<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rss version="2.0">
<channel>
<title><![CDATA[BR Now.org Blog Posts]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Guilty-as-charged-Dan-Cathy-says-of-Chick-fil-A-s?rss=blogs]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[BR Now.org Blog Posts]]></description>
<language><![CDATA[en-US]]></language>
<item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">244d5dc2-0976-4e1f-b854-0f7b13843e43</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Death toll 24 and climbing in Oklahoma after tornado’s devastation of Moore]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Dozens were killed as a historic tornado moved through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, Okla., Monday, May 20 prompting the North American Mission Board to direct all incoming disaster relief funds to the area.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 21:13:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Death-toll-24-and-climbing-in-Oklahoma-after-torna?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">056ee324-b3f9-430e-90b4-86824520092f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[ November annual meeting candidates announced]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Each year the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) looks for new leaders to represent N.C. Baptists and help the convention move forward in serving God&rsquo;s Kingdom.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 21:09:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/November-annual-meeting-candidates-announced?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3e13f589-4fc5-42ae-b85c-4a3d07d49cac</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘One in a million’: Fruitland committed to paying debt, shaping lives]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Since 1946 Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute has maintained a strong reputation for training pastors and church leaders. Today between 20 to 25 percent of all Baptist pastors in North Carolina and South Carolina are graduates of the school, which is located in Hendersonville, N.C.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 21:02:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/One-in-a-million-Fruitland-committed-to-paying-deb?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">11e10655-1b4e-4613-9cb7-328bbb567d9b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Attorneys caution Scouts of legal fallout]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Attorneys are warning of dire legal ramifications resulting from a change in the Boy Scouts of America&rsquo;s (BSA) membership policy as delegates prepare to consider the proposal at their national meeting Thursday, May 23.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 20:57:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Attorneys-caution-Scouts-of-legal-fallout?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b70c676d-7617-400d-94fd-64522f0e82d7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[After the attack & devastation, Pakistani collegians impart hope]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Pakistani college students stepped gingerly through the pile of bricks, barely recognizing the church building. Its once-white walls were ashen from hours of burning and heat still radiated from glowing embers.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 20:46:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/After-the-attack-devastation-Pakistani-collegians?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8ce80e8c-38ff-47ee-aefb-dbc60adeb623</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Barbaric’: Scientists clone human embryo for first time]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The &ldquo;brave new world&rdquo; of human cloning apparently has arrived, and critics are waving the warning flags.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 18:24:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Barbaric-Scientists-clone-human-embryo-for-first-t?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d64f4b8c-575e-40ec-8438-b61a36569a69</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ky. Baptist board adopts 50/50 CP allocation ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC) Mission Board has approved details of the 2013-14 budget to move Kentucky Baptists to a 50/50 allocation of Cooperative Program dollars between Kentucky Baptist and Southern Baptist causes.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 18:15:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Ky-Baptist-board-adopts-50-50-CP-allocation?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e78410d5-b096-4ae5-b3c5-e285fac000db</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Islamic terrorism spree shakes Nigeria]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A declaration of a state of emergency in three northern Nigerian states does nothing to address the root cause of a surge in Islamic terrorism against Christians and others, an expert in Islamism told Baptist Press.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 18:07:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Islamic-terrorism-spree-shakes-Nigeria?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a3921ae8-c01a-4ec4-9906-d8fe31719d22</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Trustees: ‘More churches’ is NAMB’s goal]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;We have to plant more churches,&rdquo; North American Mission Board (NAMB) President Kevin Ezell emphasized to NAMB trustees during their May 14-15 meeting in Alpharetta, Ga.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 17:58:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Trustees-More-churches-is-NAMB-s-goal?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c9bd33c7-b63e-421d-8b09-c1238dd4efc9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pastors at SBC can hear mission challenges]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Opportunities for pastors to deepen their churches&rsquo; missions involvement and leave a legacy will be highlighted during an International Mission Board (IMB) sponsored breakfast and luncheon in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting in Houston.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 19:41:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Pastors-at-SBC-can-hear-mission-challenges?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c6e6921e-3983-46dc-91ab-c1828cdd888d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Groups: Block FCC from winking at indecency]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Leaders of 80 state and national groups concerned with morality have endorsed a letter asking Congress to block the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from weakening the enforcement of the broadcast decency law.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 19:36:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Groups-Block-FCC-from-winking-at-indecency?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">26c732ec-b7fa-4803-aece-adc07137f2c5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gosnell waives appeal, avoids death penalty]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell has waived the right to appeal his murder convictions in order to avert a possible death sentence.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 19:31:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Gosnell-waives-appeal-avoids-death-penalty?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">169beec9-af80-413b-9835-830d24949fc8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Minn. 12th state to legalize gay marriage]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Minnesota became the 12th state to legalize gay marriage Tuesday (May 14), continuing a trend that has seen the number of states that have redefined marriage double within the past year.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 19:28:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Minn-12th-state-to-legalize-gay-marriage?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">57b84eb1-8d11-4d5c-bc9a-ec9711576047</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[James Smith taking role at Southern Seminary]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Veteran Southern Baptist journalist James A. Smith Sr. has been named seminary executive editor and chief spokesman of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 19:21:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/James-Smith-taking-role-at-Southern-Seminary?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">724c574c-2579-47cc-b690-7b68254749ac</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Franklin Graham cries foul over IRS audits; BR remains ‘curious’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In response to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) acknowledging last week that they targeted conservative, nonprofit political groups, Franklin Graham released a letter May 14 voicing his own concerns to President Obama.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 19:56:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Franklin-Graham-cries-foul-over-IRS-audits;-BR-rem?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a5bd1663-0610-48bf-ba11-1386b7f2755c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[German homeschoolers denied asylum]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A German homeschooling family has been denied asylum in a unanimous decision by a three-judge panel of the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding a ruling by the Board of Immigration Appeals.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 17:50:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/German-homeschoolers-denied-asylum?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">94e44e09-86f7-4d1e-b6c2-7b2480d1a6d9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gosnell verdicts become fodder for both sides of abortion debate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pro-life and pro-choice advocates alike applauded the jury verdicts for Kermit Gosnell but sharply disagreed on what should be learned from the convictions of the Philadelphia abortion doctor.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 17:42:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Gosnell-verdicts-become-fodder-for-both-sides-of-a?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b14be013-6640-44d7-888c-2f573746f67a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Winter Olympics initiative to ‘Engage Sochi’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With the 2014 Winter Olympic Games less than a year away, Southern Baptists are preparing for opportunities in Sochi, Russia, to turn hearts and minds toward a relationship with Jesus Christ.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 17:35:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Winter-Olympics-initiative-to-Engage-Sochi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ba033bcf-9f40-4669-9719-b0f9e8aefd9d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[A small church makes a big difference]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Some children are raised in and by the church, and Jane Wise* was definitely the &ldquo;church&rsquo;s kid.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 17:19:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/A-small-church-makes-a-big-difference?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c2d51ef4-96fd-40bd-a5e9-a5e3907b834e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tackling mental illness becomes priority for Staten Island church]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pastor Ray Parascando had just clicked &ldquo;send&rdquo; on an email to his congregation, letting them know of a plan to start monitoring train platforms in Staten Island after a rise in suicides involving people jumping from those platforms. Then he heard the sirens. It had happened again.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 19:03:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Tackling-mental-illness-becomes-priority-for-State?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c1183737-e67f-4a6b-9c1a-ea8161238cbd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gruesome: Videos describe late-term abortions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Two new undercover videos by the pro-life group Live Action reveal details of late-terms abortions that rarely are discussed publicly &ndash; such as the tearing apart of an unborn baby at 23 weeks limb by limb to avoid a live birth or the killing of a baby at 26 weeks with a needle injection to stop its beating heart.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 18:59:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Gruesome-Videos-describe-late-term-abortions?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d0fdd169-6e78-4a86-817e-2a7fb739f774</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Christian philosopher Dallas Willard dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Dallas Willard, Christian philosopher and author, died May 8 in Woodland Hills, Calif., from cancer. He was 77. Willard is best known for his work on Christian spiritual formation, which he described as &ldquo;the process of establishing the character of Christ in the person&rdquo; in a <em>Christianity Today</em> interview in 2005.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 18:52:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Christian-philosopher-Dallas-Willard-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">afeb9c9d-4e7f-41b7-9df8-612cc0d9e62b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gosnell found guilty of 3 murders outside womb]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A Philadelphia jury has found Kermit Gosnell guilty of the first-degree murder of three babies killed outside the womb at his abortion clinic.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 23:44:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Gosnell-found-guilty-of-3-murders-outside-womb?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5a560cd9-53f8-4bd7-88a6-1fe2f336e4c1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Former BR editor 'Gene' Puckett dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[R.G. &ldquo;Gene&rdquo; Puckett, 80, longtime&nbsp;<em>Biblical Recorder</em>&nbsp;editor, died May 12.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 20:40:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Former-BR-editor-Gene-Puckett-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">db987c4d-b349-458a-81b3-97880ee24977</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Sex trafficking: Christians called to be modern-day abolitionists]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Raleigh Sadler says he&rsquo;s just a Florida boy who wears cardigans &ndash; he has no business kicking down the door of a brothel.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 20:28:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Sex-trafficking-Christians-called-to-be-modern-day?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3ac4b9ee-0916-4780-9aa5-49cf49ffd0fa</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[U.S. pastor in Iran released from confinement]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Saeed Abedini, the American pastor imprisoned in Iran for his faith, has been released from solitary confinement, &ldquo;a direct result of the multitudes praying,&rdquo; his wife told the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) May 9.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 20:22:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/U-S-pastor-in-Iran-released-from-confinement?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">90a83081-46c2-45e4-a119-d95fef604ca9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tebow finds fulfillment off the field]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Eleven days after the New York Jets cut him, Christian quarterback Tim Tebow told a crowd of about 3,000 at Lake Michigan College that his main goal is to impact lives, whether on or off the field.<br />
&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 20:18:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Tebow-finds-fulfillment-off-the-field?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">df3ea7f6-0a9e-4574-a66c-d93071f7d3b6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Calif. OKs bill allowing boys in girls’ restrooms]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A bill that would allow boys who say they identify as girls to use the girls&rsquo; restrooms and locker rooms, and vice versa, passed the California Assembly May 9 and now heads to the state Senate.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 20:12:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Calif-OKs-bill-allowing-boys-in-girls-restrooms?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d1a0f9f9-91de-4060-831a-3490716c65b7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Luter names Committee on Committees]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Appointments to the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (SBC) Committee on Committees have been announced by SBC President Fred Luter Jr.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 20:11:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Luter-names-Committee-on-Committees?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b8b95e77-90f8-4a6b-8b8e-87b522cf4e31</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[2013 SBC Annual Meeting Program]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 13:27:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/2013-SBC-Annual-Meeting-Program?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5ab49f9f-5671-45e1-a127-372db0f8c246</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Nominees announced for various SBC committees, boards]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nominees to serve on the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, the four denominational boards &ndash; International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, LifeWay Christian Resources, and GuideStone Financial Resources &ndash; the Ethics &amp; Religious Liberty Commission, the six seminaries, and the Committee on Order of Business have been selected by the 2013 SBC Committee on Nominations.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 13:20:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Nominees-announced-for-various-SBC-committees-boar?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">90b70670-5d1e-4d2c-957e-df56f46d26d2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Begging for a better life]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The small-framed girl weaves through the mass of bodies bustling along a congested sidewalk. Her dark, almond-shaped eyes dart from person to person, choosing a subject. She approaches a woman and tugs on her sleeve, extending a small, dirty palm and uttering in a childish, imploring voice: &ldquo;Sister, give me two&nbsp;taka&nbsp;(2&frac12; cents)!&rdquo;&nbsp; The woman shrugs her off, telling Minara* to go find work as a housemaid. The girl cries, &ldquo;No, give me money!&rdquo; but the woman brushes past and continues on her way.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2013 16:26:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Begging-for-a-better-life?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5d8f7dcb-e6fb-41df-8079-493193bef726</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Rekha: out of the ashes]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When the lessons end for the day, Rekha joins 13 other girls for lunch, their loud chatter punctuated with giggles and laughter. Afterward, the 17-year-old works with the younger girls as they learn to embroider handicrafts. This is a source of income that helps Rekha provide for her mother and two sisters at home.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2013 16:16:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Rekha-out-of-the-ashes?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ce3c40b4-6b0d-4401-8017-186c86236578</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey: ‘Loving’ is most favored parental trait]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Most Americans believe good mothers and fathers must be loving, supportive and protecting, but fewer see the necessity of parents having a commitment to Christianity or religion, according to a LifeWay Research survey released May 7.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2013 16:12:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Survey-Loving-is-most-favored-parental-trait?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">231a85b1-355b-4eda-bbca-7a033648a29e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Modern hymn writers revive a lost musical art]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Most songwriters in Nashville want to get their songs on the radio. Keith and Kristyn Getty hope their songs end up in dusty old hymnbooks. <strong>The Gettys</strong>, originally from Belfast, Ireland, hope to revive the art of hymn writing at a time when the most popular new church songs are written for rock bands rather than choirs.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2013 15:49:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Modern-hymn-writers-revive-a-lost-musical-art?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">842e2fa3-eda1-41b1-b32b-308fbdd7837a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Beneath stereotypes, a stressful life for preachers’ kids]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Beneath the stereotypes of preacher&rsquo;s kids as either goody two-shoes or devilish hellions lies a tense and sometimes taxing reality, the children of clergy say. Studies show that many PK&rsquo;s, as the lingo goes, struggle with issues of identity, privacy and morality. There&rsquo;s even a support group, Preacher&rsquo;s Kids International, dedicated to the &ldquo;celebration and recovery of those who grew up in the parsonage.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2013 15:30:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Beneath-stereotypes-a-stressful-life-for-preachers?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">15464d63-47cc-41f6-804b-ca04f8a0bb12</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Church membership isn’t ‘privileges & perks’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nine out of 10 churches in America are declining or growing at a pace slower than their communities, often limping along as members drift out the proverbial back door. So what can leaders do to stop the exodus? Thom S. Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources, sees this as a symptom of an underlying problem in many churches.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2013 15:24:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Church-membership-isn-t-privileges-perks?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e631a365-4dff-46b0-b543-a8470b1e9dcc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Graffiti pastor joins NAMB LoveLoud team]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Graffiti Church in Manhattan&rsquo;s Lower East Side has long been a destination for Southern Baptist mission teams wanting to serve New York. Pastors tell stories of how it changed forever the way they view cities and poverty.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2013 19:48:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Graffiti-pastor-joins-NAMB-LoveLoud-team?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c2499e90-2eb2-43f8-90fd-10ac3da11a5a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[52,000 letters en route to Iran for U.S. pastor]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[More than 52,000 letters have been written to American pastor Saeed Abedini, commending him for his strong demonstration of faith as he languishes in an Iranian prison.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2013 19:41:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/52-000-letters-en-route-to-Iran-for-U-S-pastor?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">84574b4f-b23f-4077-a0d7-47f765ec22fc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Golden Gate raises budget 2.9%]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary&rsquo;s (GGBTS) trustees have approved a budget of $11,904,000 for the coming year, an increase of 2.9 percent from the current year.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2013 19:35:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Golden-Gate-raises-budget-2-9?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d222c95a-d4ac-4746-a032-bf1b91d40ae3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey: Public foggy on Planned Parenthood]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Americans may think they are familiar with Planned Parenthood but a new survey shows they actually aren&rsquo;t well-informed about the country&rsquo;s No. 1 abortion provider.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 09 May 2013 19:31:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Survey-Public-foggy-on-Planned-Parenthood?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">67f5b225-15ed-45e4-8843-fbea69c9c55a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Moore, Ezell ‘concerned’ about religious freedom in military]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Two Southern Baptist leaders have issued a statement voicing concern about religious freedom within the U.S. military but also cautioning Christians to refrain from jumping to conclusions about recent incidents in the military that have been perceived by some as threats to religious liberty.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2013 20:44:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Moore-Ezell-concerned-about-religious-freedom-in-m?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f390341d-37b9-490b-b9d5-5d0354ec173d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Stand with Scouts’ sets forth action plan]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;Stand with Scouts,&rdquo; a national simulcast by the Family Research Council, urged viewers to preserve Scouting&rsquo;s traditional values by opposing a policy change to allow youth who identify themselves as gay to become Scouts.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2013 20:32:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Stand-with-Scouts-sets-forth-action-plan?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b75ad7be-bf35-4917-a49f-554e702381d3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[USCIRF: Religious liberty ‘increasingly dire’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Religious liberty continues to suffer globally at the hands of extremists and totalitarian governments, according to a new report by a congressionally approved watchdog.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2013 20:26:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/USCIRF-Religious-liberty-increasingly-dire?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4abff3d8-3117-4318-9eed-03996bac747c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tyndale wins again against abortion mandate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A leading Bible publisher won another court victory against the Obama administration&rsquo;s abortion/contraceptive mandate May 3, thanks in part to the administration&rsquo;s own partial retreat in the case.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2013 20:16:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Tyndale-wins-again-against-abortion-mandate?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">817c76ad-f72b-4444-8476-16e3a16600c7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Mark Harris considers Senate run]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[While Mark Harris continues to lead his church in Charlotte, there seems to be a groundswell of support for him to run for public office.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2013 19:51:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Mark-Harris-considers-Senate-run?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">12c8a431-b6f1-48f9-bb87-9868b2dd0808</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[WMU focuses on Great Commission]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Women let their love affair with missions continue at the recent Woman&rsquo;s Missionary Union of North Carolina (WMU-NC) Missions Extravaganza.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2013 19:39:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/WMU-focuses-on-Great-Commission?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4b7e65ff-c1ec-4027-9b24-2d47d6d10d3e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC Houston: Luter highlights brotherly love for meeting theme]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A Tuesday evening revival service with worship led by Charles Billingsley and a sermon by Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) President Fred Luter will be among the highlights of the SBC annual meeting June 11-12 in Houston.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2013 19:16:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/SBC-Houston-Luter-highlights-brotherly-love-for-me?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1a50ace5-3a65-46c7-a1c9-b718fbef5945</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pastors’ Conference ‘Launch’ seeks revival]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[By strengthening the pastor and his family, Southern Baptist Pastors&rsquo; Conference President Gregg Matte wants to create a movement that could become the spark God uses to bring revival. Thus the theme of this year&rsquo;s gathering: &ldquo;Launch: Taking Our Hearts, Homes, and Ministries to a Higher Place.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2013 19:08:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Pastors-Conference-Launch-seeks-revival?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">762ef136-4983-493f-a097-f5451d123d56</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Historical committee announces writing competition]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Historical Committee of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) announces its annual writing competition that seeks to recognize and reward excellent historical publications.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2013 19:02:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Historical-committee-announces-writing-competition?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bc467dab-7b72-40ce-9ea1-af021f2fc1e7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Church history prof Leon McBeth dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[H. Leon McBeth, distinguished professor of church history at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for 45 years, died April 29 in Fort Worth. He was 81.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2013 18:46:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Church-history-prof-Leon-McBeth-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2d810bf7-68e0-45cc-96b6-5e4be3429971</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. pastor seeks to solve segregation dilemma]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nicholas Muteti knows from first-hand experience that God can unite people who are very different and very divided. And, he is passionate about proclaiming the power of God&rsquo;s Word to heal impossible rifts.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2013 19:37:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/N-C-pastor-seeks-to-solve-segregation-dilemma?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e2057ee5-72d7-4c1c-8c4d-48874b4d4b73</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Humble’ servant leaders honored during Heritage Awards]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Baptist agencies honored 17 people April 23 during the 13th annual Baptist Heritage Award ceremony in Greensboro.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2013 19:26:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Humble-servant-leaders-honored-during-Heritage-Awa?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">59f8a764-4712-467c-af11-bb199c12503f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[New BSC website to launch May 15  ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) plans to launch its new website May 15.&nbsp;The redesigned website,&nbsp;www.ncbaptist.org, represents months of planning, research and evaluation.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2013 19:20:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/New-BSC-website-to-launch-May-15?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3df8b193-2d6c-49d1-8baf-0da48d66a7e3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[R.I. 10th state to legalize gay marriage ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Rhode Island became the 10th state to legalize gay marriage May 2 when its governor signed a bill into law.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2013 19:16:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/R-I-10th-state-to-legalize-gay-marriage?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ce06286f-ff80-480b-ac69-633eb10c8f2e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Page: Healing U.S. rests in power of Christians’ prayers]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The responsibility of healing the nation rests with Christians in prayer, Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President Frank Page said Thursday (May 2) at a National Day of Prayer breakfast in Nashville.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2013 17:05:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Page-Healing-U-S-rests-in-power-of-Christians-pray?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">af14ebde-f3f3-4f5b-a817-f2ba3964009d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Jason Allen inaugurated as MBTS president]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Entering a freshly completed chapel complex, trustees, guests, friends and family gathered to inaugurate Jason K. Allen as the fifth president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary May 1.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2013 17:00:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Jason-Allen-inaugurated-as-MBTS-president?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ce913a5f-99fa-432b-abd6-4b99ddca8b04</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Trustees: MBTS vision is ‘For the Church’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Trustees of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary unanimously approved a resolution April 29 titled &ldquo;For the Church&rdquo; underscoring seminary President Jason K. Allen&rsquo;s vision for the institution.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2013 16:53:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Trustees-MBTS-vision-is-For-the-Church?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e8f182e4-066b-469a-b004-f156e1737aa4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[IN-DEPTH: Persecution of Nigeria’s Christians]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The publicly reported Christian casualties in Nigeria last year were greater than the Christian casualties of Pakistan, Syria, Kenya and Egypt combined. In fact, Nigeria alone accounted for almost 70 percent of Christians killed globally.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2013 16:42:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/IN-DEPTH-Persecution-of-Nigeria-s-Christians?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6a7cd232-4ec9-40e1-a0ff-8b718c4e433b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Faith abounds at supporting N.C. Missions Offering]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Sunday by Sunday Pastor Joe Smith announced the week&rsquo;s new total for the North Carolina Missions Offering (NCMO).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2013 20:13:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Faith-abounds-at-supporting-N-C-Missions-Offering?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6bb477bf-8da9-457c-97a1-62ffb570def3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[CP keeps pace with budgeted goal]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist national and international missions and ministries received by the SBC Executive Committee are $109,763,948.25, or 0.09 percent above the year-to-date budgeted goal, and are 3.82 percent behind contributions received during the same time frame last year, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Frank S. Page.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2013 20:11:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/CP-keeps-pace-with-budgeted-goal?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a96ff6a3-2290-4fb6-9079-7f8ceeedd28e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[FDA: 15-over can buy morning-after pill off shelf]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the sale of the Plan B One-Step morning-after pill to teens 15 and older without a prescription, a controversial move in part because the drug can cause a chemical abortion.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2013 20:05:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/FDA-15-over-can-buy-morning-after-pill-off-shelf?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bb97fb15-a3ed-4e94-97d5-b08a0caec475</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Video: Abortion doc says he won’t help survivor]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A pro-life group has released an undercover video showing a late-term abortion doctor agreeing not to help a baby live if he or she survived the abortion &ndash; perhaps demonstrating that the horrors found in Kermit Gosnell&rsquo;s clinic are not as rare as Americans would like to think.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2013 19:59:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Video-Abortion-doc-says-he-won-t-help-survivor?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">41e900a1-3682-457f-9574-1c889a414250</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey: Muslims give views of bombings, sharia]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[While most Muslims worldwide reject suicide bombings and other violence in the name of Islam, a significant minority of Muslims in Palestinian territories and Afghanistan favor such acts, according to new Pew Research Center findings.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2013 19:55:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Survey-Muslims-give-views-of-bombings-sharia?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">294ecaea-a8e0-4d9d-8633-c02b32cdc852</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gay player story turns into discussion on Bible]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[An NBA player Monday (April 29) made history by becoming the first player from a major American team sport to declare he&rsquo;s gay, although the news coverage quickly switched to a debate involving Christian doctrine following comments from an ESPN commentator.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2013 19:55:37 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Gay-player-story-turns-into-discussion-on-Bible?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f658806a-5f1f-4ebe-905c-7da8b3b39a98</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Q&A with Greg Laurie about prayer in times of grief]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pastor Greg Laurie knows a thing or two about prayer in tough times.&nbsp;The honorary chairman of this year&rsquo;s National Day of Prayer (May 2) says prayer was the only thing that got him through his son&rsquo;s death five years ago. When fellow megachurch pastor Rick Warren lost his son Matthew to suicide, Laurie was the man he most wanted to hear from.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2013 19:50:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Q-A-with-Greg-Laurie-about-prayer-in-times-of-grie?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0095ce2c-c1a9-418f-bb06-22fade8b0653</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Jury deliberations could be long in Gosnell case]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[After more than six hours of heated closing arguments in the murder trial of Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell, the jury now has begun deliberating on the charges against him.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2013 19:46:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Jury-deliberations-could-be-long-in-Gosnell-case?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7cf7fa1b-0073-4025-93cf-fda8aedfbecb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Midwestern remembers martyrs Koehn & Myers]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary community gathered to remember and reflect on the lives of missionaries Bill Koehn and Martha Myers, who were killed while serving in Yemen 11 years ago.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2013 19:39:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2013/Midwestern-remembers-martyrs-Koehn-Myers?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">41499625-81a7-4608-bc82-4d63c92b9628</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Vision, leadership and mentoring critical to revitalization, Hunt says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pastors across the room typed on their laptops and filled notepads with pithy one-liners and helpful tips as North Carolina native Johnny Hunt encouraged and challenged them to lead, empower, train up &ndash; and basically do &ldquo;whatever it takes&rdquo; &ndash;to save or strengthen their churches.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:06:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Vision-leadership-and-mentoring-critical-to-revita?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">92c9f8c3-2bcd-4295-803f-37f057f2c9a7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Many of top baptizing churches from 2011 continue growth]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With more than 20,000 baptisms reported for North Carolina Baptist churches, seven of the churches in the 2011 top 10 repeated in 2012&rsquo;s list as well.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:04:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Many-of-top-baptizing-churches-from-2011-continue?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ab1a165b-85a1-433e-aa76-7a3b3cab75ec</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iranian pastor placed in solitary confinement]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In another effort to force Iranian pastor Saeed Abedini to recant his faith, prison officials in Tehran have placed him in solitary confinement, something the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) calls &ldquo;perhaps his most grave situation since his imprisonment last fall.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:58:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Iranian-pastor-placed-in-solitary-confinement?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b2bf9c16-9b63-4e52-ae2d-a0efce9ac634</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ky. advisory group proposes $700,000 CP shift]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[More than $700,000 in Cooperative Program (CP) funding will shift from Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC) entities and institutions to support international missions and other Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) causes, if recommendations from a special advisory workgroup are approved when the KBC Mission Board convenes May 6-7 in Louisville.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:54:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Ky-advisory-group-proposes-$700-000-CP-shift?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">da4363f0-de53-48e0-9cb4-6158973c1553</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[ERLC’s Land delivers farewell chapel message]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist ethicist Richard Land evoked the godliness of the prophet Ezra and the wisdom of Martin Luther King Jr. in admonishing the church to set the spiritual temperature of the nation, instead of being a thermometer that merely reflects the culture.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:48:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/ERLC-s-Land-delivers-farewell-chapel-message?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">055c0a39-f2d5-44d5-91af-5510713f7419</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In China, Baptist relief presses into mountains]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Xia Donghai was 900 miles from his family when word came April 20 that a major earthquake had struck his hometown. Unable to get through with phone calls, the frantic construction worker spent almost half his monthly salary to catch a plane &ndash; his first flight ever &ndash; and join the massive tide of breadwinners trying to make their way back home and learn the fate of their families.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:42:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/In-China-Baptist-relief-presses-into-mountains?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">61e2270e-d871-4839-a39a-0e0688ebd32d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Calvary Baptist calls Rob Peters as senior pastor]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Rob Peters of Weston, Fla. has been called to serve as senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Winston Salem, N.C., effective June 16. The church voted April 28.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:39:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Calvary-Baptist-calls-Rob-Peters-as-senior-pastor?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8c6c3d77-3843-4abb-aebe-66f2159f393c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Military official: Malware to blame for site block]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A military official says malware was to blame for the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (SBC) website being blocked on some military bases.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:33:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Military-official-Malware-to-blame-for-site-block?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cfd569cb-1f8b-44ce-b041-1e337814fa18</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bush library dedication takes spiritual tone]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[An affair that drew all five living American presidents to Dallas on April 25 opened and closed in prayers referencing the prophet Micah&rsquo;s call &ldquo;to do justice and love kindness and walk humbly with our God&rdquo; and success that &ldquo;yet ultimately rests in Your providential care.&rdquo;&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:09:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Bush-library-dedication-takes-spiritual-tone?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">468ab81e-4287-486e-8906-76e63e0d1840</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chaplain introduces president to grieving families in West, Texas]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Less than 24 hours after a fertilizer plant exploded in the central Texas town of West, Fire Chaplain John Babler arrived on the scene and helped emergency crews remove the remains of fallen first responders from the blast zone. A week later, as Co-Incident Commander for the Texas Line of Duty Death (LODD) Task Force, Babler introduced President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama to the families of the 12 fallen firefighters and EMS workers following the April 25 memorial service at Baylor University&rsquo;s Ferrell Center.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:48:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Chaplain-introduces-president-to-grieving-families?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7f58254c-6f38-4088-a96b-a37643a942c6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Couple finds hope through Mother’s Day Offering]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Brad and Sarah St. Clair of Taylorsville, N.C., know what it&rsquo;s like to see many of the things that were comfortable and familiar be taken away in an instant.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:58:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Couple-finds-hope-through-Mother-s-Day-Offering?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">50713f97-9290-4371-825f-01b0103c2140</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Premature’ to say military targeting SBC site]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A Southern Baptist Convention spokesman is urging Christians not to &ldquo;rush to judgment&rdquo; that the military has targeted and blocked the denomination&rsquo;s website.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:47:37 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Premature-to-say-military-targeting-SBC-site?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">127bd037-8740-479d-9736-d7122d3c7e51</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptist Communicators hit 60-year milestone]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Their disciplines span the media world, but Christ was the common thread that brought more than 60 writers, photographers, video producers, graphic artists, Web designers and public relations specialists together in Little Rock.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:38:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Baptist-Communicators-hit-60-year-milestone?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">190a0afa-6a54-41ae-802f-d4b3498d82fe</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey: Many at church not helping others grow]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Almost three out of every four churchgoers say they have significant relationships with people at church, but less than half are intentionally helping other believers grow in their faith, according to a study by LifeWay Research.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:35:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Survey-Many-at-church-not-helping-others-grow?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5171eebc-c14c-4967-ba0f-f09522da758c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[BSC releases statement on proposed five-year strategy]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[EDITOR&rsquo;S NOTE: On April 11, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina&rsquo;s (BSC) Executive Committee approved a five-year strategy proposal that would restructure the organization to better equip and assist churches in making disciples, in evangelism and church planting among people groups throughout the state and beyond. Click <strong><a href="http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Church-planting-strengthening-churches-forefront-o" target="_blank">here</a></strong> to read related story. Since the announcement, the BSC has received a variety of responses &ndash; some positive and others voicing concern about the proposed changes that will go before the Board of Directors in May. To better clarify the vision and strategy, the BSC&#39;s office of the Executive Director-Treasurer plans to release a series of statements in the coming days and weeks. Here is the first of the those statements.&nbsp;<br />
