By Jeff Brumley Gary Montgomery recalled the first time, a couple years ago or so, he laid eyes on the foreclosed, rundown house a bank had donated to his Tallahassee-based prison, ex-offender and family ministry. “The bathtub fell into the…
Church rehabs home for ministry outreach
Baptists admire, mourn Mandela
By Jeff Brumley Huge voices, including past and present world leaders, are flooding the web with praise for Nelson Mandela, saying he showed the world how love can overcome hate. Other voices are speaking up, too, turning to social media…
A passion to serve Liberian Baptists
By Jeff Brumley Richard Wilson’s 10th journey to Liberia won’t be the usual Mercer on Mission trip that he’s used to. This time he’s going back as president of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary near Monrovia. Wilson, chairman of Mercer University’s…
‘Redneck opera singer’ got start in church
By Jeff Brumley Paris sounds like the natural home town for any world-class opera singer. But for Jay Hunter Morris, one of the top operatic tenors on the planet, it all started in Paris, Texas. And a career that’s made…
C.S. Lewis ‘claimed by everyone’
By Jeff Brumley C.S. Lewis did it during his lifetime and he’s continued to do it in the 50 years since his death on Nov. 22, 1963: inspire Christians from theologically diverse traditions through his theological and fictional work. Box…
Orphan study transforms implementers
By Jeff Brumley Journeys of Faith is an ongoing project designed to help members of Cooperative Baptist and other churches rethink their beliefs about orphan care, especially in far-flung lands where orphanages have been the go-to solution. Organizers say the…
‘Churchy’ lingo turning off Millennials
By Jeff Brumley If there were an 11th commandment, for Millennials it might be “thou shalt ban pious slogans from thy midst.” In fact, faith-based lingo — like “everything happens for a reason” and “God is in control” — is coming…
Baptists shed light on Filipino suffering
By Jeff Brumley A clearer picture of the devastation wrought by Typhoon Haiyan is coming into view, thanks in part to reports from Baptist World Alliance member organizations located in the Philippines. BWA leaders said Thursday they have received updates…
CBF deploys field personnel to Philippines
By Jeff Brumley Leaders of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship today said it’s deploying one of its missionaries to the Philippines to help victims of last week’s deadly Typhoon Haiyan. It also is sending $10,000 to Asia Pacific Baptist Aid to…
Debating doctorates in a missional world
By Jeff Brumley Brian McLaren is recognized as one of the most influential shapers of progressive Christian thought and has revolutionized the way many conceive and practice evangelism, church planting, worship and spiritual formation. Yet McLaren, who is closely associated…
Baptists among forces helping Philippines
By Jeff Brumley Baptists and other religious groups are kicking into high gear with financial and material aid in response to Typhoon Haiyan, which tore through the central Philippines on Friday, killing an estimated 10,000 and destroying entire towns and…