Javier Benitez recognized for church planting

PLEASANT GARDEN - North Carolina Baptist Pastor Javier Benitez was recognized for his years of faithful church planting in the state during the Ninth Annual Hispanic Church Planting Celebration at Pleasant Garden Baptist Church June 11. ... (read more of this story)

Former mission board worker gets anonymous gift for ailing wife

WACO, Texas - Nathan and Fran Porter, former employees of the Southern Baptist Convention's Home Mission Board, have received an anonymous $5,000 donation to help pay for Fran's mounting medical expenses, Porter told Associated Baptist Press June 29. ... (read more of this story)

Family Bible Study lesson for July 16: I Will Follow God's Leading

Our children were very young when my husband Terry died 14 years ago. Matthew was six and John Mark was two. ... (read more of this story)

Family Bible Study lesson for July 23: I Will Remain Loyal to God

Loyal. Faithful. Devoted. I will remain loyal to God. Easy words to say when things are going great, aren't they? But what about during the tough times? Loyal. Faithful. Devoted. Those same words are not as easy to say and really mean now, are they? ... (read more of this story)

Formations lesson for July 16: The Missional Church - Passionate Relationships

In Matthew 22, two Jewish religious groups that usually were in disagreement came together in attempts to question and discredit Jesus. ... (read more of this story)

Formations lesson for July 23: The Missional Church - Being the Presence of Christ

More than 40 years ago Joseph Bayly wrote a little book about a group of believers attempting to be the presence of Christ in their world. At a neighborhood picnic, as they swatted mosquitoes they began to discuss how to reach people with the gospel. They discussed the next-door neighbors who obviously were not Christians. That's when the idea was born; they would purchase a blimp. They would fly the blimp all over the city. On its sides in bright lights would be scriptures for all to see. With a powerful sound system they would send out Christian music and gospel preaching. All the community would see and hear the Good News. ... (read more of this story)

Should Baptists move beyond Christendom?

Can one be Christian outside of Christendom? Baptists not only can live apart from Christendom, but should, according to Denton Lotz, general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, a worldwide network of 213 Baptist organizations who affiliate for fellowship, missions, education, humanitarian efforts and the promotion of religious liberty. ... (read more of this story)

In praise of simple foods

I attended two fancy banquets in Atlanta last week, where one might expect to get some decent Southern cooking. The first meal featured an anonymous piece of chicken with mashed potatoes, barely cooked carrots and a bitter-tasting breed of broccoli that was wilted with no detectable seasoning and served with leaves and stems intact. ... (read more of this story)

Greetings from Milton

This is my maiden voyage as a contributor to the executive director-treasurer's column in the Biblical Recorder. It is an exciting journey. ... (read more of this story)

Belmont church experiences physical, spiritual revival

Deterioration, neglect and declining membership had left Stowe Memorial Baptist Church (SMBC) in Belmont in need of some major repairs - inside and out. ... (read more of this story)

Journalism students get hands-on experience

GREENSBORO - With pen and notepad in hand, a few journalism students took on the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) as a unique educational experience. ... (read more of this story)

Asheboro teen spends time with children during annual meeting

GREENSBORO - Running on only four hours of sleep, Asheboro's Daniel Dortch, 16, spent his days during the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) June 13-14 entertaining 25 children ranging from preschoolers to 12-year-olds. ... (read more of this story)

Baptist teen nurtures children during convention

Being paralyzed from the chest down doesn't stop 16-year-old Jacob Scoggins. ... (read more of this story)

Greensboro pastor mobilizes hundreds of volunteers

GREENSBORO - Nearly a year ago, senior pastor Joe Giaritelli and the 2,300-members of Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro began making plans for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). ... (read more of this story)

N.C. teen practices for 12th sibling

GREENSBORO, N.C. - As the fourth of twelve siblings, Asheboro's Lacey Matson, 18, is experienced in taking care of children. ... (read more of this story)

Registering unity, local pastor volunteers at SBC

GREENSBORO - He spent 10-15 hours a day on his feet four days in a row, but that didn't diminish Mike Jones's excitement about the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) June 13-14. ... (read more of this story)

Seven churches unite at Crossover Triad event

SEAGROVE - It's a family reunion of sorts. ... (read more of this story)