July 26, 2024
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'Good Sam' Health Center provides spiritual and physical healing to the uninsured

David Santander, the chaplain of “Good Sam” and Cryl Kitchens, the ministry’s CEO, discuss the challenges of their growing ministry. (Photo/Gerald Harris)
MARIETTA, Ga. — The Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb has a mission: "to spread the love of Christ by providing a quality healthcare home to the uninsured and underserved in our community.”
Trending stories
Churchgoers are greeted at Fortified Hills Baptist Church in Dallas, Ga. (Index/Henry Durand, File)
Study finds that most churchgoers invite others to join them
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — When churchgoers show up to their church’s worship service, they’re often hoping to have a guest with them. A Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant churchgoers finds 3 in 5 (60%) say they have extended at least one invitation in the past six months for someone to attend their church, including 19% who have made one invitation, 21% with two invitations and 20% with three or more invitations.
Georgia Baptist pastors and GBMB staff pose during a recent white water rafting Pastor Wellness event. (Photo/GBMB)
Pastoral wellness survey finds pastors struggle with financial, physical, and mental stresses
DALLAS — Recent key research findings into pastoral wellness reveal that many pastors struggle with financial, physical, and mental wellness.
Kevin Smith. (Photo/Baptist Press)
Smith resigns from ERLC board, issues apology for removal of Leatherwood ‘without a formal vote’
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (BP) – Southern Baptist pastor Kevin Smith announced Tuesday morning, July 23, that he has resigned as chairman and from the board of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. Smith’s resignation comes on the heels of a turbulent 24 hours for the Southern Baptist public policy entity.
From left, Rhon Carter, Chad Rising, Charles Garrison, Tony Embrick, Jay Tucker, Shane Roberson, and Danny Dean pray over Brayson Dean. (Photo/Blacks Creek Baptist Church)
Calling out the Called: Brayson Dean licensed into gospel ministry, will attend Truett McConnell in fall
Brayson Dean was licensed into the gospel ministry Sunday, July 14, 2024 , at Blacks Creek Baptist Church in Commerce, Ga.  Brayson accepted the call to the ministry while attending Student Life Camp in 2021.
The congregation of First Baptist Dallas gathers for worship in the nearby Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, Sunday morning, June 21. (Photo/Baptist Press)
First Baptist Dallas meets in convention center following devastating fire
DALLAS (BP)—Two days after a four-alarm fire ripped through the historic sanctuary at First Baptist Dallas, the church gathered for worship in the nearby Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Sunday morning, June 21.
Baptist Life

Fire engulfs historic sanctuary at FBC Dallas, Texas

Firefighters work to extinguish the fire at First Baptist Dallas. (Photo/FBC Dallas via Baptist Press)
DALLAS (BP)—The historic sanctuary at First Baptist Church Dallas burned Friday evening, July 19. The cause of the blaze is not yet known. The Victorian-style, red brick sanctuary building was erected 1890 and is a recognized Texas Historic Landmark.

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Jason Boettcher and Otis Hamer of First Baptist Church, De Soto, help clients at a wall chart station during an eyeglass clinic here. (Photo/FBC De Soto via The Pathway)
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – The acts of kindness Jesus performed as He shared the gospel inspired Gene Smith, administrative pastor at First Baptist Church, De Soto, and his wife, Kristi, to lead international mission trips to the Dominican Republic.
A member of an evangelism team prays with an inmate who accepted Christ during a visit to Bossier Parish Maximum Facility. (Baptist Message/Brian Blackwell)
BOSSIER CITY, La. (LBM) — Cedric Davis entered Bossier Parish Maximum Facility in April, but just two months later the 45-year-old, convicted for simple burglary, gained a permanent reprieve from a spiritual death sentence.
Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers work to remove a tree from a house in Huffman, Texas. (Photo/ABDR via The Alabama Baptist)
Thelma Goolsby said now that she’s back in Alabama, she wants to keep the feeling she had all last week. She saw God at work in Huffman, Texas, as Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief teams helped clean up trees and limbs after Hurricane Beryl.
Crowds in South Asia’s megacities represent many who have never heard the name of Jesus. (Photo/IMB)
This story has a little of everything. It’s a love story, with a suspected demon possession among a people group of firework makers. The plot twist — a people group believed to be unengaged and unreached already had two churches meeting among them.  
Georgia
Norma Bibiano, center, holds a news conference with her attorney, left, in Decatur, Ga., on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Charlotte Kramon)

Man dies at 27 from heat exposure at a Georgia prison, lawsuit says

DECATUR, Ga. (AP) — The Georgia sun scorched the slab of concrete beneath Juan Carlos Ramirez Bibiano’s body when nurses found him in a puddle of his own excrement, vomiting, according to a complaint.

