4-foot, 3-inch singer gives ‘all the credit’ to God
Diminutive vocalist Marlana Vanhoose carries her faith to array of venues, from singing with the Beach Boys to the inaugural prayer service.
More churches expanding reach through social media
MONTICELLO, Ky. (BP)-- More than 5,000 people watched and listened to small-town pastor Mark Helton's sermons on smartphones, tablets and computer monitors over the past month. First Baptist Church in Monticello, Ky., has embraced the relatively inexpensive technology that has allowed congregations of all sizes to vastly increase their reaches.
Gov. Bevin honored by Ky. Baptists
FRANKFORT, Ky. (BP) -- Gov. Matt Bevin has been honored by the Kentucky Baptist Convention for his leadership in getting laws passed to protect the state's children, including the unborn. Paul Chitwood, executive director of the 750,000-member KBC, presented Bevin the "Guardian of Life Award" at a rally in the Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday (Feb. 8) afternoon. Last month, Bevin signed two major pro-life bills into law -- one that requires women to undergo ultrasounds before having abortions and another that bans late-term abortions.
Overeating is occupational hazard for pastors, Bapt. leader says
BARBOURVILLE, Ky. (BP) -- Seymour Wattenbarger isn't nearly the man he once was. Physically speaking. A year ago, Wattenbarger tipped the scales at 325 pounds, but a healthy diet has allowed the 76-year-old Baptist preacher to trim down significantly. He's shed 75 pounds -- and counting. "My clothes didn't fit me," he said. "My suits were too small. I felt terrible. My doctor informed me that I had crossed the line into diabetes. I made up my mind the weight had to come off."
‘Grand reopening’ helps resurrect church
FLAT LICK, Ky. (BP) -- Dallas Lewis vividly recalls those Sunday mornings not so long ago when Poplar Grove Baptist Church in southeastern Kentucky sat empty and eerily quiet. But that was then. Lewis, a local businessman who serves as associate pastor, credits the Lord for impressing upon a handful of local residents and idea to get Poplar Grove up and running again by applying a well-tested business tactic -- a grand reopening.
Businessman to give day’s profits to overseas missions
HARRODSBURG, Ky. (BP) -- A central Kentucky businessman is doing his part to support international missions by giving a day's worth of profits to spread the Gospel. Robert Johnson, owner of Johnson Small Engine and Farm Supply in Harrodsburg and a member of nearby Salvisa Baptist Church, expects to generate at least $2,000 and possibly far more, depending on the volume of sales on May 6, the day ...
Arson, coal decline, yet Black Mtn. perseveres
KENVIR, Ky. (BP) -- Black Mountain Missionary Baptist Church absolutely gleams in the sunshine with a fresh coat of paint on the outer walls and brilliant yellow daffodils blooming on the manicured lawn. There are no signs of the arson that charred the insides of the historic church, which dates back to the days when this was a working coal camp. The soot and stain and odor of acrid smoke are long gone. So, too, are the water-logged furnishings, ruined in the mad dash by firefighters to extinguish the blaze.
DR teams continue work amid Flint water crisis
FLINT, Mich. (BP) -- Teams of Kentucky Baptists with expertise in providing clean drinking water to villagers in Third World countries are planning to head to Flint, Mich., next week to install water purification systems for Flint-area families dealing with lead contamination. Meanwhile, local Baptists continue to distribute bottles of water and offer encouragement where they can.
