8,400 Southern Baptists volunteer in Alabama
The latest disaster relief statistics released by the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions show that more than 8,400 Southern Baptist volunteers from 10 states have been deployed following the tornado aftermath in the state. Disaster relief personnel reported 38 professions of faith in Christ as a result of their interactions with residents thus far. Among other stats released by the Alabama state convention: More than 200,000 meals have been served by disaster relief volunteers, and seven mass feeding units have been deployed; more than 900 chainsaw jobs have been completed, and 365 critical incident stress management chaplains have served 5,292 people.
‘SBC Fuge’ opens for Phoenix June 13-15
Registration is now open for the three-day “SBC Fuge” student event, to be held June 13-15 in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Phoenix. For all information regarding registration, visit www.sbcannualmeeting.net and click on “Children & Students.” SBC Fuge is planned by the Centrifuge and M-Fuge staff of LifeWay Christian Resources for students who have completed the 7th through 12th grades. According to the website, the Fuge sessions will include worship, seminars and recreation, with a goal of encouraging, challenging and equipping “the next generation of leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention.”
Welch joins Tennessee Baptist Convention
Bobby Welch, strategist for global evangelical relations with the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee since 2007, has been named associate executive director/church growth with the Tennessee Baptist Convention and will continue to assist the SBC Executive Committee in global evangelical relations in a reduced role. According to the Tennessee Baptist and Reflector, Welch, as associate executive director/church growth, will be responsible to develop, coordinate, promote and equip Tennessee Baptist churches in a statewide strategy of church planting, church revitalization and evangelism. The TBC Executive Board unanimously elected Welch to the position May 10.
Korean Council to celebrate 30th anniv.
The Council of Korean Southern Baptist Churches in America will mark its 30th anniversary June 27-30 at the Dallas-area New Song Church in Carrollton, Texas, one of the nation’s largest Southern Baptist churches worshipping in a Korean context. “Every member should come, because they are members,” said Chongoh Aum, executive director of the Korean Council, a fellowship of about 865 Korean churches in the United States and more elsewhere in the Americas that affiliate with the Southern Baptist Convention.
Caner moving to Arlington Baptist College
Ergun Caner, a professor at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, Va., was named provost and vice president of academic affairs for Arlington (Texas) Baptist College May 17. The vote by the college’s board of directors was unanimous. Caner has co-authored several books, including “Unveiling Islam,” “Why Churches Die” and “When Worldviews Collide.” Founded by J. Frank Norris, Arlington Baptist College is affiliated with the World Baptist Fellowship.