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:03:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/BSC-releases-statement-on-proposed-five-year-strat?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7ab7ca06-b943-4166-80cf-b5b61f37f28a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. leaders learn strategies, principles to impact lostness  ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As an undergraduate student Jim Slack studied law and was headed to Harvard to study international research law.&nbsp;After spending several months on a special assignment with the Home Mission Board&nbsp;following college graduation, Slack never made it to Harvard, but did find his way to seminary.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:22:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/N-C-leaders-learn-strategies-principles-to-impact?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a7520a76-1ace-43dc-aa16-a894a1f7d874</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Family Research Institute Chairman: gay marriage hazardous]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Dr. Paul Cameron,&nbsp;the first scientist to document the harms of secondhand smoke,&nbsp;went to Ohio&rsquo;s capital to call upon U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) to reconsider his recently announced support for gay marriage.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:10:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Family-Research-Institute-Chairman-gay-marriage-ha?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">52e1dd6d-ad08-40d1-b1aa-74cab35250b9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bruce Frank announced as Pastors’ nominee]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Bruce Frank, lead pastor of the Asheville-area Biltmore Baptist Church in Arden, N.C., will be nominated for president of the Southern Baptist Pastors&rsquo; Conference, according to an announcement by Arkansas pastor Ronnie Floyd.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:25:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Bruce-Frank-announced-as-Pastors-nominee?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">506ab40f-db0f-409e-a8c0-8f0bf6c397c8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Family ministry event focuses on gospel, reaching the culture]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Churches must reach out and equip a new generation of children and families, said Michelle Anthony, who explained that the foundation for ministry must always be the gospel.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:51:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Family-ministry-event-focuses-on-gospel-reaching-t?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cbd9f9c5-9d78-437e-a8ac-843922247363</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Panelists: White House failing on rights in China]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The White House has failed to respond properly to human rights abuses in China, said experts at a recent Capitol Hill hearing.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:47:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Panelists-White-House-failing-on-rights-in-China?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cd96b312-6bdf-46aa-be87-89d48add6330</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. businessman takes risks for the gospel ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;No foreigners beyond this point,&rdquo; reads the sign in a remote area of a Central Asian country.&nbsp;Paul Hart* notices it just as the motorcycle he is riding blows past.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:53:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/N-C-businessman-takes-risks-for-the-gospel?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4c922b6e-51ba-4df1-82d4-e54e8820e5b7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[U.S. Christians rally around home–schooling family facing deportation]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Uwe and Hannelore Romeike&rsquo;s asylum case is argued April 23 before a panel of federal judges, their lawyers won&rsquo;t talk about poverty, war, or any of the reasons most immigrants cite in their bid to stay in the U.S.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:35:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/U-S-Christians-rally-around-home-schooling-family?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b62a5bdd-048d-49a5-bed8-be1dc45db963</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Home Run’ is a hit on opening weekend]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Another faith-based film marketed by Provident Films has enjoyed a solid opening weekend.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:18:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Home-Run-is-a-hit-on-opening-weekend?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">af43ffdb-6780-4c6b-98c2-27df7abff039</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Texas church, after the blast, worships]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As pastor John Crowder stepped onto the makeshift altar in a field, the sun peeked through the overcast morning in West, Texas.&nbsp;Words of hope pierced through the cool morning air as members of First Baptist Church gathered for their first worship service since an April 17 explosion at a local fertilizer plant.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:01:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Texas-church-after-the-blast-worships?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9f5b4cc0-47c8-4c40-bab8-22bc5aa0d51d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Southeastern Seminary enrollment reaches 2,999]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Board of Visitors and Board of Trustees met at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary for their biannual meeting April 15-16. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:26:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Southeastern-Seminary-enrollment-reaches-2-999?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d21ea0f0-1eff-4a98-997e-d808df78ed7a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Samaritan’s Purse: 100 million reasons to celebrate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[One hundred million down and 100 million more to go. That was the international message of hope as thousands of people from around the world converged in Orlando, Fla., April 6 to help Boone-based Samaritan&rsquo;s Purse&rsquo;s Operation Christmas Child (OCC) celebrate a milestone.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:12:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Samaritan-s-Purse-100-million-reasons-to-celebrate?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">37ed951d-d88b-4acb-943e-dfef04212198</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Watertown: church planter caught in crossfire]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A Southern Baptist church planting resident at a Boston-area church found himself, along with his wife, in the crossfire of a police shootout early Friday morning (April 19) with the two suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:58:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Watertown-church-planter-caught-in-crossfire?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a231b9c2-b5b3-4806-b892-47c1ae0785a7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Scouts propose allowing gay-identifying youth]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Members at the Boy Scouts national convention in May will consider a proposal that would leave in place the prohibition on homosexual Scout leaders but would allow youth who identify as gay to join, it was announced April 19.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:52:37 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Scouts-propose-allowing-gay-identifying-youth?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ba22a4b6-4f5c-43c3-87ac-ca319ec8c144</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Evangelicals give more to charity, Barna finds]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Evangelical Christians tend to give more to charity than their peers, according to a new study by the Barna Group.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:41:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Evangelicals-give-more-to-charity-Barna-finds?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0a14a5fa-56fc-4268-ae56-8b1949fea87d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Lin finds rhythm entering playoffs]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[HOUSTON &ndash; As the NBA&rsquo;s Houston Rockets enter the playoffs, Jeremy Lin&rsquo;s game is getting better. After an inconsistent winter, Lin has found his rhythm, averaging 17.3 points and 6.8 assists a game in the Rockets&rsquo; last nine games.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:25:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Lin-finds-rhythm-entering-playoffs?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">773498b1-1a17-440d-a385-d41c9ec7c8da</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iranian pastor told to recant his faith or else remain in prison]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Iranian officials have pressured imprisoned pastor Saeed Abedini to renounce his faith in Jesus even as they have stepped up their physical abuse and psychological torture of him, including taking him to a hospital but denying him medical treatment, according to recent reports.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2013 20:01:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Iranian-pastor-told-to-recant-his-faith-or-else-re?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0f0e7870-35d0-4f79-ae5e-0c1581e5085f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Southern announces new school]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary announced the formation of a new school, named new academic leadership and approved an expanded budget at the spring meeting of its board of trustees April 16. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:49:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Southern-announces-new-school?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7ec4b8e5-806b-489f-93b1-67d070628ed8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Moore preaches final sermon on seminary’s staff]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary honored Russell D. Moore for his nearly 10 years of service April 16 when he preached his last chapel sermon as dean of the School of Theology and senior vice president for academic administration. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:27:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Moore-preaches-final-sermon-on-seminary-s-staff?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">86174c08-2fef-42ec-80a4-28961b15c285</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chaplains comfort families after Texas blast]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Seven chaplains from the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) are working with emergency responders and victims&rsquo; families following a deadly fertilizer plant explosion in the town of West, Texas, in the central part of the state. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:14:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Chaplains-comfort-families-after-Texas-blast?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ea13e67d-a9e6-44be-b856-6f2e768be393</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Calif. bill would allow boys in girls’ restrooms]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The cultural debate over &ldquo;transgender rights&rdquo; in public schools has moved to California, where a legislative committee passed a bill April 17 that would outlaw sex-segregated bathrooms and athletic teams. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:04:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Calif-bill-would-allow-boys-in-girls-restrooms?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d0314cdb-9409-4d85-9982-e477f35622b7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pat Summerall remembered for Christian faith]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pat Summerall, the famed NFL broadcaster, died April 16 in Dallas of cardiac arrest at age 82.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:35:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Pat-Summerall-remembered-for-Christian-faith?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">915ce0c3-fa3d-46ca-8566-f06b30fe43e9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Your Bible, now made in China]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[China, the world&rsquo;s largest producer of textiles and manufactured goods, is now also the largest producer of Bibles. In 2012, the country&rsquo;s sole Bible printer, Amity Printing, produced 12 million Bibles and New Testaments.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:30:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Your-Bible-now-made-in-China?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2af6dd4f-756e-4d00-abbe-4177bc6f7d80</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Easter popular time for new church plants ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Easter Sundays and new school years often are chosen as &ldquo;birthdays&rdquo; for church plants. The North American Mission Board&nbsp;expects to see Southern Baptists celebrate many more such birthdays in the coming years &ndash; especially in under-reached and under-served areas.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:17:46 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Easter-popular-time-for-new-church-plants?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7f8f982b-c747-4141-8f77-9a48c44c3f12</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Falling fertility rate poses problems, author says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Benches built to push couples to sit closer together, special holidays and monetary incentives are all ways other countries have tried to boost fertility rates, author and demographer Jonathan Last told a Washington audience recently.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:11:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Falling-fertility-rate-poses-problems-author-says?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a089327e-77ac-40fe-b4d4-44f78c2b07aa</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Longtime Graham associate, George Beverly Shea, dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[George Beverly Shea, the baritone singer known for his long-time association with Billy Graham, died Tuesday, April 16.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:30:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Longtime-Graham-associate-George-Beverly-Shea-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8183afc1-1be2-4942-ab0a-e130984bc84f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Doctrine remains a struggle in churches]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[While many Christians have a grasp of important doctrinal positions, some church-goers struggle with basic truths about salvation, the Bible and the nature of God.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:02:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Doctrine-remains-a-struggle-in-churches?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c967b092-3734-4470-b31a-fa3817739db4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bible Studies for Life offers preview lessons]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As LifeWay Christian Resources prepares to launch a new and improved Bible Studies for Life curriculum series in the fall, individuals and churches can preview three of the sessions through free online downloads.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:55:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Bible-Studies-for-Life-offers-preview-lessons?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7b25b898-3f0d-407d-acd8-2dd2da003321</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Kazakhstan: Never too old to be fined for faith]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Two grandmothers in their 70s were among seven Baptists fined for participating in an unregistered religious meeting in a private home in eastern Kazakhstan on April 4.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:45:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Kazakhstan-Never-too-old-to-be-fined-for-faith?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4745850d-49f9-4cb2-a7ba-80c9607b4062</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Pray for Boston,’ local leaders say after deadly bombings]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A day after two bombs exploded near the finish line of the iconic Boston Marathon Monday (April 15), pastors and other leaders were urging people to pray for Boston as the city grapples with the questions that arise from tragedy.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2013 23:48:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Pray-for-Boston-local-leaders-say-after-deadly-bom?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">66eda960-8e6c-401b-a21e-2cc3ae361724</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bankruptcy judge named dean of Campbell law school]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[J. Rich Leonard, United States Bankruptcy Court Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina, has been appointed as the next dean of Campbell University&rsquo;s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:23:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Bankruptcy-judge-named-dean-of-Campbell-law-school?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">944914d0-3918-44e7-bfe9-d8c858f89c95</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gruesome details continue to emerge from abortion doc’s trial]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The murder trial of Kermit Gosnell entered its fifth week Monday (April 15) with new media interest in an abortion doctor who allegedly practiced infanticide in his clinic.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:16:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Gruesome-details-continue-to-emerge-from-abortion?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">caafa45e-3759-4818-bca3-c9992b6f8b5a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Trial shows abortion’s ‘coarsening’ impact]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Philadelphia murder trial of Kermit Gosnell reveals the debasing effect of abortion on humanity and American society, Southern Baptist ethicists say.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:12:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Trial-shows-abortion-s-coarsening-impact?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f204b9e1-7fdc-405d-8bda-2ec0930ff248</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Page sees ‘headway’ in SBC for ethnic leaders]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Fred Luter&rsquo;s election as the first African American president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) was more than symbolic. For Frank Page, president of the SBC&rsquo;s Executive Committee, it represents the future.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:04:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Page-sees-headway-in-SBC-for-ethnic-leaders?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e3bae8da-964a-4db0-b1f9-3e114e967ac2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Korean S. Baptists expand N. American vision]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The April 8-10 Korean Global Mission Conference may help shorten the hyphen between Korean and American for Southern Baptists.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2013 18:55:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Korean-S-Baptists-expand-N-American-vision?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1e56fec7-5465-4add-a5aa-23d24207e7b4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[White House council calls for action on modern-day slavery]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A White House advisory council of religious leaders called for a global fund to address human trafficking and urged a new labeling system to help identify consumer goods that were not created with slave labor.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2013 18:50:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/White-House-council-calls-for-action-on-modern-day?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">282882dc-5d29-4beb-ab1a-ce3fc56aacaa</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Relief and Release’ focus of N.C. missions conf.]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For Chris Simpson, helping people whose homes were caught in the path of a hurricane or other natural disasters is about far more than removing debris.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 15 Apr 2013 20:51:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Relief-and-Release-focus-of-N-C-missions-conf?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">72ab06ea-dbed-405f-bfb9-b9d05e8f7198</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[FCC may drop ban on TV nudity, expletives]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nudity and expletives normally reserved for cable television would be allowed on broadcast TV under a proposal from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 15 Apr 2013 20:43:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/FCC-may-drop-ban-on-TV-nudity-expletives?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0d4c892c-e070-47ee-bc0c-69f4d1b5dfd0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Not Today’ an ‘eye-opener’ to modern-day slavery]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The numbers are staggering. There are more people in slavery today in the world than there were in the days of the transatlantic slave trade. An estimated 27 million people &ndash; men, women, boys and girls &ndash; are enslaved, held against their will, in brothels, factories and fields around the world at this very moment.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 15 Apr 2013 20:00:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Not-Today-an-eye-opener-to-modern-day-slavery?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ea60ac75-ca56-4323-baa2-c7ae0a1c547e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Southwestern looks to end tenure]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Trustees agreed in principle to cease the tenure program at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) during their April 3 meeting at the Fort Worth campus.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:43:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Southwestern-looks-to-end-tenure?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9d10167a-0ef3-4213-98e6-9d99242fa480</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Southwestern launches shortest fully online master’s degree]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) will launch the shortest fully online master&rsquo;s degree among Southern Baptist seminaries this summer with its brand new Master of Theological Studies (MTS).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:25:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Southwestern-launches-shortest-fully-online-master?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4e4e6207-7118-4a0a-9dbe-965ce4ac9a0b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Church planting, strengthening churches forefront of restructuring plan  ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina&rsquo;s (BSC) Executive Committee approved a plan April 11 to &ldquo;tear down silos,&rdquo; streamline the organization and better assist churches in making disciples, evangelism and church planting among people groups of every ethnicity and cultural context.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sat, 13 Apr 2013 02:54:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Church-planting-strengthening-churches-forefront-o?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7f1fbc5a-df7a-4562-a589-3fe428cab606</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Land selected as president of N.C. seminary]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics &amp; Religious Liberty Commission, confirmed to Baptist Press Thursday (April 11) that he has been selected as president of Southern Evangelical Seminary.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:11:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Land-selected-as-president-of-N-C-seminary?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">44b24bd3-27d1-42ff-ad63-ca18b82bc134</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Skateboarder finds ‘harmony’ with faith, sport, music]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For years professional skateboarder Josh Harmony has made a name for himself showing off his talent in some of the industry&rsquo;s biggest skateboarding videos. Harmony, 29, also has graced the covers of many skateboarding magazines. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:46:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Skateboarder-finds-harmony-with-faith-sport-music?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1a2e3d55-c5f3-47a7-a2f1-558ef2a79c6d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hulls Grove Bapt. offers skateboarding ministry]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Would Annie Armstrong use a skateboard to share the Gospel if she was alive today? Marcus Redding, pastor of Hulls Grove Baptist Church in Vale, N.C., said he believes she would.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:34:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Hulls-Grove-Bapt-offers-skateboarding-ministry?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8c32e68a-b7e5-4898-a8ea-f3c777ed0e7f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[By 84-0, Okla. House backs traditional marriage]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Much of the nation might be embracing gay marriage, but the Oklahoma legislature isn&rsquo;t going along &ndash; and it wants the U.S. Supreme Court to notice.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:28:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/By-84-0-Okla-House-backs-traditional-marriage?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5af6e5ef-41ae-4d31-821d-6781aa102473</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Student makes fruitful journey to Bible school]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[New students looking on the Internet for directions to the Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute will find detailed instructions to the campus, beginning with an exit off Interstate 26 and a map of the local area.&nbsp;But at least one student at the school probably needed more than just a quick look on the school&rsquo;s website to find her way to class.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:55:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Student-makes-fruitful-journey-to-Bible-school?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3d1fe3f3-969a-41ef-8df4-4af57852ba97</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pakistani Christian freed after death sentence]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A Christian man sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan has been freed by an appeals court, but Muslim-Christian strife continues to flare up in the volatile Islamic nation.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:46:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Pakistani-Christian-freed-after-death-sentence?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">47c13831-92f7-451d-9158-b8a97e8c9042</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Autism Awareness: church ministers to special needs families]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Misty Brown once wondered if she&rsquo;d ever be able to go to church with her husband and two children, as a family, again.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:14:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Autism-Awareness-church-ministers-to-special-needs?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4fabb710-c5d6-48ea-b55e-c68b2c00ffbc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Autistic child becomes missionary to Japan]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Steven Kunkel&rsquo;s nickname appears at the top of his Facebook page: Sugoisteve. Sugoi (pronounced sue-GOY) means &ldquo;awesome&rdquo; in Japanese.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:02:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Autistic-child-becomes-missionary-to-Japan?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b8db53d4-1497-426b-87e6-4e40ace09084</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Church administration conference set for May]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The duties assigned to church administrators are often complex and daunting, regardless of church size or the administrator&rsquo;s experience and training. The challenges can intensify when the administrator also serves in other capacities, such as senior pastor.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:56:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Church-administration-conference-set-for-May?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5b593b3a-0c89-41cb-ab90-3866a0da23d7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Moore, on C-SPAN, talks culture, Kingdom]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In his first television appearance since being named president-elect of the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s Ethics &amp; Religious Liberty Commission, Russell Moore was forthright in his positions but stressed the importance of Christians being Kingdom-minded in approaching issues.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 09 Apr 2013 20:53:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Moore-on-C-SPAN-talks-culture-Kingdom?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">178b41df-e185-446c-845a-8248dcaf26cc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Collegians on spring break tackle Sandy challenge]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Helping rip out walls and floors infested with mold and damaged by mud and water wasn&rsquo;t the most fun Mollie Jones had ever had during a spring break, but the experience was probably the most rewarding.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:25:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Collegians-on-spring-break-tackle-Sandy-challenge?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">63ba5baa-676f-4127-914c-6178ec3b062d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Rick & Kay Warren grieve son’s suicide]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The suicide of Matthew Warren continues to reverberate not only in Christian circles but the culture which his parents, Rick and Kay Warren, have sought to impact since the founding of Saddleback Church in 1980.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:20:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Rick-Kay-Warren-grieve-son-s-suicide?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">928609e4-9e20-4ad6-aa35-73bf33de80d4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[99-year-old recalls 1925 birth of CP]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[M.O. Owens Jr. was still in knickers on May 13, 1925, the day his parents took him to a pivotal session of the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s annual meeting. That was the day the Cooperative Program was born.<br />
<br />
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:09:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/99-year-old-recalls-1925-birth-of-CP?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5af85e57-cdd9-4424-89d8-59477a16fd12</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Poll: Americans love the Bible but don’t read it much]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[More than half of Americans think the Bible has too little influence on a culture they see in moral decline, yet only one in five Americans read the Bible on a regular basis, according to a new survey.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:38:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Poll-Americans-love-the-Bible-but-don-t-read-it-mu?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8290ab5c-157e-47df-9101-6920080f2912</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Infanticide OK, Planned Parenthood rep says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Infanticide should be an option when a baby survives a failed abortion, a Planned Parenthood spokeswoman told stunned Florida legislators recently.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:25:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Infanticide-OK-Planned-Parenthood-rep-says?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8916a168-8baa-4890-82d9-03d5c72c72ab</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N. Korean Christians seek prayer amid threats]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Christians in North Korea have asked for prayer as their country&rsquo;s leaders have heightened threats of war against South Korea and the United States, according to an April 4 Open Doors report.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:17:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/N-Korean-Christians-seek-prayer-amid-threats?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3e68b50a-620b-46d5-b122-90f92bdd8b03</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Composer, hymn writer Buryl Red dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Prolific Baptist composer and hymn writer Buryl Red died April 1 at the age of 76.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:11:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Composer-hymn-writer-Buryl-Red-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">60d1fad8-8818-471a-b975-f07b5c06b0c9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bible shaped America, historians at forum say]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Scripture has had a tremendous influence on the rights of citizens throughout American history, two historians said at a recent Washington, D.C., forum.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:05:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Bible-shaped-America-historians-at-forum-say?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9e033c92-2f2f-4f27-ab62-cfc03594fae3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Cleveland church planter is Indians’ chaplain]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[It&rsquo;s easy to look at professional athletes and just see the money, fame and life in the fast lane. But after a year of serving with Baseball Chapel in Cleveland, Southern Baptist church planter Alex Ennes sees something else &ndash; real people who need to hear about Jesus.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:15:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Cleveland-church-planter-is-Indians-chaplain?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">02d70d4f-8757-47cc-839e-b9e9683e3cb7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Urban crisis: Churches can impart Jesus’ hope]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jesus is the answer to the problems that churches in urban America face today, Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) President Fred Luter said during an Urban Economics and Ministry Conference at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:04:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Urban-crisis-Churches-can-impart-Jesus-hope?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3c98995a-421e-4a68-a5ab-a2267538f40d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Bible’ series concludes, now on DVD]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[History Channel&rsquo;s &ldquo;The Bible&rdquo; miniseries concluded Easter Sunday with its second-best night, with 11.7 million watching the finale that included Christ&rsquo;s death, burial and resurrection.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:04:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Bible-series-concludes-now-on-DVD?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cd613d15-fe18-4b72-9e69-33da108a7544</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[John 3:16 Conference addresses Calvinism]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[While stressing that the discussion between Calvinists and non-Calvinists in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is a family matter, speakers at the 2013 John 3:16 Conference outlined the differences between the two views and what they believe to be the issues hindering unity among Southern Baptists.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:51:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/John-3-16-Conference-addresses-Calvinism?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">96ccde84-206b-4373-a229-ff2b414cd751</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Expert predicts split ruling in marriage cases]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&nbsp;The U.S. Supreme Court appears likely to provide defenders of the traditional definition of marriage with no more than a partial victory, a legal expert says.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:46:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Expert-predicts-split-ruling-in-marriage-cases?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bbdfc2a2-87a8-48ea-9fe0-992fe56083f7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Indonesian police demolish Christian church]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When a backhoe tore down the barely finished walls of the Batak Protestant Church near Jakarta, Indonesia, the remaining pile of rubble became the latest setback to Christians trying to retain a toehold in the world&rsquo;s most populous Muslim country.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:39:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Indonesian-police-demolish-Christian-church?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5cb334cc-07fd-4d0c-9733-9c7bb40484da</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Former seminary president Duke McCall dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Duke McCall, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary&rsquo;s president for three decades who earlier led the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (SBC) Executive Committee, died April 2. He was 98.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:16:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Former-seminary-president-Duke-McCall-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f18b952b-adc9-48ab-91bc-52b5d7ce81ec</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[13 attorneys general push Obama on contraception mandate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Thirteen state attorneys general are urging the federal government to broaden religious exemptions for private businesses under the White House&#39;s contraception mandate, claiming the policy violates religious freedoms.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:09:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/13-attorneys-general-push-Obama-on-contraception-m?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2454dac0-e6b4-4349-8bf1-b840e22353b2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Girls need to build identity on God, ministry leader says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Before a young woman can figure out her own identity, she must first figure out who God is, said Erin Davis.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:15:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Girls-need-to-build-identity-on-God-ministry-leade?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9856d369-8bcd-463c-8b1e-3a9aac15875f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hobby Lobby gets boost in battle against abortion mandate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Hobby Lobby&rsquo;s legal battle against the abortion/contraceptive mandate received a boost March 29 when the full 10th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to hear the company&rsquo;s case.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:06:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Hobby-Lobby-gets-boost-in-battle-against-abortion?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a1b740c3-4ed0-4180-a2c3-117f798ca522</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘On My Honor’ calls Scouts to stand firm]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A group of parents and scoutmasters has launched OnMyHonor.net in an effort to keep sex and politics out of the Boy Scouts of America.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:57:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/On-My-Honor-calls-Scouts-to-stand-firm?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5652f9a0-1cc1-40b1-8520-fd5145cb62d9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Kazakh court orders Bibles to be destroyed]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Religious freedom is losing even more ground in Kazakhstan, according to religious freedom monitor Forum 18.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:51:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Kazakh-court-orders-Bibles-to-be-destroyed?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">21c9bee3-12c8-4ef1-b2c7-7fe3056b037d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Revitalized: Two Fayetteville churches become one]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Two churches in Fayetteville ceased to exist in February. And everybody seems to be happy about it. That&rsquo;s because two churches merged into a single, stronger congregation: Refuge Church.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:49:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Revitalized-Two-Fayetteville-churches-become-one?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">696afe9f-e748-488a-9cea-c3c50d6c65c5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Revitalization to be key topic at upcoming conference]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In the coming weeks pastors in North Carolina will have an opportunity to learn how they can revitalize their churches and help other struggling congregations experience new life.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:38:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Revitalization-to-be-key-topic-at-upcoming-confere?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f018347c-041c-40ab-90cf-19193c31bd6f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Delayed marriage fallout: More unwed births, report says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[First comes baby, then comes marriage? That is the new norm for many middle-class young Americans &ndash; and they and their children are paying a price, says a new report.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:23:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2013/Delayed-marriage-fallout-More-unwed-births-report?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0a885298-431e-4610-90a7-306c457cbd86</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Justices question federal marriage definition]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Several U.S. Supreme Court justices, including swing vote Anthony Kennedy, questioned the validity of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in oral arguments, signaling they may be ready to strike down the federal law defining marriage as between a man and a woman.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2013 22:08:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Justices-question-federal-marriage-definition?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d30f00d6-fb6f-4e3e-a575-e21c41d463e8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[7 questions & answers: the Supreme Court & gay marriage]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Following are commonly asked questions about the Supreme Court&rsquo;s two days of arguments in the gay marriage cases.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2013 22:00:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/7-questions-answers-the-Supreme-Court-gay-marriage?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5783986d-e587-4ef5-9592-c3c9abdc1e79</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ky. lawmakers override religious freedom veto]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Kentucky&rsquo;s General Assembly voted overwhelmingly March 26 to override Gov. Steve Beshear&rsquo;s veto of House Bill 279, also known as the religious freedom bill. The Democratic House passed the measure 79-15 and the Republican-controlled Senate voted 32-6.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:49:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Ky-lawmakers-override-religious-freedom-veto?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d5a7aca8-543d-4f85-be79-ce002b313a41</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Panel: Chinese regime still marked by brutality]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Near-death torture and medical or food deprivation describe the experience of innocent prisoners under China&rsquo;s latest Communist officials, experts said at a recent Capitol Hill briefing.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:32:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Panel-Chinese-regime-still-marked-by-brutality?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8a468029-dc29-44e4-9dd7-8adc9fcd6cce</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Mother of forcibly aborted girl interviewed]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Feng Jianmei, whose daughter was forcibly aborted seven months into her pregnancy last June, has told a Chinese TV station of her continued struggle for emotional healing.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:26:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Mother-of-forcibly-aborted-girl-interviewed?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6c664967-9f24-4dcf-8036-da1bd4981134</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Justices ponder narrow Prop 8 ruling]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The U.S. Supreme Court struggled during oral arguments in a landmark case regarding same-sex marriage with not only how it should rule but whether it should rule on the constitutional issues involved in the controversial subject.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:14:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Justices-ponder-narrow-Prop-8-ruling?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a72351f4-c3e4-4cef-b7f1-13c630ff6a0f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Piper emphasizes role of preaching in worship]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[John Piper, in chapel at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, emphasized the essential role of preaching in worship, asking at the outset, &ldquo;Why does preaching have a prominent place in the church today? And is there biblical warrant for this?&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:03:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Piper-emphasizes-role-of-preaching-in-worship?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bcc9c495-0124-4952-a2d2-3ce56ae37739</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Wife of slain pastor tells of peace & hope]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Cindy Winters didn&rsquo;t set out to write a book. But as she journaled about her grief and pain after her husband Fred was killed in his Maryville, Ill., pulpit four years ago, she realized how healing the writing process could be. And she wanted to share that with others on a similar journey.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:36:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Wife-of-slain-pastor-tells-of-peace-hope?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">77a2de8a-c2bd-4164-87b1-b7f2da61d02a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Russell Moore elected next ERLC president]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Russell Moore has been elected as the next president of the Southern Baptist Ethics &amp; Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC). The ERLC&rsquo;s board of trustees approved Moore, currently dean of the school of theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in a special, called meeting today.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:37:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Russell-Moore-elected-next-ERLC-president?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">10d30f95-f29a-400e-a442-792221d78e02</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pilot project to identify UUPGs in N.C. metro areas]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Bob Lowman moved to Charlotte about 15 years ago to pastor a church, he was not all that familiar with unreached, unengaged people groups, or what it would take to reach these people groups with the gospel. Now, after seven years as director of missions for Metrolina Association in Charlotte, he finds himself immersed in a city that is home to at least five unreached, unengaged people groups (UUPG) and a growing ethnic population.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:25:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Pilot-project-to-identify-UUPGs-in-N-C-metro-areas?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4802ff85-fbbe-47b9-8bf1-dce1b01ffa7c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[U.S. missionary sending in decline, IMB strategist says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Baptists must turn back to God and join Him on mission soon or their churches will continue to decline and die, one missions leader said.&nbsp; That was the stark message presented by Joe Dillon to hundreds who attended a three-day missions conference at Corinth Baptist Church in Elizabeth City in late February.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:06:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/U-S-missionary-sending-in-decline-IMB-strategist-s?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b0541390-537c-400a-9b85-d055dcdc4eb0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Kerry advocates for Iranian pastor’s freedom]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry late Friday (March 22) called for the release of pastor Saeed Abedini, a U.S. citizen of Iranian descent who is suffering in a notoriously brutal Tehran prison because of his Christian faith.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:02:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Kerry-advocates-for-Iranian-pastor-s-freedom?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1f536038-4385-429c-9107-6fe277e05565</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Nations Ford equips members to witness]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Last year at a staff retreat pastor Phillip Davis and the leadership team of Nations Ford Community Church began to ask God what He wanted them to do to have a greater impact in their southwest Charlotte community. In 2012 the church baptized 71 new believers. Since then they have baptized about 30. But on Easter Sunday they will see another 75 young Christians proclaim their faith through baptism.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:18:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Nations-Ford-equips-members-to-witness?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">54f60f72-2b26-4c81-bf0e-f6c28bb39a32</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Faithful, effective churches focus of Advance13]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pat Fiordelise&nbsp;admitted he was skeptical about how much he&rsquo;d learn while attending the Advance13 Conference in Raleigh. Fiordelise, a self-described &ldquo;traditional&rdquo; pastor, wondered if a conference known for its hip &ldquo;reformed&rdquo; speakers, &ldquo;rock band&rdquo; music, &ldquo;skinny jeans&rdquo; and army of loyal, younger pastors and students was for him.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:00:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Faithful-effective-churches-focus-of-Advance13?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6d80060a-b68b-4c35-994f-abff6609a87a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gay marriage would harm children, briefs warn]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[If the U.S. Supreme Court legalizes gay marriage it would be sending a detrimental message to society that children don&rsquo;t need both mothers and fathers.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:45:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Gay-marriage-would-harm-children-briefs-warn?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a689e47e-d679-45b5-b5de-76d2b6e1a732</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Briefs argue religious liberty on line in marriage cases]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Religious liberty will suffer if gay marriage is legalized, impacting everything from Christian business owners&rsquo; freedoms to parental rights and perhaps even resulting in churches losing their tax-exempt status, according to legal briefs filed with the U.S. Supreme Court by supporters of traditional marriage.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:05:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Briefs-argue-religious-liberty-on-line-in-marriage?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8d17e510-98a5-4753-9fe0-a30048ae7be4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iranian pastor given medical exam, longer visit]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Saeed Abedini, the Iranian-American pastor who has been imprisoned in Tehran for his Christian faith, has been examined for internal bleeding and was granted an extended visit with his family for the first time, according to the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ).<br />
