Group aims to provide latest virus information to missionaries, church partners
The Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board has formed a task force to address implications of coronavirus (now known as COVID-19) for field personnel and church mission teams.
“We recognize the concern that coronavirus is causing, and we are grateful for individuals and churches who are praying for IMB personnel and for people around the world directly affected by the virus,” said IMB President Paul Chitwood. “We are continually monitoring the global situation and remain in frequent contact with our missionaries to take the best precautions possible related to their health and safety.”
The latest information from the task force is available at IMB.org/COVID-19.
>Related: Disaster ministry expert Jamie Aten gives churches five first steps to prepare for coronavirus.
Two pro-life measures fail in U.S. Senate
Bills that would limit abortion in the U.S. were voted down by Senators last week, including a measure that would have prohibited doctors from performing an abortion after 20 weeks. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act failed by a vote of 53 to 44, while another bill that would require medical care for babies who survive an abortion attempt failed 56-41.
Baptist college trustee allegedly mishandled sexual abuse
A Missouri Baptist pastor is facing accusations that he failed to cooperate with police during a 2005 sexual abuse investigation involving his church, calling into question his recent appointment as a trustee of Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. Mike Roy was appointed a trustee last year by the Nominating Committee of the Missouri Baptist Convention. The victims’ advocacy group For Such a Time as This says the convention and the university didn’t adequately vet Roy before appointing him, Baptist Press reports.
Students at evangelical schools learning more about world religions
New research shows that not only are evangelical colleges emphasizing world religions, but also that the students who are making the biggest gains in knowledge are sticking close to the faith they brought with them. Christian colleges “are able to expand the religious worldviews of their students while also grounding them in the evangelical faith tradition,” Ryan Burge writes at ChristianityToday.com. “As the world becomes increasingly diverse and interconnected, this could be a major selling feature of evangelical higher education.”
Sources: IMB.org, Facts & Trends, Fox News, Baptist Press, Christianity Today