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Articles by Rick Lance
True Stories: Die Donald Trump Show
Heute 20:15 - 21:10 55 min. ORF 1 16:9neu GB 2025 Doku-Reihe Dokumentation Im ersten Teil der dreiteiligen Doku steht die höchst turbulente und einst enge Beziehung zwischen Donald Trump und Elon Musk im Fokus. Wie die intensive Zusammenarbeit im Wahlkampf werden auch ihr öffentlicher Streit über einzelne Punkte von Donald Trumps Politik und die Jeffrey Epstein-Akten beleuchtet.
How Tennessee Baptists partner with the Psalm 139 Project
The ERLC’s Psalm 139 Project is an incredible initiative that places ultrasound machines in pregnancy centers, giving vulnerable mothers a window into the womb so they can see the precious lives growing within them.
Alabama Baptists on pro-life work and making a difference for Christ
State Baptist Conventions help mobilize, unify, and equip churches who are bound together by state lines. On today’s episode, Dr. Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, talks with ERLC Interim President Dr. Gary Hollingsworth. They discuss the unique challenges Alabama Baptists are facing from supporting bi-vocational pastors to navigating pressing cultural issues such as abortion.
FIRST-PERSON: An Indy celebration
“There’s a lot to celebrate,” said our new Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) president, Clint Pressley, during his press conference following his election. Clint was underscoring the good news from our recent SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis. Those in attendance witnessed the sending or commissioning of 83 new International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries. Their testimonies were inspiring and encouraging.
SBC DIGEST: Annual Meeting videos online; Black church week registration open
2024 SBC Annual Meeting and Pastors’ Conference videos available online BP Staff NASHVILLE (BP) — Video recordings from last week’s SBC Annual Meeting and Pastors’ Conference are available to watch online through both YouTube and the Baptist Press app. Hosted on the Baptist Press YouTube page, sessions from the 2024 Annual Meeting held in Indianapolis include chapters pointing to each section of business.
Prayer, fasting and the power of God
John Wesley took a dim view of pre-revival America, but he had a plan to change it. Wesley spent time in the colonies and reported, “I desired as many as could to join together in fasting and prayer, that God would restore the spirit of love and of a sound mind to the poor deluded rebels in America.” Even a side glance at the current cultural moment demonstrates that prayer and fasting are just as urgently needed for the “poor deluded rebels in America” today as they were when the nation was new.
FIRST-PERSON: An Indy celebration
Metadata: Series: First PersonTopic(s): Annual MeetingFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: “There’s a lot to celebrate,” said our new SBC president, Clint Pressley, during his press conference following his election. Clint was underscoring the good news from our recent SBC meeting in Indianapolis. Clear Mission Focus Those in attendance witnessed the sending or commissioning of 83 new IMB missionaries. Their testimonies were inspiring and encouraging.
Hispanic pastors discuss Cooperative Program giving at CP Stage
Metadata: Event(s): 2024 SBC Annual MeetingTopic(s): Cooperative Program, SBC Annual MeetingsFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: INDIANAPOLIS (BP) – On Tuesday morning June 11, pastors Eloy Rodriguez, Joe Riviera and moderator Bruno Molina took to the Cooperative Program (CP) stage for a panel on how cooperative program giving has benefited their ministry and their churches.
FIRST-PERSON: Jeff Iorg, a difference maker
Jeff Iorg has been unanimously elected as the new president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee. In one way, this is not a surprising event. In another way, given our recent past experiences, this is almost miraculous. I see Jeff Iorg as a true difference maker as our new leader in this most important position. He has a resume that speaks volumes about his leadership gifts. As a longtime president of a seminary and a well-known author and preacher/public speaker, Jeff is well known in SBC life.
First person: Jeff Iorg — A Difference Maker | The Alabama Baptist
Jeff Iorg has been unanimously elected as the new president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. In one way, this is not a surprising event. In another way, given our recent past experiences, this is almost miraculous. I see Jeff Iorg as a true difference maker as our new leader in this most important position. He has a resume that speaks volumes about his leadership gifts.
Your Voice: Evangelicals release statement in support of Israel
Dozens of SBC and other Christian leaders are signatories to an “Evangelical Statement in Support of Israel” in response to the attacks against the people of Israel by Hamas. The full list of signatories is posted at erlc.com/resource-library/statements/israel.
