By Jeff Brumley and Ken Camp Water poverty has become an increasingly popular missions focus for U.S.-based churches, ministries and denominational groups in recent years. “It’s a hot-button issue right now,” said Colleen Burroughs, executive vice president for Passport Inc.,…
Minister trades prison garb for orange T-shirt to help ex-cons find work
By Jeff Brumley Customers and staff took notice when a guy wearing an orange prison jump suit strolled into an Italian restaurant in Waco, Texas, for takeout on the final day of Lent 2014. “It was weird to me so…
Christmas mission brings food and Christ to hungry on the border
By George Henson Baptist churches and ministries recently joined forces to provide food and Christmas spirit to impoverished families along the U.S.-Mexico border. Their goal: to prevent as much hunger and despair as possible among the region’s adults and children…
For West pastor and family, new home means recovery
By Jeff Brumley It’s much quieter these days in West, the tiny Texas town partially flattened by a deadly fertilizer plant explosion in April 2013. Gone are the convoys of semis and church trailers hauling debris and construction supplies, lawn…
Lofty fundraiser leads Baptist to climb Kilimanjaro
By George Henson Bertha De La Garza ascended to loftier heights than before by climbing Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro this summer. The Baptist from Abilene, Texas, also reached new spiritual heights during the hike, which raised money for a global sports…
Smuggling and trafficking: what are our responsibilities?
It was a normal school day. She worked with the children who needed some help with their English. One day a child asked her if she knew what a “coyote” was. She said, “Of course…it looks sort of like a…
Minister on death row surprised by only one thing: fellow Baptists’ support for capital punishment
By Ken Camp In the six years Dorothy Ruelas has visited death-row inmates at the Allan B. Polunsky Unit in West Livingston, Texas, only one thing shocked her. “I was surprised and shocked to find out most Baptists support the…
Colorblind artist feels drawn to draw Christ
By Tyler Agnew Colorblind artist Lance Brown spreads the gospel with paint. “I shouldn’t be able to excel in the field of art, but God has allowed me to,” said Brown, who calls his ministry Painted Christ. “This is part of…
Baptist finds ‘heart’s desire’ in preaching gospel to detained immigrant children
By Ken Camp Since Palm Sunday, Dan Trevino has preached to more than 10,000 immigrant young people from Central America, delivering a message of hope in Christ. Trevino, associate pastor of Baptist Temple in San Antonio, Texas, leads multiple worship services…