted photo

  OKLAHOMA CITY (BP) -- In an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19, Guatemala has closed its borders to most foreigners. But one Southern Baptist church's vision of Gospel advance in the Central American country has not been disrupted.

  For four years, members of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Oklahoma City have poured time and resources into a very poor, rural area in central Guatemala which has virtually no access to the Gospel. Read More

• After finding new life, Missouri church will host NAMB Replant Summit

  by Brandon Elrod, posted Tuesday, June 16, 2020 (3 years ago)

  

  NAMB photo

  GREENWOOD, Mo.—Ten years ago, after several years of decline, the future for a 175-year-old Southern Baptist church in Greenwood, Mo., seemed bleak. But a sister church in the area embraced the dwindling congregation and helped them recover their place in the community. In August, the reborn and growing church will host the North American Mission Board's Replant Summit to help others learn how to do the same.

  "The First Baptist Church of Greenwood has an incredible testimony," said Mark Clifton, senior director of Replant at the North American Mission Board (NAMB). "The Gospel witness of any church is far too important to allow it to fade when adversity comes." Read More

• Religious liberty questions remain after court's ruling

  by Tom Strode, posted Tuesday, June 16, 2020 (3 years ago)

  

  Supreme Court photo

  WASHINGTON (BP)—The U.S. Supreme Court left multiple questions regarding religious liberty unanswered but provided some hope in its landmark decision for gay and transgender rights, said advocates for the First Amendment freedom.

  In a 6-3 opinion Monday (June 15), the high court ruled the category "sex" in Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act encompasses "sexual orientation" and "gender identity," thereby providing non-discrimination protections for homosexual and transgender employees. Religious liberty defenders said the justices' decision left employers with biblical convictions on sexuality open to legal challenges. Read More

• SBC Executive Committee to host conversation 'On Race in America'

  by BP Staff, posted Tuesday, June 16, 2020 (3 years ago)

  

  NASHVILLE (BP) – As the country navigates a season of extreme turbulence, Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, plans to host a conversation on race Wednesday (June 17).

  "A 60-Minute Conversation: On Race in America," featuring five African American pastors and spiritual leaders, will be broadcast live at 11 a.m. CDT on the Executive Committee's Facebook page. Read More

• In historic election, SBC Executive Committee elects first African American chair

  by Diana Chandler, posted Tuesday, June 16, 2020 (3 years ago)

  

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee elected its first African American chair in a special called meeting Tuesday (June 16).

  Rolland Slade, pastor of Meridian Baptist Church in El Cajon, Calif., was unopposed as EC chair and was unanimously elected by ballot vote. Outgoing chair Mike Stone called for a ballot vote, he said, to mark the historic moment. Read More

• EDITORIAL: El Poder de Cristo Jesús

  Mike Gonzales, posted Tuesday, June 16, 2020 (3 years ago)

  

  La declaración de Cristo en Mateo 28:18 es una afirmación maravillosa que dice, "Toda potestad me es dada en el cielo y en la tierra." La palabra potestad aquí se refiere tener autoridad. Esto significa ... Read More