Let’s hear it for the girl: Beauty queen earns state wrestling title
TRUSSVILLE, Ala. (BP) — Katherine Grigsby has had quite a year of doing her own thing. In January 2022, a two-month effort alongside her mother, Angela, led to raising more than $20,000 and building 200 beds for needy children. She helped construct another 100 beds in October, and that same month Grigsby, on the pageant circuit since she was 3, was crowned Miss Junior Teen United States.
North Carolina pastor reconciles with parents who abandoned him as a child
WHITEVILLE, N.C. (BP) – For years, pastor Steven Cox of Peace Baptist Church held a deep anger toward his parents, who abandoned him when he was a child. Now, with God’s help, Cox has a good relationship with them both and is in the process of discipling his father. Cox told Baptist Press some examples of spiritual fruit he has seen in his parents include are his mother’s peaceful and encouraging relationship with him and his dad’s decision to follow Christ.
Single mother knew ‘life was the choice’
GEORGETOWN, Texas (BP) – Abortion was never an option for Whitney McCluskey. After earning a master’s degree in biblical counseling during her fourth stay in a residential Christian drug treatment facility, she was sober. She was telling others of the Lord’s goodness and teaching her then 13-year-old son Ashton abstinence before marriage while attending Eden Westside Baptist Church in Pell City, Ala. “I was doing exactly what I wanted to do. Doing what I had prayed for.
Report: Gunman kills 6 near Jerusalem synagogue
JERUSALEM (AP) — A Palestinian gunman opened fire outside an east Jerusalem synagogue Friday night, killing six people and wounding four others in one of the deadliest attacks on Israelis in years, medical officials said. The attack was halted when the gunman was shot by police. The killings took place a day after Israeli troops killed nine Palestinians in a raid in the West Bank.
DR teams provide support as Memphis braces for protests
Metadata: Topic(s): Disaster Relief, National NewsFormat(s): Text Articles Share this post: MEMPHIS (BP) – Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams from Tennessee and Mississippi are providing support for first responders Friday (Jan. 27) in Memphis as the city braces for possible protests related to the reported beating and death of a man who died a few days following his arrest on Jan. 7. Since the incident, five former police officers have been charged with murder.
US military kills senior Islamic State official in Somalia
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. special operations forces have killed a senior Islamic State group official and 10 other terrorist operatives in remote northern Somalia, the Biden administration announced Thursday. The operation carried out on Wednesday targeted Bilal al-Sudani, a key financial facilitator for the global terrorist organization, in a mountainous cave complex.
SBC DIGEST: Watch IMB Sending Celebration; Kentucky pastor’s worldwide legacy
Sending Celebration to be livestreamed By BP Staff The International Mission Board will livestream its missionary Sending Celebration Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. Eastern time. The ceremony will feature the stories of some of the dozens of new missionaries preparing to be sent to points all around the world. Viewers can watch on the IMB website, in the IMB Advance app or on Facebook. See here for more information. Pastor’s legacy extends around the world By Mark Maynard/Kentucky Today Allen F.
FIRST-PERSON: The Yellow Shirt Army
Editor’s note: Rick Lance is executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. PRATTVILLE, Ala. (BP) – When terrible events happen, who are you going to call? The answer is often the Yellow Shirt Army – namely Southern Baptist Disaster Relief workers. Across the SBC, many state conventions have trained people who make up this Yellow Shirt Army. They come from churches of all sizes: small, medium and much larger congregations.
First-Person: The Yellow Shirt Army
PRATTVILLE, Ala. – When terrible events happen, who are you going to call? The answer is often the Yellow Shirt Army – namely Southern Baptist Disaster Relief workers. Across the SBC, many state conventions have trained people who make up this Yellow Shirt Army. They come from churches of all sizes: small, medium and much larger congregations. They come from urban areas, smaller cities and rural communities.
California governor’s inclusion of Scripture on abortion billboards draws response, prayer
WESTMINSTER, Calif. (BP) – It’s not Don Adam’s nature to address political issues from the pulpit of MidCities Baptist Church. But when his governor attempted to use Scripture to justify the killing of unborn children, Adam knew he couldn’t keep silent. “I sincerely pray for Gavin Newsom to hear the Gospel from someone he’ll listen to and be saved,” Adam told Baptist Press Sept. 30. On Sept.
