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SBC DIGEST: SWBTS mourns death of Middle Eastern studies professor; Alabama church members recovered from virus


SWBTS mourns the death of Tony Maalouf

By Alex Sibley

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) — Tony Maalouf, senior professor of world Christianity and Middle Eastern studies in the Roy J. Fish School of Evangelism and Missions at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, died Aug. 26 after an extended illness. He was 65.

Tony Maalouf

“The Southwestern Seminary community mourns the loss of our colleague Tony Maalouf,” SWBTS President Adam W. Greenway said. “I’m grateful for his passion for missions and for his years of effective service in the Kingdom, especially in taking the Gospel to those of Islamic background. The passing of Dr. Maalouf coming so soon after the unexpected death of his Fish School colleague Dr. Brent Ray has compounded the grief of their colleagues, but it also underscores the urgency of the task of reaching the world for Christ.”

Maalouf was born Feb. 1, 1955, in Damascus, Syria, the son of a Greek Orthodox father and Catholic mother. He grew up in Lebanon and ultimately became proficient in six languages – Arabic, French, English, Hebrew, Greek, and German.

Maalouf earned his Master of Science in natural sciences from Lebanese University in 1980 and his Master of Science in human microbiology from the University of Aix-Marseille in France in 1981. He then proceeded to do doctoral work in medical microbiology at the University of Montpellier, France.

During his first year there, Maalouf came to faith in Christ through the witness of a friend. Later sensing a call to full-time ministry, he changed course, moving to the United States to pursue theological training. He completed his Master of Theology and Ph.D. at Dallas Theological Seminary in 1994 and 1998, respectively.

Maalouf devoted the rest of his life to serving the church, cultivating an international teaching ministry. He served as a visiting or adjunct professor at Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Beirut, Lebanon; Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary in Amman, Jordan; and Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas.

Read the full story here.


Warrior Creek Baptist Church members recovered from COVID-19

By The Alabama Baptist staff

STRAWBERRY, Ala. (BP) — Almost everyone who contracted COVID-19 at a mid-July revival at Warrior Creek Baptist Church in the Strawberry community is over the virus, according to Pastor Darryl Ross.

One family still received a positive result when last tested, but they are doing fine, he said.

More than 40 church members contracted the coronavirus at the revival, which is held every July. It usually runs all week, but the church shut it down this year on Thursday when Ross heard one of the men attending had tested positive. By Friday night, many church members were showing symptoms.

The church was able to resume holding in-person services Aug. 16.

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  • BP Staff