Why Church Members Don’t Invite Others to Church
By Chuck LawlessSeveral years ago, more than one study showed large percentages of unchurched would consider attending a church if someone simply invited them. The problem is not the attitude of the unchurched; rather, it is often the failure of church members to...
FRESH IDEAS: Awaiting the New Pastor
by Diana Davis PENSACOLA, Fla. (BP) -- The entire church is waiting expectantly. When your church is in transition -- seeking a new pastor or other ministry staff member -- there are a few things any member can do:Help church leaders-- In any size church, the added...
Baptist Relief Volunteers Assist Wildfire Survivors
By Kristen Camp ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) teams began preparing meals and providing shelter on Sunday, July 20, for families affected by wildfires in Okanogan County Washington. The fires began Monday, July 14, after lightening struck...
New Wind in ‘House of Islam’
by Erich Bridges RICHMOND, Va. (BP) -- The Arab Spring movement for freedom, which brought so much hope and expectation to the Middle East just three years ago, is stone-cold dead -- hijacked by Islamic extremists, brutalized by repressive governments, trampled into...
Living Water
Pastor Fred Luter (Franklin Avenue Baptist Church) traveled to South Asia with a group of American pastors. Seeing the masses who need to hear the Gospel, he calls on Southern Baptists to make world missions a priority. Living Water from IMB on Vimeo.
In Israel and Gaza, believers pray for peace
By Nicole Lee ISRAEL — Several days after the death of three schoolboys in Gaza, Stephen Johnson* still weeps. He isn’t the only one. And he isn’t the only one praying the heartbreak of war casualties among Palestinians and Israelis ends soon. More than 50 Jewish and...
Gospel Conversations and SBDR Connection Help Lead To Baptism
By Joe Conway BOULDER, Colo. – Travis Kunckel had no idea his selection of a temporary base of operation for his consulting business would lead to the proprietor’s spiritual transformation. The same is true Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) volunteers who played...
Simple as ‘ABC’
Beginning a relationship with Jesus Christ is easy: The Bible says, “Whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). It’s as simple as “ABC.” Admit you are a sinner. Each of us has a problem the Bible calls sin, a refusal to acknowledge God’s...
BCI Vision?
I’ve been executive director for nearly four months now. From time to time I’m asked to speak on my vision for the BCI in Iowa. The reality is that I don’t think we need a new vision. For decades the mission of the BCI has been to start and support churches in Iowa....
Fifty Baptized at Cornerstone Church in Ames
On Sunday July 13 fifty people were baptized at a special outdoor baptism service. Those baptized ranged in ages from 7 to 65. Three of the baptisms were individuals who came forward spontaneously during the service. Eighteen baptizers participated, including pastors,...