SBC DIGEST: Union bicentennial celebration; Dan Busby dies at 81
Union celebrates ‘mission faithfulness and Christ-centered excellence’ at bicentennial kick-off By Tim Ellsworth/Union University JACKSON, Tenn. — With gratitude to God for his faithfulness over two centuries, Union University marked its bicentennial with a kick-off celebration on Sept. 23 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.
2-time Emmy winner first Black SBC state communications head
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) – Lawrence Smith, recruited to lead communications for the Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC), finds inspiration in the biblical example of Luke. “I’ve always tried to point to the first four verses of the Gospel of Luke,” Smith told Baptist Press. “I consider Luke to be a great journalist.
FIRST-PERSON: Get comfortable being uncomfortable
PRATVILLE, Ala. (BP) – For many, the Navy Seals have become the gold standard of elite special forces operators. They have their own unique culture, learned from their training and shared among their fellow Seals. For those not acquainted with the Navy Seals, their specialized training covers preparing for combat and rescue operations at sea, on land and in the air. Their training is so challenging and rigorous that only a fraction of those who start the training regimen complete it.
Pastor retires from Texas church where gunman killed 26 people in 2017
SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas (BP) – Frank Pomeroy was hunting in the wet and cold Alaskan bush when the Lord gave him his final sermon as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. Considering the grizzlies, black bear, wolves and rain, Pomeroy suspected the message would somehow encompass creation.
First Person: A good attitude as we go to Anaheim
Missionary roles vary in length, funding; common thread is willingness to serve For most, the term “missionary” implies someone who has devoted their life full time to follow God’s calling to share Indonesian Protestant gets jail term for ‘insulting’ Islam JAKARTA, Indonesia — A Protestant politician was sentenced to five months in an Indonesian jail for tweeting a remark considered Historic Baptist church damaged by deadly explosion in Havana, Cuba A May 6 explosion in Havana, Cuba, damaged...
When breaking news breaks our hearts
By Rick Lance Executive director, Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions You don’t have to be a news junkie to have been bombarded by the sad news coming out of Ukraine. Even a casual viewer realizes that this is a major event unfolding before our eyes. Rick Lance is executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. Not since World War II has Europe and the rest of the world been so impacted by an invasion such as we are witnessing in Ukraine.
Your Voice
Yearning for something fresh from God By Rick Lance Executive director, State Board of Missions I was blessed recently to hear Bill Elliff speak on the subjects of prayer, revival and spiritual awakening. I was touched by his passion for something fresh from God to move in the lives of believers and in our churches. While he spoke, I began to do a spiritual audit of my life. I began asking questions which convicted me and humbled me. I share these thoughts while praying they may be of help to you.
Skaug, Adams elected to new roles at SWBTS
FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) – Benjamin M. Skaug and Colby T. Adams were elected to new roles in the senior leadership of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary during a special meeting of the board of trustees Tuesday (Feb. 15). Ben Skaug Meeting via video conference, trustees unanimously elected Skaug as provost and vice president for academic administration and Adams as vice president for institutional administration.
FIRST-PERSON: A yearning for something fresh from God
Recently, I was blessed to hear Bill Elliff speak on the subjects of prayer, revival and spiritual awakening. I was touched by his passion for something fresh from God to move in the lives of believers and in our churches. While he spoke, I began to do a spiritual audit of my life. I began asking questions that convicted me and humbled me. I share these thoughts while praying that they may be of help to you.
Your Voice
Open letter to Southern Baptists by sexual abuse ‘overcomer’ By Jane Brown Special to TAB Media EDITOR’S NOTE — After following the news of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee’s ongoing discussions in relation to the Sexual Abuse Task Force and its investigation, Jane Brown, a retired music minister who lives in Mobile, reached out to TAB Media to share her story. “Perhaps I have waited to tell my story ‘for such a time as this,’” said Brown.
Great Commission work and generous giving 'hallmarks' of Alabama Baptists
By Rick Lance Special to The Alabama Baptist I thank God for Alabama Baptists.” Amid turbulent times in our world and even the Southern Baptist Convention, that phrase spoken to me by a pastor recently has provided encouragement and clarity. I too am thankful for Alabama Baptists, a people who are focused on the Great Commission.
SBC DIGEST: Roger Alford named Christian Index editor; Abraham Kuruvilla joins SBTS faculty
Roger Alford named editor of The Christian Index By Christian Index Staff DULUTH, Ga. (BP) – Longtime journalist Roger Alford has been named editor of the Christian Index, the nation’s oldest continuously published religious newspaper founded in 1822. Roger Alford Alford, 59, brings to the Index nearly four decades of journalism experience, which include a long stint with The Associated Press, the world’s largest news-gathering operation.
