[1]LifeWay Women connects thousands with new app
By Joy Allmond
NASHVILLE (BP) – I lost my job almost four months ago. I’m feeling hopeless and frustrated. I’m struggling to remind myself that God will provide.
[2]I am in end-stage renal failure and on dialysis. I have an amazing support system, but sometimes it’s hard.
Please pray for me that my relationship with my husband and sons as well as with my whole extended family will continue to be restored.
These are a few of the prayer requests being shared in virtual community on the new LifeWay Women app.
In the throes of one of the most isolated seasons in human history, LifeWay Women launched this new tool to keep women connected. The recent release of the LifeWay Women app has yielded more than 7,000 downloads since its inception in August.
[3]But prayer in virtual community is merely one way the LifeWay Women app is serving thousands all over the world. Through this tool, women can also:
- Read the latest news and updates from LifeWay Women.
- Study Bible passages that correspond with daily Bible study book entries and reflect through journaling prompts.
- Receive notifications for accountability in their personal Bible reading.
- Start their own group and begin a Bible study together.
- Share thoughts, encouragement, and prayer requests.
- Listen to episodes of the “Marked” podcast the in-app player.
Evangelical leaders issue letter calling for peacemaking
A group of evangelical leaders has issued and signed a letter calling for believers to be peacemakers, elevating their identities in Christ above societal divisions.
A network known as The Matthew 5:9 Fellowship initiated the letter.
“Peacemaking, inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:9, is a more active, forward-leaning responsibility than peacekeeping,” said Matthew Hawkins, former policy director for the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and founding member of the Matthew 5:9 Fellowship, in a statement.
“Peacemakers lean in to where there is no peace and, well, make it. Thankfully, we have guidance from scripture on how to begin this work. The Apostle Paul admonished the Roman church, ‘Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification’ (Romans 14:19).”
The letter expresses concern about increasing divisions and violence in the U.S., particularly during an election season. It identifies four standards by which Christians can live and act according to their faith, including engaging others based on biblical values, condemning violence, calling for a fair and peaceful election and building peace in their communities.
The letter has been signed by more than 200 evangelicals, according to a release. Southern Baptist signatories include:
Russell Moore
President, Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
Hunter Baker
Faculty, Union University, Jackson, Tenn.
- Alan Noble
Assistant Professor, Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, Okla.
Matt Crawford
Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church, Cordova, Tenn.
Alan Cross
Pastor, Petaluma Valley Baptist Church, Petaluma, Calif.
Bart Barber
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Farmersville, Texas
RaShan Frost
Pastor, The Bridge Church, Charleston, S.C.
Chris Hall
Associate Pastor, Houston Northwest Church, Houston, Texas
Kyle Hoover
Senior Pastor, Charlottesville Community Church, Charlottesville, Va.
Casey B. Hough
Lead Pastor, Copperfield Church, Houston, Texas
Nathan Kitchens
Associate Pastor, Ezra Baptist Church, Bessemer, Ala.
John Ogletree
Senior Pastor, First Metropolitan Church, Houston, Texas
Karen Swallow Prior
Faculty, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C.
Joel Rainey
Lead Pastor, Covenant Church, Shepherdstown, W. Va.
Eric Schumacher
Pastor, Grand Avenue Baptist Church, Ames, Iowa
The letter can be viewed at https://matthew59.org/join-us/ [5].