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:58:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Iranian-pastor-given-medical-exam-longer-visit?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cf9a3c8c-caa0-4e61-b6e6-76e8d9b5c8d3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Rocky Mount church calls pastor from seminary role]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[First Baptist Church of Rocky Mount has called a Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary vice president as its new senior pastor.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:01:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Rocky-Mount-church-calls-pastor-from-seminary-role?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">23802a6f-7163-485a-9ed4-a89b108d5b15</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[If gay marriage is legalized, polygamy is next, briefs warn]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Redefining marriage to include same-sex couples would jettison the rationale and logic behind prohibitions on polygamous marriages, according to several friend-of-the court briefs urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the traditional definition of marriage.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:52:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/If-gay-marriage-is-legalized-polygamy-is-next-brie?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5124942a-cc87-4258-b911-ce9ba38a3980</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Alcoholics Anonymous wrestles with spiritual roots]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For Alcoholics Anonymous to continue helping addicts find freedom in sobriety, the 75-year-old organization has to reclaim its spiritual roots.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:42:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Alcoholics-Anonymous-wrestles-with-spiritual-roots?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8533de4f-c571-4c1d-82ed-91521812e272</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Mali Christians aid displaced countrymen]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Throughout the conflict in Mali, Christians in the south have embraced their fleeing northern countrymen with compassion and helped provide basic necessities.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:33:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Mali-Christians-aid-displaced-countrymen?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b7f44219-b652-476f-8f4c-8b95670f2a35</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Huss’ legacy fading among Czechs, but climate improving]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[He was burned at the stake by the church, quoting Psalms as the flames engulfed his body.&nbsp;And he lit a fire in the church that still burns today. It started in his country and spread outward.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:15:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Huss-legacy-fading-among-Czechs-but-climate-improv?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">58f8ce55-ef51-491d-8323-aa7b71671804</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Czechs ‘are searching’ for truth, worker says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Larry and Melissa Lewis stood in Plzen&rsquo;s town square and watched the woman walk right toward them. Just as they thought she might speak, she brushed past to take hold of the iron gate.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:03:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Czechs-are-searching-for-truth-worker-says?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a26cafe3-ccb2-4c43-96da-405c5ecdd9c5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Three N.C. Baptist colleges get service honor]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Three Baptist-affiliated colleges in North Carolina are among recipients of a national service honor.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:37:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Three-N-C-Baptist-colleges-get-service-honor?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">629c6e8c-5388-41b8-ad80-97bb6aa2e091</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[TV’s ‘The Bible’ again finishes No. 1 for night]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[History Channel&rsquo;s &ldquo;The Bible&rdquo; miniseries climbed back into the top slot in its third week Sunday (March 17), finishing No. 1 for the night among all broadcast and cable programs thanks to an increase in viewership.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:24:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/TV-s-The-Bible-again-finishes-No-1-for-night?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">de0136ea-92d1-4b1e-89ae-69cc6262c777</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[GuideStone garners another Lipper award]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For the second year in a row, GuideStone Financial Resources has been recognized in the Lipper Fund Awards, with the MyDestination 2025 Fund being named Best Fund Over Three Years among Mixed-Asset Target 2025 Funds.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:14:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/GuideStone-garners-another-Lipper-award?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1e6edf73-7950-4cbd-81ed-1a86954f20d7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[As crisis worsens, 4 million in Syria need humanitarian relief]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Conditions for civilians in Syria have deteriorated so badly that Southern Baptist humanitarian leaders have decided they must expand relief efforts inside the country.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:01:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/As-crisis-worsens-4-million-in-Syria-need-humanita?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cec86148-ec12-4607-bcb0-8cebe9941090</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[China: 336 million abortions in barely 4 decades]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[China has aborted 336 million unborn children, many of them forcibly, during slightly more than four decades, the government has announced.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:48:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/China-336-million-abortions-in-barely-4-decades?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">02d64e8b-d48c-4d70-8388-7ce76241c3ef</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Spiritual Town Hall’ focuses on prayer, unity, citizenship]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Christians were called to action March 12 during a nationwide simulcast at First Baptist Church of Charlotte.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 19 Mar 2013 18:42:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Spiritual-Town-Hall-focuses-on-prayer-unity-citize?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ebbba7e8-0276-4e9f-bbf2-9c406af90cb5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NAMB spends day thanking Southern Baptists]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With many Southern Baptist churches focusing on North American missions during the month of March, North American Mission Board (NAMB) staff made nearly 8,000 personal contacts with Southern Baptists to express appreciation for continued partnership.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 19 Mar 2013 18:31:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/NAMB-spends-day-thanking-Southern-Baptists?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ad2631c9-21bd-47f5-b5c3-a9ad993ddca0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ken Weathersby named EC vice president]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Ken Weathersby will begin April 1 as vice president for convention advancement with the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (SBC) Executive Committee (EC), the first African American to hold an EC vice presidential position.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 19 Mar 2013 18:18:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Ken-Weathersby-named-EC-vice-president?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cfdc2480-fae2-4fa4-9a47-43ece4698e6e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iranian pastor in prison needs help of White House, panel told]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Naghmeh Abedini has told members of Congress she is disheartened the Obama administration is not helping her husband, an American citizen who is being persecuted and tortured in an Iranian prison for his Christian faith.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:58:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Iranian-pastor-in-prison-needs-help-of-White-House?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">69a76911-d88d-4827-8d30-2ac8657caad6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Worship Summit encourages unified worship]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[During the 1950s and 1960s worship styles varied little from one church to the next. For the most part, churches sang from the same hymnals accompanied by pianos and organs. This proved an effective worship style for that era, as it connected to the heart language of the time.&nbsp;But as time and culture change, so does heart language and communication style.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:26:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Worship-Summit-encourages-unified-worship?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a4a551f0-07c2-4436-a568-d56abcc6112f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Shaddix urges congregations to mobilize for global missions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In the modern information age pastors can turn to a variety of resources to find the latest step-by-step guide to church growth, evangelism and missions mobilization.&nbsp;Although Jim Shaddix, pastor for teaching and training at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Ala., is not opposed to using pragmatic strategies to advance the Kingdom of God, he cautioned that reliance on strategies can diminish the church&rsquo;s dependence on God&rsquo;s power.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:10:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Shaddix-urges-congregations-to-mobilize-for-global?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8a7e8c36-9f1d-46bc-93ba-94d7ee2d8a18</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chris Tomlin ‘most prolific songwriter’ in U.S. now, exec says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Worship leader Chris Tomlin &ldquo;is the most prolific songwriter in the United States now, in this past decade,&rdquo; a Christian music executive said in a CNN feature highlighting the differences between Tomlin and secular stars.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:56:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Chris-Tomlin-most-prolific-songwriter-in-U-S-now-e?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c63ae5b0-d38d-4203-963b-53e5ca6ec764</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Religious freedom activists scold U.S. State Department]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Religious freedom activists scolded the U.S. State Department for not appearing at a hearing Friday (March 15) on Iran&rsquo;s treatment of religious minorities, and called for greater government action to secure the release of people imprisoned there for their faith.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:31:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Religious-freedom-activists-scold-U-S-State-Depart?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7f43deca-5ec3-4958-9fdf-95210cf5d839</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Scouts could face ‘flood of litigation’ if policy changes]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Altering the Boy Scouts of America&rsquo;s (BSA) longstanding national membership policy to allow homosexuals would undermine a Supreme Court decision in the organization&rsquo;s favor and expose the Scouts to a &ldquo;flood of litigation,&rdquo; Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) has warned in a letter to Scout leadership.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 15 Mar 2013 19:15:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Scouts-could-face-flood-of-litigation-if-policy-ch?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7990d57d-c138-4832-b948-4af525fdefd3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Duck Dynasty’s’ commander talks faith]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The 8.6 million who viewed the 2013 season premiere of &ldquo;Duck Dynasty&rdquo; no doubt enjoy family patriarch Phil Robertson&rsquo;s antics, from his unkempt beard to promises of poor hygiene. But the fisherman and duck caller with a master&rsquo;s degree in education also tells a story of faith.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:50:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Duck-Dynasty-s-commander-talks-faith?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6827e3f6-a315-4eaf-89af-abcfea0c7e9e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Group urges prayer for gay marriage cases]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A prominent Christian legal group is urging believers nationwide to pray as the U.S. Supreme Court gets ready to decide the legal definition of marriage.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:35:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Group-urges-prayer-for-gay-marriage-cases?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">99b36dda-c4d6-41ec-ac90-95921df2402a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Evangelical coalition launches immigration ads]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[An advertising campaign in South Carolina supporting immigration reform is about more than politics, Southern Baptist leaders say.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:10:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Evangelical-coalition-launches-immigration-ads?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d60dd0bb-3160-4bcb-b067-47c7e5b7f087</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Wake Forest Divinity leader named to White House faith–based office]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Church&ndash;state expert Melissa Rogers will be the new director of the White House Office of Faith&ndash;based and Neighborhood Partnerships.&nbsp;Rogers succeeds Joshua DuBois, who left the office in February after serving throughout President Obama&rsquo;s first term.<br />
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:37:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Wake-Forest-Divinity-leader-named-to-White-House-f?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4f9a137c-4c03-44c8-b920-56dbf22227e3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[50th lawsuit filed against abortion mandate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A Southern Baptist business owner whose ancestors fled England four centuries ago to escape religious persecution has filed suit against the Obama administration&rsquo;s abortion/contraceptive mandate, bringing to 50 the number of lawsuits against the controversial policy.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:20:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/50th-lawsuit-filed-against-abortion-mandate?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8775405b-c62b-4c33-ab2f-8473f24fe256</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Argentina’s Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires, was elected as pope Wednesday (March 13), choosing Pope Francis as his name and becoming the first non-European pope in the modern era. Latin America now is home to about 40 percent of the world&rsquo;s Catholics.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:54:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Argentina-s-Bergoglio-becomes-Pope-Francis?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4215227d-df13-4c2d-8761-b4d73bde3c57</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Muslim mobs destroy Christian area in Pakistan]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Muslim mobs upset over an alleged derogatory comment about Muhammad burned down more than 180 Christian-owned houses and shops and at least two church buildings in Lahore, Pakistan, on March 9 after authorities told police to &ldquo;let them vent their grief and anger,&rdquo; officials said.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:39:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Muslim-mobs-destroy-Christian-area-in-Pakistan?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7f78827d-dbc0-45f1-9eff-41410e6e7c1e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Americans say homosexuality a civil rights issue]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As public policy continues to change on the issue, a LifeWay Research poll shows 58 percent of American adults believe homosexuality is a civil rights issue and 64 percent say it is inevitable same-sex marriage will become legal throughout the United States.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:56:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Americans-say-homosexuality-a-civil-rights-issue?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d17103ec-c709-4b46-bbdb-4399a381063b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Retired SBC researcher Cliff Tharp dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Cliff Tharp Jr., who coordinated the annual reporting and analysis of the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s membership statistics, died Monday (March 11) in Richmond, Va. He was 70.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:52:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Retired-SBC-researcher-Cliff-Tharp-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ea7d3b58-168e-49e2-9040-a305362d70b2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘The Bible’ series retains strong ratings]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[History Channel&rsquo;s &ldquo;The Bible&rdquo; miniseries retained strong ratings in its second week with 10.8 million viewers Sunday (March 10), placing it second among all cable programming.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:45:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/The-Bible-series-retains-strong-ratings?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">dc97a062-9960-42b3-a597-5f2d80c93491</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Evangelical leaders hopeful after immigration talk with Obama]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Evangelical Christian leaders, including a Southern Baptist, left a White House meeting with President Obama encouraged at the hope for immigration reform this year.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:08:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Evangelical-leaders-hopeful-after-immigration-talk?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a7f21d5c-7797-4b4c-addb-5c05176c4a6d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Vietnam’s decree is a blow to Christianity]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Vietnam&rsquo;s latest changes in enforcement of its highest law regarding religion clarify the country&rsquo;s intent to especially control the spread of Christianity, according to an authority on Vietnamese Protestant Christianity, World Watch Monitor has reported.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:54:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Vietnam-s-decree-is-a-blow-to-Christianity?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b14e49da-b6c6-4d2b-8e32-d875cd1530c0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Dockery: greater unity, new partnerships needed in SBC]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptists must rise above the rampant individualism and isolation that characterize today&rsquo;s world and embrace each other in new partnerships for the sake of the gospel, Union University President David S. Dockery recently told Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary students.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:25:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Dockery-greater-unity-new-partnerships-needed-in-S?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8a032f4c-757b-4784-ac03-f5631041a286</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[National Sunday School conference comes to N.C.]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In Matthew 28, Jesus commanded His followers to go into all the nations and to teach people His commands and His truth. People must be taught from God&rsquo;s Word how to live in a way that is focused on the Kingdom of God, and how to apply scripture to their lives.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:11:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/National-Sunday-School-conference-comes-to-N-C?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fbacc819-98b0-4f5a-848a-3df9bff57360</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Sex-ed for kindergartners mandated in Chicago]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A new sexual health program in the Chicago Public Schools mandates that a set amount of time be spent on sex education in every grade, beginning in kindergarten. The program also will discuss sexual orientation and gender identity for the first time.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:31:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Sex-ed-for-kindergartners-mandated-in-Chicago?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">26826cbe-e0bc-4147-b6da-4212b730dc33</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pastor David Landrith diagnosed with cancer]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[David Landrith, pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., and a member of a Southern Baptist advisory team on Calvinism, has been diagnosed with &ldquo;an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:06:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Pastor-David-Landrith-diagnosed-with-cancer?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b3e238a6-4c4c-41df-8f48-de82f8660e6d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iorg notes ‘a coming crisis to pastoral ministry’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A crisis is looming in pastoral ministry, Jeff Iorg, president of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, warns. &ldquo;The crisis isn&rsquo;t Internet pornography, misuse of funds, authoritarian leadership styles or doctrinal error. &ldquo;The coming crisis is we soon won&rsquo;t have enough pastors.&rdquo; ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:00:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Iorg-notes-a-coming-crisis-to-pastoral-ministry?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1d1d0c63-5756-4009-99fc-b3c3c00e5564</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[CBS Sports host shares secrets to winning game of life]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[James Brown spends Sundays during the football season as the host of &ldquo;NFL Today&rdquo; on CBS with his own team of former football greats: Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe, Dan Marino and Coach Bill Cowher.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:33:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/CBS-Sports-host-shares-secrets-to-winning-game-of?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2357d7fa-1d23-499b-8406-54bcc4833742</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Tag’ conference to help students become leaders]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[According to recent Barna research, many religious activities are at their lowest levels in a decade among 13-17 year olds in the United States, and although 1 in 4 teenagers still participate in organized religious activities, spiritual activities such as praying and evangelism are declining.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:29:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Tag-conference-to-help-students-become-leaders?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d04e1ea2-fb4b-4878-9e85-e9c34e6897c0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Page meets with Scout leaders, stands firm]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Boy Scouts will lose members and the support of faith-based organizations if it changes its policy on homosexuality, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (SBC) Executive Committee (EC) told two top Boy Scouts leaders in a meeting March 7.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:27:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Page-meets-with-Scout-leaders-stands-firm?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">634b4695-30b5-4813-856e-26334d20563a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Vines left speechless by book in his honor]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Moments before standing to preach a sermon in a Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary chapel service, well-known Southern Baptist preacher Jerry Vines was presented with a book written in his honor by a number of leaders, pastors and theologians. The unexpected recognition left Vines in an unfamiliar state &ndash; speechless.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:21:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Vines-left-speechless-by-book-in-his-honor?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">128ca25b-03f9-4816-a6a7-81ae8cc8b1d4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Surrogate mother refuses $10,000 for abortion]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:01:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Surrogate-mother-refuses-$10-000-for-abortion?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1cea7461-3ae9-4aef-be69-a804d1e9c122</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Arkansas enacts earliest abortion ban in U.S.]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Arkansas legislature has overridden a veto to enact the earliest ban on abortion in the United States. The state House of Representatives voted 56-33 March 6 to override Gov. Mike Beebe&rsquo;s veto, thereby providing final approval to a measure that bans abortion of unborn babies whose heartbeat has been detected by ultrasound at 12 weeks or later. The Senate had voted 20-14 the day before for the veto override, which requires only a majority in Arkansas.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:21:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Arkansas-enacts-earliest-abortion-ban-in-U-S?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c12d33c1-4e98-4e2a-80e6-4a6bb3664d5c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chávez death prompts evangelicals’ prayer]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With the death of Hugo Chávez, Venezuelans face an uncertain future after his 14-year presidency. The nation&rsquo;s evangelical community is urging Christians around the world to be in prayer for their country. Chávez, 58, died March 5 after battling cancer.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:21:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Chavez-death-prompts-evangelicals-prayer?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">686e4bc7-eeb5-481f-b386-15fca6c5418f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ministers' tax guide available from GuideStone]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The 2013 edition of the ministers&rsquo; annual tax guide from GuideStone Financial Resources is now available. The Tax Return Preparation and Federal Reporting Guide provides both active and retired ministers step-by-step help in understanding the latest tax laws along with sample tax forms to assist in preparing 2012 federal tax returns.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:20:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Ministers-tax-guide-available-from-GuideStone?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">84a775fe-5973-4e2d-9747-ca8bf35fa9f7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Carnival ship’s troubles sparked their witness]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[It was Keith and Carmella Morren&rsquo;s first cruise. The couple, members of Bethel Baptist Church in Norman, Okla., chose an ocean voyage to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. Carmella is a special education teacher at Norman North High School and Keith is a technology specialist for Hitachi Computer Products America Inc.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:18:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Carnival-ship-s-troubles-sparked-their-witness?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">976f2e3c-4e4d-453c-a623-ff269e8dba0e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ripken: ‘Send your babies to Mecca’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Building relationships with Muslims, and people of different ethnic groups, isn&rsquo;t &ldquo;rocket science,&rdquo; said Nik Ripken.* Ripken has served with his wife, Ruth,* as a Christian worker in North Africa and the Middle East for 25 years. Ripken, the author of <em>The</em> <em>Insanity of God: A True Story of Faith Resurrected</em>, describes Muslims as &ldquo;loveable&rdquo; and in need of friendship like the rest of us. There are three things a person can do to provide more opportunities to share the love of Jesus, he said.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:34:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Ripken-Send-your-babies-to-Mecca?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5554990c-f1bb-4afb-a21a-5a69daee7632</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Doctor in baby’s HIV cure is rooted in faith & compassion]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Faith and godly compassion are guiding principles in the life of Hannah Gay, the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) pediatrician at the forefront of the reported cure of HIV in a 2-year-old girl born with the disease in rural Mississippi.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:32:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Doctor-in-baby-s-HIV-cure-is-rooted-in-faith-compa?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a254e42d-a3e1-485b-8334-3551db6d12ea</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[New House bill targets abortion mandate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A House bill with 50 co-sponsors was introduced Tuesday (March 5) that would exempt organizations and businesses from the Obama administration&rsquo;s abortion/contraceptive mandate.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:30:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/New-House-bill-targets-abortion-mandate?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3f86e4c3-5edd-40a4-bafc-4d988adaef3f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N. Korea’s ‘hatred of Christians’ puts 70,000 believers in prison]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Persecution of Christians in North Korea shows no sign of abating under the country&rsquo;s new leader, Kim Jong-Un, according to a report by the worldwide ministry Open Doors. Of an estimated 200,000 prisoners in North Korea, 70,000 of them are Christians, Open Doors reported. For the 11th consecutive year, North Korea tops Open Doors&rsquo; list of the worst countries for its brutal treatment of believers.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:20:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/N-Korea-s-hatred-of-Christians-puts-70-000-believe?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">49e31b66-1784-44f5-b1e2-77e1c11cb27b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Sudan treatment of Christians becomes harsher]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Mohammed Khidir Khalil Hassan, a Sudanese convert to Christianity from Islam, has to be careful what songs he sings to his sons. Nearly a year ago, after his wife left him, a Sudanese court had ruled that as a convert from Islam he was forbidden to see his children, then ages 3 and 5. An appeals court overturned the ruling last October and allowed him visits, but he knows any pretext could be used to keep him from them.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:13:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Sudan-treatment-of-Christians-becomes-harsher?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f84dd6fc-a42b-4768-bfb4-b78a08c2242d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Evangelism-themed Bibles en route to churches]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Every Southern Baptist and Canadian National Baptist church in North America will receive a case of New Testaments from the North American Mission Board (NAMB) by early April. The &ldquo;Find It Here&rdquo; New Testaments are part of NAMB&rsquo;s God&rsquo;s Plan for Sharing: GPS initiative to encourage &ldquo;Every Believer Sharing, Every Person Hearing&rdquo; by 2020.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 06 Mar 2013 21:14:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Evangelism-themed-Bibles-en-route-to-churches?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3f3b9833-93a7-4bda-94e4-afe1dfbb8819</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Elliff poses 5 questions for Southern Baptists]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Call down God&rsquo;s fire or shuffle into irrelevancy &ndash; that&rsquo;s the warning Tom Elliff gave trustees of the International Mission Board (IMB) during its Feb. 26-27 meeting in Las Vegas. Speaking from 1 Kings 18 (Elijah and the prophets of Baal), IMB&rsquo;s president challenged trustees to ask God to show His power among the nations much like He did when Elijah beckoned fire from heaven, turning Israel&rsquo;s heart back to the Lord.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 06 Mar 2013 21:00:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Elliff-poses-5-questions-for-Southern-Baptists?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">96912b43-3a48-4970-b231-02f2453b1e90</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Life’s lessons prepare 62 new IMB missionaries]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Amid a celebration with a South African flair rivaling a Las Vegas stage show, International Mission Board (IMB) trustees appointed 62 men and women as overseas missionaries. The Feb. 27 service at Hope Church in Las Vegas increased to 4,894 the number of IMB missionaries worldwide and highlighted the commitment of new appointees who shared how God used European vacations, parental loss, milky water and chili peppers to teach them to value a lost world.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:56:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Life-s-lessons-prepare-62-new-IMB-missionaries?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7084eacc-e1f9-4224-a5cd-fb7ea7ecfb1a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘The Bible’ series debuts with huge ratings]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[History Channel&rsquo;s &ldquo;The Bible&rdquo; miniseries debuted with impressive numbers that likely will capture the attention of other television executives, drawing 13.1 million total viewers on March 3 to become the No. 1 entertainment telecast on cable so far this year. It also was the top show Sunday night on either broadcast or cable TV.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:44:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/The-Bible-series-debuts-with-huge-ratings?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">041bce16-f01a-4069-ad82-a485075b5a6a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘The Bible & Sex’ debated at seminary]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Does the Bible present a clear message on sexual ethics? Or does the text send mixed messages on the subject? Speakers at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary addressed the matter recently. New Testament scholar Ben Witherington III of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky., said the Bible upholds only two options when it comes to sex: monogamous heterosexual marriage or celibacy in singleness.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:29:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/The-Bible-Sex-debated-at-seminary?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">dabff17b-02f5-4b51-9977-e2347ab97763</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Profs debate whether Bible has many meanings]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The philosophy and method of biblical interpretation took center stage during New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary&rsquo;s Greer-Heard Forum, titled &ldquo;The Bible and Sex.&rdquo; Ben Witherington III of Asbury Seminary presented a traditional approach to biblical interpretation, where the Bible is considered a &ldquo;firm foundation&rdquo; and a timeless source of moral absolutes for Christian living. On the other hand, Jennifer Wright Knust of Boston University presented a relativistic approach to biblical interpretation, one in which few constants exist and individual readers apply their own meaning and insight.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:20:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Profs-debate-whether-Bible-has-many-meanings?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9ed2f4af-a0de-40f8-a2b5-3f5e583865e7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Luter visits N.C., encourages African-American pastors]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Speaking to a group of mostly African-American pastors and church leaders, Fred Luter voiced both encouragement and concern regarding a few issues Southern Baptists face today. The first African-American to be elected as SBC president, Luter discussed everything from Calvinism to pastors standing up against societal pressures on issues such as gay marriage. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 05 Mar 2013 19:44:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Luter-visits-N-C-encourages-African-American-pasto?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d14423ed-fee0-4034-ad17-e5e35a5475c8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bible Oasis ministry spreads God’s Word, impacts lives]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[There&rsquo;s something special about putting a Bible into the hands of someone who doesn&rsquo;t have a copy of their own, says Scott Whitehead. It&rsquo;s Whitehead&rsquo;s desire to share God&rsquo;s Word with others that inspired him to start a ministry called &ldquo;Bible Oasis&rdquo; that provides free Bibles at some of the Christian-owned businesses in the Charlotte area.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 05 Mar 2013 19:36:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Bible-Oasis-ministry-spreads-God-s-Word-impacts-li?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">99c3f906-e043-49b7-8cd0-7bcb122e026f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[TV Bible series producers aim to ‘glorify God’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Hollywood mogul best known for producing reality television programs is behind a new production of the ultimate &ldquo;reality&rdquo; story &ndash; the Bible. Mark Burnett and his wife, Roma Downey, who played the angel Monica on the hit CBS show &ldquo;Touched by an Angel,&rdquo; are executive producers of &ldquo;The Bible,&rdquo; a 10-hour, five-part miniseries that began March 3, on the History Channel and will continue to air each Sunday until Easter Sunday, March 31.<br />
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 05 Mar 2013 19:27:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/TV-Bible-series-producers-aim-to-glorify-God?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8f7439c0-c0b4-4435-b0d0-9ec235d96d5c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Bible’ series mostly receives thumbs up]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The debut of the History Channel&rsquo;s &ldquo;The Bible&rdquo; mini-series Sunday (March 3) received mostly positive reviews from Baptist Press readers on Twitter and Facebook. Although not scientific, the feedback apparently shows that unlike most History Channel documentaries &ndash; which generally cast a skeptical eye on the truthfulness of scripture &ndash; the five-part, 10-hour miniseries has placed the Bible in a more positive light, and Christians are noticing. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 05 Mar 2013 19:22:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Bible-series-mostly-receives-thumbs-up?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5aa4071d-4218-43aa-bba3-16a64041e8ce</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Obama admin.: Marriage no longer state issue]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Obama administration abandoned its states&rsquo; rights position on marriage Feb. 28 by asking the Supreme Court to overturn California&rsquo;s Proposition 8, and in the process it laid the legal groundwork for legalizing gay marriage nationwide.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:01:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Obama-admin-Marriage-no-longer-state-issue?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">26dc52b4-4662-414a-b471-c448af97009a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Culture Reach: ‘Love every Muslim’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nabeel&rsquo;s life used to be all about showing others that he is &ldquo;an ambassador for Islam.&rdquo; The grandson of Muslim missionaries, Nabeel loved to argue in defense of his faith. And then he unexpectedly befriended a Christian who helped lead him to faith in Jesus.&nbsp;<br />
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Mar 2013 20:20:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Culture-Reach-Love-every-Muslim?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">32800739-29df-4239-afeb-5afdd3e57ed6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Don McCutcheon to retire]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Don McCutcheon, executive leader for evangelization of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC), has announced he is taking early retirement effective June 1.&nbsp;<br />
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:29:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Don-McCutcheon-to-retire?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">698846df-0990-4089-86d2-038fb03c7295</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Reaching Vancouver by 'accident']]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Victor and Candice Thomas landed in Vancouver, British Columbia, promising they&rsquo;d never stay &ndash; that was five years ago. They arrived in 2007, so Victor could start a four-month stint as a researcher at Simon Fraser University &ndash; what Victor called an extended honeymoon for the newlyweds.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:09:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2013/Reaching-Vancouver-by-accident?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">82a641aa-f2be-4419-b3b5-1756cb56f470</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hunger for gospel in NYC inspires, Embrace team prepares for Boston]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Although the team was briefed on Hinduism before entering the temple in Jackson Heights, Queens, Wendy Mitchell was surprised to see all the different gods lined up along the wall. Dressed in sequined outfits, she said the statues looked almost like giant dolls.<br />
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:34:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Hunger-for-gospel-in-NYC-inspires-Embrace-team-pre?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">851723a2-1c81-458f-aa70-9897ecd4ae1d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[New perspectives motivate Epic church to ministry]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[There are more affluent places in the United States than San Francisco, but not many. Living in that environment can numb people to need. Ben Pilgreen knows God is in the perspective-changing business.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:23:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/New-perspectives-motivate-Epic-church-to-ministry?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a793f476-5d05-441b-a09d-234df3a8cc8d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Mass. schools to allow boys in girls' restrooms]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Under a sweeping directive issued by the Massachusetts Department of Education, boys and girls who identify as the opposite sex now are allowed to use whichever school bathroom and locker room they feel most comfortable in, and schools are discouraged from using gender-based clothes and from conducting gender-based practices.<br />
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:05:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Mass-schools-to-allow-boys-in-girls-restrooms?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8ba594d5-e38e-4e2f-86cf-a686236547b9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Dudley Shoals ready to partner, reach Queens with gospel ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Receptivity to the gospel is low in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Queens, N.Y., where many people are disinterested or really do not want to talk at all about the gospel.&nbsp;<br />
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:57:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Dudley-Shoals-ready-to-partner-reach-Queens-with-g?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">64110ff8-aa0e-42c2-85f4-e72ea88322b2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[A heart for church planting brings life change in Philly]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[If anyone understands the impact church planting and evangelism can have on someone, it&rsquo;s Peter Yanes. Together, the two changed his life.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:41:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/A-heart-for-church-planting-brings-life-change-in?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a6b0081d-a875-4c2a-8dee-32f91dff8467</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Movement seeks ‘1 Million Men’ to fight pornography addiction]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pornography is the &ldquo;pink elephant in the pew&rdquo; &ndash; the embarrassing, big subject no one wants to talk about &ndash; and that silence is feeding a &ldquo;bubonic plague&rdquo; harming churches, pastor <a href="http://www.churchatthemall.com/meetpastor/" target="_blank"><strong>Jay Dennis</strong></a> told state Baptist convention executive directors and editors gathered in Oklahoma City.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:23:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Movement-seeks-1-Million-Men-to-fight-pornography?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">043c5241-1c6f-47ec-9885-846e6606a028</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center launches FaithHealthNC]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Gary Gunderson believes strongly in the power of the local church to affect the health of the individual. &ldquo;Medical science has noticed that over a life span, people who have a faith community &ndash; not just a faith, but a faith community, a local congregation &ndash; it is as healthy for that person as smoking is unhealthy,&rdquo; he said.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:19:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Wake-Forest-Baptist-Medical-Center-launches-FaithH?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fc7dc1d3-935f-49a4-bbd3-69d79358ed09</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hobby Lobby: resolute in court, visionary for Bible’s relevance]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Hobby Lobby has been pushed to the front lines of a monumental battle over religious liberty just when the arts and crafts chain is aiming to open a Bible museum near the U.S. Capitol in Washington. &ldquo;God&rsquo;s up to something,&rdquo; Steve Green, Hobby Lobby&rsquo;s president, often says. &ldquo;We&#39;re just along for the ride.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:12:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Hobby-Lobby-resolute-in-court-visionary-for-Bible?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f5fdbaf8-15ae-4e90-9fc2-8774e03b79ed</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey: Spiritual maturity entails intentionality]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Christians on the path to spiritual maturity have a habit of seeking God through prayer and worship &ndash; not just in church but also as a part of their daily life as a way to please and honor God, according to a survey released by LifeWay Research.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:09:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Survey-Spiritual-maturity-entails-intentionality?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c24e0dd0-9e20-4794-a457-b99adf7c7aa4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Childhood memory reawakens call to LoveLoud ministry]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A new home, new position, new ministry and new outlook came to Lorna Bius in the summer of 2012. But there was something oddly familiar about it all. Something in a childhood memory &ndash; forgotten for years &ndash; brought back the realization that Bius had seen this before.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:55:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Childhood-memory-reawakens-call-to-LoveLoud-minist?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a0e92cec-2f6e-45c9-8558-37d0ee87dc1d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Retired SBC editor Leonard Hill dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Leonard E. Hill, who served the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) most notably as managing editor of the former <em>Baptist Program</em> leadership magazine, died Feb. 18 in a Nashville nursing home. He was 83.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 19:46:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Retired-SBC-editor-Leonard-Hill-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5cd0d5b0-13f9-4884-a926-e0d6e55bc0d2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Human trafficking issue captures N.C. missionary’s heart]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Sandra Johnson refuses to turn her back on the problem. And she believes North Carolina Baptists shouldn&rsquo;t turn away either. For Johnson, a North American Mission Board (NAMB) missionary based in N.C., the issue of human trafficking is personal, and it&rsquo;s a problem that is right in our &ldquo;own backyard.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:22:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Human-trafficking-issue-captures-N-C-missionary-s?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">54e7345e-a924-489e-85d5-b5fe069b1d28</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[When the world comes to Wicker Park]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Look around Chicago&rsquo;s Wicker Park and you&rsquo;ll find just about every kind of person you can imagine. You may meet 44-year-old Maurice Burr, the one-time high school football star who spends his days in a wheelchair because of gang violence.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:08:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/When-the-world-comes-to-Wicker-Park?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2e13edfd-4457-45dc-8ae7-9205759a9ade</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Such horrific pressures’ Abedini writes from jail]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pastor Saeed Abedini, a U.S. citizen of Iranian descent, has released a letter from within Iran&rsquo;s brutal Evin prison in Tehran, demonstrating that his faith remains strong despite abusive tactics from Iranian officials aimed at getting him to renounce Christ.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 25 Feb 2013 19:58:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Such-horrific-pressures-Abedini-writes-from-jail?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b0491263-df21-44d0-86fa-e171e1c7d4cb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tebow’s pastor: ‘Pray for Tim,’ fellow Christians]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The day after New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow cancelled a scheduled appearance at First Baptist Church in Dallas, his pastor called for prayer for him and those &ldquo;hated by the world&rdquo; because of the stands they take.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 25 Feb 2013 19:43:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Tebow-s-pastor-Pray-for-Tim-fellow-Christians?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2ed76353-686f-4140-a964-af878569bbe2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Megachurches thrive in tough economic times]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Despite the tough economy, many of the nation&rsquo;s largest churches are thriving, with increased offerings and plans to hire more staff, a new survey shows.&nbsp;Just 3 percent of churches with 2,000 or more attendance surveyed by Leadership Network, a Dallas-based church think tank, said they were affected &ldquo;very negatively&rdquo; by the economy in recent years.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:57:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Megachurches-thrive-in-tough-economic-times?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e4210700-d3a7-47e1-a352-059ced476ae8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Howard Hendricks, author & longtime ‘prof,’ dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When author and longtime Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) professor Howard Hendricks passed away Feb. 20 at the age of 88, Southern Baptist leaders, seminary professors and pastors took to Twitter to honor his life.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:13:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Howard-Hendricks-author-longtime-prof-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9a8987d8-d839-4805-ab87-dcb8611086dc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[ERLC joins more briefs on abortion mandate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s ethics entity has told two more federal appeals courts the Obama administration&rsquo;s abortion/contraception mandate violates religious liberty.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:08:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/ERLC-joins-more-briefs-on-abortion-mandate?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6feeb513-2aea-43e7-a4cd-2ed97c21e333</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tebow cancels appearance at FBC Dallas]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[After recent criticism, New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow has canceled a scheduled appearance at First Baptist Church in Dallas.&nbsp;Tebow announced the cancellation in a series of tweets Thursday (Feb. 21).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:59:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Tebow-cancels-appearance-at-FBC-Dallas?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c4dc842e-ff91-4e4e-97da-a868279970f5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Rick Warren advocates religious liberty for all]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[American Christians should repent for not supporting the religious freedom of people of other faiths, mega-church pastor Rick Warren said at a recent forum in Washington, D.C.&nbsp;&ldquo;Seventy-five percent of our world lives in societies in which there is no religious liberty,&rdquo; said Warren, who urged Christians to advocate for the freedom of all people to practice their religious beliefs.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:51:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Rick-Warren-advocates-religious-liberty-for-all?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d827e1cd-de3c-4b61-afcb-0dcf21ca4d7f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[CBF approves new leader]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (<a href="http://www.thefellowship.info/" target="_blank"><em><strong>CBF</strong></em></a>) unanimously approved its third executive coordinator Feb. 21.&nbsp;The CBF Coordinating Council cast assenting votes for Suzii Paynter of Austin, Texas.&nbsp;She will officially begin work March 1 at the Atlanta office.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:46:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/CBF-approves-new-leader?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">11a60987-9cff-4624-8e3d-88b9bd61719b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC EC OKs requests with int’l impact]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Executive Committee (EC) approved Tuesday (Feb. 19) two SBC entities&rsquo; requests regarding work in China and Canada.&nbsp;Committee members unanimously approved a request by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lifeway.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>LifeWay Christian Resources</strong></em></a>&nbsp;to form LifeWay Global, a for&ndash;profit subsidiary that will make Bibles, Bible study materials and training materials available to churches and Christians in China.