Longtime SBC recording secretary John Yeats to be renominated
NASHVILLE (BP) – John Yeats, who has served 23 terms as Southern Baptist Convention recording secretary, will be renominated to the post at the SBC 2021 Annual Meeting June 15-16 in Nashville. Jonathan Hayashi, lead pastor of the Northern Hills Baptist Church in Kansas City, Mo., announced the upcoming nomination Friday (April 23). “I have had the great privilege of witnessing Dr. John Yeats’ leadership and shepherding heart over the past several years,” Hayashi said.
FIRST-PERSON: A time to remember
Editor’s Note: Rick Lance is executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. PRATVILLE, Ala. (BP) – Anniversaries are usually times of joy and celebration. Wedding anniversaries are certainly that kind of experience. Anniversaries for church families are a time to celebrate their histories and to praise the Lord for His blessings upon them. Some anniversaries are a time of somber reflections and sad memories.
Timing proves critical to sharing Gospel with refugees
ATHENS (BP) – Time is never a guarantee when Christians meet a refugee in Greece. They may have years, months, weeks or just hours to share the hope that is found in Jesus. This is why International Mission Board missionaries and ministry partners who serve in Athens developed an eight-hour, eight-day and eight-week ministry strategy to share the Gospel and disciple refugees based on the time available.
The Alabama Baptist
March 3, 2021 4 steps for better church health in a time of unhealthiness By Rick Lance Executive director, Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions For at least a year now, we have been coping with a pandemic that has taken the lives of a half-million Americans and millions of others across the globe. We are still facing some uncertain times. However, there are hopeful signs that this extended pandemic may be abating soon.
A Personal Credo Concerning Racism
| | | print | Like so many others, I am heartsick concerning the recent ugly events which have highlighted the sin of racism among us. As one who remembers the civil rights movement and the various efforts by people of the past and present seeking the breakdown of racial barriers that have plagued our society, I grieve over the images of African American people being killed by law enforcement officers and vigilantes.
FIRST-PERSON: Numbers matter
Copyright (c) 2019 Baptist Press. Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. The original story can be found at http://www.bpnews.net/53418/firstperson-numbers-matter Tags: ACPAnnual Church Profile EDITOR'S NOTE: Rick Lance is executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. PRATTVILLE, Ala. (BP) -- Why is the Annual Church Profile important?
FIRST-PERSON: A meeting of the hearts
PRATTVILLE, Ala. (BP) -- "We are going to have a meeting of the minds." I have made that statement so many times that the expression has become a trite one. Perhaps you feel the same way. Recently, I was a participant in a meeting of the hearts. Our new Southern Baptist Convention president, J.D. Greear, called for a gathering of southern state convention executive directors, and I was privileged to be able to attend.
FIRST-PERSON: Prayer driving
PRATTVILLE, Ala. (BP) -- Prayerwalking is an exercise in obedience to Christ. As an act of intercession on behalf of others, it is an attempt to saturate an area where people live with prayer that they might come to the love of Christ. I have experienced firsthand the joy of prayerwalking. Most memorably, I have prayerwalked with international missionaries and others the streets of various cities in distant parts of the world where people need to hear and heed the Gospel of Christ.
FIRST-PERSON: 'Yeah, I'll pray for you'
FORT WORTH, Texas — One opportunity that most believers experience on a fairly consistent basis is to respond in prayer to prayer requests shared by other believers or even those who are not yet believers. A friend, co-worker or fellow church member shares with you by conversation, email, phone call, or even social media a sincere prayer concern and asks if you will join him in prayer over the matter. How do you respond?
Floyd, 11 pastors to lead SBC 'Call to Prayer'
COLUMBUS, Ohio (BP) — For an “epic night of prayer” during the Southern Baptist Convention, 11 pastors have been named by SBC President Ronnie Floyd to help lead the Tuesday evening session, June 16, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in the Ohio capital. Floyd has titled the session, “A National Call for Prayer to All Southern Baptists for the Next Great Awakening and to Reach the World for Christ” on the opening night of the June 16-17 SBC annual meeting.
Open Theism Closed
After three days of heated debate, the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) voted last November overwhelmingly to affirm what almost every Christian in the history of the church has always believed – that God knows everything, including the future decisions of His creatures.
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