Invitation to Ukrainian Baptist leader reflects open doors in new democracy
KIEV, Ukraine (BP)-For the first time in Ukrainian history, a Baptist leader has participated in the inauguration of a national leader. Gregory Kommendant, president of Ukraine Baptist Union, delivered a message on behalf of all Christian groups at the invitation of Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma during his inauguration Nov. 30. The Ukraine is a former […]
Love In Action – Offering Help and Hope to Families of Homosexuals
It all began when a church friend stopped Jane Doe in a store and said, "We're praying for you and your family." Jane was taken aback, because she wasn't aware of the friend's genuine concern. It turned out Jane's son had called the friend's daughter to tell her that he was in the homosexual lifestyle. […]
Rural church grows, builds, maintains 22% in CP giving
PEARL, Miss. (BP)–When Malcolm Pinion first drove around the curve and saw the rural church, he thought to himself, “No way am I coming here.” But the Lord had something else in mind. Now in his sixth year as pastor of Briar Hill Baptist Church in Rankin County, Miss., Pinion has seen the church grow […]
Discovery of son’s homosexuality leads parents to support group effor
LOUISVILLE, Miss. (BP)–It all began when a church friend stopped Jane Doe in a store and said, “We’re praying for you and your family.” Jane was taken aback, because she wasn’t aware of the friend’s genuine concern. It turned out Jane’s son had called the friend’s daughter to tell her that he was in the […]
Baptist anti-gambling study seeks to educate church members in Miss.
JACKSON, Miss. (BP)–A new publication for educating church members about gambling has been released by the Mississippi Baptist Convention’s Christian Action Commission. “Tables of Fortune: Lost Hope … Lost Lives, Gambling in America” is the title of the new 52-page book, with an accompanying 48-page leader’s guide, that was introduced at a series of gambling […]
Casino workers fellowship grows at Gulf Coast gambling mecca
GULFPORT, Miss. (BP)–Gathered in an office building in downtown Gulfport, Miss., they look like any other group of Christians about to embark on Bible study, but there is something uniquely different about this group. Each participant works at a casino on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. They are part of the Fellowship of Christian Casino Workers […]
Secretary ‘grows’ 6 pastors during her 47-year career
JACKSON, Miss. (BP)–After 47 years as a pastor’s secretary, the time had come for Jayne Woods to call it quits. “I wanted to retire in the fall, but David Sills asked me to stay on until now,” Woods said. Sills became pastor of Woodland Hills Baptist Church, Jackson, Miss., in October 1995 — the sixth […]
Japanese student in U.S. proof of offering’s impact
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (BP)–Most Baptists who give to theLottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missionsdon’t often get the chance to personally meet the fruit oftheir gift — someone from overseas who has been saved. However, at the Baptist Student Union on the campus ofthe University of Southern Mississippi, there is livingproof of the effectiveness of LMCO […]
Church in 2nd month of revival; professions of faith top 700
LAUREL, Miss. (BP)–Anticipation grew as people filled the sanctuary nestled in a residential neighborhood in Laurel, Miss. Small children roamed. People clustered in groups, like in most Baptist churches on Wednesday night. Things are different, however, at Highland Baptist Church. After 31 consecutive nights of revival services, there have been 715 professions of faith and […]
Champion weight lifter’s sights set on Olympics & changing lives
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (BP)–Ashley Austin, a junior at theUniversity of Southern Mississippi, stood before the judgesat the 1997 Collegiate National Weight Lifting Championshipin Savannah, Ga. Before him was a barbell with weights totaling 400-pluspounds. Filled with a confidence that was to himsupernatural in origin, Austin bent down and lifted theweight to his shoulders. In a quick, […]
