ALEXANDRIA, La. (BP) — Niche marketing is not just a business term. Creative pastors are finding ways to discover a niche to reach their communities for Christ. One pastor, Stan Wyant, discovered a niche in his community. In his state…
Florida Baptists say alcohol disqualifies leaders from service
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (ABP) — Only teetotalers will be allowed to serve as trustees of the Florida Baptist Convention's agencies and boards, as a result of a vote at the convention's annual meeting. With no discussion and less than half…
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s … a superhero in a burqa?
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Move over, Fantastic Four. There's a new team of superheroes in town. Meet Jabbar the Powerful, a Hulk-like strong man, and Noora the Light, who can create holograms. Darr the Afflicter wields powerful pain waves. One hero,…
First Church, Coeburn, opens Hope Center to meet needs
First Baptist Church in Coeburn held the grand opening for its Hope Center on Oct. 27. The Hope Center Ministry began as a vision one year ago with a desire to utilize a large empty space in the church that…
Dozens of BC students make spiritual decisions during emphasis week
BLUEFIELD — Nearly 50 Bluefield College students made new professions of faith, while an additional 40 to 50 students renewed their commitments to a relationship with Jesus Christ during the school's 16th annual Duremdes Christian Emphasis Week, Sept. 26-28. Since…
Southern Baptist TV network sold to Stanley’s Atlanta ministry
ATLANTA (RNS) — A Southern Baptist television network has been sold to the broadcast ministry of Atlanta pastor Charles Stanley. The president of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board and Stanley, founder of In Touch Ministries, signed documents finalizing…
New book probes poetry’s power to stir the soul
CHICAGO (RNS) — Poetry is that unusual combination of words with the power to move, delight, nurture and transport readers beyond the here-and-now. It also can nourish our souls, according to the authors of a new book celebrating how poetry…
Neurotheology opens doors for scientific study of belief
NEW YORK (ABP) — Some scientists say neurotheology — an emerging discipline that addresses the correlation between neurological and spiritual activity — proves God created the brain. Others claim “the brain created the god.” At the root of the debate,…
Who’s an evangelical? Question looms over annual meeting of scholars, theologians in ETS
SAN DIEGO (ABP) — As hundreds of scholars, pastors and theologians gathered Nov. 14 for the opening day of the 59th annual conference of the Evangelical Theological Society, a question loomed over their heads: How narrowly to define who qualifies…
IMB trustees define contextualization
RICHMOND (BP) — Making the gospel more accessible to the world's 6,500 unreached people groups is the goal of new guidelines adopted by trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board Nov. 6-7. Trustees outlined five “principles of contextualization”…
Church building ministry at work in 45 countries
HAMPTON — Dois Rosser claims that his story is not a testimony of what one man can do for Christ. Rather, he says it is a testimony of what God can do with one man. Dois Rosser isn't a preacher….
FAITH DIGEST
Black Baptist prof told to choose college or church. Professor Denise Isom loves her work at Calvin College and her Grand Rapids church, Messiah Missionary Baptist. But her employer has told she must choose one or the other. The Calvin…