Anne Graham Lotz shares difference prayer makes
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP) -- Anne Graham Lotz encouraged listeners at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary to be like Daniel who was compelled to pray, centered in prayer, and persistent in his petitions. Southeastern Seminary hosted "An Evening with Anne," featuring Lotz, renowned author and speaker and daughter of Billy Graham. More than 900 guests attended the Feb. 25 event hosted by Women's Life.
SEBTS offers IMB retirees advanced degree waiver
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP) -- Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary has announced it will waive tuition and fees for the first two years of any doctoral degree or the first 12 hours of a master of theology degree for returning International Mission Board missionaries who opted last month to take the mission entity's voluntary retirement initiative.
Akin to graduates: Be dangerous for Christ
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP) -- In his charge to graduates, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary President Danny Akin encouraged them to give their whole lives to Christ because of the grace Christ has provided. Southeastern Seminary awarded 184 undergraduate and graduate degrees during its fall graduation ceremony on Dec. 11. "Because of this amazing grace that truly is a sweet sound, we give," said Akin, who spoke from 2 Corinthians 8:9 during his message. ...
Family offers ‘blank check’ to serve overseas
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP) -- As an accountant, giving someone a blank check goes against everything Brent Kapps* knows. When it came to God's call for his family, however, Kapps and his wife Brianna* offered their lives as a blank check before the Lord. "Our call is a call of obedience," Kapps said. "We don't want to miss the opportunity to be salt and light wherever God places us."
Local Lazarus becomes bold witness for Christ
SOUTHEAST ASIA (BP) -- His name is Chum Sok,* but to many people, he's known as Lazarus. Lazarus, similar to his namesake in the Bible, shared how he went from death to life, literally.
Medicine gives team ‘window of opportunity’
SOUTHEAST ASIA (BP) -- The trio headed down the dust-covered street, smiles on their faces and backpacks with medical equipment slung over their shoulders. They stopped to exchange a few words with a woman they've visited before and headed on their way to find the people God had called them to see that day.
‘Jesus clinic’ in Southeast Asia offers healing for body and soul
SOUTHEAST ASIA (BP) -- A choir of roosters welcomes the rising sun as patients roll up their mosquito nets and blankets to get ready for their follow-up appointments. Slowly, new patients trickle in, and doctors, nurses and other staff finish their breakfasts of noodle soup or saucy meat and rice.
Patients come to the clinic from all over their Southeast Asian country. The poorest of the poor, most of them can't afford to go to the nationally run hospitals. But within minutes, patients can see that this clinic is different. While the physicians and staff work to provide a polite, respectful atmosphere, what really makes the clinic stand out is its mission to share the Gospel of Christ with each patient that comes through the doors. It's a trait that leads the locals to call it the "Jesus clinic." "If you look at the New Testament, Jesus' ministry was about preaching and healing," IMB missionary and clinic board member William Bailey,* said. "Medicine is a way to demonstrate compassion and meet real needs [while being] a platform for evangelism and church planting." The Jesus clinic, a multi-national, multi-organizational medical center comprised of Southeast Asian believers, IMB missionaries and missionaries from other organizations around the world, is not just concerned with providing medical care. "We see 100-200 people per year come to Christ," Bailey said. "By giving compassionate care to the poor, they open up to the Gospel." To date, the clinic is involved in 13 church plants, either leading or assisting and training villagers. One employee estimated that about four people make a decision to follow Jesus each week. "Great medical care is a great witness," Margaret Bricker,* International Mission Board missionary and public health specialist, said. "People come to us without hope and we use healthcare to share the hope of Jesus." Margaret and her husband Joseph,* IMB missionary and medical doctor, serve on the clinic staff together. Many times they are able to consult with each other in treating patients. Saturated with the Gospel Throughout the day, a team of believers who work on the clinic's spiritual impact team has the unique role of sharing the Gospel with patients as they wait to see a doctor. They begin the day offering health advice -- good hygiene, proper diet and exercise. But each health lesson leads to an aspect of the Gospel, giving the team the opportunity to talk to patients about Jesus. Local believers share their testimonies and show Christian films to patients. The testimony of local believers seems to have a greater impact. "The ultimate church planter is their own people," Joseph said. "They come from the same context and their opinions hold more weight."Deaf called upon to reach South Asia
SOUTH ASIA (BP) –- In a typical South Asian city -– swarming with people, rickshaws, crumbling sidewalks and rickety crossover bridges full of tangled power lines -- it can be easy for a person to get lost in the crowd.
Collegian empowers other Deaf to learn Scripture, teach Truth
SOUTH ASIA (BP) -– Lights flicker on the bedroom ceiling, signaling to Matthew Davis* that someone is at the door. It's Monday -- his friends have come to learn a new Bible story.
Deaf students Ani Bi* and Pola Garo* greet Davis, rapidly signing and updating each other on happenings since they last met. It's been only a little over five months since Davis arrived in South Asia, but the three young men have become close friends. Like Bi and Garo, Davis is also a Deaf student. He can sign with them, using signs he's learned from their language. They head to Davis's dimly lit sitting area where they gather every week.In India, pig farming helps pastors support their families & build their communities
INDIA (BP) -- The smells of festering pig waste and rotting food would turn even the strongest of stomachs. But for Paulus Maharaj* and a handful of rural Indian pastors, they are the smells of progress to help their families and communities better support themselves.
