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SBC DIGEST: ‘SBC Coast to Coast’ to stream during annual meeting; 50th anniversary of Truth

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‘SBC Coast to Coast’ to premiere on Georgia’s ACTS2 TV

By Roger Alford/Christian Index

DULUTH, Ga. – A new television program will remind Southern Baptists of the positive impact their work is having across the nation.

The first episodes of “SBC Coast to Coast” will premiere on ACTS2 next week during its livestream of the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif.

[2]“Southern Baptists need some reminders of the good that is being done and the lives that are being changed every day,” said Jon Graham, creator of ACTS2 and a member of the Research and Development Team of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. “They need a reminder that Southern Baptists have a local, state, national and global impact.”

The ACTS2 streaming service, a family-friendly alternative to television networks, started in November to provide wholesome programming for Christian viewers.

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Though still in its infancy, ACTS2 has already compiled a strong lineup of programs, including Season 1 of “The Chosen,” a popular TV series depicting the life of Christ and his disciples. Hundreds of other titles available for viewing include the documentary series Far Flung Tin Can, parenting programs such as “Parent Compass,” children’s programming like “Kid’s Beach Club” andAwesome Science,” and several faith-based films – with more to come.

In addition, ACTS2 will carry live events from the SBC’s annual meeting, including the June 12 prayer session, the SBC Pastors’ Conference, and the annual meeting general sessions.

SBC Coast to Coast is the first in-house produced program for ACTS2. Graham curated the stories for SBC Coast to Coast, wrote the scripts, secured the talent and directed the shoot.

SBC Coast to Coast is a 30-minute program featuring stories of Baptists doing awesome work around all four corners of the USA and Canada,” Graham said. “The first four episodes feature stories from Alabama, Alaska, Texas, California, Canada, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Virginia, South Carolina and Tennessee.”

The hosts of the program are Erin Bethea, the actress who played the lead role in the 2008 movie Fireproof, and Drew Waters, an actor with numerous credits, including a family-friendly film he produced starring Bethea called “New Life,” which is available to watch on ACTS2.

Bethea and Waters were filmed at the North American Mission Board’s studio in Alpharetta, Ga.

“The first four episodes will be premiered during the meal breaks occurring in the livestream from Anaheim,” Graham said. “The premiere schedule can be found at https://www.acts2tv.com/sbc_coast_to_coast [4]. The episodes will be available on demand as soon as the premier run ends.”

Read the full story here [5].


50th anniversary of Truth to be celebrated June 17 in Mobile

By Tracy Riggs/The Alabama Baptist

MOBILE, Ala. (BP) – One of the most popular musical groups born out of the Jesus Movement of the 1970s will celebration its 50th anniversary in June.

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The Truth 50th Reunion will be held at Cottage Hill Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, on June 17.
(Photo courtesy of Roger Breland and Truth)

The Truth 50th Reunion will be held at Cottage Hill Baptist Church in Mobile on June 17.

“We chose Father’s Day weekend because my dad has really been a father figure to so many of the hundreds that have traveled on the road in life and in ministry – and in music,” noted Jason Breland, son of Roger Breland.

“Thursday and Friday before Father’s Day we’re going to gather, and the alumni are having a banquet on Thursday night,” he said. “It’s just a private banquet for Truth alumni to see each other and visit together. Then Friday night we’re going to do a concert for the public, celebrating my mom and dad and Truth music 50 years after the group started.”

Recognizable names

The night will include some of the most talented singers and musicians in the country, Breland said, many of whom became well-known in the music industry after their experience with Truth, including Russ Lee, Tiffany Coburn, Jody McBrayer, Alicia Garcia, 4Him members, Natalie Grant, Leigh Cappillino and Dick and Mel Tunney.

“Those are the names that people might recognize,” Breland noted, “however, there are a lot of names that they don’t know but will remember their voices because they made certain songs really popular while they were on the road with Truth.”

Some who will be performing are children of former members.

“My daughter is going to be one of the singers in the group, and she was born on the road,” Breland said. “She was on the road when she was one year old.”

Alumni band members will rotate in and there will be a large horn section, one of the things for which Truth was known.

Time to say ‘thanks’

The music isn’t the only motive for getting together, however.

“The quality of the music that night really, really be phenomenal,” Breland said. “But it’s a night to honor my mom and dad too. So we’ll take time to say thank you to them and to remember Truth members who have passed away over the last 50 years.”

The $15 tickets are selling fast and may be purchased at Eventbrite. Search for “Truth Reunion” or go here [7].

Tickets also will be sold at the door if available, and profits from sales will be donated to the University of Mobile toward the new home of the Roger Breland Center for Performing Arts.

More about Truth and its founding can be found here [8].