IMB’s Platt unfolds five-point strategy
by Tess Rivers OLIVE BRANCH, Miss. (BP) -- IMB President David Platt outlined his five-point strategic plan while presiding over his first trustee meeting as head of the mission agency. In a plan based on five biblical goals which have led to four practical steps and...
Pleading With Southern Baptists
By Ronnie W. Floyd With a deep burden for revival in the church, spiritual awakening in America, and for the world to be reached for Christ, I wrote this simple and brief 16-page e-book entitled, “Pleading With Southern Baptists”. It is imperative we now come together...
Life on Mission resource ready for release
by Adam Miller ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) -- Liz Olear says she's learned Christians can't separate faith from other areas of life. Olear served for several months as a missionary through an internship program, called Generation Send, with the North American Mission Board....
First Baptist Church of Dunkerton Welcomes New Pastor
By Ed Gregory, BCI Field Staff for Eastern Iowa First Baptist Church of Dunkerton, Iowa is alive and church on the move again. Their pastor describes the Church as a well-established, vibrant church - on fire for the Lord. Sitting on the corner of a major street in...
BCI Annual Update – Video
Watch this video and find out what God has been doing among the churches of the Baptist Convention of Iowa, and what the BCI is doing to support our churches.
Adios Achucarros
By John L. Shaull, BCI Field Staff for Western Iowa After nearly six years of church planting work in Iowa, including churches in Des Moines, Ottumwa and Fort Dodge; Arnaldo and Mabel Achucarro and their three children; Alexandra, Ezekiel and Rebecca, are moving to...
Fewer SBC Churches Growing, More SBC Churches Declining
By Ronnie W. Floyd From 1978-1983, 30.5% of churches in the Southern Baptist Convention were seeing at least a 10% increase in total membership over a five-year period of time. During this same time, 51.9% of our SBC churches were plateaued and 17.6% were in decline....
Being Gospel-Centered Is A Bloody Mess
By Mike Leake I still remember my white-knuckled pew grabbing. When I really wanted to go forward at service and give my life to Christ. Maybe it was a rededication—maybe it was coming to Christ for the first time. I don’t know, but I know that at that time the gospel...
Advisory council voices needs of small Southern Baptist churches
By Meredith Flynn In two out of three Southern Baptist congregations, fewer than 100 people gather for worship on Sunday morning. Megachurches may get more attention, but small churches are the backbone of the SBC, Frank Page has said. Still, small church...
New addition to Van Arkel family and Living Hope Community Church
Ryan and Rebecca Van Arkel, pastor and wife of Living Hope Community Church in Des Moines, with their four sons. Their newest addition, Cole Van Arkel, was born on 9/18/14. His brothers are, oldest to youngest, Gabe, Eben and Caleb.