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2013 20:15:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/SBC-EC-OKs-requests-with-int-l-impact?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6c6288e4-7ce1-435f-8a30-7edd980bc656</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[40 Days for Life: ending abortion, starting locally]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When&nbsp;<a href="http://www.40daysforlife.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>40 Days for Life</strong></em></a>&nbsp;launched a nationwide campaign in 2007, no plan existed for a follow-up. That fall effort was both the first and only, as far as its leaders knew.&nbsp;&ldquo;We had no intention of doing a second campaign,&rdquo; said Shawn Carney, 40 Days for Life&rsquo;s campaign director.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:58:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/40-Days-for-Life-ending-abortion-starting-locally?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">46db3f36-b290-45f7-b555-6ca465cc410c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘40 Days’ helps bring healing to N.C. Baptist woman]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&nbsp;Katherine Hearn never intended to pray at an abortion clinic during 40 Days for Life or any other pro-life effort.&nbsp;Yet, Hearn, a Southern Baptist church member, once again stood outside such a facility Feb. 13 in Charlotte, N.C., on the first day of the latest 40 Days effort &ndash; just as she has in every campaign since the pro-life ministry went nationwide in 2007.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:00:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/40-Days-helps-bring-healing-to-N-C-Baptist-woman?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">186bfcd2-d4a7-49b6-b3f3-726895e6c8e3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Don Rutledge, global missions pioneer, dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Renowned photographer Don Rutledge, who told the story of missions through his camera lens for several generations of Southern Baptists, died at his home near Richmond, Va., Feb. 19. He was 82 and had been in declining health for some time.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:41:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Don-Rutledge-global-missions-pioneer-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c7bf432e-d7c1-4683-acf8-e1395833150d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Can the Lord count on you?’ Luter asks Southern Baptists]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Fred Luter challenged Southern Baptists to follow Jesus and be known for evangelism, discipleship and concern for the lost, in his presidential address to the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Executive Committee (EC) in Nashville.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:30:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Can-the-Lord-count-on-you-Luter-asks-Southern-Bapt?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c9d2327d-94e0-4b16-b022-34ebd3a3f7a5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[1% Challenge a surprising success, Page says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The 1% Challenge for increased Cooperative Program (CP) giving has been a surprising success, Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Executive Committee (EC), said Feb. 18.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:15:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/1-Challenge-a-surprising-success-Page-says?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6d98c92f-809b-4f98-b71e-74bfe7a7acf4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[EC resolution criticizes Scout leadership]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>Southern Baptist Convention</strong></em></a>&rsquo;s Executive Committee Tuesday (Feb. 19) unanimously passed a resolution that criticizes Boy Scouts leadership for trying to change the policy on homosexuality but also urges the Scouts&rsquo; voting members to uphold the current policy in May.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:08:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/EC-resolution-criticizes-Scout-leadership?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">938c5d09-8ad3-4a2b-ba4d-03d057c3344e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Don Rutledge, missions photographer, dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Renowned photographer Don Rutledge, who told the global story of missions through his camera lens for several generations of Southern Baptists, died at his home near Richmond, Va., early Feb. 19. He was 82 and had been in declining health for some time.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:58:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Don-Rutledge-missions-photographer-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e2036d7c-5e4c-4dbb-a24d-ca38d320ecdd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pregnant teen wins case against parents]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A judge on Monday (Feb. 18) granted an injunction against the parents of a pregnant teen who alleged they were forcing her through intimidation and threats of violence to have an abortion. Stephen Casey, an attorney representing the 16-year-old girl, said she and the teenage father of the baby are both relieved by the decision of Judge James Lombardino of the 308th Harris County Family Court in Houston that frees her to carry the pregnancy to term without coercion from her parents.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:48:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Pregnant-teen-wins-case-against-parents?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4a407223-580b-4ede-bbf6-89773b9c5019</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Deadline extended to receive nominations ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Committee on Nominations of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) has extended its deadline to receive recommendations for the Board of Directors and Convention committees until March 13, 2013.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:50:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Deadline-extended-to-receive-nominations?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3b7739cd-469e-4d62-aff8-2bb6c7f9c3a3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gay marriage bills advance in 2 states]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Less than two months into the new year, legislative bodies in two states have passed bills that would legalize gay marriage, while a civil unions bill has made progress in a third state.&nbsp;The Illinois Senate passed a bill Feb. 14 that would legalize gay marriage, three weeks after the Rhode Island House approved a gay marriage bill.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:44:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Gay-marriage-bills-advance-in-2-states?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e4acf4fd-c643-47e5-9e5c-f46f8dcdad4f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Sunday suit reconnects pastor & home church]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Sam Morgan calls himself a &ldquo;boots and blue jeans type of person,&rdquo; but last year he realized he needed a new suit.&nbsp;Since moving from the Bible Belt in 1991 to become pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Creswell, Ore., Morgan had heard about the Mississippi Baptist Convention&rsquo;s men&rsquo;s ministry sending new suits to pastors in new work areas.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:30:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Sunday-suit-reconnects-pastor-home-church?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cd86224d-a45b-4939-bb4f-539e48cdf46b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Plan B becomes Plan A]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Almost 1 in 9 young women who are sexually active have used the morning-after pill after sex, more than double the rate that used it 11 years ago, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released Feb. 14.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:24:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Plan-B-becomes-Plan-A?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">345ec3f3-7f3c-4ff0-915f-da2773e8ab04</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Haven of hope: Overcoming darkness, helping the vulnerable]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Several years ago, Melanie found herself in a desperate situation. Homeless and struggling with substance abuse, she was pregnant and sleeping under a bridge in Oklahoma City. Life seemed hopeless. A newspaper article caught her eye, emphasizing the city of New Orleans struggling to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2013 19:56:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Haven-of-hope-Overcoming-darkness-helping-the-vuln?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5b3e72b7-b53b-485e-9541-0c9e01b1f760</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[AT&T, Ernst & Young execs could face Scout challenge]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[New leadership is needed for the Boy Scouts of America, a key Southern Baptist leader, Frank Page, said Thursday (Feb. 14) in Oklahoma City.&nbsp;&ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s time for Scouting people across the nation to rise up and ask for a change in leadership in Scouting,&rdquo; Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s Executive Committee, told editors of state Baptist papers during their annual meeting.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2013 19:40:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/AT-T-Ernst-Young-execs-could-face-Scout-challenge?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">67467cab-3744-4e87-a185-4ed897ff0a8b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Congress joins calls to release Iranian pastor]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Calls are intensifying for the U.S. to pressure Iran to free pastor Saeed Abedini, a U.S. citizen of Iranian descent who is being tortured in an Iranian prison and persecuted for his Christian faith.&nbsp;More than 80 U.S. Congress members from both parties signed a Feb. 12 letter urging Secretary of State John Kerry to &ldquo;exhaust every possible option to secure Mr. Abedini&rsquo;s immediate release.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2013 19:26:37 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Congress-joins-calls-to-release-Iranian-pastor?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4b955eb7-958d-4324-95ec-e09b9c60dbc4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Rainer sees positives for LifeWay through 2012-13 challenges]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve never been more challenged, and I&rsquo;ve never been more encouraged,&rdquo;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lifeway.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>LifeWay Christian Resources</strong></em></a>&nbsp;President Thom Rainer told the Southern Baptist entity&rsquo;s trustees during their semiannual meeting.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2013 19:09:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Rainer-sees-positives-for-LifeWay-through-2012-13?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4ec93f4c-c14e-4138-81bd-8ca084c39601</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Six states seek to legalize assisted suicide]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Six states &ndash; Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, Kansas, Hawaii, and Massachusetts &ndash; are looking to pass bills legalizing assisted suicide, which has never made it through a legislature despite 122 attempts in 25 states.&nbsp;Physician-assisted suicide is legal only in Oregon and Washington state, and in both cases the law passed through ballot measures.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2013 19:04:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Six-states-seek-to-legalize-assisted-suicide?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">032c536a-75e8-4f2e-a119-7776a07a8846</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Christians learn to tell ‘The Story’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Because the amount of people who have a basic understanding of the Bible &ldquo;is shrinking in America,&rdquo; Jerry McCorkle said he began to explore a &ldquo;new&rdquo; way to share the Christian faith with all people.&nbsp;The result is &ldquo;The Story&rdquo; (<a href="http://viewthestory.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>viewthestory.com</strong></em></a>), an evangelism and discipleship tool to help relay the overarching story of the Bible &ndash; creation, fall, rescue and restoration.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 15 Feb 2013 19:29:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Christians-learn-to-tell-The-Story?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5306ac9d-efbf-4a94-a9e8-9788fad540d5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[South home to most "Bible-minded" cities]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The South is home to the top 10 most &quot;Bible-minded&quot; cities in the United States, according to new&nbsp;<a href="http://cities.barna.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Barna Group research</strong></em></a>.&nbsp;Defining Bible-minded as a person who reads the Bible in a typical week and strongly asserts the accuracy of its teaching, researchers determined that Knoxville, Tenn., is the most Bible-minded city in the United States, with 52 percent of the city&rsquo;s population fitting that category.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 15 Feb 2013 19:24:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/South-home-to-most-Bible-minded-cities?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">369ff978-30cc-4b36-9d5b-cd63426c917b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Is God the missing character in ‘Downton Abbey’?]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The third season of the megahit PBS series &ldquo;Downton Abbey&rdquo; wraps up Sunday (Feb. 17), capping another must-see run of ruin and redemption at Lord Grantham&rsquo;s stately English manor. Yet some are still left puzzled over the absence of what should be a leading Upstairs player in this colorful cast: God.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 15 Feb 2013 19:13:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Is-God-the-missing-character-in-Downton-Abbey?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5e226f1c-785a-42d1-96f7-21ab40e26edc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[VBS a bridge to gospel for ‘spiritual orphans’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Shane Garrison was a little boy, the chasm between his non-Christian home and the local Baptist church was just too wide to cross. But, one summer, Vacation Bible School (VBS) became his bridge.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 15 Feb 2013 19:00:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/VBS-a-bridge-to-gospel-for-spiritual-orphans?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">190adf47-952b-4f1a-a013-05cd6339457c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Global marketplace becoming a mission field]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In the mountains of Ecuador, Scott Tye&rsquo;s small office serves as more than just a satellite for his business, which is based in Allen, Texas. And it does more than provide an income for eight of his employees.&nbsp;Tye recently hired a young Ecuadorian couple to manage the office. Their goal is to eventually serve as missionaries in another country.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 15 Feb 2013 18:52:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Global-marketplace-becoming-a-mission-field?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d19c833f-eea4-4c81-b03c-f5e34c44e0ee</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC president urges more African Americans to mission field]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[This is not your father&rsquo;s Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>).&nbsp;That&rsquo;s a message SBC President Fred Luter wants an increasingly diverse generation of young evangelicals to hear.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:50:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/SBC-president-urges-more-African-Americans-to-miss?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2710eb6a-da6a-48a4-a573-c19e2f1667f3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[House passes bill to give disaster relief to religious groups]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:46:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/House-passes-bill-to-give-disaster-relief-to-relig?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">64300b58-cc8a-4a96-a723-e5c9812dece6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Obama backs litany of initiatives for progress]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The United States has made &ldquo;much progress&rdquo; because of the &ldquo;grit and determination&rdquo; of its citizens, President Obama said Tuesday (Feb. 12) in a State of the Union speech in which he promoted a litany of initiatives at the start of his second term.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:29:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Obama-backs-litany-of-initiatives-for-progress?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cb51aa20-fa48-4d32-bf3b-28fe1cc6752f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[True Love Waits returns to where it began 20 years ago]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[True Love Waits morphed from a nameless concept in coffee break conversations into a movement that, beginning in February 1993, steadily spread to teenagers across the country.&nbsp;That month, 53 youth at Tulip Grove Baptist Church committed themselves to sexual abstinence before marriage.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:20:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/True-Love-Waits-returns-to-where-it-began-20-years?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">aa6a0e0d-92c3-43e2-9fcd-d256714bab63</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bus accident turns miraculous for missionaries]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Missionaries Tommy and Beth Larner were out running errands on a typical summer day in Tijuana, Mexico. They decided to grab a quick lunch before preparing for an evening of prayerwalking with local believers.&nbsp;Seconds later, Tommy lay sprawled on the pavement as he attempted to cross the busy street.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:02:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Bus-accident-turns-miraculous-for-missionaries?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0df7640b-458b-4793-8999-e957e6ddefee</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Connection church planting roots, engaging community  ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Larry Mayberry and members of Connection Church met Nancy as she frantically tried using five-gallon buckets to remove water in her flooded basement. After Hurricane Sandy, Nancy&rsquo;s home in the Rockaways area of Queens needed much repair and her car was destroyed.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 13 Feb 2013 20:05:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Connection-church-planting-roots-engaging-communit?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">255ddc19-09a8-4afa-863c-2396b18c0e64</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Celebrities recall brushes with Graham in ‘Billy & Me’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Evangelist Billy Graham has rubbed elbows with celebrities ranging from presidents to journalists to musicians. In &ldquo;Billy Graham &amp; Me,&rdquo; a new book in the &ldquo;Chicken Soup for the Soul&rdquo; franchise that was released Feb. 12, 101 people who have met Graham on the public stage share their private memories of the 94-year-old preacher.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:53:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Celebrities-recall-brushes-with-Graham-in-Billy-Me?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">dac5b32d-2195-4d46-905f-8897df380138</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gardner-Webb raises $46 million for capital campaign ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Gardner-Webb University announced recently that it exceeded its capital campaign goal by more than $1 million.&nbsp;The Higher Ground Campaign, which publicly launched in 2010 with a $45 million goal, ended with a total of $46,052,250 raised.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:46:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Gardner-Webb-raises-$46-million-for-capital-campai?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ddaac24e-fe86-4298-942d-551328753821</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Miss. tornado victims getting needed relief]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Mississippi Baptists have activated nine chainsaw, blue tarp and feeding units to respond to victims of the Feb. 10 tornado that damaged or destroyed 300 homes and businesses in the state, injured 85 residents, but took no lives.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:34:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Miss-tornado-victims-getting-needed-relief?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0359d919-1eae-4266-b8a5-67be49a669d4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Attorney: Church bylaws should define marriage]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With the U.S. Supreme Court set to take up gay marriage and potentially legalize it this summer, churches that host wedding ceremonies or other events for traditional couples should examine their bylaws and shield themselves from the impact of possible litigation, says an attorney who specializes in religious liberty issues.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:20:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Attorney-Church-bylaws-should-define-marriage?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">282a77a7-9722-406c-8f3b-ab76970238b5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Loving, relating to, reaching Muslims to be focus of conference]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nabeel Qureshi was a devout Muslim until he met a Christian who could defend the gospel and authority of the Bible.&nbsp;His encounter with this Christian set in motion a personal journey to discover the truth about Jesus Christ and the Bible.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:27:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Loving-relating-to-reaching-Muslims-to-be-focus-of?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7661a2e6-e9b7-4664-a3ce-05561b556a68</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Collegiate conference urges renewed focus on missions ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Before knowing Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, C.J. Mahaney described his life as a &ldquo;mad career&rdquo; of sin. Mahaney, who now leads&nbsp;<em><strong><a href="http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/" target="_blank">Sovereign Grace Ministries</a></strong></em>, was heavily involved in illicit drug use and headed on a path toward destruction.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:16:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Collegiate-conference-urges-renewed-focus-on-missi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">884eaf32-ab4a-4ce5-827b-7fa8fd990be1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tornado spares Miss. church; teams activating]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg was right in the path of the tornado. Church leaders huddled children and adults into safe places at 5 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 10) for protection, when the storm shifted at the last moment, sparing the church but hitting the high school next door.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:08:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Tornado-spares-Miss-church;-teams-activating?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3f505b80-d935-4bcc-9792-e900682544c2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Guns: ‘Packing heat in church’ increasingly allowed in U.S.]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As gun control takes high priority on Capitol Hill, state legislatures increasingly are allowing concealed guns in our most sacred place, the church, either for personal protection or for worshippers designated as church security personnel.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:53:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Guns-Packing-heat-in-church-increasingly-allowed-i?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">376c7015-d320-4c0e-b298-7634b70fe092</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Evangelicals: Benedict has been a ‘friend of life’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As the world reacted to the unexpected news that Pope Benedict XVI would become the first pope in six centuries to resign, evangelicals acknowledged major theological differences while citing Benedict&rsquo;s commitment to human dignity as a key part of his legacy.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:42:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Evangelicals-Benedict-has-been-a-friend-of-life?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">47f0c238-22af-49bd-936f-1874a3dcccd2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Worship Summit focuses on unity, not preference]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Whether you enjoy praising God with a Baptist hymnal in your hand as an organ plays in the background, or it&rsquo;s the electric guitar and drums that stir you to worship, everyone seems to have an opinion about church music.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:55:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Worship-Summit-focuses-on-unity-not-preference?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3244523c-8613-456b-821b-d00911748f35</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Fruitland, NCBAM announce new opportunities]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In addition to offering new online courses, Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute plans to unleash other new classroom opportunities for their 2013 fall semester, David Horton, president of Fruitland, told the Baptist Sate Convention of North Carolina&rsquo;s Board of Directors during their January meeting.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:38:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Fruitland-NCBAM-announce-new-opportunities?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9971f50b-f78d-4166-b22a-bd4664883c36</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iranian-American pastor reportedly tortured]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[An Iranian-born pastor who is a U.S. citizen is undergoing physical and mental torture in a notoriously brutal Tehran prison while an international campaign for his release mounts, according to the American Center for Law and Justice (<a href="http://aclj.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong><u>ACLJ</u></strong></em></a>).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:29:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Iranian-American-pastor-reportedly-tortured?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">67393b7c-8702-4acb-be27-933ef737fff9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Syria refugees surpass 700,000; deaths, 60,000]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Refugees keep streaming from Syria as a cycle of violence and revenge threatens to destroy their homeland, and even the United Nations cannot keep up with the &ldquo;unrelenting flow,&rdquo; a Southern Baptist humanitarian leader said.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:17:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Syria-refugees-surpass-700-000;-deaths-60-000?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">31c1ff5f-91bc-464a-80d8-7ff9ecf8a67c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Miracles on the border: Syrians encounter Jesus]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Christian relief team heard about the needy Syrian widow living outside a Lebanese Muslim village near the Syrian border. So they took food to her. Apparently, Jesus had been there first.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:05:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Miracles-on-the-border-Syrians-encounter-Jesus?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7b8eae7b-52b9-464e-aad1-34b47dc83daa</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Wounded warrior learns power of forgiveness]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Forgive? Don&rsquo;t talk to me about forgiving. You didn&rsquo;t see what they did to my father, to my brother, to my daughter. You didn&rsquo;t see what my son&rsquo;s body looked like when they brought him home in a box. A lot of Syrians will declare something like that &ndash; with blood in their eyes.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:52:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Wounded-warrior-learns-power-of-forgiveness?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3c003e58-5f9e-4928-9eab-61a7ec7986b6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[TRUSTEES: 1.9% increase in offering reflects heart for missions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong><u>NAMB</u></strong></em></a>) President Kevin Ezell expressed gratitude to Southern Baptists whose giving to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering increased 1.9 percent in 2012. The gain, Ezell said during NAMB trustees&rsquo; Feb. 5-6 meeting in San Diego, will translate into greater effectiveness in reaching North America for Christ.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:58:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/TRUSTEES-1-9-increase-in-offering-reflects-heart-f?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">71ab3129-bb22-4646-b183-4480205e0c6b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gary Frost to lead NAMB Midwest Region]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong><u>NAMB</u></strong></em></a>) trustees approved the appointment of Gary Frost as the board&rsquo;s new Midwest Region vice president during their Feb. 6 meeting in San Diego. Frost is returning to NAMB&rsquo;s staff from New York where he has been a pastor and leader of a local association of Southern Baptist churches.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:45:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Gary-Frost-to-lead-NAMB-Midwest-Region?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d02e8e98-650d-444a-a8df-9a4a8fd08c87</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[At Super Bowl, BR’s Gabriel chats with NFL royalty, Blind Side’s Oher]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Rubbing shoulders with professional athletes and various sports figures has been part of life for Roman Gabriel III, the president of Sold Out Ministries and radio host. For the <em>Biblical Recorder</em>, Gabriel has interviewed a variety of personalities &ndash; from the NFL&rsquo;s Tony Dungy to NASCAR&rsquo;s Blake Koch.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 07 Feb 2013 20:30:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/At-Super-Bowl-BR-s-Gabriel-chats-with-NFL-royalty?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a7da6b12-5c70-4ffd-be71-9d797c700079</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Scouts, delaying vote, spark Baptist leaders’ hopefulness]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Facing pressure from its supporters and members, the Boy Scouts (BSA) executive board announced Wednesday (Feb. 6) it is delaying a decision on lifting its prohibition of gay Scout leaders and members until May, when it will put the matter before its 1,400 voting members.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 07 Feb 2013 20:15:37 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Scouts-delaying-vote-spark-Baptist-leaders-hopeful?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a04124c8-7dbd-4892-90f5-9410e63e92f6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Kazakh authorities raid Baptists, fine pastors]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Police and other officials in Kazakhstan raided at least eight different worship meetings in January, including three Baptist congregations. Forum 18, a Norway-based religious freedom monitor, reported that three Council of Churches Baptist pastors were fined two months&rsquo; average wages for leading meetings.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 07 Feb 2013 20:11:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Kazakh-authorities-raid-Baptists-fine-pastors?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">97213052-52cd-4b33-ab00-f127b8f62d17</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Union Univ. tornado: 5 years of renewal]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Union University students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends celebrated God&rsquo;s goodness and providence on the five-year anniversary of a tornado that destroyed much of the campus Feb. 5. &ldquo;Our purpose in gathering tonight is not to be nostalgic,&rdquo; Union President David S. Dockery said. &ldquo;What we&rsquo;re doing tonight is something very biblical, which is to remember.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 07 Feb 2013 19:54:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Union-Univ-tornado-5-years-of-renewal?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">089f7678-36fd-4ba2-a544-0cbaff54e4cc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Persecution in China climbs for 7th year]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Government persecution of Christians in China increased in 2012 for the seventh consecutive year,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chinaaid.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>ChinaAid</strong></em></a>&nbsp;reported Feb. 4, with the government especially moving to eradicate house churches.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:48:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Persecution-in-China-climbs-for-7th-year?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e21e8398-02ff-4924-93e2-5f8048dc5d9b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Test]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Test]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:41:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Test?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8f7e0436-c9c1-4e35-b232-55576f3660bc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[11th injunction issued against abortion mandate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[An appeals court has blocked enforcement of the Obama administration&rsquo;s abortion/contraceptive mandate against a Minnesota business, marking the 11th win by businesses or organizations against the controversial federal policy.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:36:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/11th-injunction-issued-against-abortion-mandate?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">08cb1fc0-ecbc-4eae-9a48-1422c33f49c8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In India, Bangalore hospital reflects on 40-year legacy]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A barren tract of land marked the spot in India &ndash; no trees, no fences and no buildings, only a dream.&nbsp;Forty years later, a countless variety of trees and buildings have multiplied on that same tract of land where, now, the Bangalore Baptist Hospital (BBH) has garnered a lasting legacy.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:11:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/In-India-Bangalore-hospital-reflects-on-40-year-le?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c9821102-e8a1-4665-848f-8a5e0dcd742d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘So God made a farmer’ Super Bowl ad inspires]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The late Paul Harvey&rsquo;s tribute &ldquo;So God Made a Farmer&rdquo; was given new life during Super Bowl XLVII Feb. 3, propelling a simple and somber Dodge Ram ad to the top of the popularity chart, past scantily-clad women and the usual commercial hype.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 05 Feb 2013 20:14:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/So-God-made-a-farmer-Super-Bowl-ad-inspires?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">90a05c08-fbff-4587-89bc-3e476a41bc63</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Leaders’ national ad exhorts Scouts to avoid ‘grave mistake’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With Boy Scouts board members potentially set to lift the organization&rsquo;s ban on homosexual troop leaders and members, some of the nation&rsquo;s leading pro-family groups ran an ad in&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usatoday.com" target="_blank"><strong><em>USA Today</em></strong></a>&nbsp;Monday urging the Scouts to stand by their current policy &ndash; and the groups urged readers to contact the Scouts as well.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 05 Feb 2013 20:10:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Leaders-national-ad-exhorts-Scouts-to-avoid-grave?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0a7030df-0085-46b0-bf0b-0f3c22c0549b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Supreme Court urged not to ‘disqualify’ religious conviction]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Support by religious citizens of laws affirming traditional marriage does not make those measures unconstitutional, the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s ethics entity and other organizations have told the U.S. Supreme Court.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:44:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Supreme-Court-urged-not-to-disqualify-religious-co?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f460bd3d-d4b5-40f0-909b-d8d8982f30b0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In Madagascar, SWBTS sees responsiveness]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A previously unreached people group in southern Madagascar received the gospel eagerly from a team of students and faculty from&nbsp;<a href="http://www.swbts.edu" target="_blank"><em><strong>Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary</strong></em></a>, with 180 people professing faith in Christ.&nbsp;Heeding International Mission Board (<a href="http://www.imb.org" target="_blank"><strong><em>IMB</em></strong></a>) President Tom Elliff&rsquo;s call for Southern Baptists to &ldquo;Embrace&rdquo; the world&rsquo;s unreached, unengaged people groups, Southwestern Seminary has endeavored to reach the Antandroy of Madagascar for Christ.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:41:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/In-Madagascar-SWBTS-sees-responsiveness?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3f4b459f-e8a7-4bc3-93f4-fd74b3d857f0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Marriage takes work: Pastors share struggles, victories]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jim Henry will never forget the time his wife made an appointment to see him.&nbsp;Henry, who was pastor of Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn. at the time, said he thought his wife, Jeanette, was playing a joke on him at first.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 04 Feb 2013 20:20:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Marriage-takes-work-Pastors-share-struggles-victor?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">21b85e42-a546-4ff1-85a1-0cf31fa96a9e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Land urges Scouts to protect values, boys]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist ethics leader Richard Land has urged Boy Scout officials to uphold their long-standing moral values and protect young males by abandoning their proposed policy change on homosexuality.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 04 Feb 2013 20:06:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Land-urges-Scouts-to-protect-values-boys?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8ae9e412-a8d3-45b2-a852-505b9740487d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[CP slightly above budgeted goal]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist national and international causes are 1.11 percent above the budgeted goal, and are 2.69 percent behind contributions received during the same time frame last year.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:50:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/CP-slightly-above-budgeted-goal?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d8467d70-22f7-48fa-81e0-5d0621b09649</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[New HHS rule on abortion mandate ‘inadequate’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Obama administration proposed a rule change Friday it says will appease the concerns religious organizations have about the abortion/contraceptive mandate, but legal groups who defend religious liberty called the proposal inadequate and said it fell far short of what is needed.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:28:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/New-HHS-rule-on-abortion-mandate-inadequate?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f3922a93-40e1-4aa5-82f6-df2207d166da</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Super Bowl, Mardi Gras & gospel converge]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Many have dubbed it &ldquo;Super Gras,&rdquo; the rare convergence of the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras in New Orleans, a $700 million influx encompassing well over a million tourists. The city has spent the last three years getting ready.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sat, 02 Feb 2013 21:54:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Super-Bowl-Mardi-Gras-gospel-converge?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f47f0d8d-32d0-4aa0-a4cf-8c142d110b61</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Low profile suits Ravens’ Cox]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[If Morgan Cox does his job in Sunday&rsquo;s Super Bowl matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, he won&rsquo;t make the headlines.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sat, 02 Feb 2013 21:49:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Low-profile-suits-Ravens-Cox?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ae05d1f4-1aa9-4a31-918d-68921bf90d56</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[BOD eyes new strategy, structure changes; elects officers]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Significant changes involving the structure and staff of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>) could be unavoidable in the coming year if N.C. Baptists are to reach their full potential for ministry, Milton Hollifield Jr. told the BSC&rsquo;s Board of Directors (BOD) Jan. 29.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Feb 2013 20:56:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/BOD-eyes-new-strategy-structure-changes;-elects-of?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4efd86ea-136d-4cfb-9ffb-6a524145878f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ravens or Niners? Christians face a ‘Super’ dilemma]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Who should Christians root for in Sunday&rsquo;s Super Bowl: the San Francisco 49ers or the Baltimore Ravens? It may be a silly question to some, though not to millions of American believers who invest a lot of faith and hope in their sports teams, and see it repaid many times over by the regular public testimonies of numerous athletes and coaches.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:34:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Ravens-or-Niners-Christians-face-a-Super-dilemma?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fe7dc7b1-a6e6-4289-9c2b-0514d0cd8c19</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[49ers’ kicker perseveres]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[David Akers spent a dozen seasons in the NFL in a time of plenty. Now in his second year with the San Francisco 49ers, Akers was one of the most consistent kickers in the game during 11 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, regularly hitting more than 80 percent of his field goal attempts.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:16:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/49ers-kicker-perseveres?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9e3083e8-0f7e-4e8d-9d4d-f0cf10a725ff</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ministering to pastors becomes pastor’s dream]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Darryl Love had a dream. He wanted to do something to help pastors in distress. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve had a passion to minister to pastors for about 15 years,&rdquo; said Love, 48. Love, pastor of <a href="http://www.crossovercommunitychurch.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Crossover Community Church</strong></em></a> in High Point, wanted a place of respite for pastors and their spouses.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:00:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Ministering-to-pastors-becomes-pastor-s-dream?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c30494ab-1f8d-4567-99e2-daf8aac42de1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Appeals court rules against abortion mandate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A federal appeals court has once again ruled against the Obama administration&rsquo;s abortion/contraception mandate in a case that has strong implications for religious liberty. A panel of the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday (Jan. 30) granted a preliminary injunction preventing the mandate from applying to Grote Industries, a for-profit company based in Madison, Ind., and owned by Catholics.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:56:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2013/Appeals-court-rules-against-abortion-mandate?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1f4b3efb-e1c1-4881-b9f6-495e027f44db</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Sandy Branch committed to serving community]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Sandy Branch Baptist Church in Bear Creek may not be the largest congregation in the state, but this group of believers in Chatham County is committed to making a difference for the Kingdom in their rural community. &ldquo;The mission field is right here; we have to go to it,&rdquo; said Marc Sanders, Sandy Branch pastor. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s no reason why even this small church can&rsquo;t be doing something to impact the community.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 31 Jan 2013 19:40:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Sandy-Branch-committed-to-serving-community?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b5ab08ed-d89e-4d96-80ed-0fa823a514db</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Christian history ‘made easy’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Professor Timothy Paul Jones acknowledges that plenty of people view the study of history as boring &ndash; full of drab facts and dates they&rsquo;d rather forget. But Jones says it shouldn&rsquo;t be that way, and he&rsquo;s written a book about Christian history &ndash; now in the form of a small-group DVD curriculum &ndash; that recounts 2,000 years of Christian faith with fascinating stories he believes are as entertaining as a good fiction book.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 31 Jan 2013 19:23:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Christian-history-made-easy?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e2ae0174-c033-4ca6-97a9-dbe58c66827c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chaplains rescue jumpers from suicide]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For eight years, Ross Hardy has walked the white chalk cliffs of Beachy Head, England, among the thousands who travel there from around the world. Many come to take pictures. Some come to die. And by God&rsquo;s grace and a keen eye, Hardy usually can tell the difference.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 31 Jan 2013 19:10:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Chaplains-rescue-jumpers-from-suicide?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4534c8fb-ed1b-423e-ac01-4b2881e1b1cc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Immigration proposal gets evangelical support]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Evangelical Christian advocates for broad immigration reform have warmly welcomed a proposal offered by a bipartisan group of United States senators. Republicans and four Democrats outlined Monday (Jan. 28) their plan for addressing what has been a hotly debated issue for years as an estimated 11 million illegal, or undocumented, immigrants have made their homes in this country.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:57:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Immigration-proposal-gets-evangelical-support?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">579f2b16-e071-4112-a084-f03b328cc663</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC’s Page urges Scouts not to change policy ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist leader Frank Page took part in a conference call Monday (Jan. 28) with Boy Scout leaders and urged the organization not to change its policy on homosexuality, days ahead of a vote on the proposal that has led to significant pushback from the Scouts&rsquo; base of support.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:33:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/SBC-s-Page-urges-Scouts-not-to-change-policy?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2ac9ad22-e2be-4e13-b272-f981c399ca27</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[RAs may emerge as missions-focused alternative to Scouts]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As the <a href="http://www.scouting.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Boy Scouts of America</strong></em></a> seriously considers lifting its ban on gay and lesbian troop leaders, churches across the Southern Baptist Convention may turn to the Royal Ambassador program, which for decades has shaped boys into responsible followers of Christ.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:14:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/RAs-may-emerge-as-missions-focused-alternative-to?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a5368b9e-2681-4e88-871c-400d9dc3ae03</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Students impacted by serving Hurricane Sandy victims]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Although Mollie Jones hasn&rsquo;t decided on a career just yet, she knows she wants to devote her life to helping others and she isn&rsquo;t wasting any time. Jones, a sophomore at Appalachian State University, was one of 42 college students from several North Carolina universities who volunteered to serve one week in New Jersey during Christmas break with North Carolina Baptist Men (<a href="http://www.baptistsonmission.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>NCBM</strong></em></a>) disaster relief ministry.&nbsp;&nbsp; ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:50:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Students-impacted-by-serving-Hurricane-Sandy-victi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4cf0a418-91eb-4c44-9c6d-6cca331e5ed7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pro-lifers, despite Roe’s 40th, voice hope]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pro-life Americans have reasons to be hopeful even after 40 years of legalized abortion, leaders in their movement said at the annual March for Life and related events. Speaking Jan. 24 and 25, pro-life speakers pointed to legislative gains in the states and potential developments in the courts &ndash; as well as God&rsquo;s grace and the movement&rsquo;s perseverance &ndash; as hopeful signs.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:31:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Pro-lifers-despite-Roe-s-40th-voice-hope?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b248ec43-180c-4fa8-a676-d0c02aa112dd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Egypt family sentenced for changing religion]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A mother and her seven children in Egypt have been sentenced to 15 years in prison for trying to convert to Christianity. And, on the Jan. 25 weekend marking the second anniversary of the country&rsquo;s revolution, more than 50 people were killed in a new wave of unrest.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:23:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Egypt-family-sentenced-for-changing-religion?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c5202a82-af4c-4925-80cf-3973c0d06f64</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Boy Scouts could be poised to reverse gay leader policy]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Boy Scouts of America (<a href="http://www.scouting.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSA</strong></em></a>) is seriously considering lifting its ban on gay and lesbian troop leaders and could make the change official the first few days of February, a move that likely will disappoint Southern Baptist churches and many faith-based organizations that comprise a majority of all sponsors.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 29 Jan 2013 19:05:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Boy-Scouts-could-be-poised-to-reverse-gay-leader-p?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5bfaab89-3fdc-4240-8e86-1ea21e823e72</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[After football, ‘second’ life begins for former player]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Chris Sanders knows all about competing in athletics at the highest level. As a standout three-year starter at wide receiver at The Ohio State University, and a member of the track and field team from 1992 to 1994, Sanders set the school record in the indoor long jump, a record that still stands today.