Judge won't block Georgia prosecutor disciplinary body

ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia judge has denied a preliminary challenge to block a commission created to discipline and remove state prosecutors, finding that it doesn't violate the U.S. or state constitution.

University of South Carolina and University of Virginia enrolling rural residents for online weight management study

University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers, together with colleagues at the University of South Carolina, have received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to determine if online behavioral weight-management programs for rural residents can be improved by adding a human touch. The goal is to help residents of rural areas, where in-person weight-loss programs can be scarce.
Traffic slows on Interstate 75 approaching Atlanta on March 11, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand, File)

Georgia transportation officials set plans for additional $1.5 billion in spending

ATLANTA (AP) — Transportation officials on Thursday announced plans to spend an extra $1.5 billion on projects in Georgia. Gov. Brian Kemp and lawmakers approved the money earlier this year, dipping into the state's $10.7 billion surplus to speed up state and local roadbuilding.

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Nation
This combo of images provided by the U.S. Department of State show Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, left, and Joaquín Guzmán López, a son of another infamous cartel leader. (U.S. Department of State via AP)

US arrests 2 leaders of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel: ‘El Mayo’ Zambada and son of 'El Chapo'

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a longtime leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquín Guzmán López, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.

Firefighters spray water while battling the Park Fire in the Cohasset community of Butte County, Calif., on Thursday, July 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

California wildfire sparked by a burning car triples in size in a day

A wildfire that has tripled in size in one day, becoming California’s largest of the year even as other blazes scorched the Pacific Northwest, was started by a burning car, authorities said. They arrested a man who was seen pushing the blazing car into a gully.
Tents are lined up on Skid Row Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

California Gov. Newsom orders state agencies to start clearing homeless encampments

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state agencies Thursday to start removing homeless encampments on state land in his boldest action yet following a Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to enforce bans on sleeping outside in public spaces.
Former Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District police officer Adrian Gonzales, left, arrives at the Uvalde County Courthouse for a court appearance, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Uvalde, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Uvalde school police officer pleads not guilty to charges stemming from actions during 2022 shooting

UVALDE, Texas (AP) — A former Uvalde, Texas, school police officer who was part of the slow law enforcement response to the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School pleaded not guilty during a court appearance Thursday.

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World
Travelers wait as police officers patrol inside the Gare du Nord train station Friday, July 26, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Arson attacks paralyze French high-speed rail network hours before start of Olympics

PARIS (AP) — France’s high-speed rail network was hit Friday with widespread and “criminal” acts of vandalism including arson attacks, paralyzing travel to Paris from across the rest of France and Europe, and thwarting Olympic athletes from travel, only hours before the grand opening ceremony of the Games.

A camp where 95 Libyan nationals were arrested on suspicion of running an illegal military camp Friday, July 26, 2024, in White River, South Africa. (AP Photo/Bulelwa Maphanga)

95 Libyan nationals arrested in South Africa at suspected secret military training camp

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African police arrested 95 Libyan nationals in a raid on a suspected secret military training camp on Friday and authorities said they were investigating whether there were more illegal bases in other parts of the country.
An H-6K long-range bomber of the Chinese air force, upper left, is seen escorted by a Su-30 fighter of the Russian air force during a joint Russia-China air patrol. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

Chinese and Russian bombers patrolling off Alaska raise concerns about growing military cooperation

WASHINGTON (AP) — Russian and Chinese bombers flew together for the first time in international airspace off the coast of Alaska, in a new show of expanding military cooperation that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday raises concerns.
Huge waves lash the shore ahead of landfall by Typhoon Gaemi, Thursday, July 25, 2024. (Jiang Kehong/Xinhua via AP)

Typhoon Gaemi hits China's coast after leaving 25 dead in Taiwan and the Philippines

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A strong typhoon made landfall on China's southeastern coast on Thursday evening after sweeping across the nearby island of Taiwan, where it caused landslides and flooding in low-lying areas and left three dead.

