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Georgia Baptists called to repentance, unity on National Day of Prayer

Thomas Hammond Jr., executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, and his wife Kerri pray on a livestream on the National Day of Prayer. (Photo/GBMB livestream)
W. Thomas Hammond Jr., executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, and his wife Kerri led Georgia Baptists in a time of corporate prayer via livestream Wednesday morning on the National Day of Prayer.
A man holds a cross inside a church in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
Most pastors struggle with loneliness new study finds
In a troubling sign for many congregations, half of pastors say they are often or frequently lonely, according to a report of clergy health. Pastors may be healthy in many other areas, but most say they struggle with feeling lonely, according to a report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.
An attendee of a National Day of Prayer gathering at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, holds a program Thursday, May 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
National and state Southern Baptist leaders call for believers to pray on National Day of Prayer
This Thursday, May 2, is the National Day of Prayer. It was established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1952, and the date was set to the first Thursday in May by President Ronald Reagan in 1988.
Beverly Skinner, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s college ministry catalyst, speaks to outgoing state BCM president Brooke Childs and incoming president Daniel Holland, at Equip on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Maynard Baptist Church in Forsyth. Ga. (Index/Henry Durand)
New state BCM president Daniel Holland has a passion to serve and encourage
Daniel Holland, a rising senior at Georgia Southern University, has been selected as state president of Baptist Collegiate Ministries for 2024-2025. Holland, a marketing major, says he plans to attend seminary after graduation, and his ultimate desire is to serve as a pastor.
Georgia State Patrol officers detain a demonstrator on the campus of Emory University during a pro-Palestinian demonstration Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Survey reveals one-third of U.S. voters age 18 to 24 believe Israel does not have a right to exist
Protests on U.S. college campuses opposing Israel’s continuing military campaign against Gaza reflect the views of a significant minority of Gen Z voters, a recent online survey revealed.
Paul Gotthardt, pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church, addresses students at Equip on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Maynard Baptist Church in Forsyth. Ga. (Index/Henry Durand)
Georgia college students commissioned for summer service
FORSYTH, Ga. — Last Saturday, April 20, some 250 Georgia college student leaders gathered at Maynard Baptist Church in Forsyth for Equip, a day of equipping leaders to be on mission on their campus, in their community and around the world.
Baptist Life

Photo gallery: Scenes from the Georgia BCM Equip conference

Crystabel Kwarteng of Georgia College & State University joins other students in worship at Equip on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Maynard Baptist Church in Forsyth. Ga. (Index/Henry Durand)
FORSYTH, Ga. — Last Saturday, April 20, some 250 Georgia college student leaders gathered at Maynard Baptist Church in Forsyth for Equip, a day of equipping leaders to be on mission on their campus, in their community and around the world.
ROME, Ga. — Shorter University announced on Tuesday, April 30, that Hollywood star, director, producer and author Kevin Sorbo will be the featured speaker at Shorter University’s 2024 President’s Gala on Dec. 5, 2024.
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Truett McConnell University welcomes the public to enjoy an evening of music at The Nightly, TMU’s premier student coffee lounge. Join us for the Bear-ly Jazz ensemble’s Spring 2024 performance featuring a vibrant mix of swing, Latin, and pop jazz tunes.
Seminary training has always been more than taking classes. Formation for ministry has always been as important as the content of the curriculum. But the global pandemic in 2020 forged a new era in virtual education. Could the intangible qualities of seminary translate into an increasingly digital education space?
“When you hear me preach or teach, more than 99% of the time, I’m relaying what the Lord is working on in me,” remarked Wayne VanHorn, professor of Christian studies at Mississippi College. This is the reality of pastorship; God’s word must reach a preacher’s own conviction before he can properly teach the truth from the pulpit.
Georgia
The entrance to the Earth Lodge, where Native Americans held council meetings, is seen, Aug. 22, 2022, in Macon, Ga. (AP Photo/Sharon Johnson, File)

Ancestral lands of the Muscogee in Georgia would become a national park under bills in Congress

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's congressional delegation introduced legislation Wednesday to protect some of the ancestral lands of the Muscogee tribe as a national park and preserve.

Court case over fatal car crash raises issues of mental health and criminal liability

ATLANTA (AP) — No one disputes that Michelle Wierson crashed her SUV into a car stopped at a traffic light, causing the death of a young boy. But while prosecutors say she needs to be held accountable for her actions, her lawyers say her mental state at the time absolves her of liability.

Georgia Supreme Court throws out indictment charging an ex-police chief with misconduct

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Georgia's highest court on Tuesday threw out an indictment that charged a former police chief and a top aide with felonies for failing to investigate allegations of misconduct within their department.

Augusta aircraft repair company expanding operations

ATLANTA – A leading provider of business aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul services has begun a $33 million expansion in Augusta that will create 90 new jobs, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Tuesday.
Nation
President Joe Biden delivers remarks about student protests over the war in Gaza at the White House, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Biden says 'order must prevail' during pro-Palestinian campus protests

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday defended the right to protest but insisted that “order must prevail” as college campuses across the country face pro-Palestinian demonstrations. “Dissent is essential for democracy," he said at the White House. "But dissent must never lead to disorder.”

Senators want limits on the government's use of facial recognition technology for airport screening

WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan group of senators is pushing for restrictions on the use of facial recognition technology by the Transportation Security Administration, saying they are concerned about travelers' privacy and civil liberties.