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:52:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/After-football-second-life-begins-for-former-playe?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c0f0162b-9894-41f4-8744-0d75d8676135</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Upcoming events to equip, encourage girls, women]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[About 10 years ago Erin Davis was asked to lead a girls&rsquo; Bible study about true identity and beauty. Even as a youth pastor&rsquo;s wife, Davis was initially unsure about how to lead the study because she, too, once struggled with identity and an eating disorder.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:40:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Upcoming-events-to-equip-encourage-girls-women?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">29af91dd-6f35-4a01-b473-40b27e9b8906</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[8-year sentence called ‘rampant denial of religious freedom’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[An Iranian-born pastor who is a naturalized U.S. citizen was sentenced to eight years in a notoriously harsh Iranian prison Sunday (Jan. 27) for &ldquo;threatening the national security of Iran&rdquo; by planting Christian house churches.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:28:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/8-year-sentence-called-rampant-denial-of-religious?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f9f6dfc0-fad7-43fa-87e9-1b43e68527ef</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Lights for Life event honors victims, offers forgiveness]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A service of healing, repentance and forgiveness was held Jan. 22 for people of all denominations to mark the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion on demand across the nation. Around 200 people, representing more than 20 churches, attended the third annual Lights for Life service at First Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:15:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Lights-for-Life-event-honors-victims-offers-forgiv?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">270fde17-c0f9-4bd2-82aa-cf26a9b639f4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Sportsmen for Christ reaches local ‘rednecks’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Joe Williams, 57, hadn&rsquo;t visited the woods in years. For the lifelong fisherman and hunter, being disabled and unable to navigate rugged terrain on foot has been frustrating &ndash; even depressing. Williams, who lives in Sophia, N.C., was diagnosed with Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy as a young boy. But the debilitating symptoms didn&rsquo;t begin until around 2005.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 28 Jan 2013 20:57:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Sportsmen-for-Christ-reaches-local-rednecks?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">14501ee0-38f9-4d68-868a-711c8a641d6f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Women in combat move a ‘tragic mistake,’ Baptist leaders say]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Defense Secretary Leon Panetta&rsquo;s announcement that the military will remove its ban on women in combat drew criticism from several Southern Baptist leaders, who expressed concern over privacy and military effectiveness and also warned the move is part of a larger societal effort to blur differences between men and women.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 28 Jan 2013 20:27:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Women-in-combat-move-a-tragic-mistake-Baptist-lead?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8467bac3-4db9-45cf-b4cd-1dc2291e0ed9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Q&A: The case against women in combat]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Even before U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced that the military was lifting its ban on women in combat, professor and theologian Owen Strachan was speaking out against such a possibility, saying it not only went against scripture but also defied common sense.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 28 Jan 2013 20:15:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Q-A-The-case-against-women-in-combat?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5dfedc69-2b94-4091-b51d-d426e8d3a2fe</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Christians stand firm during persecution in Mali ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Most International Mission Board (<a href="http://www.imb.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>IMB</strong></em></a>) missionaries assigned to the West African nation of Mali have left the country due to the continuing conflict between Islamist rebels and Malian military supported by French forces.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:31:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Christians-stand-firm-during-persecution-in-Mali?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">beb3d2f4-3f3a-4435-922b-072505acbc67</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[11-year-old tithes on steer winnings of $106K]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;If we didn&rsquo;t stop him, he&rsquo;d give away all the money he has,&rdquo; Stacey Bonham said of her 11-year-old son, Baylor. And that would be a significant amount, since Baylor deposited $106,000 in his bank account after showing his prize steer, Stripe.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:17:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/11-year-old-tithes-on-steer-winnings-of-$106K?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">39404dc5-dde1-43a4-8572-58837f8587f4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Scripture changes lives, writer says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Words from Galatians 5:22-23 adorn Art Toalston&rsquo;s office at Baptist Press. &ldquo;Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control&rdquo; are carved from oak, hanging as a bold exhortation on the wall.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 25 Jan 2013 18:02:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Scripture-changes-lives-writer-says?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c3e58e7e-b9a1-48ba-b6b1-b8c280cb488b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ethnic congregations up 66% for Southern Baptists ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The number of non-Anglo congregations in the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) has jumped by more than 66 percent since 1998, according to the North American Mission Board&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) Center for Missional Research.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 24 Jan 2013 19:13:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Ethnic-congregations-up-66-for-Southern-Baptists?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">879cf8a8-da2d-4b53-a4ae-600b27bc4baf</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Imprisoned pastor with U.S. citizenship receives support ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The U.S. government and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (<a href="http://www.uscirf.gov/" target="_blank"><em><strong>USCIRF</strong></em></a>) have issued calls for the release of an American pastor who may face the gallows for spreading the gospel in Iran.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 24 Jan 2013 19:03:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Imprisoned-pastor-with-U-S-citizenship-receives-su?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1565ae46-fa73-4976-a372-75f75959c342</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Luter given Carver Medal for faithful ministry]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) President Fred Luter has been awarded the Carver Medal of <a href="http://simpson.edu/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Simpson College</strong></em></a>. The Iowa school hailed Luter as exemplifying the commitment and service of the late agricultural scientist, inventor and Christian, George Washington Carver.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:55:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Luter-given-Carver-Medal-for-faithful-ministry?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3882d6c0-0957-47b8-baca-d2ff8fb003a2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Parents refused to ‘interrupt’ Haley’s life]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Haley Willis has exceeded expectations her whole life. Diagnosed with a neural tube defect 21 weeks before she was born, doctors told her parents, Jeff and Lynel, that Haley wouldn&rsquo;t survive the pregnancy. When she was born on her due date, the Willises were told to take her home and enjoy her for as long as she survived &ndash; two weeks, at most.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:42:37 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Parents-refused-to-interrupt-Haley-s-life?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fa356949-6993-420e-bbe4-635c8634ee5d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Obama promotes gay marriage at inaugural]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[President Obama called in his second inaugural address for an agenda that includes the strengthening of civil rights for homosexuals that some interpreted as an endorsement of same-sex marriage as a constitutional right.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 2013 20:58:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Obama-promotes-gay-marriage-at-inaugural?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">43953f2f-5851-45c3-810e-89afd8c950e2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pro-life leaders: Battle going in right direction on Roe’s 40th]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pro-life leaders differ over whether they expected Roe v. Wade to reach its 40th anniversary, but they agree the battle to protect unborn children and mothers in crisis is headed in the right direction. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down all state restrictions on abortion in its Roe opinion Jan. 22, 1973.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 2013 20:33:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Pro-life-leaders-Battle-going-in-right-direction-o?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">eb3ea0ce-142e-4547-aec3-da6bd0da0e8b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[U.S. passes 55 million abortion mark]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[At some point in the past year, the United States experienced its 55 millionth legal abortion &ndash; a tragic number that is far more than the combined U.S. death count of every American war since the nation&rsquo;s founding.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 2013 20:15:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/U-S-passes-55-million-abortion-mark?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">07cc5627-501c-4c6e-b9cf-3a5319df1964</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Calif. migrant ministry suffers $75,000 theft]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[New clothing, shoes, backpacks and school supplies designated for migrant children were stolen from a storage facility at the California Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.csbc.com/csb" target="_blank"><em><strong>CSBC</strong></em></a>) sometime over the weekend of Jan. 12-13. The materials, with a retail value of approximately $75,000, are used in a ministry each summer by the California convention to outfit 2,000 elementary-age children of migrant workers.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:14:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Calif-migrant-ministry-suffers-$75-000-theft?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d3eb40cc-5b53-4ad7-a4f8-55f4e06c644c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Evangelists encouraged to embrace the call, seek vision]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nations and individuals experience irrecoverable moments, or times when decisions lead to eternal consequences, Frank Page told those gathered in January for the annual North Carolina Vocational Evangelists Conference at <em><strong><a href="http://www.caraway.org/" target="_blank">Caraway Conference Center</a></strong></em> in Sophia.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 2013 17:14:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Evangelists-encouraged-to-embrace-the-call-seek-vi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f0f3c945-c9ed-48b6-b73d-214e4f6028f5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Seattle’s short, Bible-quoting quarterback headed to Pro Bowl]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[All season long Seattle Seahawks rookie quarterback Russell Wilson thanked God in his post-game interviews and used his Twitter account to offer Bible verses and words of encouragement. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 2013 17:08:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Seattle-s-short-Bible-quoting-quarterback-headed-t?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1de781f8-c537-465c-9192-5ca1cf3ecfc6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Kendrick brothers take breather from movies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For almost a decade Alex and Stephen Kendrick have wooed theatergoers with faith-based films that garnered the attention of Hollywood and were viewed by audiences around the world. The string of hits kept their fans thirsting for more, beginning with Flywheel: The Movie in 2003, and progressing to Facing the Giants in 2006, Fireproof in 2008, and Courageous in 2011.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:54:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Kendrick-brothers-take-breather-from-movies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f0075c71-8c60-4728-9955-a16dce3fba13</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Passion propels Tomlin to top of Billboard chart]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Chris Tomlin has become the fourth Christian music artist ever to garner the number one position on the Billboard 200. Tomlin&rsquo;s &ldquo;Burning Lights&rdquo; sold 73,000 copies in its opening week, fueled in large part by <a href="http://www.268generation.com/3.0/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Passion 2013</strong></em></a> in Atlanta.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:46:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Passion-propels-Tomlin-to-top-of-Billboard-chart?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6558d5f4-c756-4491-b8a3-ab58394d31b2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Roe helped awaken, renew S. Baptists]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The U.S. Supreme Court&rsquo;s Roe v. Wade decision not only awakened Southern Baptists eventually to the gruesome reality of abortion but helped power what came to be known as their convention&rsquo;s Conservative Resurgence, two longtime observers say.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 21 Jan 2013 19:19:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Roe-helped-awaken-renew-S-Baptists?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">37c98df0-125b-491e-9380-8c159890efbc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[ERLC, Chamber make immigration reform a priority]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Baptist Ethics &amp; Religious Liberty Commission (<a href="http://www.erlc.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>ERLC</strong></em></a>) both regard immigration reform as a priority at the start of a new session of Congress, representatives of the two groups said at a Jan. 17 news conference in Washington.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 21 Jan 2013 19:00:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/ERLC-Chamber-make-immigration-reform-a-priority?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">40d152e6-65cf-4c20-a957-dfdd96c92e1b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Les Miserables finds support, caution in Christian community]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Many Christians already have seen the blockbuster &ldquo;Les Miserables&rdquo; and have voiced glowing reactions, partly the hoped-for result of a marketing campaign to the faith community. According to a report by <a href="http://www.cnn.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>CNN</strong></em></a>, <a href="http://www.nbcuni.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>NBC Universal</strong></em></a> sought to capitalize on the movie&rsquo;s themes of grace, mercy and redemption by promoting Les Miserables to pastors, Christian radio hosts and other influential people in Christian circles.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:30:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Les-Miserables-finds-support-caution-in-Christian?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ba986172-aa52-4a1f-814a-a4b05593937a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[LifeWay updates Bible Studies for Life]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[More than one and a half million people will see major improvements in their Bible study materials as LifeWay Christian Resources launches an updated and enhanced version this fall of its leading Bible study series &ndash; Bible Studies for Life. The curriculum currently is used by more than 30,000 churches.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:33:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/LifeWay-updates-Bible-Studies-for-Life?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">85589187-d634-4856-a338-9abda4267260</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[M. Giles Fort, pioneering missionary doctor, dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Retired International Mission Board (<a href="http://www.imb.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>IMB</strong></em></a>) missionary Milton Giles Fort Jr., 89, who served at the forefront of Southern Baptist medical missions efforts as a doctor in Zimbabwe for nearly 36 years, died Jan. 14 in Baton Rouge, La.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:24:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/M-Giles-Fort-pioneering-missionary-doctor-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">02a230c3-9299-44a5-bd77-18f83a25167b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Michael Lewis to lead NAMB outreach to pastors]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Florida pastor Michael Lewis is joining the North American Mission Board&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) staff to lead efforts to build closer relationships between the entity and pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:18:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Michael-Lewis-to-lead-NAMB-outreach-to-pastors?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">77013589-1dba-4eaf-b5fa-1cfdce4b07b6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey: Many pastors lack estate planning]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[While the majority of pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) have a will, nearly 40 percent possess no type of estate planning document at all. A recent survey conducted by <a href="http://www.lifeway.com/LifeWay-Research/c/N-1z13wgl" target="_blank"><em><strong>LifeWay Research</strong></em></a> on behalf of the Southern Baptist Foundation found 37 percent of SBC pastors do not have a trust, will, living will, electronic will, legacy story or durable power of attorney with health care directives.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:45:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Survey-Many-pastors-lack-estate-planning?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9510e822-a265-43ea-a5ff-8af67279f6e1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[20,000 Russians protest ban on U.S. adoptions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Upwards of 20,000 Russians marched through Moscow Jan. 13 to protest the country&rsquo;s new ban on adoption by Americans, as confusion continued to swirl over the law&rsquo;s immediate impact. The Kremlin reportedly announced Jan. 10 that the law won&rsquo;t take effect for one year due to a 2011 bilateral adoption agreement between the U.S. and Russia, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>The Washington Post</strong></em></a> reported.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:36:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/20-000-Russians-protest-ban-on-U-S-adoptions?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cfb6840c-c65b-416e-8207-c822b37d1976</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Land: Gun violence calls for broader dialogue ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With the memory of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., fixed in the nation&rsquo;s mind, President Obama outlined Jan. 16 what can been described as the most sweeping gun-control policies in decades.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:29:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Land-Gun-violence-calls-for-broader-dialogue?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">705b440b-bc91-45ae-bf79-5822a69707fd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Union’s Dockery to transition to chancellor in ’14]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[David S. Dockery will transition from president of <a href="http://www.uu.edu/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Union University</strong></em></a> to the role of university chancellor no later than July 2014, and Union trustees will immediately begin the process of searching for his successor as president. &ldquo;I am hopeful and prayerful for a good, smooth, joyful and positive transition,&rdquo; Dockery said.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 16 Jan 2013 21:10:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Union-s-Dockery-to-transition-to-chancellor-in-14?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">63801f2e-7743-4970-95e2-fa65c4de5e86</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Europeans launch campaign to declare life starts at conception]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Anti-abortion groups from 20 different countries have launched a petition to ask the European Parliament to recognize that life begins at conception. The &ldquo;One of Us&rdquo; initiative is the first of its kind in Europe and represents a larger effort to forge a cohesive continental anti-abortion movement.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 16 Jan 2013 20:58:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Europeans-launch-campaign-to-declare-life-starts-a?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d5d0dd73-7ee6-4ed8-ae37-108c39a8b4fb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Moore explains why adoption is a ‘pro-life’ policy for evangelicals]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Russell Moore, dean of the School of Theology at <a href="http://www.sbts.edu" target="_blank"><em><strong>Southern Baptist Theological Seminary</strong></em></a>, recently talked with <a href="http://www.religionnews.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Religion News Service</strong></em></a> about why adoption has become his personal cause and why more evangelicals should be joining him.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 16 Jan 2013 20:47:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Moore-explains-why-adoption-is-a-pro-life-policy-f?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ef55a52a-6df9-442a-8b64-96511983a106</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey examines churches’ Lord’s Supper practices]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The majority of Southern Baptist churches permit anyone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ to participate in the Lord&rsquo;s Supper, according to a survey by <a href="http://www.lifeway.com/LifeWay-Research/c/N-1z13wgl" target="_blank"><em><strong>LifeWay Research</strong></em></a>. The survey also revealed that 57 percent of Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) churches observe the Lord&rsquo;s Supper quarterly.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 16 Jan 2013 20:34:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Survey-examines-churches-Lord-s-Supper-practices?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">230ce867-fb16-44d5-8d5c-623b093291a0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[The Lord’s Supper: who should partake?]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Baptists have historically identified baptism and the Lord&rsquo;s Supper as the two ordinances given by the Lord to symbolize the believer&rsquo;s union with Christ. Baptism commemorates our identification with Christ &ndash; a visual reminder of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus; the death of the old nature through the reception of God&rsquo;s saving grace through Jesus Christ; and the promise of our future hope when our mortal bodies will be raised incorruptibly for eternity.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 16 Jan 2013 20:15:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/The-Lord-s-Supper-who-should-partake?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5407963f-9b4c-4036-a8ac-42170326b34b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Waiting on God’s plan: Couple asks for prayer about adoption]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Peggy and Tommy Lott have known for a long time the risks that come with adoption. The couple, members of <a href="http://www.calvarynow.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Calvary Baptist Church</strong></em></a> in Winston-Salem, adopted their 3-year-old daughter, Isabella, from Russia in 2010. And they experienced the roller coaster ride of emotions that typically come with the adoption process.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:46:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Waiting-on-God-s-plan-Couple-asks-for-prayer-about?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6601a6b7-a676-402f-acad-2bb2d7d0182e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hobby Lobby finds short-term way to avoid fines]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Hobby Lobby says it has found a way to avoid for &ldquo;several months&rdquo; being penalized by the federal government for not covering abortion-inducing drugs in its employee health care plans. Beginning Jan. 1, Hobby Lobby reportedly was facing fines of around $1.3 million per day for defying the Department of Health and Human Services&rsquo; abortion/contraceptive mandate. Jan. 1 was the date its new employee health care plan was to take effect.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:40:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Hobby-Lobby-finds-short-term-way-to-avoid-fines?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">48cd1e6a-91b1-4601-9fee-96c439a5b6de</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[States deliver 43 pro-life laws in 2012]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As the United States approaches Roe v. Wade&rsquo;s 40th anniversary, pro-life advocates have gained ground in restricting the number of abortions taking place every year. In 2012, 43 pro-life provisions went into effect in 19 states, the second highest number after states enacted 92 pro-life laws in 2011. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:14:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/States-deliver-43-pro-life-laws-in-2012?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2da2cc90-3973-4d2a-b813-58c2bbfc2ed5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iranian-American pastor threatened with death]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Saeed Abedini, an Iranian-American pastor currently imprisoned in Iran, is being threatened with death as the country continues its longstanding pressures against Christians, according to a U.S. organization advocating in Abedini&rsquo;s behalf. The Iranian-born Abedini, a U.S. citizen who planted a network of house churches in Iran, was imprisoned last September and recently indicted on secret charges.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:03:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Iranian-American-pastor-threatened-with-death?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a1de8230-b943-43c7-98fd-ed25e65ed2f0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[China’s Christians, on social media, undaunted]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Chinese Christians are sharing their faith on Weibo, China&rsquo;s giant state-regulated social network &ndash; and some are beginning to challenge censorship by speaking out against religious persecution, according to a report by <a href="http://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>World Watch Monitor</strong></em></a> (WWM, formerly Compass Direct News).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:39:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/China-s-Christians-on-social-media-undaunted?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">14744631-c4ba-4164-a640-179e061f538d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptists continue giving]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Baptists continue to make giving a priority even in a down economy. A year-end report from the <a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>Baptist State Convention</strong></em></a> shows that N.C. Baptists increased giving to international missions by 7.19 percent &ndash; from $12,592,515 in 2011 to $13,498,147 in 2012 &ndash; and increased national missions giving by 2.7 percent &ndash; from $5,622,012 in 2011 to $5,773,530 in 2012. (All totals are rounded to the nearest dollar amount.)]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:08:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/N-C-Baptists-continue-giving?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">27c635d6-5729-4b47-9775-1f07092bc5d9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Queens pastor grateful for help, N.C. church partnership]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Every time Trinidad went to work at the Laundromat on 48th Avenue in Woodside, Queens, she couldn&rsquo;t help but notice Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida across the street. As often as she came and went to work, she finally decided to visit the church.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:50:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Queens-pastor-grateful-for-help-N-C-church-partner?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">656ffb3a-3a75-4f56-964b-3d1d2636b9bb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hollifield Leadership Center remains open]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[While the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>) has not found a buyer for its Hollifield Leadership Center in Hickory, the facility remains open on the weekends.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:44:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Hollifield-Leadership-Center-remains-open?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">488b0bb0-14e0-45e2-b425-fa7e78139b01</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gay marriage battles brewing in at least 6 states this year]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Gay marriage supporters enjoyed landmark victories in 2012 and are hoping for an even bigger win at the U.S. Supreme Court this year, but in the meantime political battles are brewing in at least six states where marriage redefinition bills likely will be considered.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:31:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Gay-marriage-battles-brewing-in-at-least-6-states?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5643aa96-115f-402a-aeed-735dc165990b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey: Fewer in U.S. see homosexuality as sin]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The percentage of Americans who believe homosexuality is a sin has fallen in the past year, according to a survey by <a href="http://www.lifeway.com/LifeWay-Research/c/N-1z13wgl" target="_blank"><em><strong>LifeWay Research</strong></em></a>. A November 2012 survey of adults in the United States found 37 percent affirm a belief that homosexual behavior is a sin &ndash; a statistically significant change from a September 2011 LifeWay Research survey asking the same question. At that time, 44 percent answered, &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:04:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Survey-Fewer-in-U-S-see-homosexuality-as-sin?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">74ea879c-9e62-41d9-8a71-2946ec10f7b9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Biblical sermon derails Giglio inaugural prayer]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The biblical standard that homosexuality is sinful has once again placed a Christian leader under public scrutiny, this time leading to the cancellation of Atlanta pastor Louie Giglio&rsquo;s benediction at President Obama&rsquo;s 2013 inaugural.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2013 19:31:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Biblical-sermon-derails-Giglio-inaugural-prayer?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cfb121a1-df64-4747-ba3a-34fa25bcf430</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gabby Douglas recaps faith route]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Only a few weeks before the 2012 Olympics gymnastics trials, Gabrielle Douglas was ready to walk away from the sport that had been her passion for a decade. She had moved to Iowa from her home in Virginia for training, and she was homesick. She announced to her mother her intentions to quit gymnastics, move back home and work at Chick-fil-A.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2013 19:22:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Gabby-Douglas-recaps-faith-route?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a8738ee1-78b9-415c-8d4c-38e744919a02</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Russian ‘police state’ erodes religious liberty]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Russian President Vladimir Putin has created a &ldquo;police state&rdquo; and imposed new laws to progressively erode religious freedom, according to an annual report compiled by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (<a href="http://www.uscirf.gov/" target="_blank"><em><strong>USCIRF</strong></em></a>).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2013 19:17:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Russian-police-state-erodes-religious-liberty?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">535d5797-30b9-42bd-9c05-1d677b45996b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[High school ag teacher noticed FFA adviser’s godly influence]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[She felt like God was smiling down on her. The sequined cross on her black cap caught the sunlight as she bounced in the saddle across the dusty pasture. Katie Griffith held the reins while Hank, her sorrel quarter horse, galloped around the field, sometimes at a sprint and sometimes at a slow trot.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2013 19:02:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/High-school-ag-teacher-noticed-FFA-adviser-s-godly?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3ab99c00-fed0-427f-85fe-36d8c2810ddb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey: GM, Ford lead ‘gay friendly’ businesses]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Led by such big names as Verizon, AT&amp;T, General Motors and Ford, 252 U.S. businesses received a perfect score for their policies affirming homosexuality, according to a yearly ranking from the Human Rights Campaign, the nation&rsquo;s largest gay group.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2013 18:54:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Survey-GM-Ford-lead-gay-friendly-businesses?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">51e6604b-a896-467c-9a04-81c131961301</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hawaii Pacific Baptists hold 70th annual meeting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:41:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Hawaii-Pacific-Baptists-hold-70th-annual-meeting?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">798758a6-d1aa-4b6a-b852-b8ccf5fdee0b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[11 Sudan Christians killed, priests arrested]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Heightened religious persecution in Sudan includes government bombings killing at least 11 Christians and the arrest of two Coptic Orthodox priests for baptizing a convert from Islam, Morning Star News has reported.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2013 19:34:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/11-Sudan-Christians-killed-priests-arrested?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">98819d4c-551f-46b5-ae07-730c0c5a31da</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Islamic extremism dominates persecution list]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Islamic extremism, especially in Africa and the Middle East, dominates the latest annual report on global persecution of Christians. Eight of the top 10 persecutors of Christians &ndash; and 24 of the top 30 &ndash; are countries marked by militant Islam, according to Open Doors&rsquo; 2013 <a href="http://www.worldwatchlist.us/" target="_blank"><em><strong>World Watch List</strong></em></a> released Jan. 8.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2013 19:22:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Islamic-extremism-dominates-persecution-list?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">43de3eb1-d251-4282-be48-76a27472ab1b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Faith leaders pray for civility in D.C.]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist ethicist Richard Land has joined a diverse group of religious leaders in a prayer initiative calling for increased civility among government officials. Conservative and liberal faith representatives began praying daily for civility among politicians when the new Congress was sworn in Jan. 3 and have pledged to pray until President Obama is inaugurated for a second term Jan. 21.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2013 19:06:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Faith-leaders-pray-for-civility-in-D-C?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5599628e-ec4b-4795-a7f6-daf7247c35c7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[After 2010 earthquake’s tumult, Haiti seminarians persevered]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Chrisner Hyler, a Haitian in his early 20s, loves music, plays the keyboard and serves the Lord at a congregation in Port-au-Prince. And he has earned a Certificate in Pastoral Ministries after three years of studies offered in Haiti by New Orleans Theological Seminary and the Florida Baptist Convention.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:58:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/After-2010-earthquake-s-tumult-Haiti-seminarians-p?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8b63909e-a625-4301-8963-b5bb41fc487e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Jesus ‘wife’ papyrus hits another snag]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Professor Karen King has hit another snag in her efforts to publicize a papyrus fragment on which she says Jesus refers to a &ldquo;wife,&rdquo; as the <em>Harvard Theological Review</em> has postponed publication of her anticipated article, awaiting the results of further testing.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:50:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Jesus-wife-papyrus-hits-another-snag?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">26a9d4de-ff26-4969-8b4a-0a072f074ae7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Supreme Court sets dates for marriage cases]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The U.S. Supreme Court has announced the dates it will hear two huge cases concerning lawsuits that could reaffirm the historical definition of marriage or lead to the legalization of gay marriage &ndash; March 26 and 27. The high court will consider the constitutionality of California&#39;s Proposition 8 March 26 and the federal Defense of Marriage Act March 27.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:49:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Supreme-Court-sets-dates-for-marriage-cases?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">705cf149-f969-4f4f-9155-6760886f03dd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[CP up 1.70% for the year]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist national and international missions and ministries received by the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Executive Committee are 1.70 percent above the same period last year, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President Frank Page.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:39:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/CP-up-1-70-for-the-year?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fa66662a-95c4-4a4b-80d5-4b91e468f99d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood gets new leader]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Owen Strachan was named executive director of the <a href="https://www.cbmw.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Council on Biblical Manhood &amp; Womanhood</strong></em></a> Jan. 7, succeeding Randy Stinson. Strachan, 31, serves as assistant professor of Christian theology and church history at Boyce College in Louisville, Ky.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:26:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Council-on-Biblical-Manhood-Womanhood-gets-new-lea?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fcd91594-159d-4053-bfa9-b6b4b4617375</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Planned Parenthood sets record for abortions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Planned Parenthood has set a record for the number of abortions in its clinics, according to its newly released annual report. The country&rsquo;s No. 1 abortion provider said its affiliates performed 333,964 of the lethal procedures during 2010-11, the most recent year for which statistics are available.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:17:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Planned-Parenthood-sets-record-for-abortions?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">79f08283-87a5-41ab-91ed-797793b88ddb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Supreme Court declines stem cell case]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Supreme Court declined Jan. 7 to hear a case about the Obama administration&rsquo;s funding of embryonic stem cell research, thereby allowing the continued use of taxpayer dollars for studies that require the destruction of human embryos. The high court refused to hear an appeal from two scientists who have been challenging the funding.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 09 Jan 2013 19:01:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Supreme-Court-declines-stem-cell-case?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c43c5aaf-63ab-44fb-b93d-fc48c8a856ae</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Southeastern Seminary adds MOOC studies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is breaking ground in theological education by providing Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) studies beginning in its Spring 2013 semester, with registration starting Jan. 14. MOOC is an innovative way by which students can view lectures from top-ranked universities without charge.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:02:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Southeastern-Seminary-adds-MOOC-studies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">54e1ffaa-f10f-442c-ac2e-7e3cd8c34e80</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Eareckson Tada: God gives passion for people]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;No five-year plan that you embark on will be more important than the people put before you to serve,&rdquo; Joni Eareckson Tada told students at California Baptist University (CBU). &ldquo;If you have a passion for God, you will have a passion for people.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:42:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Eareckson-Tada-God-gives-passion-for-people?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2cf69f8d-fee7-40bf-af2c-f483b563cb14</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[For non-profits, ‘fiscal cliff’ bill was mixed bag]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Churches, religious organizations and other nonprofits &ndash; and their donors &ndash; avoided the worst of the proposed restrictions on charitable deductions in the &ldquo;fiscal cliff&rdquo; legislation signed Jan. 2 by President Obama, but they did not escape fully unscathed.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 07 Jan 2013 19:25:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/For-non-profits-fiscal-cliff-bill-was-mixed-bag?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f22a9a0d-7aa5-4ab0-8cbe-192531a25ec8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[43 Nigerian Christians killed in attacks]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Boko Haram militants are blamed for increased religious persecution in Nigeria, including the murder of 43 Christians and the wounding of many others in several year-end incidents, religious freedom watchdog groups have reported.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 07 Jan 2013 19:11:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/43-Nigerian-Christians-killed-in-attacks?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4c3130f4-9f52-4c5e-97af-f04582810590</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Abolitionists & their faith focus of PBS series]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Civil War was fought 150 years ago, but without a small band of abolitionists driven by their Christian faith, the war might never have happened. That&rsquo;s the conclusion of a three-part <a href="http://www.pbs.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>PBS</strong></em></a> docudrama that will premier Tuesday (Jan. 8).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:48:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Abolitionists-their-faith-focus-of-PBS-series?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e83d8a97-65a7-48b3-83e8-12c94c735846</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Egypt’s new constitution sparks ‘time of tension’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With Egyptian voters approving a new Islamist-backed constitution, fear has heightened that it will lead toward an Islamic theocracy and undercut the rights of women, Christians and other minorities. Such tensions, however, have led the country&rsquo;s Christians to pray for God&rsquo;s hand to be at work.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:35:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Egypt-s-new-constitution-sparks-time-of-tension?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3fd616db-ba96-488f-97b0-b54727db43b4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Alabama All-American prioritizes his faith]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Offensive lineman Barrett Jones and his University of Alabama teammates hoisted the gleaming, crystal trophy into the air while thousands in the stadium cheered &ndash; the Crimson Tide football team had won the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) National Championship.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:45:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Alabama-All-American-prioritizes-his-faith?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f68c08d0-eac9-469c-9004-518e5c4067d0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Mom & Dad nurtured athletic sons for God]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;Keeping up with the Joneses&rdquo; takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to the family of college football star Barrett Jones. Rex and Leslie Jones have raised three hard-working, respectful sons who have a heart for missions &ndash; and they happen to be talented football players.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:38:46 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Mom-Dad-nurtured-athletic-sons-for-God?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fdcc5c58-10be-4772-a2ae-9bf064f056c6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Widow returned to field after husband’s murder]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For retired Southern Baptist worker Marty Koehn, Dec. 30, 2002, was a fairly normal morning in Yemen &ndash; until she heard an &ldquo;extremely urgent and atrociously loud&rdquo; knock at the door of her home. Koehn recalls being frustrated by the interruption.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:28:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Widow-returned-to-field-after-husband-s-murder?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5d2ece05-0db0-4bd7-93fc-d3d227b19ee2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bullets bolstered couple’s resolve]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Don and Teri Caswell thought they would just lie low when they returned to Yemen seven months after the 2002 terrorist attack on the Jibla Baptist Hospital where he had served as a pharmacist. But Yemeni officials couldn&rsquo;t figure out why their passports had no reference to any prior travel to the country.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:11:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Bullets-bolstered-couple-s-resolve?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2b5b31f9-e0f6-4b86-bb43-af1d37d411a7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Adoption credit made permanent in ‘cliff’ bill]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The so-called &ldquo;fiscal cliff&rdquo; bill signed by President Obama didn&rsquo;t fully please either political party, but it did contain great news for the adoption community by maintaining a tax credit that makes adoption more affordable for low- and middle-income families.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:04:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Adoption-credit-made-permanent-in-cliff-bill?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">92ef43b9-3c61-41fe-ae2c-ff3f63092070</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hobby Lobby apparently will defy gov’t on abortion mandate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Arts and crafts store Hobby Lobby apparently is willing to defy the federal government and face huge fines for not covering abortion-inducing drugs following a string of court losses in December. Hobby Lobby&rsquo;s setbacks in court at the end of the year gained significant media attention, despite the fact that for-profit businesses like the Oklahoma-based business continue to rack up court victories against the mandate.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:16:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Hobby-Lobby-apparently-will-defy-gov-t-on-abortion?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ab504ede-e2ff-4217-8374-4f9fda0ec9f9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[New Congress more religiously diverse, less Protestant]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:10:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/New-Congress-more-religiously-diverse-less-Protest?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">17c76901-d82b-462c-b221-882f611593cc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Faithful’ retired missions professor remembered]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Justice Anderson, a Southern Baptist missionary in Argentina for 17 years who later founded Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary&rsquo;s World Missions Center, died Dec. 29. He was 83. Anderson and his wife Mary Ann were Southern Baptist missionaries to Argentina from 1959-74.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:02:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Faithful-retired-missions-professor-remembered?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">08af1256-10c8-4613-9859-3f135b9a64ec</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Church planter reaches Africans in Chicago]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For months he slept in someone else&rsquo;s apartment while his wife and four children slept 5,800 miles away. For Eric Aidoo, penetrating lostness in the city of Chicago isn&rsquo;t just an abstract idea &ndash; it&rsquo;s a calling worth giving up everything.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:49:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Church-planter-reaches-Africans-in-Chicago?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">682445ce-5fe6-4eb9-be0a-3f71d66fc87f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Russia’s adoption ban penalizes orphans]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Russia&rsquo;s ban on adoptions by American parents, considered a retaliatory response to U.S. sanctions against Russia for human rights abuses, will instead punish vulnerable orphans languishing in the foreign country, Christians at the forefront of the issue fear.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:43:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Russia-s-adoption-ban-penalizes-orphans?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">48c4dd51-5617-4d30-9bd3-65c7a3847d01</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Provision for vision’: Planter finds creative ways to share gospel]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[While growing up in Nigeria, Wole Ajala enjoyed spending time with his father and grandfather as they honed their woodworking skills. Sometimes he watched; other times he helped. Ajala&rsquo;s grandfather was a carpenter and a cocoa farmer. With some wood and a few tools, Ajala&rsquo;s father could make just about anything a church needed, from pews and pulpits to offering plates.