Tuesday, November 28, 2017

• LifeWay dedicates new headquarters in Nashville

  by Lisa Cannon Green, posted Tuesday, November 28, 2017 (5 years ago)

  

  Photo by Katie Shull/LifeWay

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- LifeWay Christian Resources dedicated its new corporate headquarters Monday (Nov. 27) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a prayer of thanksgiving and a pledge to remain faithful to God's Word.

  President and CEO Thom S. Rainer recounted the changes taking place at LifeWay, from new physical spaces to new digital technologies.

  "You could say we have reinvented ourselves," Rainer told the crowd of employees and guests. "But we remain faithful to Him who has called us. Read More

• Still in court: Baptist entities & the HHS mandate

  by Tom Strode, posted Tuesday, November 28, 2017 (5 years ago)

  

  Image: iStock/license purchase required

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- Southern Baptist institutions and other objectors to the six-year-old abortion/contraception mandate are still working to protect their freedom of conscience on a number of fronts after the Trump administration provided aid through a new rule.

  The challengers to the controversial requirement are negotiating with the federal government, pushing for permanent relief in court and, in the case of the Little Sisters of the Poor, fighting new suits now being waged by California and Pennsylvania. Read More

• Ala. Baptists spotlight CP, Samford relationship

  by Alabama Baptist staff, posted Tuesday, November 28, 2017 (5 years ago)

  

  Photo by Maggie Walsh/courtesy of The Alabama Baptist

  HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (BP) -- For several years, the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM) has been leading the Alabama Baptist State Convention (ABSC) to move its budget toward a 50–50 split of funds with Southern Baptist Convention missions and ministry causes. What started out as a gradual goal was accomplished this year as Samford University in Birmingham withdrew from state convention funding, freeing up $3.5 million.

  With that in mind, messengers to the annual meeting Nov. 14-15 at Whitesburg Baptist Church, Huntsville, Ala., unanimously approved a $37 million budget for 2018 -- $3 million less than the current year's $40 million budget to be more in line with current giving receipts. Read More

• Amid attacks in Egypt, Christians see churches close

  by Diana Chandler, posted Tuesday, November 28, 2017 (5 years ago)

  

  Image: iStock/license purchase required

  CAIRO, Egypt (BP) -- Christian persecution continues in Egypt amid the terroristic slaughter of more than 300 Sufi Muslims during worship at a North Sinai mosque, Morning Star News reported.

  Weeks before the Nov. 24th attack at the Al-Rawdah Mosque, attributed to Muslim terrorists who carried an Islamic State (ISIS) flag, Coptic Christians in the country already faced the closure of many Christian houses of worship for fear of similar attacks, Morning Star reported Nov. 27. Read More

• Ga. Baptists honor White; add college budget goals

  by Joe Westbury/The Christian Index, posted Tuesday, November 28, 2017 (5 years ago)

  

  Photo by Scott Barkley/Christian Index

  LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (BP) -- Messengers to the 196th annual meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention recognized J. Robert White on his 25th anniversary as GBC executive director, approved a $41.2 million budget and collected more than 34,000 backpacks for needy children.

  Messengers gathered at North Metro First Baptist Church in Lawrenceville for the Nov. 13-14 meeting, which was preceded by the Sunday evening Inspirational Rally where International Mission Board President David Platt, an Atlanta native, spoke. Read More

• Ariz. So. Baptists increase CP, report church planting

  by Elizabeth Young, posted Tuesday, November 28, 2017 (5 years ago)

  

  Photo by Lainee Pegelow

  TUCSON, Ariz. (BP) -- During their 89th annual meeting, Arizona Southern Baptists were challenged to multiply disciples, leaders and churches for the sake of the lost in their cities. Looking beyond Arizona, messengers adopted a 2018 budget that will send more to Southern Baptist Convention causes.

  "Multiply" was the theme of the meeting held at First Southern Baptist Church of Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 17. It was attended by 243 messengers and 36 registered guests from 99 of Arizona Southern Baptists' 460 churches. Read More

• FROM THE STATES: Ala., Mo. and Ga. evangelism/missions news; 'The whole thing is a way to share Christ.'

  by Staff, posted Tuesday, November 28, 2017 (5 years ago)

  Today's From the States features items from: The Alabama Baptist; The Pathway (Missouri); The Christian Index (Georgia). Read More

• FIRST-PERSON: 'We simply talked about the Savior'

  by Jacqueline Scott, posted Tuesday, November 28, 2017 (5 years ago)

  Jacqueline Scott, in venturing to Cairo, Ill., to join in sharing the Gospel, recounts a lesson in being "natural, sensitive and intentional" in conversations with people who need Christ. Read More