SBC Life Articles by Joe Conway

CHARLESTON, S.C. (BP) -- Hundreds of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers have provided significant service in South Carolina to survivors of flooding that impacted the state in early October. SBDR leaders said they are encouraged by the outpouring of service and sacrifice. "I am so thankful for the volunteers from many states who are willing to provide the help needed in the recovery process for ...

COLUMBIA, S.C. (BP) -- Leading a group of college disaster relief volunteers for three days would be enough for some 23-year-olds to call it a week. Not Andrew Hendricks. After leading a group of Clemson University Baptist Campus Ministry student volunteers through cleanup assignments in ...

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) -- With dams continuing to fail in South Carolina Oct. 7, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief leaders gathered by conference call to plan a multi-state long-term response to historic flooding that has overwhelmed the state. SBDR command centers have been established at the South Carolina Baptist Convention office in Columbia and at the Charleston Baptist Association where a North American Mission ...

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) -- Millennial floodwaters from Hurricane Joaquin covered much of Columbia, Charleston and other parts of South Carolina Oct. 3-4, killing as many as nine people, shutting down interstates and spurring scores of evacuations. With more rain and flash flooding expected today (Oct. 5), Southern Baptists are preparing to help. Up to four more inches of rain were forecast across the Carolinas, ...

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) -- Churches have the potential to assist U.S. Army veterans who may find themselves retired prematurely within two years. A reduction in force was announced by Brig. Gen. Randy George, the Army's director of force management, at the Pentagon in a July 9 briefing. The downsizing may affect 40,000 troops by the end of 2017, the Army News Service reported.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) -- Imagine if pastors received the same support and accolades reserved for college football coaches. While many churches encourage their pastors well -- and some do an exemplary job -- many pastors feel closer to last year's fired head coach than the man with the post-game TV show. Enter pastor appreciation month in October. Pastors need demonstrated love and support, perhaps as much as any other vocation. The stresses of accepting spiritual responsibility for congregations are well-documented in Scripture by Paul and today ...

NASHVILLE (BP) -- The role of the Cooperative Program in Southern Baptist life took center stage at the 2015 Send North America Conference during a main session panel discussion led by Kevin Ezell. Ezell, president of the North America Mission Board, was joined on the platform by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary President Daniel Akin, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. and Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission President Russell Moore.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- As thousands of 2015 Send North America Conference attendees returned to their everyday lives, leaders of the event said the real longterm impact will be measured in the next steps participants take to live out their faith daily. "This is not about a conference," North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell told attendees at the close of the gathering Tuesday (Aug.4). "It's about God starting a movement. This is something we are committed to for the rest of our lives."

NASHVILLE (BP) -- A sold-out crowd of more than 13,000 from all 50 states and four Canadian provinces flooded into Nashville's Bridgestone Arena to celebrate the call of Jesus and the response of life on mission at the 2015 Send North America Conference Monday. North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell and International Mission Board President David Platt welcomed the assembly and challenged attendees to serve wherever God calls them.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Less than 24 hours before the start of the sold out 2015 Send North America Conference, Esther Fasolino had one word for why she was attending, "Missions!" "We've come to learn," said Fasolino, a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Toronto. "The breakout topics are fantastic." Fellow Toronto resident Ivonne Anlar said their group of 12 would spread out among the diverse breakout session offerings to maximize their coverage.