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 02 Jan 2013 18:40:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/Provision-for-vision-Planter-finds-creative-ways-t?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">86de0ee3-eda2-4048-bc65-3976eeed08e0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptist stays vigilant for troubled Nigeria]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Dreams have played prominently in Adeniya Ojutiku&rsquo;s life. Before coming to the United States, he had a dream that would dictate a vision for salvation and discipleship of the lost in his Nigerian homeland riddled with religious strife. The year was 1986. Ojutiku clearly remembers the early hours of Feb. 18 in Lagos when he was confronted with his sins and the question of eternal destiny.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 02 Jan 2013 18:20:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2013/N-C-Baptist-stays-vigilant-for-troubled-Nigeria?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cd7f4a5f-d69b-4445-afea-0027312024ef</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[2012 – A glance back at stories of the year]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As 2012 came to a somber close &ndash; one that included a deadly hurricane, a divisive presidential election and a horrific elementary school shooting &ndash; many might conclude it was a difficult year. But for North Carolina Baptists, &ndash; and others throughout the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) &ndash; it also was a year of church planting, strong missions giving, outreach and signs of hope for the future.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 31 Dec 2012 19:58:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/2012-A-glance-back-at-stories-of-the-year?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1265baa8-4e9d-4851-852a-dbef0dd22131</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Jan. 31 deadline for BSC nominations]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Baptists still have time to submit recommendations of people to serve on the Baptist State Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>) Board of Directors,&nbsp;the boards of the convention&rsquo;s agencies and institutions, and convention committees.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 31 Dec 2012 19:33:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Jan-31-deadline-for-BSC-nominations?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">129b17c0-4ea6-4d35-9176-f3442ebb50f9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[WMU-NC adds director of development]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[After a visioning process the Woman&rsquo;s Missionary Union of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.wmunc.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>WMU-NC</strong></em></a>) added a director of development to its staff. Cindy Finley says it is &ldquo;my desire to honor all our donors, whether their offering would be categorized by the world as a &lsquo;large sum&rsquo; or a &lsquo;widow&rsquo;s mite.&rsquo; Jesus honored the woman who gave two small copper coins because she &lsquo;put in everything she had.&rsquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 31 Dec 2012 19:17:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/WMU-NC-adds-director-of-development?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6e9a1a04-ea6b-44a7-aa60-83e4d5d30057</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Former NFL player shares ‘Game Plan for Life’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Renaldo Wynn has spent much of his life in the spotlight. He was a standout athlete, and was a defensive end at Notre Dame, where he played for legendary Irish head coach Lou Holtz. As a first-round NFL pick in 1997, Wynn, who ended up playing in the NFL for 11 years, was an impact player for the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 28 Dec 2012 18:51:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Former-NFL-player-shares-Game-Plan-for-Life?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c1ec2acd-77f5-4e07-a2e3-b02f033f9962</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. college students use break to help hurricane survivors]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Baptist collegians &ndash; and other students from around the country &ndash; sacrificed part of their winter breaks making homes livable again for residents spending the holidays in dwellings damaged by Hurricane Sandy.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 28 Dec 2012 18:36:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/N-C-college-students-use-break-to-help-hurricane-s?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">96d0fb37-630f-4728-b633-a68f950bb7b9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Post-game trash collection fuels BSU missions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Students at the <a href="http://www.olemiss.edu/" target="_blank"><em><strong>University of Mississippi</strong></em></a>&rsquo;s Baptist Student Union (BSU) have traded trash for cash to raise money for summer missions. The Grove, Ole Miss&rsquo; 10-acre site for tailgaters at the center of the Oxford campus, is always covered with plastic plates, fried chicken, leftover cookies and everything in between after a home football game.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 28 Dec 2012 18:15:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Post-game-trash-collection-fuels-BSU-missions?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">88887858-480e-48fc-b80c-516b088747ba</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptist Press’ most-read stories of 2012]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A story that put <a href="http://www.chick-fil-a.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Chick-fil-A</strong></em></a> in the national spotlight and led to hundreds of thousands of customers showing their support is <a href="http://www.bpnews.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>Baptist Press</strong></em></a>&rsquo; most-read story of 2012. That&rsquo;s according to Google Analytics, which tracks web traffic. In fact, four of the Top 10 stories for 2012 were about Chick-fil-A. But the list also shows readers were interested in matters of doctrine and Bible history.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:59:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Baptist-Press-most-read-stories-of-2012?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c2813a14-c35d-4e80-aa9e-5de92abcaa59</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Antique globe spurs seminary to heightened LMCO giving]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[It all started with an antique globe-shaped bank. The tattered grapefruit-sized trinket helped spur students, faculty and staff of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (<a href="http://www.sebts.edu" target="_blank"><em><strong>SEBTS</strong></em></a>) in Wake Forest, N.C., to give generously to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:47:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Antique-globe-spurs-seminary-to-heightened-LMCO-gi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8c834768-2e56-4996-bcd9-ac609e63ff52</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Engaging Muslims is focus of evangelism conference]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A recent study by the <a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Pew Research Center</strong></em></a>&rsquo;s Forum on Religion and Public Life projects that the global Muslim population will continue to grow at a faster pace than any other demographic during the next two decades. The study projects that by 2030, one out of every four people in the world will be Muslim.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:36:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Engaging-Muslims-is-focus-of-evangelism-conference?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2dffa786-5b84-444d-8992-e4aeff0e7b22</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[About those shepherds ...]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The account of the shepherds in Luke&rsquo;s nativity passage (Luke 2:8-20) continues to fascinate modern readers. Receiving an angelic message that the Messiah was born in nearby Bethlehem, these shepherds left their closely guarded flocks of sheep to seek the good news themselves.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:20:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/About-those-shepherds?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">78883b07-f39d-42ca-b162-268c70a71756</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Modern shepherds corral nativity animals]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pat Hayden, a deacon at Mandeville Baptist Church in Louisiana, is a shepherd of sorts. It is his job to round up sheep, donkeys, goats and maybe a calf or two for the church&rsquo;s annual Christmas live nativity.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:08:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Modern-shepherds-corral-nativity-animals?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8acac061-da25-4d6d-ad93-e59a7b886492</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iranian-born pastor/U.S. citizen tortured]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[An American pastor has been imprisoned on secret charges and tortured in Iran as the country pursues a crackdown on house churches. Fox News reports that Saeed Abedini, a 32-year-old Iranian man who is a U.S. citizen, was detained while on a visit to see family members and conduct humanitarian work.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 27 Dec 2012 18:48:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Iranian-born-pastor-U-S-citizen-tortured?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">70b56fe6-ffbb-4919-8139-9bfc24ddd236</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Newtown residents continue to hurt in ‘an unimaginable way’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As Newtown, Conn. continues to mourn and bury victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, Southern Baptists alongside other denominations are offering light in the midst of darkness. John Revell, pastor of Stamford Baptist Church in nearby Stamford, Conn., described Newtown as under a &ldquo;heavy, dark cloud.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:39:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Newtown-residents-continue-to-hurt-in-an-unimagina?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ea9d64ba-366d-4c9e-bd6c-8a3273bfa492</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC’s Land: Armed, trained teachers can save lives ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist ethicist Richard Land says he would support arming teachers with guns. In a radio interview Dec. 19, Land also said the &ldquo;New Testament justification&rdquo; for owning a firearm is found partly in &ldquo;loving my neighbor as myself.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:31:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/SBC-s-Land-Armed-trained-teachers-can-save-lives?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">234e5666-429b-4f6c-977b-ccf4cb7d8170</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘God loved you enough to come,’ worker tells Muslim friends]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[At 4:45 a.m., the Muslim call to prayer wakes Marie Edwards*. In the cooler hours before the scorching heat arrives, the 20-something Christian worker spends her own time in prayer and worship. Quiet times with the Lord give her strength to make it through the day.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:21:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/God-loved-you-enough-to-come-worker-tells-Muslim-f?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1aad7c05-31ab-4d25-b0c1-c2e1430d3fc0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Two colleges get backing of court on abortion-contraceptive mandate ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A federal appeals court has delivered an important victory to religious nonprofit organizations that oppose the Obama administration&rsquo;s abortion/contraception mandate. In the first ruling on the mandate at the appellate level, the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the federal government Dec. 18 to keep its promise to issue a new rule to protect the religious liberty of two colleges and other religious nonprofits.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:08:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Two-colleges-get-backing-of-court-on-abortion-cont?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a2853802-e37b-4a12-9797-4d0059ae3334</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Jeopardy!’ mentions Baptist seminary]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For casual and competitive &ldquo;Jeopardy!&rdquo; fans alike, it&rsquo;s not unusual to know at least a few of correct questions to the show&rsquo;s answers. (Note: Jeopardy! poses statements or answers, and contestants respond with questions like &ldquo;What is...?&rdquo; or &ldquo;Who is...?&rdquo;)]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:05:46 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Jeopardy-mentions-Baptist-seminary?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">55371b85-40b9-4f3c-a4f2-f44ab03b94e4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. cadet reaches ROTC’s top 10]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A N.C. Baptist college cadet has been named to the 2012 Cadet Command list of top 10 <a href="http://www.rotc.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>ROTC</strong></em></a> seniors in the nation. <a href="http://www.campbell.edu/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Campbell University</strong></em></a>&rsquo;s John LeBaube garnered the No. 2 slot. The top 10 listing represents highest honors from the U.S. Army Cadet Command, which ranks all Army ROTC seniors across the nation.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:55:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/N-C-cadet-reaches-ROTC-s-top-10?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3d264dab-5b57-476d-8c9e-a42d427a544f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chinese student yearns to tell everyone her good news]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Wherever American collegians participating in &ldquo;Christmas in China&rdquo; go, Shi Li Na* goes. Whether hanging out in student common areas, eating a bowl of steaming noodles or climbing a mountain to visit a primary school on Christmas Day, Shi goes along.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:47:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Chinese-student-yearns-to-tell-everyone-her-good-n?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">198dc808-59a2-4ced-a0ad-a1a20d9a5d10</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Explorer still trying to prove Noahic flood]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The underwater explorer who found the wrecked Titanic continues to look for evidence consistent with the great Noahic flood, according to news reports. Robert Ballard, who has been trying for more than a decade to prove the flood and Noah&rsquo;s Ark, discussed his latest explorations in Turkey with ABC&rsquo;s Christiane Amanpour.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:42:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Explorer-still-trying-to-prove-Noahic-flood?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fa8244f3-01ef-454b-9de0-0f8113264b5d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Social media reverberates with Newtown tragedy comment]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As news of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School spread Dec. 14, Southern Baptists active on social media began to offer their thoughts on the tragedy as well as their prayers for the people of Newtown, Conn., and messages of hope for all those impacted.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:55:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Social-media-reverberates-with-Newtown-tragedy-com?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0f52941b-4c4b-4ba2-939d-b341b05a52cc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Southeastern endows missions director]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The name George Leile is not well known. Leile, as reported in Daniel Akin&rsquo;s book, 10 Who Changed the World, was the first Baptist missionary who predates international Baptist missionaries William Carey and Adoniram Judson.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:50:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Southeastern-endows-missions-director?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b89abb2f-b586-4bc9-a23f-6d7ec59d7a25</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Christians most populous, Pew research affirms]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Christians are the world&rsquo;s largest religious group and are nearly evenly dispersed globally, according to a new <a href="http://pewresearch.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Pew</strong></em></a> study on the size, geographic distribution and median ages of the world&rsquo;s major religious groups.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:23:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Christians-most-populous-Pew-research-affirms?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">749a40bd-44e5-4da1-a30f-c70eeb2bc4ae</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Christmas music enjoyed by 70% of Americans]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Christmas music is nearly inescapable every December and most Americans enjoy it. According to a new <a href="http://www.lifeway.com/LifeWay-Research/c/N-1z13wgl" target="_blank"><strong><em>LifeWay Research</em></strong></a> study, 70 percent of Americans enjoy hearing Christmas songs in December and 86 percent believe school choirs and bands should be allowed to perform religious Christmas music.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:12:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Christmas-music-enjoyed-by-70-of-Americans?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7e1535ec-ebd8-4d6b-859c-7941875b2013</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[GuideStone continues efforts to advocate for church plans]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama&rsquo;s re-election virtually guarantees that his signature healthcare reform law, passed in 2010, will continue moving toward implementation over the coming four years. GuideStone continues working toward applying the provisions of the law, while remaining an active part of a coalition advocating on behalf of ministers and other participants served by church plans.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:08:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/GuideStone-continues-efforts-to-advocate-for-churc?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9c601613-e55c-4f00-9e8c-b5765193acaf</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Funerals begin in Connecticut]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Funerals were held Dec. 17 for two of the 20 children shot to death last Friday in the presumed safety of a Newtown, Ct., elementary school. At nearby Southbury Baptist Church, pastor Bryan Sims met Monday with Southern Baptist disaster relief volunteers drawn to the community to speed healing and offer salvation.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:54:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Funerals-begin-in-Connecticut?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7210a7e3-e2b1-4feb-8ca5-c2efc50b11c0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[At Sandy Hook, chaplains pray, offer hope]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[While Enio Aguero has ministered to families of service personnel killed in action, only God&rsquo;s grace could prepare him to comfort those who lost their children in the mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:48:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/At-Sandy-Hook-chaplains-pray-offer-hope?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f1a50a0a-53c3-459c-ae48-335ba157bc58</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Coats for Queens prompts conversations, ‘divine appointments’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Their conversation moved from the street, to the front yard and out to the car; the woman did not seem to want their time together to end. The woman told Brieanna Carlson that many people still needed help getting back on their feet after Hurricane Sandy, especially in the Rockaways area of Queens where she lives. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:30:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Coats-for-Queens-prompts-conversations-divine-appo?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f0bfcc84-db3d-4992-b04a-ee99995ffc24</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Human trafficking focus of seminar]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Your church can help victims of human trafficking find true freedom both physically and spiritually, said Larry Martin. As believers, he added, it&rsquo;s our duty. Martin, the Southeast&nbsp;Director of Church Mobilization for International Justice Mission (IJM), shared about the organization&rsquo;s fight against human trafficking at <a href="http://www.sebts.edu" target="_blank"><em><strong>Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary</strong></em></a> in Wake Forest earlier this fall.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 18 Dec 2012 19:22:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Human-trafficking-focus-of-seminar?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a02e237a-cf80-47a0-aba3-74ac2bc04332</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Barcelo honored for service to Hispanic leaders]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Aldo Barcelo joined Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute (<a href="http://www.fruitland.edu/" target="_blank"><em><strong>FBBI</strong></em></a>) as the school&rsquo;s first director of Hispanic Theological Training in 2009, few options existed for North Carolina Hispanic pastors and students who desired a theological education in Spanish.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 18 Dec 2012 18:57:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Barcelo-honored-for-service-to-Hispanic-leaders?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">407d2d9d-4c33-4fdd-9b65-1a6e8dfcfcd5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Sharing truth focus of couple in Brazil]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[On a crisp December morning in Cary, N.C., Nancy and Danny Callis arrived bundled up with several layers of clothing during a visit to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>) building. It&rsquo;s much cooler than the warmer Brazilian climate they&rsquo;ve grown accustomed to over more than 30 years.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 17 Dec 2012 20:27:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Sharing-truth-focus-of-couple-in-Brazil?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">93933cd4-b098-46ee-8a3e-392451271214</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Learning stewardship through discipleship]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Neal Eller has been a Christian for nearly 50 years. But he said he never fully appreciated the true sense of biblical stewardship until nearly a decade ago, when he realized the radical nature of giving and sacrifice that is expressed through the gospel of Jesus Christ.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 17 Dec 2012 20:15:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Learning-stewardship-through-discipleship?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">59a30daf-75a2-4743-909f-c20c479ecae1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Great Commission Partnerships host interviews with key leaders]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messengers to this year&rsquo;s annual meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>) enjoyed a unique opportunity to hear from partnership leaders during live interviews held throughout the meeting in the exhibit hall.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 17 Dec 2012 20:01:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Great-Commission-Partnerships-host-interviews-with?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d6fcd792-6800-42af-a140-b4efaf4e1e21</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NCBM ready to move forward with ministry in Cuba]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Joel Luis Dupont grew up in Cuba and lived through the days when most people wanted nothing to do with Jesus or the gospel. Now, things are starting to change.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:51:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/NCBM-ready-to-move-forward-with-ministry-in-Cuba?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a3a57366-4005-47d6-b543-38ca1d010f7e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Grieved’ – Conn. Baptists responding to shooting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[NEWTOWN, Conn. &ndash; Area Southern Baptists are preparing to provide any assistance that may be needed for families impacted by Friday morning&rsquo;s (Dec. 14) mass shooting at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school, where at least 27 were killed, including 20 children.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sat, 15 Dec 2012 17:39:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Grieved-Conn-Baptists-responding-to-shooting?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cabe8230-dae5-4228-8605-10bbaca98ce0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hurricane changes view of N.Y. community toward faith]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Hurricane Sandy was a tragedy in the Northeast, but God used the life-altering superstorm to change the hearts of people in Rockaway Beach, a neighborhood in Queens, New York, from totally disinterested in the gospel to yearning for spiritual guidance.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:30:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Hurricane-changes-view-of-N-Y-community-toward-fai?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4df4806a-2e4e-4408-883f-b6f17488e378</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[New Hispanic generations to be conf. topic]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Although Southern Baptists have a long history of reaching and starting churches among Hispanics, changing demographics will require a new strategy, a North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) evangelism consultant has noted.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:24:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/New-Hispanic-generations-to-be-conf-topic?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b2675c25-4db3-4f75-904a-562e5ca4c8ae</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Prof: ‘Charlie Brown Christmas’ can be helpful]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In the classic TV special, &ldquo;A Charlie Brown Christmas,&rdquo; Linus reminds the rest of the Peanuts gang of the true meaning of Christmas by reciting the story of Christ&rsquo;s birth from Luke 2. Christians could do worse than to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas this holiday season, seminary professor David Mills says, because it can remind them to share the gospel.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:20:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Prof-Charlie-Brown-Christmas-can-be-helpful?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d862c7b2-0b77-469c-a800-bf68b2f7de1e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Christianity in Britain losing ground to Islam, secularism]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[New figures from the 2011 Census show that the number of people who identify as Christians in England and Wales has fallen by 4 million over the last 10 years. The data shows that numbers fell from 37.3 million in 2001 to 33 million last year.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:16:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Christianity-in-Britain-losing-ground-to-Islam-sec?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">41841f91-2a05-4e14-801a-f2298b11237b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC-wide call to prayer for 2013 issued by Frank Page]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Frank S. Page, president and &ldquo;chief encouragement officer&rdquo; of the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Executive Committee, is asking Southern Baptists to come together in 2013 for a year of emphasis on prayer &ldquo;like none we&rsquo;ve ever seen before.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/SBC-wide-call-to-prayer-for-2013-issued-by-Frank-P?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f7d7fa66-2d18-4b03-a05e-cb814d450947</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC prayer emphasis focuses on the lost]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist leaders are hoping churches will start 2013 with an emphasis on prayer and the lost during the month-long Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Call to Prayer beginning Jan. 1. The effort will help congregations focus prayer in several key sets of relationships, seeking ways to engage those without Christ.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:44:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/SBC-prayer-emphasis-focuses-on-the-lost?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">65c3bd93-04d3-4911-b88c-8897a17a15c9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Online poker opponents warn of Senate battle]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) ethics entity and other gambling foes are speaking out against legislation to legalize online poker that is a threat to gain U.S. Senate passage before the end of the year. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and conservative Sen. Jon Kyl, R.-Ariz., have drafted a bill that reportedly would legalize Internet gambling on poker.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:35:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Online-poker-opponents-warn-of-Senate-battle?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a1b9c68c-3f29-43fb-ae70-623443aa7688</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[LifeWay store’s customers find more than Bibles & books]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jean Ellis, manager of the LifeWay Christian Store in Danville, Va., beams as she recounts story after story of how God is working through the sales associates at the store to impact their community. &ldquo;Let me tell you about the girl from Subway ... oh, and then there was the time....&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:27:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/LifeWay-store-s-customers-find-more-than-Bibles-bo?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f2f78b43-b9ea-445e-8e5a-f64db403cdf7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Plush puppies become LifeWay stores’ ministry]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[What started as an idea sparked by a hospitalized child has grown into a &ldquo;Jesus Loves Me Plush Dog&rdquo; outreach through LifeWay Christian Stores&rsquo; 160 locations nationwide. Sherry Parnell started the Christmas Plush Donation at the LifeWay store she was managing in Southaven, Miss., outside of Memphis.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:21:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Plush-puppies-become-LifeWay-stores-ministry?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5beb6035-3e17-438c-b898-6591ad43e802</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey: Pastors value Cooperative Program]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist pastors have high opinions of the convention&rsquo;s Cooperative Program (CP), according to a study conducted by <a href="http://www.lifeway.com/LifeWay-Research/c/N-1z13wgl" target="_blank"><em><strong>LifeWay Research</strong></em></a>. The survey of 1,066 Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) pastors found 81 percent agree the Cooperative Program fuels an aggressive global enterprise of reaching the unreached people groups around the world. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:00:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Survey-Pastors-value-Cooperative-Program?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">84d40d67-3a9e-4551-8f74-16366eab93ab</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[1% CP Challenge has $100M potential]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The 1% CP Challenge is &ldquo;a succinct way to do something more &ndash; an understandable way to say, &lsquo;Yeah, we can do that,&rsquo;&ldquo; said Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Executive Committee. &ldquo;It is understandable, is easily acted upon, and can be done without shifting major sections of a church&rsquo;s finances.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:48:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/1-CP-Challenge-has-$100M-potential?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">75bd9d50-d544-4312-b76d-2a54e9ddbe23</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pastor braves triathlon for bivocational pastors]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Tim Dowdy had been in training for more than a year when he looked out over the Gulf of Mexico, ready to brave it for a swim. Members of the church where Dowdy is pastor, Eagle&rsquo;s Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga., had joined him on the beach to cheer him on.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:34:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Pastor-braves-triathlon-for-bivocational-pastors?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9f44f4d4-6037-4c05-bbb4-63eab12b44c5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Beijing’s masses keen for relationships]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Beijing is an urban center peopled by the rich, politically privileged &ndash; and utterly poor. Outwardly, it&rsquo;s strikingly modern with its Bird&rsquo;s Nest Olympic Stadium and rapidly expanding state-of-the-art subway system. It&rsquo;s ancient, too, with the Forbidden City of Imperial China at its heart.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:17:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Beijing-s-masses-keen-for-relationships?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b02e4b93-9b62-454e-bb44-f0f3130f8ce6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Beijing’s young adults become U.S. couple’s focus of outreach]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Steve* was diagnosed with prostate cancer just before he and his wife Lisa* were planning to move to China, some friends took it as a sign. &ldquo;People [said], &lsquo;I guess you are not supposed to be going overseas,&rsquo;&rdquo; Steve recalled. &ldquo;I said, &lsquo;No, I think I am just getting a tune-up here.&rsquo;&rdquo; ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:03:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Beijing-s-young-adults-become-U-S-couple-s-focus-o?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fc4f5d04-4ad4-4143-ae72-b61d28a71690</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Northwest Baptists reduce executive board]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2012 20:45:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Northwest-Baptists-reduce-executive-board?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b90f410c-6412-458b-a5a8-dbdfc86d4c9b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ohio Baptists celebrate church planting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Ohio Baptists celebrated 44 church starts and heard an address by Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) President Fred Luter during their 59th annual meeting in Sandusky. The new church plants include seven language groups and two primarily African American congregations, joining the 241 new churches that Ohio Baptists have planted the past 15 years, reaching a total of some 700 churches in the state.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2012 20:35:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Ohio-Baptists-celebrate-church-planting?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e9061cc6-55de-4172-82c2-319968e0a3a7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘52 Sundays’ guide will call NC Baptists to missions prayers]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Baptist pastors will receive copies of a major prayer guide for 2013 this month in the mail. &ldquo;52 Sundays,&rdquo; a disk-based guide, has been designed to lead churches or prayer groups to pray for a different missionary or missions cause each Sunday during 2013. It is being sent by the Cooperative Program office of the <a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>Baptist State Convention of N.C</strong></em></a>.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:51:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/52-Sundays-guide-will-call-NC-Baptists-to-missions?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">853b08aa-3f65-4591-bfd2-e24b76a09d8e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Lottie Moon 100 years on]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[She died on board a ship 100 years ago Christmas Eve &ndash; sick, exhausted, brokenhearted over leaving her beloved Chinese friends in their time of suffering. It was a bittersweet end to a long and fruitful life. But it wasn&rsquo;t the end of Lottie Moon&rsquo;s story. What is it about this woman that has inspired so many Southern Baptists, for so many years, to give their own lives and treasure to God&rsquo;s mission?]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:39:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Lottie-Moon-100-years-on?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cd2fff07-44b8-4733-973a-895485edc0e8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pastor’s passion for missions pushes fear aside]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Gene Brooks* has good reasons not to return to the Middle East or Central Asia. This small-church pastor has been arrested twice overseas, interrogated by gun-wielding soldiers and forced to spend a night under house arrest.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:29:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Pastor-s-passion-for-missions-pushes-fear-aside?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ba335c4c-5f40-452e-adaa-588e12c6e3c1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Leaders: Window open for immigration reform]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A window for the federal government to enact &ldquo;top-to-bottom&rdquo; immigration reform stands open for now, supporters are saying. Advocates for comprehensive reform of the United States immigration system expressed new optimism at recent events in Washington. They urged Congress and the White House to work together quickly before the window of opportunity closes.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:19:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Leaders-Window-open-for-immigration-reform?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fede1187-7e07-4c74-a2f1-83143d7a20f8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Rubio talks creation, homosexuality, abortion]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Florida Sen. Marco Rubio addressed three topics of prominent concern to evangelicals during an event in Washington Dec. 5, sharing his views on the age of the Earth, whether homosexuality is a sin and when life begins. At a breakfast hosted by <a href="http://www.politico.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Politico</strong></em></a>, Rubio did not back down from comments he made to GQ last month in which he said the age of the Earth is &ldquo;one of the great mysteries.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2012 19:00:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Rubio-talks-creation-homosexuality-abortion?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e09d8213-ec6a-4748-bfdc-0ee911b98796</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[New England Baptists partner with new college]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[New England Baptists learned the latest news of their disaster relief (DR) outreach to survivors of superstorm Sandy and approved a partnership with a new Baptist college during their 30th annual meeting, Nov. 9-10 in Marlborough, Mass.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:20:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/New-England-Baptists-partner-with-new-college?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">642a6e45-a0b2-4e1e-a2d6-edf6bcb45c83</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[ Iowa Baptists increase church plants]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Iowa Baptists planted more than twice as many churches in the state this year than last, messengers to the group&rsquo;s 2012 annual meeting learned. Church planters and others from across Iowa shared stories of their successes and evidence of God&rsquo;s power in their ministries.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:15:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Iowa-Baptists-increase-church-plants?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">75c5f1d1-d921-4afd-bc61-43d79a464eb5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Colts chaplain impacts lives in fast-paced, ‘Not For Long’ NFL ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For 23 years Kenny Johnson has impacted the lives of thousands of young men and their families through the platform God has given him as chaplain of the Indianapolis Colts. As a Christian, former football player, husband, and father, he is well qualified and passionate about preparing NFL players and coaches for more than success on the field.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2012 20:40:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Colts-chaplain-impacts-lives-in-fast-paced-Not-For?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4210fe11-2759-441f-a0c0-daf2021a67e1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Doctor’s Rx for suffering centers on Jesus]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Flies circle the sparsely equipped operating room in remote Central Asia. One lands on an instrument tray, strutting the length of a scalpel seconds before the previously sterile instrument slices beneath skin of Jalal Hossein*. &ldquo;Allah!&rdquo; the 28-year-old mullah (Islamic teacher) moans through a haze of local anesthesia that has failed to kill the pain.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2012 20:20:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Doctor-s-Rx-for-suffering-centers-on-Jesus?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">79077675-b7d9-43ce-a166-0b2a647a5528</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘How on earth am I going to explain this to my wife?’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The first time Doug Page* set foot in the remote Central Asian town where he was sent to serve Christ, a single question echoed through his mind: &ldquo;How on earth am I going to explain this to my wife?&rdquo; The Southern Baptist doctor scanned the dozens of small, sand-colored dwellings that littered the surrounding hills. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2012 20:05:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/How-on-earth-am-I-going-to-explain-this-to-my-wife?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">45b4251d-b2dd-4ff5-96f1-888347a2a15a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Landmark: Sup. Court to consider gay marriage]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In a landmark move, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed Dec. 7 to take up two cases that could either lead to the legalization of gay marriage nationwide or affirm the rights of legislators and voters to protect traditional marriage. The court&rsquo;s action means that sometime next year &ndash; perhaps in March &ndash; the court will hear oral arguments in the cases and hand down a decision by the end of June.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:44:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Landmark-Sup-Court-to-consider-gay-marriage?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4d418273-7822-49f7-9738-583e90a282dd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tufts Univ. reinstates Christian ministry]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Student religious groups should not have to appoint leaders who do not share their beliefs, a student judiciary at <a href="http://www.tufts.edu/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Tufts University</strong></em></a> announced Dec. 5. It was a big victory for a Christian group on campus that had lost official recognition in October.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:37:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Tufts-Univ-reinstates-Christian-ministry?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d45e8759-1fce-47fb-9872-7096d3bb801c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[BGCT budget to remain at $38M]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Baptist General Convention of Texas (<a href="http://texasbaptists.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>BGCT</strong></em></a>) approved a $38 million budget for next year during its 2012 annual meeting in Corpus Christi. The budget has remained the same since 2010. It includes $33.85 million in Cooperative Program (CP) receipts from BGCT member churches and $2.15 million in investment income.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sat, 08 Dec 2012 21:12:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/BGCT-budget-to-remain-at-$38M?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">abff199c-4b8b-4643-ab59-7f3c9f04b50e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Okla. Baptists renew focus on Sunday School]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (<a href="http://www.bgco.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>BGCO</strong></em></a>) set forth a &ldquo;ReConnect Sunday School&rdquo; initiative at its 106th annual meeting Nov. 12-13 at First Baptist Church in Moore. The meeting, with its &ldquo;Connect&rdquo; theme, provided an opportunity for Oklahoma Baptists to conduct business, elect officers, gather as a community of faith and share their vision for 2013.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sat, 08 Dec 2012 21:08:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Okla-Baptists-renew-focus-on-Sunday-School?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">39749e13-dd0f-4b0a-ab21-104ea0ca6178</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ariz. Baptists seek church renewal]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messengers to the 84th annual meeting of the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.azsobaptist.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>ASBC</strong></em></a>) heard a call to church renewal and unanimously conducted business in a single hour-and-a-half session.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2012 20:43:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Ariz-Baptists-seek-church-renewal?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8d180621-3bb9-4fac-8cb9-94e0758862fc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ark. Baptists’ budget to surpass $22M]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messengers to the 159th Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) annual meeting approved a 2013 Cooperative Program (CP) budget of $22 million and honored Emil Turner in retiring as ASBC executive director in February.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2012 20:36:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Ark-Baptists-budget-to-surpass-$22M?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5139d47d-0426-4ea8-b894-41e5588f94d5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ga. Baptists increase budget 3.7%, honor White]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messengers to the Georgia Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.gabaptist.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>GBC</strong></em></a>) annual meeting increased their budget, honored their executive director, J. Robert White, for two decades of service and emerged with a renewed commitment to reach their state and world for Christ.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2012 20:32:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Ga-Baptists-increase-budget-3-7-honor-White?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">182a76e0-007d-44a1-aa4e-84b6ac26a39b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Md./Del. convention has multi-ethnic flair]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The 177th annual meeting of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D) included participation by several ethnic churches as well as the largest number of language church members ever present at the convention&rsquo;s annual gatherings.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2012 20:25:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Md-Del-convention-has-multi-ethnic-flair?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">33aba6cd-0dbc-4588-9ffc-d02acc916bb0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hanukkah provides opportunity for Baptists to reach Jews]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With Hanukkah season upon us, Sam Nadler challenges Southern Baptists to view this holiday as a reminder of opportunities to reach out to Jews who have not embraced Jesus Christ as their true Lord and Savior.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2012 19:08:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Hanukkah-provides-opportunity-for-Baptists-to-reac?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3c88bd3a-9ab6-4788-b7a3-db08ac593b02</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Israel-Gaza ceasefire fails to kindle hope]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;Draw anything you want to draw,&rdquo; a teacher in Gaza told her class of small children. After a few minutes a little girl brought a picture of a man without legs lying in the street. She said she had seen him just outside her home. In Israel, shell-shocked victims of a bus bombing lay outside a tangled mass of seats and shattered glass, panicked and waiting for medical treatment.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2012 19:02:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Israel-Gaza-ceasefire-fails-to-kindle-hope?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">40d03e94-875a-4042-b485-8e5121473d04</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Grady Nutt’s comedy returns via Web, CDs]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The comedy of Grady Nutt, a Southern Baptist seminary graduate known as the &ldquo;Prime Minister of Humor&rdquo; and a regular on television&rsquo;s long-running &ldquo;Hee Haw&rdquo; show, is being rejuvenated 30 years after his death via a website and commemorative two-CD collection of previously unreleased tracks.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2012 18:55:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Grady-Nutt-s-comedy-returns-via-Web-CDs?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">26f9491f-408e-4e60-9b6a-97d5a35621e0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘I’ve wondered if there was something else out there’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Grace, a member of one of the indigenous tribes of South America, speaks with intensity about the future of her people. There are outsiders who would keep them in something of a museum &ndash; as living history, she says &ndash; stuck in a time that has not been a reality for generations.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2012 18:46:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/I-ve-wondered-if-there-was-something-else-out-ther?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">09e806e7-b22e-44e5-878c-703765f2f32e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In Britain, food & water withheld from ill babies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The British end-of-life protocol known as the Liverpool Care Pathway is being used for the deaths of sick children and disabled newborns. Health care providers supposedly were using the Pathway only for terminally ill adults and the elderly, but an article in the <a href="http://www.bmj.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>British Medical Journal</strong></em></a> showed they also are withholding food, water and medicine from children, the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Daily Mail</strong></em></a> reported Nov. 28.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2012 18:39:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/In-Britain-food-water-withheld-from-ill-babies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">66d668a8-e5da-4d6a-95a5-bde5187aaf5b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Minn.-Wis. Baptists continue CP pledge]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptists increased their support of national and international Southern Baptist ministries for the third consecutive year, continuing a commitment to .5 percent annual increases toward reaching 50 percent of the anticipated Cooperative Program budget.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:10:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Minn-Wis-Baptists-continue-CP-pledge?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3f23395b-4278-42dc-b682-a1412969ce3d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Mont. Baptists unanimous in raising CP giving ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A year after embracing its 20/20 Vision, the Montana Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.mtsbc.