Church planting is a relay race
By Kate Gregory Hi! I'm the new Carlos,” Wilfrid Brunache jokes as he introduces himself. “Carlos is my mentor. He’s training me.” When IMB missionary Carlos Llambes, founder of the Dominican Baptist Convention’s church- planting institute, moves to Mexico City this...
Baptists, ants & swarm intelligence
by David E. Crosby NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- Perhaps a long-sought secret to the vitality of the Baptist movement is swarm intelligence, the "collective behavior of decentralized, self-organized systems." The most useful metaphor for Southern Baptists' cooperative work...
Los Angeles church planter thanks Southern Baptist “heroes”
By Tobin Perry BURBANK, Calif. – For four years between 2005 to 2009 Iranian house church pastor Ara Torosian faced sporadic yet consistent physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his government. Caught trying to smuggle Bibles into the country, Torosian was...
Getting Input
Baptist Convention of Iowa churches and SBC agencies have been foundational in my own personal development. My first experience in a BCI church was at Grand Avenue Baptist Church in Ames as an Iowa State University freshman. I experienced the passionate, solid Bible...
God’s been writing me into His story
By Bethani Thomas People say everyone has a story, but I think every person is a story: a living, breathing, walking, heart-beating book. Some people create their own stories, while others are forced into them. My story falls into the latter category. Some of you...
EVANGELISM SPOTLIGHT: DISASTER RELIEF
Evangelism flows naturally from Disaster Relief service Editor’s note: The North American Mission Board’s evangelism ministries are focused on six primary areas: Evangelism Networks/Resources, Chaplaincy, LoveLoud ministry evangelism, Disaster Relief, Church...
Friendship Baptist Church to celebrate 25 years of ministry
Friendship Baptist Church (FBC) in Ames will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Sunday, April 13, 2014. Baptist Convention of Iowa played an essential role in our church history, so we would like to invite you to join us for the celebration. Rev. Michael Thurman, the...
Platt: gospel requires cultural engagement — especially on unpopular issues
By Hayley Schoeppler LOUISVILLE, Ky. (SBTS) — The gospel should compel “contrite, compassionate, courageous” cultural engagement, David Platt exhorted in a chapel message at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, March 20. Preaching from selected passages in...
For third year in a row, GuideStone Funds honored by Lipper
By Roy Hayhurst DALLAS — The annual Lipper Fund Awards once again recognized GuideStone for outstanding fund performance, this time recognizing the GuideStone Extended-Duration Bond Fund as the Best Fund Over 3 Years and the Best Fund Over 5 Years in the Corporate...
Death and Life: A Meditation on the Words We Speak
by Mike Bergman Death and life are in the power of the tongue. ~ Proverbs 18:21 Most of us probably heard the rhyme from our mothers at some point in our childhoods: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.Why do we seek to instill such...
