Baptist volunteers still serving in Carolinas
The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief response to Hurricane Florence has resulted in 1.1 million meals served, Baptist Press reports, and more than 1,000 clean-up projects at homes damaged by wind and flooding. More than 100 people have professed faith in Christ through the ministry of Disaster Relief, the country’s third-largest relief organization.
Illinois volunteers joined the multi-state response just days after Florence made landfall in North Carolina.
Refugee cap unsettles some Christian leaders
Evangelical leaders have expressed concern over a new limit on refugees who will be allowed to resettle in the U.S. during the next fiscal year. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Sept. 17 the cap will be set at 30,000, down from 45,000 during the current fiscal year and 70,000 over the last three decades.
Christian doctor awarded Nobel Peace Prize
Congolese physician Denis Mukwege was named a co-recipient of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to help rape victims in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mukwege founded a hospital where he has treated thousands of women harmed during war in their country.
Mohler celebrates 25 years at Southern Seminary
Celebrating his 25th anniversary as president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Albert S. Mohler addressed what he says is the most pressing issue facing the church today. “Among the many challenges the church will face in the present and coming generations,” Mohler said in Table Talk magazine, “few will equal the challenge of maintaining a steadfast commitment to biblical Christianity in the midst of an increasingly hostile environment.”
Mission offering for North America sets new record
Southern Baptists’ two major missions offerings reached record or near-record levels in 2017, according to entity leaders. North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell reported last week that Southern Baptists gave $61.1 million through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering—marking the first time the offering has exceeded $60 million.
The International Mission Board also reported Southern Baptists gave $158.9 million through the 2017 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering—the second-highest Lottie Moon Offering ever received.
Research finds connection between youth church attendance and later mental health
Research by Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that church attendance and certain religious practices during adolescence tend to result in better mental health in adulthood. People who attended religious services at least once a week as kids or teens were about 18% more likely to be happier in their 20s, Forbes magazine reported on the research. Weekly attendance is associated with the development of character strengths, including greater volunteering, a greater sense of mission, and more forgiveness.
Related: In September, thousands of students around the country gathered for See You at the Pole prayer meetings on their campuses.