A fiery crash involving tanker carrying gas closes I-95 in Connecticut in both directions

NORWALK, Conn. (AP) — Both sides of I-95, the East Coast's main north-south highway, were shut down in southwestern Connecticut — causing “horrendous” traffic jams — following an early morning crash Thursday involving a passenger car, a tractor-trailer and a tanker truck carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline.

Florida's 6-week abortion ban takes effect

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Florida's ban on most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy went into effect Wednesday. The new ban has an exception for saving a woman's life, as well as in cases involving rape and incest.
World
Workers remove debris from the roof of a damaged DTEK thermal power plant after a Russian attack in Ukraine, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Ukraine's battered energy plants seek air defenses against Russian attacks

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — At a Ukrainian power plant repeatedly hit by Russian aerial attacks, equipment department chief Oleh has a one-word answer when asked what Ukraine’s battered energy industry needs most: “Patriot.”

No safety in retreat: Ukrainian soldiers say rear defensive lines barely exist amid Russian advance

KHARKIV, Ukraine (AP) — During pitched battles with far better-armed Russian forces, Ukrainian soldier Batyar’s unit has few options. Devastating Russian aerial glide bombs that can drop up to 1.5 tons of explosives out of range of most of Ukraine's air defenses are gnawing away at his men’s positions in a new tactic.

From the mission field: A new form of mpox that may spread more easily found in Congo's biggest outbreak

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congo is struggling to contain its biggest mpox outbreak, and scientists say a new form of the disease detected in a mining town might more easily spread among people.

Blinken presses Hamas to seal cease-fire with Israel, says 'the time is now' for a deal

JERUSALEM (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hiked up pressure on Hamas on Wednesday to accept the latest proposal for a cease-fire with Israel, saying the “time is now” for an agreement that would free hostages and pause the nearly seven months of war in Gaza.
Perspectives
The theme for this year's National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 2, will be “Lift Up the Word –Light Up the World.” The National Day of Prayer was established in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. In 1988 the law was amended and signed by President Ronald Reagan, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May.
Jesus was known for asking questions. According to Bob Tiede of Biblical Leadership, the four gospels record 339 questions that Jesus asked. Others say the number is a little lower, but all agree that Jesus asked lots of questions. Tiede mentions, “He sometimes answered questions with questions of his own.” Jesus was the master of well-placed questions.
The other day, I briefly misplaced my cell phone. I didn’t see the phone in my car door’s side pocket where I sometimes place it when driving, and I thought I left it at home. But where at home did I leave it? And what if it’s not there?
I remember hearing the late Michael Catt, long-time pastor of Sherwood Baptist in Albany, Ga., say many times, “Whoever wants the next generation the most will get them.” That quote has resonated with me for years and especially now.
Most people who walk into Freedom Church in Neosho, Missouri, start with a worship service. It’s an on-ramp to the church’s discipleship pathway, a natural starting point on the journey from being a first-time visitor to a growing, serving follower of Christ.
Business
Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference at the Federal Reserve in Washington, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Federal Reserve says interest rates will stay at two-decade high until inflation further cools

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve on Wednesday emphasized that inflation has remained stubbornly high in recent months and said it doesn’t plan to cut interest rates until it has “greater confidence” that price increases are slowing sustainably to its 2% target.

EPA rule bans toxic chemical that's commonly used as paint stripper but known to cause liver cancer

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday it has finalized a ban on consumer uses of methylene chloride, a chemical that is widely used as a paint stripper but is known to cause liver cancer and other health problems.

Investors trying to take control of Norfolk Southern railroad pick up key support

The activist investors trying to take control of Norfolk Southern's board are picking up key support, but the railroad's CEO promised Monday to fight the takeover attempt until a May 9 shareholder vote because he believes his strategy is the best in the long run for investors, customers and workers.

Nepal hosts an investment summit in hopes of attracting foreign money for hydropower projects

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepal hosted an investment summit Sunday in hopes of attracting much-needed foreign investment, especially in developing hydropower projects to produce more electricity that it can sell to neighboring countries.

Dubai plans to move its busy international airport to a $35 billion new facility within 10 years

Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel, will move its operations to the city-state's second, sprawling airfield in its southern desert reaches “within the next 10 years” in a project worth nearly $35 billion, its ruler said Sunday.
Sports
Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale throws to a Seattle Mariners' batter during the second inning Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Chris Sale tosses 5 strong innings, Braves avoid sweep with 5-2 win over Mariners

SEATTLE (AP) — Chris Sale allowed one run over five innings and struck out nine, Austin Riley had the big blow at the plate with a two-run triple, and the Atlanta Braves salvaged the final game of a three-game series with a 5-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.

Castillo throws 7 shutout innings and then Mariners bullpen hangs on for 3-2 win over Braves

SEATTLE (AP) — Luis Castillo threw seven shutout innings to continue Seattle’s run of starting pitching dominance and the Mariners' bullpen held on for a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night.

Mitch Garver's home run in the 9th inning gives Mariners a 2-1 win over Braves

SEATTLE (AP) — Mitch Garver hit a two-run game-ending homer in the ninth inning to give the Seattle Mariners a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night in a game that was dominated by spectacular starting pitching.

CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show as longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart

NEW YORK (AP) — Matt Ryan, who retired last week after 15 years in the NFL, will join CBS Sports as a studio analyst on “The NFL Today” and Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason will leave after long runs on the show, the network announced Monday.