John Avant

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--Just a few days ago, I was sitting in a restaurant with Bill, a dear friend of mine whom I led to the Lord a few years ago. We were talking about his spiritual growth when the conversation transitioned to the mess our world is in.

GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP)--I am writing this on a plane on the way home from the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. As with any convention, there are people who are happy with the results and people who are unhappy.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--It’s amazing the evangelism lessons you can learn from one day in the airport. Try it the next time you have a long day of travel. Ask the Lord to use the day to teach you more about His love and longing for all those people milling around you. Here are a few things the Lord showed me on a recent trip:

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--One thing is certain about serving in Southern Baptist denominational life -– there is never a shortage of food. Everywhere I go, I eat. We have breakfast meetings, lunch meetings, dinner meetings, donut breaks and staff parties -– always with a cake. And then I go to preach at a church on Sunday and have a feast with the pastor. Or worse, dinner on the grounds –- followed by an ice cream fellowship that evening.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--As most Southern Baptists are aware, these have been difficult days at the North American Mission Board.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--A few years ago, a boy came to me one Sunday and said, “Would you pray for my uncle? He had a real bad day yesterday.” “Sure,” I said, “What happened to him?” “He died,” the boy answered, “and he lost his job!”

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--I have a good friend whose name is Jonathan. Jonathan is five years old. He was one of my best buddies at New Hope Baptist Church in Georgia where I was pastor. I got lots of great hugs from him and also some of the most profound philosophical statements on life. Jonathan knows no strangers and has the most amazing way with words. Recently his grandfather told me about his latest words of wisdom. While doing his kindergarten homework, Jonathan said, “I was just thinking, being human beings is a lot harder than I thought. But it’s OK. That’s just the way it is.”

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--God knows where Buffalo Gap is. You probably don’t, and neither did I until a few weeks ago, but God most certainly does.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--Are you ready for some good news today? I mean really great news? Well, read this incredible story sent to me by Jean White, one of our team members at the North American Mission Board. This is what is happening through Southern Baptist missionaries and leaders. This is what Southern Baptists are really about when we follow Jesus. Let’s join Ron in getting passionate about the right thing –- the main thing -– making evangelism good news again.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--I’ve been blessed by the many responses I have received from so many of you who were moved by the little girl I met at the ice cream store who was praying for her granddaddy to be saved. This is the essence of what I mean when I write every week about evangelism “becoming good news again.”