Will churches’ change in funding priorities harm mission work?
GRAPEVINE, Texas (BP)--To give or not to give -- that isn’t the question.
You Can’t Out-Give God
East Paris Baptist Church, through sacrificial missions giving, has experienced God's faithfulness. The Paris, Texas, church began as an independent Baptist congregation in 1942 but affiliated with the SBC a few years later. Under the watch of Mike Fortenberry, the church's pastor since 1979, it has been a regular contributor to the CP and to […]
Church’s sacrifice for missions proves ‘you cannot out-give God’
The Paris, Texas, church began as an independent Baptist congregation in 1942 but affiliated with the SBC a few years later. Under the watch of Mike Fortenberry, the church’s pastor since 1979, it has been a regular contributor to the CP and to state missions endeavors.
NEW BIRTH:
Profs caused her doubt, but friends help woman find Truth
FRANKINTON, N.C. (BP)--For dog groomer Linda Lee Justice, her six years of college and graduate degree work were a "waste of time." It wouldn't be until January 1999 that Justice would discover God's plan to use her academic background to graft her into the family of God.
Sturgis motorcycle rally brings harvest to small S.D. church
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| Mission field on wheels The First Baptist Church of Sturgis, S.D., uses the town's annual motorcycle rally as an opportunity to minister. "During this time of year...the mission field comes to us," said Pastor Roger Crowhurst. Photo courtesy of Sturgis Harley-Davidson |
The 63rd-annual Black Hills Motorcycle Rally, held Aug. 4-10, brought in about half a million people to the small community, which has a population of about 6,000.
The overwhelming flux in population each August brings just as many ministry needs with it. This year, about 450,000 bikers and tourists from across the globe descended on the community for a week of bikes, racing, beer, music, gambling, food and frenzy. The weeklong event also rakes in about $13.1 million in taxable sales, as reported for 2002 on the rally's website.
Patterson responds ‘openly, honestly’
in meeting with Southwestern faculty
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| Fielding questions President-elect Paige Patterson responds to questions from the media following his election as the eighth president of Southwestern Seminary June 24. Photo by Richard D. McCormack |
During a closed meeting on the Fort Worth campus with Southwestern Seminary faculty members and staff, Patterson fielded questions on leadership style, criterion for professors and effective theological education.
Terri Stovall, Southwestern Seminary's women's program director and assistant professor of adult education, said the nearly three-hour meeting was marked
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| Dorothy Patterson Dorothy Patterson listens to her husband accept the Southwestern Seminary presidency June 24. The Pattersons' granddaughter, Abigail Howell, sits to her right. Photo by Richard D. McCormack |
"There was a freedom for the faculty and staff to ask whatever they wanted. I don't think anybody felt like they couldn't ask something," she said. "Dr. Patterson seemed to respond very openly and honestly even on some issues that may be considered a little touchy. I think the faculty and staff appreciated that."
After listening to Patterson and trustees at the meeting, Stovall said her initial reaction to the announcement that the east coast president was being considered for the presidency included a respect for the decision of the presidential search committee.
"My initial reaction was that the trustees had truly prayed about this and consulted the Lord, and that the trustees wanted the man that God had [for Southwestern Seminary]," she said. "Obviously the committee feels like it is Dr. Patterson -- that's the message I got."
Missionary spirit of WMU continues
IRVING, Texas (BP)--The story of Southern Baptist missions would not be complete without acknowledging the tireless work of Baptist women, particularly through the efforts of the Woman's Missionary Union.
SBC seminaries equip women for local church leadership roles
IRVING, Texas (BP)--For Baptist women excluded from the senior pastorate, why spend time and energy training for ministry in the local church at a Southern Baptist seminary? This question is being addressed by all six seminaries supported by the Southern Baptist Convention's Cooperative Program.
SBTC executive board approves education commission, 2 staffers
HOUSTON (BP)--With sights set on improving theological education options for Texas Baptists, the executive board of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention voted to establish an education commission in an Oct. 30 meeting after its fifth annual convention in Houston.
SBTC moves to 52% of receipts for SBC missions & ministries
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| SBC commitment Joe Davis, chief financial officer of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, explains the 2003 proposed budget to convention messengers, which will forward 52 percent of funds to Southern Baptist Convention causes with 48 percent for in-state use. |
About 955 messengers representing 369 churches and 364 visitors registered for the Oct. 28-29 meeting that returned to the city where the SBTC was formed in 1998 with 120 churches.
