Fostering—I’m writing on this topic being by no means an expert but being involved. When my wife and I married, we entered our union with a shared conviction: No matter what God gave us for biological children, we wanted our home to be a place to welcome children in need via fostering and adoption. We even moved from our rental to our first owned home recently, a purchase we made specifically to become a foster home. Though there are many avenues, we decided to work through our state and local offices. We attended the informative sessions, took the classes, did our home studies, and … [Read more...] about The World Needs More Foster Parents
Tragic News concerning Frank Page
My heart is breaking from the news that has become public in the last few minutes that the retirement of my friend and one of my heroes in the ministry, Dr. Frank Page, is due to a "morally inappropriate relationship" according to a press release from the Executive Committee. I do not know the details, perhaps never will, and it doesn't matter. I hope and pray that Dr. Page finds full restoration and healing in his family and in his faith. While I am not likely to be someone he turns to in a time like this, I would still go anywhere and do anything I could to help this man whom I love and … [Read more...] about Tragic News concerning Frank Page
A Latino Voice for J.D. Greear (Pastors Martin & Omar Vargas)
My story, maybe is not as relevant for many of the readers of this article. However, everything began for me in the summer of 1979. While I was on the pristine beaches of Dominican Republic, God spoke thru His Word and I understood that He has a plan for my life. I was in need to be rescued! Since that hot and humid day, unforgettable for me, almost 40 years has passed. God’s sovereign hand moved me in 1989 to another beach filled city in South Florida. In that time, I was not able to understand why I needed to leave behind my culture, my people, my friends, my dreams, my language. … [Read more...] about A Latino Voice for J.D. Greear (Pastors Martin & Omar Vargas)
Frank Page Has Announced His Retirement
Word came across social media this morning that Dr. Page is retiring. No details have yet come down as to when it will be official. I love this man. He has been a peacemaker and truly embodied the role he carved out for himself, "Chief Encouragement Officer." I first met him the day he was elected as President of the Executive Committee. I was having lunch with David Rogers and a couple of others and we saw him at the same restaurant. I knew the EC was voting and, being the blustery big-mouth I am, I went over and congratulated him on his election. He smiled weakly and thanked me. I … [Read more...] about Frank Page Has Announced His Retirement
Who “fully supports” the Cooperative Program?
Since no Southern Baptist church is forced to give to our wonderful, common, funding mechanism the Cooperative Program, how helpful is it to classify any church's percentage CP giving as fully cooperative or less than fully cooperative and more of an indicator of societal giving? My view is that in isolation, using a church's CP percentage as a measure of their cooperativeness or of their Southernbaptistness is ultimately harmful. Randy Adams, the Executive Director of the SBC state convention known as the Northwest Baptist Convention, an area covering Oregon, Washington, and northern … [Read more...] about Who “fully supports” the Cooperative Program?
The Cooperative Program: A Testimony (Steven Newell)
With all the negative press surrounding the Cooperative Program (CP) in recent days with this nonsense about campaigning, let me offer some positive words about the Southern Baptist Convention’s flagship program. First, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Stephen Newell. Some of you may be familiar with me from social media, for which I am profoundly sorry! I am a graduate of Baptist institutions, a B.A. from Carson-Newman College (now University) in 1999 and an M.Div. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2006. I was born and raised in SBC churches and have never been a … [Read more...] about The Cooperative Program: A Testimony (Steven Newell)
Felix Cabrera to Be Nominated for SBC Second Vice President
Felix Cabrera, Pastor of Iglesia Bautista Central in Oklahoma City, will be nominated for SBC Second Vice President. The initial announcement came Friday afternoon through Baptist Press. Pastor Ed Litton (Redemption Church, Mobile, Alabama) will nominate Cabrera at the Annual Meeting in Dallas, June 12-13. Cabrera's list of accomplishments and service are impressive. You can see all the details in the BP article, but I wanted to pull a few highlights here. Iglesia Bautista Central was planted in 2015 and has grown to over 200 in weekly attendance. They've been recognized twice for their high … [Read more...] about Felix Cabrera to Be Nominated for SBC Second Vice President
Most SBC mission support is still Cooperative Program, not societal
Fears that the SBC may be returning to a societal method of mission support are unfounded if one looks at dollars given by the churches. While it is impossible to compile and categorize all mission giving by the 47,232 SBC churches, the data that is available seems sufficient to conclude that in spite of all the handwringing over the demise of the Cooperative Program, most church support for SBC causes is still through our venerable and wonderful Cooperative Program. Here are a few factoids: The total CP for 2015-2016 was $475.2 million. The total for the designated major offerings … [Read more...] about Most SBC mission support is still Cooperative Program, not societal
Grateful for William Seymour, N L. Robinson, One Community Church Awards, Arkansas Baptist College Trustee, & Life Action Advisory Board Appointments
In the past three months, I have been chosen to receive three distinguished awards and given an opportunity to serve on the Board of Trustees of a Historically Black College and on the Advisory Board of an evangelical revival ministry with an incredible vision. There are numerous awards, certificates, plaques and tributes I have received across a forty-year span of public life and ministry. I am equally thankful and godly proud of all those as well. Typically, I am not one who desires or broadcasts awards, honors and Board appointments. However, I am so thankful and thrilled to serve and be … [Read more...] about Grateful for William Seymour, N L. Robinson, One Community Church Awards, Arkansas Baptist College Trustee, & Life Action Advisory Board Appointments
IMB – Too Valuable to Lose, Part 3 (Anonymous IMB Missionary Emeritus)
Editor: This is the third installment from this anonymous retired missionary (again, I am aware of the missionary's identity and felt the reasons for anonymity were valid). Part One can be found here. Part two here. David Platt is a godly and unusually gifted man who speaks passionately on behalf of God’s glory among the nations. I thank God for him and we should all be disappointed if he does not continue that ministry. When David realized that he could not pastor a church and be president of the IMB at the same time, he chose the local church over the IMB. David chose to lead one church … [Read more...] about IMB – Too Valuable to Lose, Part 3 (Anonymous IMB Missionary Emeritus)