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SBC DIGEST: MBTS adds new online options for women; SBTC DR helps rebuild after fatal standoff

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MBTS introduces new online learning opportunities for women

By Michael S. Brooks/MBTS

With the goal of providing accessible theological instruction for a broader community of Christian women, Midwestern Seminary recently announced a new slate of online courses available this fall through the Midwestern Women’s Institute.

“Over the past eight years, we have had the privilege of offering training and equipping opportunities for women in and around our campus community,” said MBTS President Jason Allen. “Now, after months of planning, we are excited to extend the same high quality theological and ministry training to women everywhere.

“Women have long served vital areas within the local church and played key roles in spreading the Gospel. These new online courses, offered through the Midwestern Women’s Institute, will afford them the opportunity to develop their God-given spiritual gifts and abilities to an even fuller extent. What is more, they can do so right where they are in their current home and ministry contexts.”

The Midwestern Women’s Institute is a residential and online certificate program that offers a base curriculum consisting of courses in biblical studies, theology, church history, evangelism, missions, discipleship and biblical interpretation. By completing 10 core Institute courses, participating students can earn a Certificate in Christian Studies. The Institute also offers an advanced certification option upon completion of 15 core courses. Women who complete the MWI Certificate also meet the wives’ theological education requirement for IMB service.

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Read the full story here [3].


SBTC DR helps neighbors rebuild after fatal standoff

By Jane Rodgers/Southern Baptist TEXAN

LEVELLAND, Texas (BP) – Volunteers with Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief and Texas Rebuild helped repair homes damaged during a deadly July shooting [4] that killed one law enforcement officer and wounded four others. Levelland is some 30 miles west of Lubbock,

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Pastor Joe Smith (left) of Liberty Church helped repair the fence of Rosemary and Nathan Mejia.

Levelland emergency management contacted SBTC DR to request help for homeowners affected by the deadly standoff, which occurred after an armed suspect barricaded himself in his mobile home.

Kyle Sadler of Houston, an SBTC DR task force member for Texas Rebuild, opted to use a combination of credentialed SBTC DR and Texas Rebuild volunteers to help restore the community.

Sadler and other volunteers spent Aug. 13 helping the Mejia family and their neighbors restore the Mejias’ fence that had been damaged in the standoff.

“We put in new posts and new metal,” Sadler said. “The metal was donated by Mueller Building Systems and Higginbotham Brothers donated materials also.” The SBTC worked with a local glass company and paid for the replacement of another neighbor’s window shattered during the shooting, he said.

Even before work began, Sadler contacted Joe Smith, pastor of Liberty Church in Levelland, for help both in getting local volunteers and to ensure opportunities for survivors to connect with a local church.

“The chief target for Texas Rebuild [a DR program started in the wake of Hurricane Harvey] is to connect with the local church about the local need, so we can harvest that relationship. It becomes a church project. We provide the resources,” Sadler said.

Read the full story her [6]e.