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SBC DIGEST: State meetings to be hosted at ACTS2; Spurgeon College dorm renovations underway; New Mexico Mission:Dignity to receive 13th Check


State conventions signing up for ACTS2 platform to host annual meetings

By Scott Barkley/BP

NASHVILLE (BP) – Several state conventions have signed up for their annual meetings this fall to be hosted on ACTS2, the platform that served as the host for this year’s SBC annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif.

ACTS2 launched last year during the Georgia Baptist Convention’s annual meeting. Since then, it has grown to 6,300 subscribers.

Invitations for the platform to host annual meetings at no cost have been sent to all state conventions, said Jon Graham, ACTS2 creator and video producer for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. New York, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia have confirmed so far.

Graham, who is also ACTS2 programming director, referenced Acts 2:1 in saying the service could be “where all Southern Baptists are together in one place.”

“Obviously, the more people who find a reason to come to ACTS2, the more likely they’ll stay for other reasons,” he said.

Live streaming for the platform is available through AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, Roku or through the ACTS2 app available for Android and Apple devices.


Spurgeon College dorm renovations underway

By Brett Fredenberg/MBTS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP) – With the recent growth at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College, the Kansas City campus is renovating and expanding its undergraduate dormitory.

The new residential building will include additional space and updated amenities for undergraduate students. Spurgeon College anticipates the dormitory renovations to be completed prior to the fall of 2023. Students housed in the dormitory during the fall of 2022 will move to the new, renovated rooms in the spring of 2023.

Over the past 10 years, Midwestern Seminary’s campus has undergone a wide range of renovations.

In 2013, Midwestern Seminary completed the chapel complex. Two years later, the Spurgeon Library opened, in addition to further renovations on the administration building.

In 2018, Midwestern Seminary completed construction on the Trustee Building and the Mathena Student Center. The Trustee Building renovations included updates to the classrooms, faculty offices, and student services area. The Mathena Student Center provided new amenities for residential students, including a cafeteria, a full gymnasium, a coffee shop, and more.

Last year, Midwestern Seminary opened the Mark T. Coppenger Library, which also included several new offices for faculty members.

The current dormitory renovations are in line with the overall vision of providing a vibrant on-campus experience for residential students to study for the church.

James Kragenbring, senior vice president for Institutional Administration at Midwestern, said of the recent updates, “Since Dr. Allen’s arrival as president in 2012, the main campus of Midwestern Seminary has been transformed through updates and completed building projects. The renovation of the dorm represents the last portion of the central campus to be renovated.

“The existing dormitory of 25,743 square feet, originally constructed in 1963, will have new sleeping rooms on the first floor – expanding the occupancy of the building by 38 percent. The renovation includes a complete modernization of the building’s interior and exterior.”

He also noted, “The dorm is designed to facilitate community while protecting student safety. Moreover, the dorm’s layout is flexible and intended to accommodate future growth and development of our college. We have designed the upper floors to be separated by gender, while the basement offers separate spaces that can be reallocated as our needs change.”

Read the full story here.


Mission:Dignity recipients in New Mexico to receive 13th Check in 2022

By Roy Hayhurst/GuideStone

DALLAS (BP) – Mission:Dignity recipients in New Mexico will receive an extra check – a 13th check – this month, thanks to efforts from churches and the Baptist Convention of New Mexico.

New Mexico marks the eighth state convention to offer such an arrangement between Mission:Dignity/GuideStone and state conventions.

“New Mexico Baptists make a difference by giving to the Cooperative Program,” BCNM executive director and lead missionary Steve Ballew said. “Their giving allows them to bless these saints in this substantive manner.”

In 2022, Mission:Dignity will help more than 2,500 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. In July, 13 New Mexico recipients will receive a 13th check – equal to a normal monthly honorarium.

“We are truly thankful for the generosity of the people and churches in New Mexico and for Steve Ballew’s leadership in ensuring our Mission:Dignity recipients there are well cared for,” GuideStone President Hance Dilbeck said. “For 104 years, GuideStone has worked diligently to ensure that every servant of Christ finishes well, and we are thankful that Southern Baptists each day are capturing that vision and joining us in our mission.”

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

“Retired pastors and their widows who served well are truly deserving of a double honor,” Mission:Dignity Director Aaron Meraz said. “We are so thankful for our Baptist brothers and sisters in New Mexico for their commitment to ensure no retired Southern Baptist minister or his widow must endure their declining years without the dignity they are due.”

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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