News

NGU students spend spring break in Ecuador
Ministry prevails over sickness and difficulties
By Jon Harris, North Greenville University
Date April 18, 2008

A 23-person mission team from North Greenville University spent their spring break in the South American country of Ecuador, working alongside a missionary couple, discipling the believers and evangelizing the lost.

Seneca pastor re-elected trustee chairman at New Orleans Baptist Seminary
Date April 24, 2008

Trustees of New Orleans Baptist Seminary re-elected Rudy Gray of Seneca chairman at the board’s April 15 meeting.

SCBC Executive Board approves new initiative, reorganizes staff
By Don Kirkland
don@baptistcourier.com
Date April 25, 2008

A new initiative for South Carolina Baptists, “Experience Kingdom Life,” was approved at the April 14-15 meeting of the convention’s Executive Board at White Oak Conference Center. It will be unveiled at, and will be the theme for, the annual meeting of the South Carolina Baptist Convention at Columbia’s Metropolitan Convention Center Nov. 11-12.

Board OKs allocation of ’07 ‘Kingdom’ funds
More money sent to SBC
By Amanda Thompson, SCBC Communications
Date April 28, 2008

The South Carolina Baptist Convention Executive Board approved a recommendation from the budget, finance and audit committee concerning the allocation of monies received beyond the 2007 budget requirements.

Evangelism must begin beyond the sanctuary
By Mark Kelly, Baptist Press
Date April 28, 2008

Unchurched adults interested in finding a congregation aren’t nearly as likely to visit one in person as a church member who is shopping for a new congregation. That means effective evangelism must begin outside the sanctuary in relationships between Christians and unbelievers, according to research from several recent studies from LifeWay Research.

‘Expelled’ enjoys Top 10 opening in nation’s theaters
By Michael Foust, Baptist Press
Date April 28, 2008

“Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” finished in the Top 10 among all movies in weekend box office estimates and could be on its way to finishing in the Top 10 all-time for documentaries.

Mosley receives Courier’s 10th anniversary Sims award
By Don Kirkland
don@baptistcourier.com
Date April 29, 2008

A non-traditional student with her sights set on a career in marriage and family therapy has received the 10th anniversary Horace B. Sims Jr. Award for excellent achievement in the field of Christian studies at North Greenville University. Tammy Mosley was recognized during NGU’s annual awards day ceremonies on April 21.

Search is on for multiplication team leader for SCBC staff
Date April 29, 2008

A search committee selected from the Executive Board’s planning and ministries committee will work with executive director-treasurer Jim Austin to secure a new multiplication team associate executive director for the staff of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.

Charleston Southern University hosts senior adults
By Sherry Atkinson, Charleston Southern University
Date April 29, 2008

More than 500 senior adults representing 53 churches attended the South Carolina Baptist Senior Adult Convention March 31-April 2 at Charleston Southern University.

Powers named director of Singing Churchmen
By Amanda Thompson, SCBC Communications
Date April 29, 2008

Mark Powers, South Carolina Baptist Convention director of worship and music, received the director’s baton of the Singing Churchmen as the group expressed their appreciation to Jim Gill, who retired from the convention staff in 2007 but continued to provide leadership until a new director was called.

Fast Facts for May 1, 2008
Date April 29, 2008

Page challenges small churches
By Jerry Higgins, Baptist Press
Date April 29, 2008

David didn’t ask for a break when he faced Goliath. And a church shouldn’t have an inferiority complex because it is small in size. If it reaches out to the “unchurched,” then it’s large in the eyes of God, said Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Connie Maxwell honors Driggers, other volunteers during banquet
Date April 29, 2008

Connie Maxwell Children's Home recognized 110 attendees at its annual recognition dinner for the more than 5,500 hours of volunteer service given by approximately 1,200 people during the past year.

SBC baptisms: Lowest since ’87
By Rob Phillips, Baptist Press
Date April 29, 2008

In 2007, the number of people baptized in Southern Baptist churches fell for the third straight year to the convention’s lowest level since 1987. Although the SBC added 473 new churches and gave more than $1.3 billion to support missions activities around the world, Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources, said there’s no escaping the fact that Southern Baptists are not reaching as many people for Christ as they once did.

South Carolinians Hess, Gulick honored by Baptists for Scouting
Date April 29, 2008

Two South Carolinians from Greenville were among Baptists honored at the recent Association of Baptists for Scouting meeting at Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega, Ala.

Study reveals shocking content on BET, MTV
By Erin Roach, Baptist Press
Date April 29, 2008

Children who watched certain daytime shows on cable’s MTV and BET were exposed to adult content — including that of a sexual, violent, profane or obscene nature — once every 38 seconds, according to a study by the Parents Television Council.

‘Forged by Faith’ DVD traces Baptist heritage and beliefs
By Michael Foust, Baptist Press
Date April 29, 2008

Defining the identity of Southern Baptists isn’t an easy task, but the latest film in the “Forged by Faith” DVD series seeks to do just that.