NW Baptists address baptisms decline
PORTLAND, Ore. (BP)–Messengers to the 61st annual meeting of the Northwest Baptist Convention elected Oregon pastor Keith Evans to a second year-long term as president, approved a $5.8 million budget for ministry needs in 2009 and affirmed a reorganization of convention staff structures. With the theme “Greater Things Have Yet to Come,” the gathering drew […]
Russian Baptists utilize EKG to chart future
MOSCOW (BP)--Russian Baptists have set a course for the future with the help of Empowering Kingdom Growth, a Southern Baptist initiative focusing on the Kingdom of God.
Hemphill carries EKG vision to Euro-Asiatic Baptists
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| Ken Hemphill (right), national strategist for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Empowering Kingdom Growth emphasis, is assisted by a translator in teaching a workshop to presidents of Baptist Unions attending the Euro-Asiatic Baptist Federation’s annual meeting held outside Moscow. Photo courtesy of IMB |
“God is seeking a people who will embody His name, embrace His mission and obey His Word,” declared Hemphill, national strategist for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Empowering Kingdom Growth emphasis.
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| Rodney Hammer (left), IMB regional leader for the Central and Eastern Europe region, is assisted by a translator in voicing greetings at the Euro-Asiatic Baptist Federation’s annual meeting. Photo courtesy of IMB |
He spoke to more than 100 Baptist union leaders who convened outside Moscow to learn how the EKG initiative could make a spiritual impact upon the region’s numerous people groups. EKG blends a spiritual focus on the Kingdom of God with planning tools to help congregations discover their vision, mission and values.
“An effort like this helps lay a spiritual foundation for understanding what God is doing in the world and how churches can take part in it,” Hemphill said. “We’re not emphasizing a specific model for the church, but a passion for God’s Kingdom that can be customized for the cultural setting.”
Gustavo Suárez elected as Northwest convention exec
VANCOUVER, Wash. (BP)--Northwest Baptist Convention messengers voted by acclamation March 9 to elect Gustavo Suárez as NWBC executive director-treasurer during a special meeting at Northside Baptist Church in Vancouver, Wash.
Community remembers soldier who loved to be in worship
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| Hero in faith & patriotism Bryan Kelly, a Marine who was killed in Iraq in mid-July, had posed with his fiancee, Katie Huntsman, before leaving for his second tour of duty in the Mideast country. Photo courtesy of the Northwest Baptist Witness |
The 21-year-old Marine was the son of Patrick and Joanie Kelly. Patrick Kelly, recently retired from the Klamath Falls police department, is the worship leader and a deacon at the Klamath Falls church.
“Lance Cpl. Kelly’s bravery, commitment and sacrifice will not be forgotten,” Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski said in a public statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the many other families who still have loved ones away at war.”
Golden Gate trustees elect Crews as chancellor
MILL VALLEY, Calif. (BP)--Trustees of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary elected President William O. Crews to the transition post of chancellor and charged the board's executive committee with task of recommending a new president for the 59-year-old institution.
Crews, 67, set the process for naming a new president in motion during the board's semiannual meeting in Mill Valley, Calif., Oct. 14 in an effort to provide leadership continuity for the future.
Golden Gate students, faculty honor retiring Christian ed prof
Cameron CrabtreeSAN FRANCISCO (BP)--Students, faculty and alumni of Golden Gate Seminary honored Jerry Stubblefield, 65, professor of Christian education at the seminary since 1977, who is retiring July 31, at the end of the seminary's current academic year.
Golden Gate provost to move to fulltime classroom duties
SAN FRANCISCO (BP)--Citing health reasons and a desire to return to his "first love of teaching and writing," Richard Melick Jr. has resigned as provost of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary to devote his full energies as a member of the seminary faculty.
Ministers encouraged to teach doctrinal truth by storytelling
SAN FRANCISCO (BP)--Ministers wanting to shape important doctrinal understandings and education in people's lives today must become good storytellers, declared a Southern Baptist seminary professor.
Golden Gate to fill 7 openings on faculty
SAN FRANCISCO (BP)--To meet the needs of growing student enrollment and academic programs, especially at the school's regional campuses, officials at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary have declared seven faculty positions open.
