SBC Life Articles by Manda Gibson

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP)--When most Southern Baptists think of Baptist history in China, they think of Lottie Moon, the beloved missionary to China for whom the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions is named. Lottie Moon arrived in China in 1873, but the history of Baptist missionary work there goes back even further.       When the Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board) was founded in 1845, China was its first mission field.       The board's first missionary to China was Samuel C. Clopton. When Lottie Moon went to China in 1873, she actually followed her sister, Edmonia, who had gone the previous year. Lottie served 39 years as a missionary, mostly in China's Shantung province. Initially, she taught in a girls' school and often made trips into China's interior to share the Gospel.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP)--It's no question that China is becoming more powerful on the international scene. The main question is, how does the United States relate to the massive nation?       For seven consecutive administrations, the United States has held the same policy toward China: to encourage China's integration into today's global system. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said, "America has reason to welcome a confident, peaceful, and prosperous China. We want China as a global partner, able and willing to match its growing capabilities to its international responsibilities."       Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, China has publicly supported the war on terrorism, including military efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq.       The two countries also have worked together on global security issues, like the nuclear programs of North Korea and Iran. China and the United States also have built a strong economic relationship. Total trade between the countries has grown from $33 billion in 1992 to more than $386 billion in 2007.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP)--As host of the 2008 Summer Olympics, China prepared for the August event by making the country more easily accessible to tourists.

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (BP)--Today's young Christians are the church, not the church's future, and it's time they take seriously the Bible's call to care for "the least of these," including those with HIV/AIDS, Francis Chan told students at a youth summit on World AIDS Day.       "You're not the future of the church. You are the church and as a pastor I am begging you: Set the example for the rest of the church," said Chan, who is teaching pastor at Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, Calif.       More than 1,000 people gathered Dec. 1 at Saddleback Church for the first-ever HIV/AIDS Youth Summit, while more than 4,100 others joined in by satellite uplink at 200 locations in 35 states and Canada.       Chan's message was echoed over and over again by pastors, people living with HIV and others -– including Jenna Bush, daughter of President Bush -– who addressed the students during the summit.       Chan's own eyes were opened to the suffering around the world around five years ago when he went to Africa and saw children searching through trash for food. Chan immediately thought of the verse that tells Christians to "love your neighbor as yourself."

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (BP)–“Claire” was 15 years old when she met John Thomas, pastor of Fish Hoek Baptist Church in Cape Town, South Africa. Claire also was pregnant, and living with HIV. When Claire was around 12 years old, she realized she probably had a 50 percent chance of graduating from high school. If she […]

MODESTO, Calif. (BP)--When Victor Pulido scheduled a carpet cleaning, he had no idea that he was confirming a God-ordained appointment.       Pulido produces "Llego la Hora" (The Time Has Arrived), a new Christian television program from California's Hispanic Southern Baptists through Telemundo.

RICHMOND, Va. (BP)--In 2003, one Southern Baptist couple was burdened by Satan's grip on the world. The wife had longed for stability and comfort for her family but surrendered those longings to God two years ago. Now, the family is headed to Central Asia.

LOS ANGELES (BP)--Sabrina Sloan, one of 10 females remaining in this season’s “American Idol” competition, grew up singing at Saddleback Church.