Features

First Person … ‘We have incredible family members in South Asia’
By Debbie McDowell, South Carolina Baptist Convention
Date September 29, 2008

For the past five summers, the Lord has given me a special treasure — hanging out with hundreds of the International Mission Board’s finest for a week of training, worshipping, praying, laughing, crying, playing, and hugging. What a blessing!

Missionary-author finds spiritual principles in circumstances both ordinary and exotic
South Carolinian Gary Stone publishes book of meditations
By Butch Blume
butch@baptistcourier.com
Date September 30, 2008

Whether splashing in the cold waters of Morgan’s Creek with his brother near his hometown of Williamston, S.C., or trying not to fall off a rickety bamboo pole into quicksand in the eastern jungle of Ecuador, missionary Gary Stone finds glimpses of God wherever he looks.

Bilingual resources engage Korean preschoolers, children in missions
By Julie Walters, Woman’s Missionary Union
Date October 1, 2008

Leaders of Texas and national WMU formalized their commitment to provide bilingual missions education materials to Korean Southern Baptist churches by signing a three-year agreement on Aug. 28.

Hawaiian kids claim Outrigger Island as their own
By Polly House, LifeWay Christian Resources
Date October 1, 2008

The first-grader just had one question when Vacation Bible School was over. “You mean we don’t come back tomorrow?” No, VBS only lasts a week. But what the children learned lasts forever: God’s truth is unshakable.

VBS partnership is creative solution
By Polly House, LifeWay Christian Resources
Date October 1, 2008

What does a church do when it can’t host its own Vacation Bible School? It gets creative!

Outrigger Island not far for North Carolina church
By Polly House, LifeWay Christian Resources
Date October 1, 2008

A mission team from Millers Creek (N.C.) Baptist Church decided to go to Hawaii to help with Vacation Bible School and to work at Hawaii Baptists’ Pu’u Kahea Conference Center. They heard things like, “Oh, a mission trip to Hawaii … yeah, right.” But, as they would do on any mission trip, the group provided much needed and much appreciated ministry. They just did it in a really pretty place.

‘Lessons learned as the son of a serial killer’
A South Carolina minister talks about growing up with a dad on death row
By Butch Blume
butch@baptistcourier.com
Date October 1, 2008

“Big Russ and Me: Father and Son,” by Tim Russert. “Faith of My Fathers,” by John McCain. “Lessons Learned as the Son of a Serial Killer,” by Michael Sims. While you may be familiar with parts of the first two stories, chances are you haven’t heard Michael Sims’s story. It isn’t a book, but his tale, which he shares with churches and groups, is as gripping as any bestseller.