Yankees aid burglarized church
The New York Yankees, though just in spring training, stepped up to the plate to assist a Bronx church and its soup kitchen after a break-in. The Yankees presented a check for $20,000 to Daniel Dupree and Greater Universal Baptist Church on Feb. 23 to cover losses the church sustained during the Feb. 7 burglary. The Yankees “are truly a blessing,” said Dupree, who has served as pastor for 10 of the Southern Baptist church’s 52 years. “We believe God placed it on their hearts to come through for us.” When Dupree arrived Feb. 8, the building had been ransacked; the safe, a television camera and various office supplies were missing. Dupree estimates the total loss was around $20,000. Local news stations covered the story of Greater Universal closing its soup kitchen until the funds were replaced and security measures could be installed. Because of the Yankees’ donation, the kitchen, which feeds about 125 people two days a week, will reopen. – BP
Houston 2nd pledges $84 million
Faced with burgeoning church growth and committed to reach people for Christ, members of Second Baptist Church, Houston, pledged $84 million to expand its three Houston-area sites and to add several others by utilizing movie theaters in Houston and across the United States. Church members contributed a cash offering of more than $21 million in December as part of the capital campaign’s launch. To date, about $24 million has been contributed. “This must be the largest capital campaign of its kind ever,” said Paul Gage, president and founder of The Gage Group, a Dallas-based church stewardship consulting firm assisting Second Baptist. Gage said the size of the campaign represents the “vision and passion” of the church and its pastor, Ed Young, for reaching people with the gospel. – BP
One out of five say they’re holy
A new survey indicates that 21 percent of Americans consider themselves holy. The survey, conducted by the Barna Research Group, also found that 73 percent of Americans believe that a person can become holy, regardless of his past, while half of those surveyed said they knew someone whom they considered holy. The study also asked Americans to define holy. The largest category of respondents (21 percent) admitted they didn’t know how to. The highest number that had an idea said “being Christlike” (19 percent), while 18 percent said “making faith your top priority.” The survey’s director, researcher George Barna, said that “the results portray a body of Christians who attend church but do not understand the concept or significance of holiness … . The challenge to the nation’s Christian ministries is to foster a genuine hunger for holiness among the masses who claim they love God but who are ignorant about biblical teachings regarding holiness.” – RNS