Wednesday, August 07, 2019

• From crossfire to the cross

  by Ashley Perham/Baptist and Reflector , posted Wednesday, August 07, 2019 (3 years ago)

  

  Baptist and Reflector photo

  MEMPHIS (BP)-- Ronnie Johnson, pastor of Miracle of Redemption Church, Memphis, has been shot four times and stabbed seven times. In his leg, he carries the scars of a 12-gauge shotgun wound the size of a softball.

  "Of course I shot other folks too," Johnson said.

  Johnson was part of the gang Gangster Disciples until June 1, 1995, when he got "sick and tired of being sick and tired." Read More

• Christian prisoner in spotlight at China rights event

  by Diana Chandler, posted Wednesday, August 07, 2019 (3 years ago)

  

  ChinaAid photo

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- The release of an underground church leader reportedly jailed in China for his Christianity was among pleas at an interfaith roundtable U.S. Vice President Mike Pence attended on China's religious rights abuses.

  China should release Hu Shigen, held since 2015 on charges of subverting state power, religious freedom advocate Gary Bauer urged at the meeting, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said. Reportedly, Hu's baptism photo was used to convict him. Read More

• SWBTS launches Center for Church Revitalization

  by Alex Sibley , posted Wednesday, August 07, 2019 (3 years ago)

  

  FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) -- Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is establishing a Center for Church Revitalization, President Adam W. Greenway has announced. Kenneth Priest will serve as the center's interim director.

  "Ever since our founding by pastor-theologian B.H. Carroll, the heartbeat of Southwestern Seminary has been training pastors and ministry staff members for more faithful service in local Southern Baptist churches," Greenway said Monday (Aug. 5). Read More

• 'America's Got Talent' singer hits high notes of faith

  by Baptist Message staff, posted Wednesday, August 07, 2019 (3 years ago)

  

  Screen capture from NBC

  PINEVILLE, La. (BP) -- "America's Got Talent" contestant Robert Finley paid a visit to the Zion Hill Church Family on Sunday, (Aug. 4) to share a simple, yet profound musical message of hope.

  "Hold onto God's unchanging hand," Finley said in between songs at the church in Pineville, La. "Keep your faith. Good things come to those who wait, if you wait upon the Lord." Read More

• Muslim who became Hindu finds Jesus in South Asia

  by Lucy Campbell, posted Wednesday, August 07, 2019 (3 years ago)

  

  IMB photo

  SOUTH ASIA (BP) -- Zoya's* family life was a mess. She had fallen in love with a Hindu man, and consequently, her Muslim family disowned her. As the years went by, she became the mother of two and a dutiful Hindu. But her marriage suffered when her husband Azad* began drinking too much.

  A friend brought Zoya to the home of Baptist workers, where Zoya found a job as a language tutor. As she taught the couple, Zoya heard stories from a children's Bible. And as time went on, Zoya began coming early to read God's Word and pray. Slowly, she started falling in love with Jesus. Read More

• FIRST-PERSON: Politicians & prayer

  by Autumn Wall, posted Wednesday, August 07, 2019 (3 years ago)

  Autumn Wall relays suggestions for ways Christians can pray, as exhorted in Scripture, for "all those in authority." Read More