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>MTSBC</strong></em></a>) voted to increase its Cooperative Program (CP) giving for the first time in the state group&rsquo;s 11-year history.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:03:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Mont-Baptists-unanimous-in-raising-CP-giving?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8c610459-b20b-4aa2-813f-36f15eea52d6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.M. Baptists celebrate 100th anniversary]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[One hundred years after messengers from Baptist churches across New Mexico gathered at First Baptist Church in Clovis to organize a new state convention, their spiritual descendents returned there for the Baptist Convention of New Mexico&rsquo;s centennial celebration.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:56:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/N-M-Baptists-celebrate-100th-anniversary?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5ef15857-c926-493d-bf3b-96d94dce81c7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Persecution reflects faith’s authenticity]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nik and Ruth Ripken* have served in some of the toughest areas of Africa. They&rsquo;ve known believers who have been martyred for Christ. They&rsquo;ve spoken with hundreds of Christians experiencing persecution in more than 70 countries.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:58:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Persecution-reflects-faith-s-authenticity?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">06cc911f-687a-4db8-a798-6438cb4c4365</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Persecuted need U.S. help, advocates say]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The United States must make the fight against persecution a priority, religious liberty advocates said recently. Perkins joined five other religious freedom advocates in a webcast on persecution cosponsored by Family Research Council and Voice of the Martyrs.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:49:37 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Persecuted-need-U-S-help-advocates-say?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">74a284d1-966b-424f-a54c-c84256125e92</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Fiscal cliff imperils adoption tax credit]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With Congress embroiled in debate over the so-called fiscal cliff, many in the adoption community are concerned the adoption tax credit set to expire at year&rsquo;s end could be forgotten, even though immediate action is needed.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:40:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Fiscal-cliff-imperils-adoption-tax-credit?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7c3619bf-d566-459f-b7c5-9730377b5283</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Group suggests church accountability measures to senator]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A commission examining several church-related tax issues &ndash; such as the limitations of the pastoral housing allowance and the IRS&rsquo; power to investigate churches &ndash; submitted a 91-page report to U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley Dec. 4. The report by the Commission on Accountability and Policy for Religious Organizations said its 43 recommendations to increase accountability would not impose excessive legislation, giving careful attention to the preservation of religious freedom.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:34:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Group-suggests-church-accountability-measures-to-s?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c50f4015-4830-4878-90ae-e3682d684399</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Algerian faces prison time for sharing faith]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Accusers who say an Algerian Christian insulted Islam provided no evidence to a judge hearing the Christian&rsquo;s appeal of his original sentence, according to a report in Open Doors USA. Karim Siaghi, a convert to Christianity, was sentenced in May 2011 to five years in prison and fined 200,000 Algerian Dinars, or about U.S. $2,500, even though prosecutors had brought no evidence or witnesses before the court.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:27:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Algerian-faces-prison-time-for-sharing-faith?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f173869b-93d9-45ca-a0c1-e1d343cbbc39</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Senate defeats treaty opposed by family groups]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The U.S. Senate fell short in its bid to ratify a treaty critics charged could subvert parental authority and American sovereignty, as well as expand abortions. Senators voted 61-38 Dec. 4 for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities (<a href="http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/conventionfull.shtml" target="_blank"><em><strong>CRPD</strong></em></a>) but failed to achieve the two-thirds majority required in the Senate to approve a treaty.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:17:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Senate-defeats-treaty-opposed-by-family-groups?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c0ee095f-bb50-448c-a155-be44162d30a2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Cooperative Program has strong showing]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist national and international missions and ministries received by the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Executive Committee are 7.59 percent over the same period last year, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President Frank Page. The total includes receipts from state conventions and fellowships, churches and individuals for distribution according to the 2012-13 SBC Cooperative Program Allocation Budget.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:04:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Cooperative-Program-has-strong-showing?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">38f7eef2-9119-41d9-a738-404bef262a88</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Nepalese believer ‘ready’ for God’s call]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[No one wanted to hear his words, Agni Amrit* says, hanging his head so low it almost rests on his checkered tie. Amrit asked 10 people in Kathmandu, Nepal, if he could share a story about his God. Everyone he approached told him to scat. No one wanted to hear about another God &ndash; they already have plenty in Hinduism.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:45:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Nepalese-believer-ready-for-God-s-call?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3e5181a0-2d1d-484d-bf3d-67a85aba54ea</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Sonny’ Tucker named Ark. executive director]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[J.D. &ldquo;Sonny&rdquo; Tucker was elected executive director-treasurer of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) at the Dec. 4 meeting of the ABSC Executive Board. He officially begins his duties Jan. 1.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:37:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Sonny-Tucker-named-Ark-executive-director?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a8e0fd25-0a87-4679-b911-e11b082908a3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Public invited to vote on Christian music nominations]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Christian entertainment&rsquo;s largest website, <a href="http://NewReleaseTuesday.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>NewReleaseTuesday.com</strong></em></a>, has announced nominations for the debut WE LOVE CHRISTIAN MUSIC AWARDS.&nbsp; Fans of Christian music are invited to help choose the winners by voting now through January 14 at <em><strong><a href="http://www.theWELOVEAWARDS.com" target="_blank">http://www.theWELOVEAWARDS.com</a></strong></em>.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:29:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Public-invited-to-vote-on-Christian-music-nominati?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">59cddded-4a26-4746-8dfe-37d59897b181</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. firefighter called to serve as IMB worker in Central Asia]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Christopher Ryan&rsquo;s* world was going up in flames &ndash; literally. Engulfed by pitch-black smoke and scorching heat, the North Carolina firefighter was battling an intense blaze on the second floor of a townhome when he and his partner, a veteran firefighter, realized they couldn&rsquo;t find the way out.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:28:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/N-C-firefighter-called-to-serve-as-IMB-worker-in-C?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e46f5e69-18bf-405e-b723-476284a9ce7e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Zig Ziglar gets ‘See You at the Top’ farewell]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Hundreds paid tribute to Zig Ziglar during a memorial service Saturday (Dec. 1) at Prestonwood Baptist Church, which pastor Jack Graham called a &ldquo;See You at the Top celebration.&rdquo; Thousands more online viewed the service for the legendary motivational speaker who touched countless lives throughout his four decades on the speaking circuit and through his 30-plus books, including the best-selling &ldquo;See You at the Top.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:17:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Zig-Ziglar-gets-See-You-at-the-Top-farewell?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">28fd4f13-6ebc-4ef5-909d-f9f8ec166956</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey: Most back contraception mandate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The majority of adults in America believe businesses and organizations, even those with conflicting religious principles, should be required to provide coverage of contraception and birth control for their employees, according to a survey by <a href="http://www.lifeway.com/LifeWay-Research/c/N-1z13wgl" target="_blank"><em><strong>LifeWay Research</strong></em></a>.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:03:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Survey-Most-back-contraception-mandate?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1cdbebbb-3852-4c1e-9d6f-3153bd285a7d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Legal abortion has taken 400 women’s lives]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[More than 400 women have died from legal abortions since 1973, according to new data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/" target="_blank"><em><strong>CDC</strong></em></a>) that also shows the number of abortions fell by 5 percent in 2009.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:53:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Legal-abortion-has-taken-400-women-s-lives?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">47aacb27-8d2a-4ad2-86d5-950860e25b38</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Nativity projects point to Jesus]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The message of Christmas is often overshadowed. It goes unnoticed by the growing number of people who celebrate the holiday for reasons other than for Christ. More and more businesses and public places avoid displaying any signs of religious affiliation when they decorate. Some North Carolina Baptists are taking more intentional steps to display nativity scenes as a way to share the true meaning of Christmas.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:49:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Nativity-projects-point-to-Jesus?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f8424a82-a4b1-4d09-9273-38e7990f9cd9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Theme interpretation: N.C. Baptists need to wake up]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Throughout North Carolina and even beyond, many Baptists are seeking a return to personal holiness.<br />
During its annual meeting in Greensboro Nov. 12-13 Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>), messengers heard several people speak to the theme Awaken, based on Romans 11:13-14.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:36:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Theme-interpretation-N-C-Baptists-need-to-wake-up?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6e1d6d79-5c93-4a43-b2db-58551ed7c169</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Banquet focuses on N.C.’s diversity, urges leaders to step up]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina&rsquo;s population continues to become more of a melting pot of ethnicities. Because of the state&rsquo;s diversity in jobs, competitive cost of living, and other factors, more people are moving here from different countries.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:27:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Banquet-focuses-on-N-C-s-diversity-urges-leaders-t?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">98c8fccb-11c2-4b89-9f44-25fec76022cb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pediatricians push ‘morning-after’ pill for minors]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The country&rsquo;s leading pediatrics association has urged its members to provide information about the &ldquo;morning-after&rdquo; pill to under-age, female patients and give them prescriptions in advance for the drug, which can cause abortions.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:22:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Pediatricians-push-morning-after-pill-for-minors?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">037a9d17-f276-4e05-902e-4aadaa05f3f5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Federal judge upholds Nev. marriage amend.]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A federal judge has upheld Nevada&rsquo;s constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between one man and one woman, providing a victory for social conservatives who have suffered a string of court losses on the issue.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:17:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Federal-judge-upholds-Nev-marriage-amend?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a5410408-b81f-4a3f-ae08-83f80aeb53eb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.Y. Baptists approve task force report]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Baptist Convention of New York (<a href="http://www.bcnysbc.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>BCNY</strong></em></a>), at its 43rd annual meeting, approved the recommendations of its Vision Task Force along with the formation of an ad hoc team to implement the plan.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 03 Dec 2012 19:36:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/N-Y-Baptists-approve-task-force-report?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ad66e2b5-b72d-453f-890c-fc327ca30c38</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC of Virginia installs Brian Autry as exec]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When church planter Clint Clifton was asked if the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia (<a href="http://www.sbcv.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBCV</strong></em></a>) could do a video spotlighting his story of church planting during its 2012 annual homecoming, he didn&rsquo;t think it would lead to a spontaneous offering.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 03 Dec 2012 19:24:37 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/SBC-of-Virginia-installs-Brian-Autry-as-exec?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">84cab6d0-ec7d-4a81-a629-175405a9b66a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBTC continues 55/45 CP budget]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messengers to the 15th annual meeting of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (<a href="http://sbtexas.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBTC</strong></em></a>) re-elected President Terry M. Turner of Mesquite, Texas, by acclamation and passed a $26.3 million budget and eight resolutions on topics ranging from &ldquo;a clear and complete&rdquo; gospel message to religious liberty violations in the federal health care law.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 03 Dec 2012 19:18:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/SBTC-continues-55-45-CP-budget?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d080da10-b798-4afa-9877-01498025a8ba</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Utah-Idaho Baptists aim to double churches]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Utah-Idaho Southern Baptists focused on extending their reach in line with the 2020 Vision of sharing Christ and starting and strengthening churches during their 48th annual meeting in Salt Lake City last month.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sun, 02 Dec 2012 19:29:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Utah-Idaho-Baptists-aim-to-double-churches?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ad33e41c-e67c-4fae-88ea-913b3df1fd65</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[W.Va. Baptists increase CP giving]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messengers to the 42nd annual meeting of the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists at Fairlawn Baptist Church in Parkersburg, W.Va., received &ldquo;inspirational and instructive&rdquo; reports, according to Terry Harper, the convention&rsquo;s executive director.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sun, 02 Dec 2012 19:25:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/W-Va-Baptists-increase-CP-giving?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">18427875-1202-4171-b08a-e1959c5f9868</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Wyo. Baptist meeting has Gideon as theme]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messengers to the Wyoming Southern Baptist Convention considered the biblical account of Gideon with the theme &ldquo;Who Me? So What? Wow!&rdquo; based on Judges 6-8 during their 29th annual meeting at Big Horn Baptist Church in Buffalo.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sun, 02 Dec 2012 19:22:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Wyo-Baptist-meeting-has-Gideon-as-theme?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d2c1fcc3-1cb1-4177-951c-53747ff147a6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ill. Baptists recognize strength in cooperation]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messengers to the 106th annual meeting of the Illinois Baptist State Association (IBSA) heard an urgent plea: Go &ndash; to the places and people in the state with the greatest need and with a spirit of partnership and cooperation.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sat, 01 Dec 2012 20:01:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Ill-Baptists-recognize-strength-in-cooperation?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2653c14e-5ff8-4206-8a8e-29ee7d05dd44</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Mo. Baptists gain via communication, cooperation]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Buoyed by news that Cooperative Program (CP) giving is holding steady, messengers to the Missouri Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.mobaptist.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>MBC</strong></em></a>) 178th annual meeting approved a $14.6 million budget and entered into new partnerships with New York and Mexico.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sat, 01 Dec 2012 19:56:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2012/Mo-Baptists-gain-via-communication-cooperation?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a01dbaab-6d60-4383-ad5d-1f411c17bb32</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptist Men seeks college students for Sandy effort]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Baptist Men (<a href="http://www.baptistsonmission.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>NCBM</strong></em></a>) is seeking students who can volunteer during their Christmas break to help with disaster relief efforts in the Northeast Dec. 15-21. The assignment will focus on relief efforts among homeowners in New Jersey who were impacted by Hurricane Sandy. NCBM has provided relief to impacted residents since the last day of the storm.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 30 Nov 2012 20:26:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/N-C-Baptist-Men-seeks-college-students-for-Sandy-e?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bac4a508-fe34-49d9-ba9d-2c3010178bd5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Charitable deduction cap would be ‘devastating’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A proposal to limit charitable deductions would be devastating for churches, religious organizations and other nonprofits if adopted by the federal government, says a Southern Baptist church-state expert. Leaders in both political parties have suggested further restricting charitable deductions for at least some Americans who itemize on their tax returns as a way of helping avert the &ldquo;fiscal cliff&rdquo; facing the country Jan. 1.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 30 Nov 2012 20:13:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Charitable-deduction-cap-would-be-devastating?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f4b38a0e-fb3c-4326-a32f-6b0b0ef79400</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Year-end givers choose organizations they can ‘trust']]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With a sluggish U.S. economy and fears of an impending &ldquo;fiscal cliff,&rdquo; donors identify &ldquo;trust&rdquo; as a top priority in selecting Christian ministries and nonprofit endeavors for their year-end giving.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 30 Nov 2012 20:07:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Year-end-givers-choose-organizations-they-can-trus?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f5431e1e-0db5-449b-b310-23ac0c7f7cf8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ziglar, ‘America’s motivator,’ conveyed hope, joy]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For the past seven years, Jay Hellwig would accompany Zig Ziglar to business meetings and speaking engagements worldwide &ndash; often sharing platforms with world leaders in business, politics and entertainment. Sometimes, he would sit across from Ziglar at his kitchen table as he finished up his Bible reading or his daily newspaper.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 30 Nov 2012 19:58:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Ziglar-America-s-motivator-conveyed-hope-joy?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">084c6148-1c75-4c12-bc6f-aea02afffa7b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Appeals court rules against abortion mandate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For the first time a federal appeals court has issued an order against the Obama administration&rsquo;s abortion/contraceptive mandate. The one-page order Nov. 28 from a three-judge Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals panel prevents the government from forcing a Missouri business &ndash; O&rsquo;Brien Industrial Holdings, LLC &ndash; to cover contraceptives and abortion-causing drugs in its employee health care plans as the appeals process is completed.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 30 Nov 2012 19:52:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Appeals-court-rules-against-abortion-mandate?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">96148eed-a14e-46c0-8818-e0267847e204</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Jesus-Centered Church’ is new book’s focus]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A desire to see churches infused with greater gospel awareness &ndash; from the pulpit to the parking lot &ndash; prompted Matt Chandler, Eric Geiger and Josh Patterson to coauthor &ldquo;Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church,&rdquo; released by <a href="http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>B&amp;H Publishing Group</strong></em></a>.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 30 Nov 2012 19:49:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Jesus-Centered-Church-is-new-book-s-focus?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">56fffb29-7235-462e-94fe-c3385974ed01</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Zig Ziglar, renowned layman & speaker, dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Zig Ziglar, known worldwide for his folksy and often anecdotal motivational talks on success through serving others, died Nov. 28 at a Plano, Texas, hospital of complications from pneumonia. He was 86.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:39:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Zig-Ziglar-renowned-layman-speaker-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">71604c26-3276-448c-9b2a-5d4064913ddb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptist ministries, agencies excited about progress, 2013]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As this year winds down, many of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>) ministry efforts and agencies are quickly positioning for a busy and productive 2013. Leaders shared reports Nov. 12-13 during the BSC&rsquo;s annual meeting in Greensboro of how God has blessed their ministries and institutions this past year.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:25:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/N-C-Baptist-ministries-agencies-excited-about-prog?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">44e058bd-5de5-4ef3-8155-8a631a5482fc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Supreme Court to decide Fri. on gay marriage]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The nine justices of the U.S. Supreme Court will meet behind closed doors Friday, Nov. 30 to decide whether to take up several cases that could lead to the legalization of gay marriage in all 50 states. The public won&rsquo;t find out what they decided for several days &ndash; as early as Monday &ndash; but Friday&rsquo;s meeting is significant enough that both sides in the cultural debate are guessing what will happen.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:14:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Supreme-Court-to-decide-Fri-on-gay-marriage?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3fbd94d3-54dd-4758-a593-85924bf2cc4f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Global ‘harvest’ at hand, Elliff says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Is the &ldquo;unthinkable&rdquo; about to happen? Are Southern Baptists about to miss one of the greatest harvests for Christ the world has seen? International Mission Board (<a href="http://www.imb.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>IMB</strong></em></a>) President Tom Elliff asked these questions in his report during IMB trustees&rsquo; Nov. 15-16 meeting in Springfield, Mo.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:02:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Global-harvest-at-hand-Elliff-says?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">698ae817-07d9-4f7e-9a3c-edd3840c33dc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[84 new missionaries appointed by IMB]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A deer meat processor and a doctor. A nanny and a nurse. A soldier and a statistician. These are just a few of the jobs previously held by 84 men and women appointed by International Mission Board (IMB) trustees Nov. 15 at Second Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:52:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/84-new-missionaries-appointed-by-IMB?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">aab5b714-14b6-4e72-be8b-ed67291173ac</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Sandy, tax changes expected to impact year-end donations]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The recession continued to affect how much Americans gave to charity last year, and the triple whammy of Superstorm Sandy, a national election and the looming fiscal cliff may cut how much we donate in the crucial final month of 2012, experts say.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:29:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Sandy-tax-changes-expected-to-impact-year-end-dona?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d3d6e05a-45f9-42e5-9c70-9f0f2d4565e5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Metro Chicago’s diversity tugs at visiting mission board members]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;I was raised in a place where there&rsquo;s a Baptist church on every corner,&rdquo; Sissy Franks said during a visit to Chicago. &ldquo;When I come here and I see this, then my heart is reminded that we have much to do,&rdquo; said Franks, a trustee of the North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:13:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Metro-Chicago-s-diversity-tugs-at-visiting-mission?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f2290007-edef-4643-b937-bc91ea17c236</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Anonymous author embraces obscurity, humility]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The world is filled with people who live and die in anonymity. To those who yearn for true success as modeled by Jesus, the anonymous author of a new book points toward humility, service, sacrifice and surrender. The author of &ldquo;Embracing Obscurity: Becoming Nothing in Light of God&rsquo;s Everything,&rdquo; released by B&amp;H Publishing Group, chose to publish under the name &ldquo;Anonymous&rdquo; and to maintain nearly complete anonymity.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:06:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Anonymous-author-embraces-obscurity-humility?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">93957731-8d2b-4d88-a9e8-ff75511d2f18</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Boy surviving HIV with help from World Hunger Fund]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The boy carefully climbs out of the desk and makes his way to the large chalkboard at the front of the classroom. After eyeing his teacher, the 10-year-old, Clive, picks up the piece of chalk and fills in the subtraction problem. It may seem small, but Clive&rsquo;s headmaster and teacher agree he is making remarkable improvements]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:23:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Boy-surviving-HIV-with-help-from-World-Hunger-Fund?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4918b755-5bf1-49a8-9280-045e269f9b60</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[College students to help Sandy survivors]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[College students will have their second opportunity in as many years to use their holiday breaks to minister to disaster survivors in the Northeast as the North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) is coordinating their deployment to respond in the wake of Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:13:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/College-students-to-help-Sandy-survivors?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c1e5335b-d225-4a31-ac60-ee7d552111b0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Supreme Court revives Obamacare challenge]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Religious objections to the Obama administration&rsquo;s abortion/contraception mandate have gained new life after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered a federal appeals judge to reconsider a Christian university&rsquo;s challenge to the health care law.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2012 21:00:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Supreme-Court-revives-Obamacare-challenge?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">10872bb4-5736-4b31-89de-4da0250cc01c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[University student ventures to Chilean port city’s ‘42 hills’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Maria had reached her limit. Seeing no other way to escape her troubled life, she was considering suicide. But because of the faithfulness of Chilean university student Ruth Aguirre and Southern Baptist missionary Karen Wright, she chose to live for Christ instead.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2012 20:51:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/University-student-ventures-to-Chilean-port-city-s?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5e821f22-2c52-440e-ac9a-c411ec54eccf</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Longtime prof Marvin Tate dies at 87]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Marvin Embry Tate Jr., a longtime professor at <a href="http://www.sbts.edu" target="_blank"><em><strong>Southern Baptist Theological Seminary</strong></em></a>, died Nov. 16. He was 87. Tate was a professor of Old Testament interpretation at Southern Seminary from 1960 until 1995, and then a senior professor until 2003.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2012 20:45:46 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Longtime-prof-Marvin-Tate-dies-at-87?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">249c7593-cf88-43d7-9ee3-25e3a51e44ac</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[La. Baptists mark 200 years of ministry]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messengers to the 165th meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention (LBC) were reminded that they are &ldquo;the key&rdquo; to what God is going to do during the next 200 years of ministry in the state. A brass key in the shape of the state of Louisiana was given to every person present Nov. 12 in the worship center at First Baptist Church in West Monroe, where John Avant is pastor.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 26 Nov 2012 20:36:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/La-Baptists-mark-200-years-of-ministry?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d8516386-0c19-4742-b077-f77a4c47e41b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Miss. president, 1st VP draw unanimous votes]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messengers to the 177th annual meeting of the Mississippi Baptist Convention reelected without opposition David Hamilton, pastor of West Heights Baptist Church in Pontotoc, to a second term as convention president and unanimously approved a Cooperative Program (CP) budget of $32,329,059 for the 2013 fiscal year.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 26 Nov 2012 20:34:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Miss-president-1st-VP-draw-unanimous-votes?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c4a44d32-73cd-42bf-a8aa-11fb50726028</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Nev. Baptists welcome 9 new churches]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nine new churches were added to the Nevada Baptist Convention (NBC) during its 34th annual meeting at South Reno Baptist Church in Reno. The meeting&rsquo;s theme was &ldquo;Our Hope in a New Day,&rdquo; based on Romans 5:2-5, and 107 messengers were registered.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 26 Nov 2012 20:31:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Nev-Baptists-welcome-9-new-churches?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d7a659eb-a913-49eb-b664-d3b9ec5e3bdf</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Graffiti shines ‘light’ in Sandy’s aftermath]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[East 7th Baptist Church has prayed for the toughest assignments in serving the neediest people. In God&rsquo;s care, the church has ministered through 9/11 and now is a healing balm to survivors of Hurricane Sandy. Three weeks after the superstorm killed 110 people along the East Coast &ndash; nearly half of them in New York &ndash; the church known as Graffiti is busy helping people recover by meeting physical and spiritual needs.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 26 Nov 2012 19:29:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Graffiti-shines-light-in-Sandy-s-aftermath?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">001265a0-3742-4b2e-b157-76a9d31bb287</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Everything Jesus says, that’s what I want to do’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Timbuktu. The name inspires images of far-away lands, mythical realms and immense wealth. Many people are unaware the city actually does exist. Timbuktu was only one of a myriad of splendid cities within the Songhai Empire.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 26 Nov 2012 19:03:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Everything-Jesus-says-that-s-what-I-want-to-do?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">03a1b887-3ced-4780-b1b6-194a3a1dbc23</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Songhai believers are true family of Christ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Ibrahim&rsquo;s wife died, his Songhai community near Niamey, Niger, refused to bury her because she was a Christian. She, like Ibrahim and other believers, faced daily persecution from their Muslim neighbors. Most Songhai believers do.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 26 Nov 2012 18:43:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Songhai-believers-are-true-family-of-Christ?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">dd19161c-b98b-4eaa-bfb6-4b202c3a0f4e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Blasphemy case against Pakistani girl dropped]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In a court decision that even a Muslim cleric called a &ldquo;milestone in the history of Pakistan,&rdquo; the blasphemy case against a Pakistani Christian girl has been dismissed for lack of evidence. In his judgment Nov. 20, the justice who heads the Islamabad High Court urged extreme caution in matters related to blasphemy and criticized the practice of fake blasphemy accusations against non-Muslims, according to <em>The New York Times</em>.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 26 Nov 2012 18:34:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Blasphemy-case-against-Pakistani-girl-dropped?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3b874a11-3a34-4f9b-b7b7-0c5c725b1a46</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Calif. Baptists weigh Focus 21 recommendations]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[California Southern Baptists celebrated their diversity and considered Executive Board recommendations regarding the Focus 21 Task Force during the Oct. 23-24 annual meeting at Clovis Hills Community Church.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sun, 25 Nov 2012 21:06:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Calif-Baptists-weigh-Focus-21-recommendations?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cfa84d7d-9fee-48c3-bbe2-4ab890927095</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Fla. Baptists continue toward 50/50 CP split]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jacksonville pastor Tim Maynard was elected president of the Florida Baptist State Convention (<a href="http://www.flbaptist.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>FBSC</strong></em></a>) during its Nov. 12-13 annual meeting at First Baptist Church in Orlando. Messengers approved a 2013 Cooperative Program (CP) budget of $31.6 million, an amount identical to the 2012 budget. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sun, 25 Nov 2012 21:02:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Fla-Baptists-continue-toward-50-50-CP-split?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2b5f9b90-57b6-48da-95bc-e9b44f24defd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ind. Baptists urged to reach state’s 7M people]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Indiana Baptist leader Cecil Seagle challenged messengers to the 54th annual meeting to reach the estimated 85 percent of Indianans who have no relationship with Jesus. Seagle, executive director of the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana (<a href="http://www.scbi.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>SCBI</strong></em></a>), told messengers to avoid the trap that says, &ldquo;We live in the Midwest and it&rsquo;s a hard place to take the gospel.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sun, 25 Nov 2012 21:00:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Ind-Baptists-urged-to-reach-state-s-7M-people?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">314cb505-d3fb-4826-8b34-14203431f014</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ky. Baptists fast-track 50/50 CP allocation]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With approval of the 2013-14 budget, Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC) messengers have fast-tracked a 50/50 allocation of their Cooperative Program (CP) funds with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sun, 25 Nov 2012 20:55:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Ky-Baptists-fast-track-50-50-CP-allocation?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c3bce9c3-e7c5-48c9-9fbf-10de5510b769</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[BGAV upholds decision to dismiss church]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Baptist General Association of Virginia (<a href="http://www.vbmb.org/default.cfm" target="_blank"><em><strong>BGAV</strong></em></a>) upheld a committee&rsquo;s decision to end the state association&rsquo;s affiliation with a church which ordained an openly gay man to the ministry earlier this fall. Also at its Nov. 13-14 annual meeting in Roanoke, Va., with 785 registered messengers, the BGAV adopted without discussion or apparent opposition a 2013 budget which had sparked wide-ranging debate for a month.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sat, 24 Nov 2012 21:40:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/BGAV-upholds-decision-to-dismiss-church?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0b1d09de-4b05-4322-9ea2-125b796be484</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[S.C. Baptists increase direct giving to IMB]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Under the banner of &ldquo;Great Commission Living,&rdquo; South Carolina Baptists gathered at the TD Convention Center in Greenville to conduct their state convention&rsquo;s annual business and to worship and fellowship together.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sat, 24 Nov 2012 21:32:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/S-C-Baptists-increase-direct-giving-to-IMB?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c322cc62-be68-430d-b770-81e993afe738</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tenn. Baptists approve Vision 2021 report]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messengers to the 138th annual meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC) at Faith Baptist Church in Bartlett, Tenn., overwhelmingly adopted the report of the Vision 2021 Team which included 10 recommendations.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sat, 24 Nov 2012 21:25:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Tenn-Baptists-approve-Vision-2021-report?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fcba9488-79c9-493d-9688-805653cd72b9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Alaska Baptists affirm authority of Bible]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The 67th annual meeting of the Alaska Baptist Convention (ABC) adopted a multi-faceted resolution affirming the authority of the Bible.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 23 Nov 2012 21:48:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Alaska-Baptists-affirm-authority-of-Bible?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2e7c22df-0a51-43dd-9671-dbd265dce17f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Colo. Baptists report growth, Kingdom impact]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Colorado Baptists welcomed four new churches to the convention during its 57th annual meeting and heard reports of Kingdom ministry by its entity partners.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 23 Nov 2012 21:44:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Colo-Baptists-report-growth-Kingdom-impact?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fb2b2c8a-5451-41ed-879e-dd6b0a29257e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Dakota Baptists honor retired pastors]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Dakota Baptist Convention honored 11 retired pastors and their wives during its 28th annual meeting at Calvary Baptist Church in Rapid City, S.D. Messengers approved a 2013 budget of $1.2 million, down $35,976 from the previous year. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 23 Nov 2012 21:41:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Dakota-Baptists-honor-retired-pastors?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2ba5727d-d7f5-4aa4-9118-6efc63902552</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NAMP VP urges N.C. Baptists to be obedient, pursue Kingdom ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Although Jeff Christopherson&rsquo;s first church plant birthed two more new churches, he knew something wasn&rsquo;t right. Somehow, his focus had become building the church instead of building God&rsquo;s Kingdom. &ldquo;I had strayed a long way from what I had first learned. God, in His providence, gave me an opportunity to repent,&rdquo; Christopherson said.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 21 Nov 2012 17:44:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/NAMP-VP-urges-N-C-Baptists-to-be-obedient-pursue-K?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ea576814-6f4e-49d5-8c5a-c817342fa423</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NCBM capable of extraordinary work using ordinary people]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When someone thinks of North Carolina Baptist Men (<a href="http://www.baptistsonmission.org" target="_blank"><strong><em>NCBM</em></strong></a>), Richard Brunson wants women and students &ndash; not just men &ndash; to come to mind. &ldquo;Think about the thousands of volunteers,&rdquo; Brunson, NCBM executive director, said Nov. 13 in his report before the messengers of the <a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>Baptist State Convention</strong></em></a> annual meeting in Greensboro.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 21 Nov 2012 17:37:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/NCBM-capable-of-extraordinary-work-using-ordinary?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">988b7d18-1cc8-4ffc-9213-0d1f030e36d1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hollifield calls messengers to pray for spiritual awakening]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As the interest in revival services among church members continues to decline, especially among younger members, so does the interest and awareness of the need for spiritual awakening. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:36:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Hollifield-calls-messengers-to-pray-for-spiritual?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ef413a71-64bf-450c-8761-f03c839fd926</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[WMU-NC cancels move]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Woman&rsquo;s Missionary Union of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.wmunc.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>WMU-NC</strong></em></a>) will not be moving to Lillington. &ldquo;Fundraising efforts to make possible the &lsquo;gift&rsquo; of purchasing this building have been difficult in the face of a weak economy,&rdquo; according to a Nov. 15 press release from WMU-NC.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:32:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/WMU-NC-cancels-move?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e01c7e4c-267a-407b-932f-7b365e9a2306</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[WEEK OF PRAYER: BE His heart, His hands, His voice]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nepalese pastors brave threats and bombs to see Christ&rsquo;s name glorified in the Himalayas. Believers in West Africa bury a Christian woman, uniting in a strong witness to the Songhai community that refused her a proper burial. In Central Asia, an International Mission Board (<a href="http://www.imb.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>IMB</strong></em></a>) doctor&rsquo;s greatest concern isn&rsquo;t for safety but that his ministry will make a difference for the kingdom.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:19:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/WEEK-OF-PRAYER-BE-His-heart-His-hands-His-voice?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4feecba2-c477-4e4e-af9f-9634d02c7d2c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Atheist group sues IRS over churches endorsing politics]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[After 1,586 pastors purposely broke the law Oct. 7 by endorsing political candidates from the pulpit, an atheist group has taken the bait and sued the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Nov. 12 for not taking action against these pastors&rsquo; churches. Alliance Defending Freedom (<a href="http://www.alliancedefendingfreedom.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>ADF</strong></em></a>) started Pulpit Freedom Sunday in 2008 to challenge the 1954 Johnson Amendment that prohibits tax-exempt churches from making political endorsements.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:10:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Atheist-group-sues-IRS-over-churches-endorsing-pol?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">774a814b-fc3d-4339-aee3-88541cc1c427</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Amid Israel & Gaza’s bloody faceoff, prayer rises among Christians]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The smoke trails of rockets make jagged cuts through the cloudless sky over Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Stephen Johnson,* a Christian worker among Palestinians, said he feels just as rough around the edges.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:54:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Amid-Israel-Gaza-s-bloody-faceoff-prayer-rises-amo?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d9a78c72-69ee-47f8-b146-c47bd1cc0864</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[ N.C. Baptists challenged to ‘Awaken’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[After weeks &ndash; and even months &ndash; of focused prayer and a call for spiritual awakening, this year&rsquo;s 182nd annual meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>) ended with 34 North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) missionaries being sent out to plant churches in some of the least evangelized areas of the country and Canada.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 19 Nov 2012 21:23:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/N-C-Baptists-challenged-to-Awaken?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4fac5861-4413-4af8-8f24-69184e84e36d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Convention agencies bring ministry reports]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina&rsquo;s Baptist agencies reported to messengers at their annual meeting Nov. 13 in Greensboro how God has blessed those ministries &ndash; and through His grace &ndash; lives are being impacted. As a 7-year-old, Travis went to live with his aunt and uncle because of the alcohol and drug abuse issues in his home. But the impact of growing up in that environment had already impacted Travis.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 19 Nov 2012 21:05:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Convention-agencies-bring-ministry-reports?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c1ee280d-bc9a-41c9-8566-4bba9e1143fd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptist Men expect six months for Sandy response]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Every day more than 300 <a href="http://www.baptistsonmission.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>NC Baptist Men</strong></em></a> and women volunteers are deployed across New Jersey and New York in response to Superstorm Sandy&rsquo;s pounding of coastal areas there Oct. 29, which caused some 100 deaths and widespread destruction from high winds, high tides and record-setting floods. Wrecked houses and fractured lives still abound along the hard-hit coastal area three weeks after Sandy blew through with 80-mph winds; thousands of homes were still without electricity.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:42:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/N-C-Baptist-Men-expect-six-months-for-Sandy-respon?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7bad03db-a5f8-44cd-8b99-c095afcf903a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Arkansas porn shop to fight city ordinance]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[An adult store in Clarksville, Ark., may challenge the constitutionality of a city ordinance regulating sexually oriented businesses, the state Supreme Court ruled recently. According to the decision, the X-Mart Adult Superstore may fight the city&rsquo;s 2006 ordinance requiring pornography shops to be licensed and regulated. Violations could result in up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:37:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Arkansas-porn-shop-to-fight-city-ordinance?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">185a1554-539d-41cb-b893-fd01a9f23277</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘It’s all about obedience’ Ezell says to N.C. Baptists ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Church planting, revitalization and developing a &ldquo;farm system&rdquo; of new missionaries throughout North America were the focus of a message to North Carolina Baptists by Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>). Ezell gave the convention sermon to N.C. Baptist messengers on the final evening of their annual meeting Nov. 13 in Greensboro.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 16 Nov 2012 20:12:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/It-s-all-about-obedience-Ezell-says-to-N-C-Baptist?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">363ed784-8d5b-4443-ac67-daafc6cf2119</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[It’s time to ‘Awaken,’ N.C. Baptist president says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[It&rsquo;s time for Baptists to awaken and take a stand, said Mark Harris, during his presidential address at the <a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>Baptist State Convention of North Carolina</strong></em></a>&rsquo;s annual meeting Nov. 13 in Greensboro. Speaking on this year&rsquo;s annual meeting theme, &ldquo;Awaken,&rdquo; Harris shared how N.C. Baptists must continue to fight off apathy and being overrun with &ldquo;theological junk food&rdquo; that keeps many from a true spiritual awakening. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 16 Nov 2012 20:06:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/It-s-time-to-Awaken-N-C-Baptist-president-says?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">907e7c00-9128-4cae-802a-4261ce94ad30</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pastors encouraged to ‘preach the Word’ ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The theme of this year&#39;s annual Pastors&#39; Conference, held Nov. 11-12 at Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro, was &quot;Preach the Word.&quot;<br />
