News Articles by Russell N. Dilday

JONESBORO, Ark. (BP)–During a singles group meeting at Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro, former Chicago Bears standout Jerry Muckensturm reflected on his days as a new Christian. During the group’s testimony time, one of the participants, a young man who is a new Christian, began sharing his testimony. “He was saved three months ago,” recalled […]

FORT SMITH, Ark. (BP)–Listeners sat riveted as Joe Williams told of the 18 days he spent ministering to rescue and recovery personnel, helping workers and coordinating ministry volunteers in the wake of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City April 19, 1995. But notepads and pens were lowered and the […]

FORT SMITH, Ark. (BP)–How can pastors and other counselors effectively assist victims of violent crimes? One key, according to Brooks Faulkner, is to recognize the stages of grief which occur following violence in order to help guide victims through the process. Faulkner, senior coordinator for LeaderCare at LifeWay Christian Resources, spoke to about 40 school […]

FORT SMITH, Ark. (BP)–Churches must act quickly to heal and restore families and individuals following a violent incident either on church property or in the community, said Norris Smith, conflict mediation consultant for LeaderCare at LifeWay Christian Resources. Smith emphasized the need to restore the community, church, families and individuals in the wake of violence […]

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (BP)–For southern gospel’s The Martins, whose new album is titled “Dream Big,” the brother/sister/sister group knows how big dreams can grow, considering, for example, the 800-square-foot rural cabin without electricity or other modern conveniences where they formed close family bonds — and a musical style that has earned them Dove Awards and […]

SALT LAKE CITY (BP)–The national conference of associational directors of missions and staff members adopted revisions to its constitution and bylaws, broadening its membership to include associations and altering its registration fees during their annual meeting, June 7-8, at the Best Western Olympus Hotel in Salt Lake City.About 165 members of the Southern Baptist Conference […]

LAUREL, Miss. (BP)–Revival services in Mississippi led by Arkansas Baptist evangelist William Blackburn ended Easter Sunday after nine consecutive weeks and nearly 1,300 professions of faith in Christ. Blackburn said the revival experience at Highland Baptist Church, Laurel, Miss., “changed my life” and “has given me a boldness.” Blackburn, a vocational evangelist since 1986 and […]

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE, Ark. (BP)–Most people would probably think Tom Landry never had an indecisive moment in his life. But the legendary former head football coach of the Dallas Cowboys admitted while sharing his testimony recently that there was a time when “I was restless … empty and just wanted to get into something else.” […]

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. (BP)–More than 140 Southern Baptists gathered April 3-4 to build partnerships, exchange resources, share dreams and worship together in their shared focus on the nation’s poorest region, the Mississippi River delta. The Mississippi River Ministry Convocation, held at First Baptist Church in West Memphis, Ark., was the third such event since the […]

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (BP)–David Verble is dying. I guess we all are, but his time, his doctors say, is shorter than many of us expect to have. Responding to a news tip that a young pastor was near death from a diabetic condition, I also was told that he had a tremendous testimony to share […]