Daniel Woodman

CINCINNATI (BP) -- He grew up playing catch just like any kid, except he used limes instead of a baseball and a milk cartoon instead of a glove. He often watched his dad play softball and carried him home when he got drunk after the games. Life in the Dominican Republic wasn't easy for Albert Pujols, but now the 10-time All-Star has come to realize that God had a plan for him all along.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- "I'm what happens when Outkast meets the writings of Moses." This line, penned by Lecrae in his single "Cosign," reflects the redemptive collision between hip-hop culture and Christianity. From the early days of Kool Herc to the celebrated days of N.W.A and the Wu Tang Clan to more recent stars such as Outkast and Kanye West, hip-hop culture has developed a reputation for being uncut and authentic.

JOS, Nigeria (BP) -- Twin explosions rocked the Nigerian city of Jos and left dozens dead or severely injured, according to the BBC and Associated Press. The attacks have been tied to the terrorist group Boko Haram, who had also been connected to a string of terrorist attacks throughout Nigeria in which as many as 300 people were killed earlier in the week.

NASHVILLE (BP) – Quarterback Jim Kelly once was known for his victories on the football field. He is still known for winning, but now his victories come off the field. Nineteen years after his retirement from the NFL, Kelly faced enemies even more terrifying than incoming linebackers -- cancer.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (BP) -- The Filipino Southern Baptist Fellowship of North America announced a new outreach initiative dubbed "20/20" during their annual gathering held in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention's meeting in Columbus, Ohio.

Collegian Daniel Woodman sees students making a difference on the streets of Columbus in advance of the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting. "We don't know how to work hard, they say. We lack real motivation," Woodman writes. "I hear these whispers of doubt all the time about our generation. Yet, I regularly see evidence that contradicts these generalizations."

NASHVILLE (BP) -- En los últimos cuatro minutos de la primera parte, la cámara capta un movimiento borroso en la esquina de la pantalla. Entra Stephen Curry, quien recibe un pase de un compañero y vacía un tiro de tres sobre un defensor que se abalanza en la fase más grande de la NBA, primer juego de finales. Luego de este tiro, la cámara también capta a Curry haciendo un gesto de victoria y levantando un dedo hacia los travesaños de la Arena Oracle de Oakland.

CLEVELAND (BP) -- The city of Cleveland has gone 50 years without a championship, the longest drought of any U.S. city with three major sports teams. NFL legend Jim Brown and the Browns gave Cleveland their most recent championship, and that was back in 1964 when G.I. Joe dolls first hit store shelves. Now, the city of Cleveland and the Cavaliers stand just three wins away from capturing that elusive title. But only Christ can bring Ohio the hope it truly needs, said pastor David Gray, who leads First Baptist Church, Garrettsville, located about 35 miles from Akron, LeBron James' hometown, and 45 miles from Cleveland.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- At four minutes left in the first half, the camera catches a blur moving in the corner of the screen. Enter Stephen Curry, who receives a pass from his teammate and drains a 3-point shot over a lunging defender on the biggest stage of the NBA, game one of the Finals. After his shot, the camera also picks up Curry making a quick fist pump to his chest and then pointing a finger toward the rafters of Oakland's Oracle Arena. It's Curry's way of thanking God for his success and eventual victory that night over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Entering freshman journalism student Daniel Woodman recounts his own church's commitment to pray for sister churches in their area and urges other churches to do the same so that "communities will come together spiritually and the Kingdom of God will expand as a result."