Tuesday, April 28, 2020

• As states reopen, church leaders consider senior adults' needs

  by Tess Schoonhoven, posted Tuesday, April 28, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  iStock

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- As churches prepare to transition worship services back to in-person gatherings, leaders are beginning to think about how to guide and care for those in their congregation who are most vulnerable in the COVID-19 pandemic.

  Senior adults age 65 and older are at high risk for severe illness from the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More

• Amid ongoing COVID-19 response, Southern Baptists help disaster survivors

  by Brandon Elrod, posted Tuesday, April 28, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  Photo by Kyle Sadler

  HOUSTON (BP) -- Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) leaders and volunteers continue meeting needs and sharing the hope of the Gospel in response both to the ongoing pandemic and to natural disasters in their communities. The challenges presented by COVID-19 have necessitated adjustments, but SBDR has sought to ensure a continued presence and continued service.

  "I've been really encouraged to see Southern Baptists step up, encouraged but not surprised," said Sam Porter, national director of SBDR through the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and Send Relief. "When needs arise, Southern Baptists don't shy away from reaching out no matter what challenges are in their way." Read More

• Faithful teaching leads to spiritual growth in Kenya

  by Catherine Finch, posted Tuesday, April 28, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  IMB photo

  NAIROBI (BP) -- Christianity is prevalent in Kenya. More than 85 percent of Kenyans identify as Christian, according to the 2019 U.S. State Department's World Factbook. However, Daniel Lowry, an IMB missionary in Nairobi, says the majority of Christians in Kenya have a distorted view of Jesus and the Bible.

  In a post-colonized era, western practices have infiltrated and woven themselves into the fabric of Kenyan traditions and culture. One popularized idea that has seeped into the Kenyan religious culture is the prosperity gospel movement, Lowry said. Read More

• Courts reject Lee's abortion-related order backed by ERLC

  by Tom Strode, posted Tuesday, April 28, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  Photo from uscourts.gov

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- Abortion rights organizations have the upper hand so far in their legal challenge to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee's order postponing elective medical procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  A divided panel of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati upheld April 24 a federal judge's preliminary injunction blocking abortion procedures from being included in Lee's order. The state has asked the full Sixth Circuit panel to reconsider the decision. Under the governor's order, however, elective procedures will resume May 1. Read More

• Georgia Hispanic churches grow in unity during pandemic

  by Keila Diaz, posted Tuesday, April 28, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  Photo courtesy of Javier Chavez

  GAINESVILLE, Ga. (BP) -- Though they haven't met physically in more than a month, Georgia Baptist Convention (GBC) Hispanic churches continue to be strengthened through training and fellowship opportunities the convention began more than a year ago. They are just doing it in a different way.

  "Because we have become a united church, we have been able to face this COVID crisis," said Javier Chavez, vice president of the Georgia Baptist Convention (GBC) and pastor of Amistad Cristiana Internacional in Gainesville, Ga. "We have stopped being many Hispanic churches and have become one Hispanic church." Read More

• VIDEO: Brooklyn pastor talks about challenges, opportunities in COVID-19 hotspot

  by Staff, posted Tuesday, April 28, 2020 (2 years ago)

  

  NASHVILLE (BP) -- In an interview with Baptist Press, James T. Roberson III, pastor of Bridge Church in Brooklyn, N.Y., talks about his experiences through the last several weeks in a COVID-19 hotspot. He has seen a lot of pain and death, but he said this time has been a great opportunity for the church to minister to the community. Read More