Georgia
Early in the COVID-19 shutdown, Georgia Baptist Pastor Wellness consultant Tanaya Meaders recognized the need for pastors to take care of their emotional health, according to Georgia’s Christian Index. Now a number of tools are available, such as a self-assessment that allows pastors to see if they are dealing with depression and, if so, to share those results with a doctor and seek help. Counseling services also are available.
Florida
When Doug Saunders arrived as the new pastor of Parkview Baptist Church in Fort Pierce four years ago, he found a small, predominantly elderly congregation. Now the church has grown, capturing the city’s diversity in age and ethnicity, reports the Florida Baptist Witness. Worship experiences have been enhanced with the installation of new screens in the sanctuary, offering multimedia presentations during services. “Parkview is so unique, a slice of heaven with people of all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities.”
Louisiana
Prior to a vote that could protect pro-life laws in Louisiana, FBC Ferriday erected 100 crosses on a nearby field to proclaim love for the unborn. The crosses advocate for voting Yes on Amendment No. 1, reports Louisiana’s Baptist Message. Known as the Love Life Amendment, the change would add verbiage stating nothing in the state constitution protects a right to abortion. Currently, there is no specific language on abortion.
Mississippi
The medical marijuana ballot initiative in Mississippi is “about as clear as mud,” according to an article in The Baptist Record. “If a simple majority votes No (second oval), [it] is defeated — period. If a simple majority votes Yes (first oval), the votes for Initiative 65 (third oval) or the alternate 65A (fourth oval) will be counted. If the first oval marked Yes succeeds, and either 65 or 65A gets over 40% of the total vote, the measure will become law. That is why only the second oval should be marked if you’re against [it].”
Tennessee
Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are headed back to Louisiana, this time to assist with cleanup from Hurricane Delta. It will be the 80th response for the state’s DR teams in the past five years, reports Tennessee’s Baptist & Reflector. “To put the last five years in perspective, consider that Hurricane Delta will be the 249th official response … since 1978 when it officially began with a response to a tanker explosion in Waverly. That averages out to about five responses per year since 1978.”
Share with others: