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SBC DIGEST: ACTS2 provides, seeks Christmas content; Mission:Dignity extra checks in California, Tennessee


ACTS2 Christmas programming, 2023 expansion; church content desired

By Georgia Baptist Staff

DULUTH, Ga. (BP) – Christmas season has officially begun, and ACTS2 is in step with four family-friendly Christmas films and several Christmas musical presentations from churches, colleges and other SBC-related entities. And the TV network is looking for more.

“Christmas is a wonderful time to sit around the TV as a family and enjoy holiday entertainment,” said ACTS2 programming director Jon Graham. “We hope to use this time to feature the beautiful work of our SBC churches, partners and entities.”

Churches that would like to give their well-produced Christmas presentations global exposure on the app can contact [email protected] or call/text the ACTS2 hotline at (224) 44-ACTS2. Archive presentations are welcome. Live streaming is also available for this churches’ 2022 events (scheduled first come/first served). There is no cost for the service.

In just over a year, the ACTS2 app – fondly referred to by some as “Netflix for Baptists” – has grown to more than 7800 subscribers, produced its first original program, SBC Coast to Coast (four episodes) and hosted the live streams for 13 Baptist state convention annual meetings as well as the SBC annual meeting in Anaheim this past June. It will also be the exclusive streaming outlet for the SBC Annual meeting in New Orleans in 2023. Early next year, the app is expected to expand to a 24/7 stream. 

“Adding the 24/7 stream of content allows us to feature 168 hours of fresh content every single week,” Graham said “We’re looking for more weekly church services and more original content from all over the SBC ecosystem. Further, this will be a great place promote SBC related events.” The new 24/7 stream will appropriately be named ACTS247. 

The platform has taken Acts 2:1 as its theme verse hoping to become the place where all Southern Baptists are “together in one place” but Acts 2:47 also works for the continuous broadcast: praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

“Our goal is to offer Great Commission Television,” Graham said. “I long for reports of folks being saved daily from the programming we provide.”

The app is free to download. Links for all devices can be found at ACTS2TV.com


Mission:Dignity recipients in California to receive 13th Check in 2022

By Roy Hayhurst/GuideStone

Mission:Dignityrecipients in California will receive an extra check – a 13th check – this fall, thanks to efforts from churches of the California Southern Baptist Convention and the Baptist Foundation of California. 

California marks the tenth state convention to offer such an arrangement between Mission:Dignity/GuideStone and state conventions.

“I love working together as a Baptist family as well as learning from each other,” said Pete Ramirez, executive director of the California Southern Baptist Convention. “I appreciate the idea of a 13th check. I’m grateful that Jonathan Jarboe (president of the Baptist Foundation of California) brought this concept to my attention. How wonderful it is to be able to make a difference in the lives of the faithful beneficiaries of this benefit.”

In 2022, Mission:Dignity will help more than 2,700 individuals with extra money needed for housing, food and vital medications. It also ensures a well-deserved dignity, independence and, often, the ability to continue serving the Lord. This fall, fifty-two California recipients will receive a 13th check — equal to a normal monthly honorarium.

GuideStone President Hance Dilbeck expressed his personal thanks for the generosity of California Baptists.

“Across the Southern Baptist Convention, our churches and pastors are capturing a vision to come alongside us in providing dignity to retired SBC pastors and their wives or widows,” Dilbeck said. “For 104 years, GuideStone and Mission:Dignity have worked to enhance the financial security and resilience for those who serve the Lord. We are thankful that Southern Baptists continue to capture this vision and are joining us in our mission.”

Mission:Dignity expressed its thankfulness for the efforts of California churches.

“Every retired Southern Baptist pastor, his wife or his widow who served well truly deserve a double honor,” Mission:Dignity Director Aaron Meraz said. “We are thankful for the members of California churches for their commitment to ensure that no retired minister or his widow must endure their declining years without the dignity that they have earned.”

Mission:Dignity recipients in Tennessee receive 13th Check in 2022

By Roy Hayhurst

Mission:Dignity recipients in Tennessee received an extra check – a 13th check – this fall, thanks to efforts from churches and the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

“Reflecting the vision of Tennessee Baptist Pastor and first President of what is now GuideStone, William Lunsford, to ‘care for the old soldiers of the cross’ as they enter into their golden years, it is a privilege and honor for Tennessee Baptists to provide a very well deserved 13th check for Mission:Dignity recipients that have served the Lord in Tennessee,” said Randy Davis, President and Executive Director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. 

GuideStone President Hance Dilbeck expressed his personal thanks for the generosity of Tennessee Baptists.

“We are truly thankful for the generosity of the people and churches in Tennessee,” Dilbeck said. “Randy Davis and his team are wonderful ministry partners helping ensure our Mission:Dignity recipients there are well cared for. It is most fitting that Tennessee Baptists have joined in this gesture as the very birth of GuideStone was conceived in the heart of a Tennessee pastor who saw the needs around him and rallied our convention of churches to care for retired pastors and their widows. We are thankful that Southern Baptists continue to capture his vision and are joining us in our mission.”

Mission:Dignity expressed its thankfulness for the efforts of Tennessee churches.

“Retired pastors and their widows who served well truly deserve a double honor,” Mission:Dignity Director Aaron Meraz said. “We are thankful for the people of Tennessee churches for their commitment to ensure no retired Southern Baptist minister or his widow must endure their declining years without the dignity that they have earned.”

For more information on Mission:Dignity, to give, to apply for assistance or to refer someone in need, visit MissionDignity.org.

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  • BP Staff