Arkansas
A small church in Arkansas has a big heart for missions. Little Rock’s Hebron Baptist Church, averaging 41 in Sunday morning worship services, gave $18,684 to the 2020 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, up from giving $883 in 2011, Arkansas Baptist News reported. “Our congregation is mostly retired people who don’t have a set income, but they love giving for missions. Here are people being involved in doing the work of God by giving,” said Pastor Ed Hinkson.
Georgia
The Georgia Baptist Conference Center in Toccoa was sold in late December 2020 to Pine Cove Christian Camps, based in Texas. The sale came after a 20-year study revealed the Georgia Baptist Mission Board subsidized operations at the center at a total cost of $10 million over the two decades. The property will be closed for approximately 18 months for renovations, the Christian Index reported.
Louisiana
The 10 active members of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Cotton Valley, Louisiana, knew it was time to disband but wanted the church property to be used for ministry. Property ownership was transferred to Webster-Claiborne Baptist Association, and Unity Baptist Church suggested creating a community ministry hub there. Since its launch in September of 2020, the ministry center has been the site of a prayer gathering, food distribution events and an African-American church on Sundays, the Baptist Message reported.
Mississippi
When Mississippi raised its new state flag in mid-January, the banner did not bear the Confederate battle emblem. A Mississippi legislator said the SBC helped influence the change. A resolution at the 2016 SBC Annual Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, called on Christians “to discontinue the display of the Confederate flag as a sign of solidarity of the whole Body of Christ.” In June legislators voted to adopt a new flag, a move encouraged by Mississippi Baptist leaders.
Tennessee
The gospel has taken flight in more than 80 countries worldwide through Slip Disc Ministries, a company producing flying discs (Frisbees) featuring a gospel message. Mark and Dottie McSwain, who purchased the company in 2019, said the disc is a “fun way to engage people” with the gospel. The discs can be purchased at SlipDiscMinistries.com, and there are five different gospel messages, available in 11 languages, to choose from, the Baptist and Reflector reported.
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