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Perspectives
Ralph Fudge
I have said, and I reaffirm, that being born again (saved by trusting in Christ Jesus) is the single most important thing any person can ever do on this earth.
David Chancey
Several years ago, while serving in North Georgia, I made visits one hot Spring afternoon. I drove to the home of a lady who visited the previous Sunday. She lived a mile or two off the main highway. I located her house, knocked on her door, and no one answered. I left my card with a note, returned to my car and noticed a loud hissing sound. My tire was going flat.
Phil Hudgins
When I was in elementary school—it was either the sixth or seventh grade—my classmates elected me to fight a boy named Johnny because he supposedly was picking on smaller kids.  It was almost an honor.
Todd Gray
On a recent Sunday, Connie and I were able to attend our home church together and reconnect with some of our friends. We heard a great sermon from Dr. Andy McDonald, who is serving as our interim pastor while we search for our next pastor.  
Charles Jones
While on vacation or traveling for business, finding a place to worship, especially when a tight schedule requires traveling on Sunday, can be a challenge. Yet, the worship and fellowship experienced on many of those occasions may be enhanced by the providential hand of God, opening the church doors we normally would not have opened, and by introducing us to new friends along the way.

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Business
A Norfolk Southern freight train rolls through Braswell, Ga., April 17, 2019. (Christian Index/Henry Durand, File)

Norfolk Southern results complicated by derailment insurance payments, proxy fight and productivity

Norfolk Southern got a boost during the second quarter from insurance payments related to last year's disastrous East Palestine derailment, but it also made progress in reducing its expenses and getting more efficient.

A pair of Union Pacific locomotives pull a freight train past another train in Dallas, Ga., in April 2018. (Christian Index/Henry Durand, File)

Union Pacific profit grows 7% as the railroad continues to get more efficient under CEO Jim Vena

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Union Pacific delivered 7% growth in its second-quarter profit even though the number of shipments it hauled remained essentially flat because it was able to continue streamlining its operations.
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 lands at Manchester Boston Regional Airport, June 2, 2023, in Manchester, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Southwest breaks with 50-year tradition and will assign seats

Southwest Airlines plans to drop its tradition of more than 50 years and start assigning seats and selling premium seating for customers who want more legroom. The airline said Thursday that it has been studying seating options and is making the changes because passenger preferences have shifted. The moves could also generate revenue and boost financial performance.
The New York Stock Exchange is shown on June 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan, File)

A wipeout on Wall Street sends the S&P 500 down by 2.3% as Big Tech skids

NEW YORK (AP) — A wipeout on Wednesday sent U.S. stock indexes to their worst losses since 2022 after profit reports from Tesla and Alphabet helped suck momentum from Wall Street’s frenzy around artificial-intelligence technology.
A Delta Air Lines plane leaves the gate on July 12, 2021, at Logan International Airport in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

US is investigating Delta's flight cancellations and faltering response to global tech outage

U.S. regulators are investigating how Delta Air Lines is treating passengers affected by canceled and delayed flights as the airline struggles to recover from a global technology outage.

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Sports
The Eiffel Tower is seen behind a Paris Olympics canvas, from the Trocadero plaza Thursday, July 18, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Paris Olympics off to rough start, with sabotaged trains and weather dampening mood before opening

PARIS (AP) — The Paris Olympics were getting off to a rough start Friday, with suspected acts of sabotage targeting France's flagship high-speed rail network and cloudy skies and forecast rains over the French capital ahead of its sprawling, ambitious opening ceremony.

New York Mets' Jeff McNeil reacts after hitting a walkoff single to drive in Jose Iglesias in the 10th inning against the Atlanta Braves, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

Jeff McNeil's single in 10th falls in and lifts Mets over Braves 3-2 for 4-game winning streak

NEW YORK (AP) — Jeff McNeil hit a winning single in the 10th inning on a fly ball that fell when Ramón Laureano overran it in the right-field corner, and the New York Mets beat the Atlanta 3-2 on Thursday night for their fourth straight win.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett speaks to the media after practice Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Falcons' Grady Jarrett realizes goal by returning from knee injury for start of training camp

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Grady Jarrett achieved his goal by returning to the field for the Atlanta Falcons' first training camp practice on Thursday. For new coach Raheem Morris, having Jarrett taking snaps at defensive tackle for the first time since suffering a knee injury that ended his 2023 season was the perfect way to open camp.
Cincinnati Reds' Spencer Steer (7) celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Steer drives in 3 with 3 hits as Reds beat Winans, Braves 9-4; second game of doubleheader postponed

ATLANTA (AP) — Spencer Steer drove in three runs with three extra-base hits, Elly De La Cruz also had three hits, including a home run, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the slumping Atlanta Braves 9-4 on Wednesday in the first game of a split doubleheader.

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