<br />
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 15 Nov 2012 19:07:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Pastors-encouraged-to-preach-the-Word?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">406f6037-3708-4b0e-a7a7-aad8e4e9e15e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Azerbaijan police raid Baptist pastors’ homes]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Police in Azerbaijan raided the homes of two Baptist pastors who are former prisoners of conscience. On Nov. 7, about 10 police officers arrived at the home of Baptist pastor Zaur Balaev in Aliabad, where eight local church members were gathered. Balaev and his wife were in Moscow at the time, getting treatment for her cancer, according to Norway-based religious freedom monitor Forum 18.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 15 Nov 2012 19:01:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Azerbaijan-police-raid-Baptist-pastors-homes?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1247cb10-de4b-4687-a141-284d0a9aa70a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[BSC officers re-elected ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The three top leaders for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) were re-elected Nov. 13 at the annual meeting in Greensboro to their respective posts for 2013. All three ran unopposed.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:15:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/BSC-officers-re-elected?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0999be5c-5c4d-407e-90b5-76f452d03c6e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Prayer, worship focus of annual meeting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With many people on their knees &ndash; some face down on a concrete floor &ndash; in prayer, North Carolina Baptists kicked off their 182nd annual meeting Nov. 12 at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex Special Events Center in a spirit of prayer and worship. Much of the routine business was merely a side note to an evening focused on spiritual renewal.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:49:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Prayer-worship-focus-of-annual-meeting?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a23020d6-c681-461c-83df-5412647f1d97</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Executive Committee hears ministry updates, committee reports]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Executive Committee (EC) of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>) met Nov. 12 in conjunction with the 2012 BSC annual meeting in Greensboro. First on the agenda were committee reports. Wanda Dellinger, chair of the <a href="http://www.cssc.or.tz/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Christian Social Services Committee</strong></em></a>, reported that the annual Thanksgiving Offering for Baptist Children&rsquo;s Homes of North Carolina is underway.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:33:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Executive-Committee-hears-ministry-updates-committ?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">56e122f5-ab30-4910-a446-14eb4ae61b81</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ministers’ wives can be bright star]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Wives of pastors can be shining stars for Christ if they are willing. &ldquo;To be a star is something you really need to accept,&rdquo; said Dwaine Bouldin when addressing 44 minister&rsquo;s wives and guests Nov. 12 at Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:22:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Ministers-wives-can-be-bright-star?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e4547eb7-ad0a-4546-a4d8-32b6de7c1916</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptists to expand Sandy DR into December]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (<a href="http://www.namb.net/dr/" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBDR</strong></em></a>) leaders are preparing to continue superstorm Sandy feeding efforts into December, and have opened a new avenue of service with long-term national implications. &ldquo;Although we&rsquo;ve been told by New York officials that some of our kitchen operations may consolidate in the state, they told us to expect to continue providing meals into December,&rdquo; said Fritz Wilson, North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) disaster relief executive director.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:00:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Baptists-to-expand-Sandy-DR-into-December?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">382096c7-1fed-4907-9e54-227464615274</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Body of Christ in action’ amid Hoboken’s woes from Sandy]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Two weeks after superstorm Sandy tore through New Jersey, thousands of people still lack food, clothing and water. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, nearly half of Hoboken&rsquo;s population of 50,000 was trapped in their homes by floodwaters.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:35:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Body-of-Christ-in-action-amid-Hoboken-s-woes-from?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6fee4bcd-7ddd-4071-bbc8-3620c247c413</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chaplain back from Afghanistan but still on duty]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Army Chaplain (Capt.) Jared L. Vineyard sometimes finds himself much too close to the action. That was true when he was wounded as an artillery officer in Iraq and later during a one-year stint as a Southern Baptist chaplain ministering to an infantry battalion in Paktika Province in eastern Afghanistan.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 12 Nov 2012 20:57:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Chaplain-back-from-Afghanistan-but-still-on-duty?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b97cd58f-b28e-4943-af5d-93f5a103816d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[As troops & their chaplains return, churches must be ready]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[They&rsquo;re coming home. They&rsquo;ve witnessed death on the battlefield and led soldiers, sailors and marines to Christ. They&rsquo;ve baptized converts in water-filled barrels and led worship during rocket attacks. They&rsquo;ve risked their own lives and sacrificed time away from their families. They are the among the nation&rsquo;s unsung heroes &ndash; military chaplains.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 12 Nov 2012 20:40:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/As-troops-their-chaplains-return-churches-must-be?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a58d77cd-a35f-4e3d-90ee-041e0e2b8de5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Super Bowl QB remembers the game, growing up in N.C. ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Former Super Bowl winning quarterback Brad Johnson successfully played the toughest position in football for 17 seasons in the <a href="http://www.nfl.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>National Football League</strong></em></a>. Known for his great decision making, leadership and toughness, Johnson traded in his cleats to coach and focus on his faith and family]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 09 Nov 2012 19:35:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Super-Bowl-QB-remembers-the-game-growing-up-in-N-C?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6b90b085-0834-4ddd-b928-3720ed25c10d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Nor’easter sends tree into leader’s house]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (<a href="http://www.namb.net/dr/" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBDR</strong></em></a>) units escaped significant damage from the nor&rsquo;easter that dumped up to a foot of snow in various areas of the Northeast. All SBDR operations were suspended for the duration of the storm Wednesday afternoon, but volunteers were back at work Thursday morning.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 09 Nov 2012 19:18:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Nor-easter-sends-tree-into-leader-s-house?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9ffeaa95-126c-4158-bbc1-1305d3d04f61</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chainsaw crew sees fruit of the gospel ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The 16-member chainsaw crew had stopped for supper at a restaurant just outside Tuckerton, N.J., having driven all day from Cross Central Church in Lexington, S.C., to help survivors of Hurricane Sandy. Team leader Alan Giddens offered to help a certain storm survivor at the restaurant who said he was fine, directing the team to those in more need, Giddens said.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 09 Nov 2012 19:11:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Chainsaw-crew-sees-fruit-of-the-gospel?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4ecf4515-dcba-4a42-bb93-bf117dad080c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Staten Island church takes long-term aim]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Back in the winter when New York City tried to push churches out of public schools, Crossroads Church on Staten Island didn&rsquo;t know God was moving them to a new location that later would be right up the block from some of the most severe devastation left by Hurricane Sandy.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 09 Nov 2012 18:59:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Staten-Island-church-takes-long-term-aim?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1dc308c1-2888-4953-85e8-372e08813837</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Guatemala: post-quake assessment under way]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Dozens of people are dead and hundreds homeless after a powerful earthquake hammered Guatemala&rsquo;s Pacific coast the morning of Nov. 7. Baptist Global Response (<a href="http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com/" target="_blank"><strong>BGR</strong></a>) partners are evaluating the damage and the need for a relief effort.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 09 Nov 2012 18:53:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Guatemala-post-quake-assessment-under-way?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9c552bfa-d544-4a89-9e17-087e1d2231c5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[How food, fellowship & Jesus can reach people groups next door]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Sometimes it might start with something as easy as inviting your neighbors over to watch boxing, said Ken Tan, team leader of the multicultural team for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>). ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 08 Nov 2012 20:00:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/How-food-fellowship-Jesus-can-reach-people-groups?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0545ff78-8528-42dc-9e1e-c223d24268e8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC leaders call people to pray for elected officials]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[President Barack Obama regained the White House for another four years in an election that proved a convincing setback on moral issues for evangelical Christians and other social conservatives. The country&rsquo;s first African American president turned back the challenge of Republican Mitt Romney Nov. 6 by winning the popular vote and more than 300 electoral votes.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 08 Nov 2012 19:47:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/SBC-leaders-call-people-to-pray-for-elected-offici?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">31966eb6-54b4-4280-96fc-1f1d072f808a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Mormonism’s cultural rise likely to continue]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Although Mitt Romney lost his presidential bid, Christians should be prepared for higher Mormon visibility and credibility in America, an interfaith witness expert and a seminary professor told <a href="http://www.bpnews.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>Baptist Press</strong></em></a>.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 08 Nov 2012 19:40:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Mormonism-s-cultural-rise-likely-to-continue?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8fd8325a-13eb-464c-9b03-a07a55487c89</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Controversial ‘Mojave Cross’ to return to Calif. Desert]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[It&rsquo;s been debated for more than a decade, covered with a wooden box and stolen. But on Veterans Day, a controversial war memorial cross will be re-erected and rededicated on a rock in California&rsquo;s Mojave National Preserve.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 08 Nov 2012 19:29:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Controversial-Mojave-Cross-to-return-to-Calif-Dese?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">88828dec-702b-48dd-a523-49752aa57c9e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Calvinism team meets for second time]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[An advisory team on the issue of Calvinism met for the second time in Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 5-6, Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President Frank Page reported after members of the 19-member group convened.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:46:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Calvinism-team-meets-for-second-time?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2bc1d85b-934d-47ac-bcca-76e29717ea73</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Vision tour leads to new Boston partnership]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When pastor Robin Fisher visited Boston and met a local church planter he learned that his church back home in rural northeast North Carolina may have more in common with the big city than he thought. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:35:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Vision-tour-leads-to-new-Boston-partnership?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ffdde037-eb01-4298-b17e-d14b4de648e9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Living missionally for the gospel]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Although Renee* lives in Raleigh, she often feels like she is living in a different country. Her friends speak different languages and come from different religious backgrounds. Some did not attend her wedding because the ceremony was in a Christian church.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:25:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Living-missionally-for-the-gospel?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">95f50237-17bd-4c28-85d6-bb13f2d5e11f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[French move toward full funding of abortion]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[French lawmakers have voted to provide full government funding of abortion. France&rsquo;s National Assembly voted Oct. 26 to increase coverage of both surgical and chemical abortions for 2013 to 100 percent, according to reports in the Associated Press, LifeSite News and other media.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 07 Nov 2012 20:17:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/French-move-toward-full-funding-of-abortion?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c341be82-78d0-4895-a33f-b809396897cd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Embrace inspires women to personal ministry, leadership roles]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Cupping her hands around her ears, Barbara Spence demonstrated a listening-to-the-Lord prayer position. Spence, a member of Glen Hope Baptist Church in Burlington, was one of the 120 women at the Embrace Women&rsquo;s Ministry event Oct. 26-27 at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 06 Nov 2012 19:35:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Embrace-inspires-women-to-personal-ministry-leader?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e04218d7-c92b-48c6-b4bc-e67f8c3249ba</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Veterans Day offers ministry opportunities]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[This Veterans Day churches throughout the United States are seeing a rise in the number of military veterans returning home after deployment. Many say it is an opportunity for churches to serve and help meet the needs of transitioning soldiers.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 06 Nov 2012 19:20:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Veterans-Day-offers-ministry-opportunities?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">24ab7957-a3c9-44b3-af36-41589aae06e1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[LifeWay launches e-bookstore & e-reader app]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[LifeWay Christian Resources has launched a new e-bookstore at <a href="http://www.LifeWay.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>LifeWay.com</strong></em></a> and a new mobile e-book reader, making it more convenient for customers to take their favorite books with them wherever they go.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 06 Nov 2012 19:10:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/LifeWay-launches-e-bookstore-e-reader-app?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c0b35411-0d34-42fb-90dc-926fcd0d2af6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Sandy spurs N.C. Baptists into action]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Baptists are on the front lines of disaster response in the wake of Hurricane Sandy in the Northeast. &ldquo;Several recovery teams were mobilized over the weekend,&rdquo; according to North Carolina Baptist Men&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.baptistsonmission.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>NCBM</strong></em></a>) latest report Nov. 4. &ldquo;Additional teams will be organized as the projects are prepared and housing is secured.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 05 Nov 2012 20:10:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Sandy-spurs-N-C-Baptists-into-action?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cf4dea6f-0b68-4d60-b354-2d085d204754</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Trip to Moldova inspires pastors]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Terry and Andrea Davis smile nervously as they&rsquo;re about to sing in front of hundreds of Moldovans at Jesus the Savior Church in Chisinau, Moldova. Looking around for a translator, Terry realizes he will have to use the basic Romanian he learned during the week to introduce himself and Andrea.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 05 Nov 2012 20:04:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Trip-to-Moldova-inspires-pastors?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e3610a0e-9164-46d1-8ce0-1bf2841f02cb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptist post-Sandy commitment to reach 400,000 meals per day]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In an unprecedented move for Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (<a href="http://www.namb.net/dr/" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBDR</strong></em></a>), all large capacity mobile kitchens in the fleet east of the Rocky Mountains have been asked to mobilize in response to Hurricane Sandy. The goal is to begin preparing a minimum of 400,000 meals a day by Monday, Nov. 5.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 02 Nov 2012 18:32:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Baptist-post-Sandy-commitment-to-reach-400-000-mea?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1432890b-86ca-4adc-9064-58d3b9f86d0e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Sandy’s storm devastation ‘unprecedented,’ leader says ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nearly 90 people have been confirmed dead in the United States in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and the number of people who remain unaccounted for is unknown, officials said Nov. 1. Tensions were rising as electricity remained off for nearly 5 million customers in the Northeast and access to basic necessities grew more difficult.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 02 Nov 2012 18:17:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Sandy-s-storm-devastation-unprecedented-leader-say?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e62df6dd-ef94-49cf-b987-46690d7da00b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[October CP gifts 6.72% below 2011]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Contributions to Southern Baptist national and international missions and ministries received by the SBC Executive Committee in October were 6.72 percent below the same month last year, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President Frank Page. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 02 Nov 2012 18:09:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/October-CP-gifts-6-72-below-2011?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1c0e4958-d486-4f71-bf9f-a15d80a86e29</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Poll: 29% of pastors discuss candidates in pulpit]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A majority of regular churchgoers say their pastor has discussed the importance of voting, while 29 percent say their pastor has taken sides, in sermons, in the presidential race, according to a new survey by the <a href="http://pewresearch.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Pew Research Center</strong></em></a>.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 02 Nov 2012 18:03:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Poll-29-of-pastors-discuss-candidates-in-pulpit?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">534455c8-4ea9-4be1-8bdb-ad7e1114c407</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptists to see ‘high-capacity’ Sandy response ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Wind, flood, fire and snow have combined to displace thousands of residents in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and West Virginia. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (<a href="http://www.namb.net/dr/" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBDR</strong></em></a>) volunteers are on their way to the hardest-hit areas in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, bringing help and hope in the midst of crisis.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:56:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Baptists-to-see-high-capacity-Sandy-response?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8163c899-293c-4739-af36-9c529a395a79</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptist worker returns to a hurting New York]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The death toll from Hurricane Sandy had risen to at least 50 people Wednesday as 6 million electric customers remained without power in the Northeast, crippled by damaged infrastructures and hazardous floodwater. Amid the devastation, Southern Baptists rallied to help.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:41:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Baptist-worker-returns-to-a-hurting-New-York?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6bbad3a4-55f5-4f22-8984-6f8ccebb086c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chinese entity urges end to ‘one-child’ policy]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A Chinese government institute has recommended Beijing revoke its &ldquo;one-child&rdquo; policy that has forced abortion and sterilization upon millions of its citizens during the last three decades. A Christian human rights advocate, however, says it is premature to conclude the communist regime will actually implement the proposal.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:26:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Chinese-entity-urges-end-to-one-child-policy?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0f1fd205-0f3b-4750-955b-39941de45018</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[BarlowGirl disbands for ‘something new’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Becca, Lauren and Alyssa Barlow crowded in front of a computer camera Oct. 29 to bid their fans a final farewell after 10 years of singing, touring and recording together as the sister-trio BarlowGirl. Lauren, 27, explained in the live chat that the transition happened as they sat down to write a new album. As they prayed, she and her two sisters realized God &ldquo;had something new&rdquo; for them.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:15:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/BarlowGirl-disbands-for-something-new?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">301db2a1-d292-4863-8dd7-a0c453330fa9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Polls: Md., Wash. could overturn gay marriage]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Gay marriage laws in Washington state and Maryland are in danger of being overturned by voters, according to new polls that were released after traditional groups went on the air with television ads warning of the consequences of marriage redefinition. Both new polls show traditional groups making up significant ground in the span of a few weeks.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:03:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2012/Polls-Md-Wash-could-overturn-gay-marriage?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9cf81f8e-c642-415c-9928-52a29eacdfe6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. volunteers headed to New Jersey]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A mobile kitchen team and additional support units were headed to Rutgers, N.J., today to help with relief efforts related to Hurricane Sandy, which caused at least 50 U.S. deaths, record flooding, massive power outages and extensive devastation as it roared ashore Monday night (Oct. 29) near New York City.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:59:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/N-C-volunteers-headed-to-New-Jersey?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8a6db239-b421-4189-90b4-06df42d80b37</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Cuban Baptists rally to aid Sandy’s victims]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Hurricane Sandy&rsquo;s torrential rains and 105 mph winds slammed eastern Cuba Oct. 25, killing 11 people, among them a couple from First Baptist Church in the hard-hit coastal city of Santiago. The Baptist couple, whose names were not released, died when a wall collapsed in their home during the storm.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:47:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Cuban-Baptists-rally-to-aid-Sandy-s-victims?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1d4767f6-f987-4e07-ab82-8bb00eb7e4d8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Resolution on pursuit of holiness]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[On Oct. 29 the Committee on Resolutions and Memorials made available the only resolution that will be presented during the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina&rsquo;s annual meeting Nov. 12-13 in Greensboro. It is available here on the <em>Biblical Recorder</em> website but is also available at <a href="http://www.ncannualmeeting.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>ncannualmeeting.org</strong></em></a>.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:41:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Resolution-on-pursuit-of-holiness?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">16fa5dfd-ff63-42f0-9e44-a2d8677575fa</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[5,000 World Series packets given to fans]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Volunteers from Michigan Baptist churches distributed some 5,000 packets with evangelistic materials prior to a World Series game at the Detroit Tigers&rsquo; Comerica Park Oct. 27. &ldquo;We just thought it was a great opportunity to get the gospel in people&rsquo;s hands,&rdquo; said Larry Allen, pastor of Warren Woods Baptist Church in Warren.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:30:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/5-000-World-Series-packets-given-to-fans?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3890c051-5fdd-4f27-b79a-3d9c40768590</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Study: Record number of TV gay characters]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The new broadcast television season apparently will have the highest percentage of gay and lesbian characters ever, according to an annual report by a prominent gay group. The &ldquo;Where We Are on TV&rdquo; report by the Gay &amp; Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) shows that 4.4 percent of all characters on broadcast scripted programs during the 2012-13 season will be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:15:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Study-Record-number-of-TV-gay-characters?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9c546181-dc46-4fc6-8773-eb0c5a862469</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Caribbean hurricane assessment launched]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Baptists in the Caribbean spent the weekend assessing damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, which left at least 62 people dead and hundreds of thousands homeless before it moved on toward eastern coast of the United States.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 30 Oct 2012 19:21:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Caribbean-hurricane-assessment-launched?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">13212562-9d53-47b8-8dae-a40cc1738d65</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Richard Land endorses Mitt Romney]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptists&rsquo; most prominent policy commentator, Richard Land, has endorsed Mitt Romney for president. Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Ethics &amp; Religious Liberty Commission (<a href="http://www.erlc.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>ERLC</strong></em></a>), made the endorsement &ndash; marked with three qualifiers &ndash; in a non-SBC role he also holds as executive editor of <a href="http://www.christianpost.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>The Christian Post</strong></em></a>, an independent news website with a national and international audience.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 30 Oct 2012 19:14:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Richard-Land-endorses-Mitt-Romney?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cdb53342-dd48-4e16-9be5-06c3d2786202</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[After winning free campus, GCU says ‘no thanks’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Five weeks after accepting a free, 217-acre campus in western Massachusetts, a for-profit Christian university has walked away from the gift. Grand Canyon University (<a href="http://www.gcu.edu" target="_blank"><em><strong>GCU</strong></em></a>) of Phoenix, Ariz. faced millions in unanticipated costs as it moved to open its first East Coast campus in Northfield, Mass., according to GCU President Brian Mueller. So rather than complete a property transfer from the billionaire Green family of Oklahoma, GCU decided to dissolve the deal.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 30 Oct 2012 19:00:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/After-winning-free-campus-GCU-says-no-thanks?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6e9ead1b-c00d-4eff-890f-b71ab9475303</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Planned Parenthood rescued by Texas court]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Planned Parenthood has gained another reprieve in its ongoing battle against Texas to retain millions of dollars in government funding. A judge in Austin, Texas, ordered the state Oct. 26 to put a stop for the time being to enforcement of a law that prohibits Planned Parenthood from participating in a women&rsquo;s health program.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:47:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Planned-Parenthood-rescued-by-Texas-court?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7041465e-7682-424d-825d-877ebe6081b0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Justice system needs ‘appropriate adjustments’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A reformation of America&rsquo;s criminal justice system should focus on restitution for victims, rehabilitation for offenders and safety for the public, a Southern Baptist ethicist and several other religious leaders said in briefing at the U.S. Capitol.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:32:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Justice-system-needs-appropriate-adjustments?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6d65c63b-72f8-4e34-b8ca-788374ef59b0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptists on standby for Sandy]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Baptists are waiting to see what super storm Hurricane Sandy will do before responding. One North Carolina Baptist Men (<a href="http://www.baptistsonmission.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>NCBM</strong></em></a>) disaster relief volunteer is in New Jersey working with the American Red Cross there to assist with the expected mass feeding efforts.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:55:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/N-C-Baptists-on-standby-for-Sandy?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fec02f6d-0a13-49bd-a2d4-338b3259b133</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Struggling teen finds hope with help of Baptist Children’s Homes]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Unwanted and unloved &ndash; this is exactly how Travis felt. He spent his childhood believing his life had little meaning to his parents. &ldquo;My mother was a cocaine addict and my father was a drunk,&rdquo; Travis said. As a young boy, Travis bounced back and forth from his mother&rsquo;s house to his father&rsquo;s house. He shared that his father was often completely disconnected from him because of his addiction to alcohol.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:36:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Struggling-teen-finds-hope-with-help-of-Baptist-Ch?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">919f102e-1d77-4412-9faf-eb216e297b57</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[World Series gives Mich. Baptists an entrée]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Michigan Baptists used the World Series in Detroit as an opportunity to share the gospel with fans headed to the games between the Tigers and the San Francisco Giants at Comerica Park.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:28:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/World-Series-gives-Mich-Baptists-an-entree?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ec04b500-70ca-404c-b0bc-c05cca639a91</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[ERLC search committee aims toward 2013 SBC]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As the first phase of the search for a new president of the Ethics &amp; Religious Liberty Commission (<a href="http://www.erlc.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>ERLC</strong></em></a>) comes to a close, the trustee search committee&rsquo;s chairman said he is pleased with the committee&rsquo;s progress.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:21:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/ERLC-search-committee-aims-toward-2013-SBC?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">145631db-8bea-4bd4-ab55-4f200a79a4b2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Visits to Chick-fil-A increase after controversy]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Visits to <a href="http://www.chick-fil-a.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Chick-fil-A</strong></em></a> restaurants increased by 2.2 percent in the third quarter, apparently driven by those supporting the restaurant in the face of criticism over the issue of gay marriage.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:15:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Visits-to-Chick-fil-A-increase-after-controversy?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9b147cc1-96f9-4bfe-a216-269095431372</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Family Research Council shooter charged with terrorism]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A federal grand jury added terrorism to the list of charges faced by the Virginia man who was indicted in the shooting of a security guard at the conservative Family Research Council&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.frc.org" target="_blank"><strong><em>FRC</em></strong></a>) Washington offices. Floyd Lee Corkins II, 28, of Herndon, Va., was arrested Aug. 15, shortly after police say he opened fire in the lobby of the FRC&rsquo;s downtown headquarters, injuring an unarmed security guard.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:06:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Family-Research-Council-shooter-charged-with-terro?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">44f3e1d2-f9fe-470b-ab1c-df07f5e11132</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Polls: Marijuana initiatives in danger of losing]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Ballot initiatives in three states that would legalize marijuana are all under 50 percent in the latest polls &ndash; a sign that all three could be defeated. No state allows the recreational usage of marijuana, but that could change Nov. 6 when voters in Colorado, Oregon and Washington consider the issue.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2012 17:58:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Polls-Marijuana-initiatives-in-danger-of-losing?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7eee8da8-8209-4280-85b4-590ef953fb59</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Marijuana-dependent teens’ loss of I.Q. poses long-term dangers]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[New evidence of marijuana&rsquo;s negative effect on intelligence and, yet, its increasing use by teenagers shows the need to educate young people and prevent the drug&rsquo;s legalization, a Southern Baptist ethics leader says.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2012 17:47:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Marijuana-dependent-teens-loss-of-I-Q-poses-long-t?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">32ccf91b-44a0-4a3b-a096-de4892fbbd92</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Planned Parenthood gains court victories]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[New federal judicial rulings have stymied efforts by two states to prohibit funding for the country&rsquo;s leading abortion provider. The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Indiana cannot enforce a ban on state-directed funding of abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2012 17:41:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Planned-Parenthood-gains-court-victories?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bf59bfd5-4041-4d0b-9eaa-d9acf213838e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[What is going on at the annual meeting?]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Plan now to attend the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>) annual meeting Nov. 12-13 at Greensboro Coliseum. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 25 Oct 2012 18:29:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/What-is-going-on-at-the-annual-meeting?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4eb9d65e-a6a7-49c8-98a4-bcbf0c501fd8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[David Jeremiah: Vote values, not political party]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Author and pastor David Jeremiah has recorded a video urging Christians not to vote according to their political party but to vote according to their values. In the six-minute video, the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, Calif., urges Christians to pray for the nation and to vote.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 25 Oct 2012 18:16:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/David-Jeremiah-Vote-values-not-political-party?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">554f5bc1-18d4-4c41-9226-12c2a5e85c8b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Lebanon’s shaky stability seen as tenuous after bombing]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Drops of dried blood lead like bread crumbs up three flights of stairs to a shrapnel-shredded apartment, perhaps 40 yards from the site of a car bombing that killed Lebanon&rsquo;s top intelligence chief Oct. 19 &ndash; and threatened to destroy the country&rsquo;s shaky stability.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 25 Oct 2012 18:09:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Lebanon-s-shaky-stability-seen-as-tenuous-after-bo?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">783a8d68-3b43-4936-a56b-985ac9c1c744</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Planned Parenthood spends millions for Obama]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Planned Parenthood, the nation&rsquo;s leading abortion provider, has spent $12 million on this year&rsquo;s presidential election through its political action committees. That is more than it has ever spent in an election, and about half of it has gone for television ads in such battleground states as Florida, Ohio and Virginia, according to the Associated Press.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 25 Oct 2012 17:51:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Planned-Parenthood-spends-millions-for-Obama?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">61229443-d833-4380-a463-f428ad4a5c7d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Summary of proposed amendments to bylaws]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSCNC</strong></em></a>) Board of Directors will bring three proposed amendments to the bylaws for consideration by messengers attending the BSCNC annual meeting November 12-13 at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex Special Events Center. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:41:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Summary-of-proposed-amendments-to-bylaws?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4bb03d58-7469-4c5a-b7cc-90ab43caa9eb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Proposed amendments to bylaws of BSC of North Carolina, Inc.]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The proposed amendments to the bylaws of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, Inc., will be voted on at the annual meeting Nov. 12-13.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:26:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Proposed-amendments-to-bylaws-of-BSC-of-North-Caro?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6f8c3737-3047-47ca-9dfb-d94781b18b55</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Israel & U.S. relationship is key topic of 3rd presidential debate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Israel was a key focus of the third and final presidential debate Oct. 22 with both candidates expressing solidarity with the United States&rsquo; main ally in the Middle East particularly as it faces an increasing threat from a nuclear Iran.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:20:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Israel-U-S-relationship-is-key-topic-of-3rd-presid?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">04737d4d-4a55-478c-b3e3-2d08bd8fad03</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Midwestern president sets seminary’s purpose in chapel]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jason Allen, in his first chapel message as president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (<a href="http://www.mbts.edu" target="_blank"><em><strong>MBTS</strong></em></a>), shared his vision about the role of the seminary in theological education, within the Southern Baptist Convention and in serving its constituencies, particularly the local church.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:12:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Midwestern-president-sets-seminary-s-purpose-in-ch?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4845ad48-850e-445f-b2a1-12c1598c7d81</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[BCH president considers baptism great honor]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Wearing white robes, Blackwell, Thane and Kelsey waded into a shallow part of the lake. &ldquo;I was excited and nervous,&rdquo; Kelsey said. &ldquo;As we were standing in the lake, I was just praying for God to be with me. When I went under the water, I just felt awesome.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 23 Oct 2012 19:09:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/BCH-president-considers-baptism-great-honor?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d8272b36-85c4-4fb6-b790-a8a5a65004f2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[BSC Annual Meeting schedule]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina will hold its Annual Meeting on November 12 through 13. Below is the schedule for the Annual Meeting, which will be held at the Greensboro Coliseum, Special Events&nbsp;Center.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 23 Oct 2012 18:48:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/BSC-Annual-Meeting-schedule?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">13c52d17-2634-47d1-8b24-dc270d5e12b4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[BSC Annual Meeting to hold breakout sessions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Breakout sessions will be held from 3:45-5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at the Greensboro Coliseum, Special Events Center, during the <a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>Baptist State Convention of North Carolina</strong></em></a>&rsquo;s annual meeting. There is no charge to attend.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 23 Oct 2012 18:42:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/BSC-Annual-Meeting-to-hold-breakout-sessions?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">126558a4-853f-43a2-a4d7-77ba7fde7703</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ancient Bibles, artifacts displayed at NOBTS]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.nobts.edu" target="_blank"><em><strong>NOBTS</strong></em></a>) new Bible and archaeology museum occupies a small space, but heralds the powerful, timeless message of the Bible being handed down and preserved through the centuries.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 23 Oct 2012 18:33:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Ancient-Bibles-artifacts-displayed-at-NOBTS?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7898e861-3ea9-4bbd-a800-dd2365f941a4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pastors’ conference to ‘Preach the Word’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[While following biblical principles may not always be viewed as politically correct in today&rsquo;s society, this year&rsquo;s Pastors&rsquo; Conference will lead up to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina&rsquo;s annual meeting with the theme &ldquo;Preach the Word.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 22 Oct 2012 17:58:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Pastors-conference-to-Preach-the-Word?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1a74653f-dc36-4a9a-892e-05bb7ef052b0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Vote for biblical values,’ Billy Graham ad says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Billy Graham, in a national advertising campaign launched Oct. 18, calls on Americans to &ldquo;vote for biblical values&rdquo; as they cast ballots in the upcoming election.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 22 Oct 2012 17:46:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Vote-for-biblical-values-Billy-Graham-ad-says?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f552005a-481b-423a-afbe-2e5849610667</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Believers learn keys to victory over sexual sin]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Recent statistics point to an unprecedented rise of pornography addiction in the United States, especially among pastors. By 2008, as many as 70-90 percent of men, 50 percent of pastors and 40 percent of women in the United States were addicted to pornography.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 22 Oct 2012 17:33:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Believers-learn-keys-to-victory-over-sexual-sin?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d5bf7fb3-0952-457a-9b85-8d60597fe1a9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gardner-Webb University gets ‘A’ in core curriculum]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[An annual study on core curriculum requirements at over 1,000 colleges and universities from all over the United States has placed Gardner-Webb University (<a href="http://www.gardner-webb.edu/" target="_blank"><em><strong>GWU</strong></em></a>) in Boiling Springs at the head of the class for the second year in a row.&nbsp;The university was among only 21 colleges &ndash; and the only school in the Carolinas &ndash; to earn an &ldquo;A.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 22 Oct 2012 17:24:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Gardner-Webb-University-gets-A-in-core-curriculum?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">961c3dc7-c509-4916-8f9b-87bd4f5efcfb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Trustees: SWBTS adds 2 faculty members]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.swbts.edu" target="_blank"><em><strong>SWBTS</strong></em></a>) trustees elected two new faculty members, installed a professor to an academic chair and devoted time to prayer during their fall meeting, Oct. 17.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 22 Oct 2012 17:16:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Trustees-SWBTS-adds-2-faculty-members?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0e90ddae-901e-4127-a20c-108a57845b60</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Abortion is the primary issue for 1 in 6 voters]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nearly one in 10 registered voters in America say they will only support pro-life candidates who share their position on abortion, a number that is larger than the corresponding data for pro-choice voters, according to a new Gallup poll.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 19 Oct 2012 17:55:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Abortion-is-the-primary-issue-for-1-in-6-voters?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fb358228-6881-45a3-82a9-d2ca8b6376d8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Poll: Voters in both parties back abstinence ed]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A new national survey reveals widespread support for abstinence education across the political spectrum, with nearly 8 in 10 Democratic parents with school-aged children voicing their approval.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 19 Oct 2012 17:50:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Poll-Voters-in-both-parties-back-abstinence-ed?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c7336e0c-2f37-41d6-adee-7cd755c54415</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[TobyMac, Lecrae break ground for Christian R&B]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Christian hip hop artists TobyMac and Lecrae are turning heads in the music industry and seeking to parlay the success of their latest albums into impact on the culture at large. TobyMac&rsquo;s latest, &ldquo;Eye On It,&rdquo; became the first Christian album in 15 years, and only the third ever, to top the Billboard 200 chart of bestselling albums.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 19 Oct 2012 17:38:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/TobyMac-Lecrae-break-ground-for-Christian-R-B?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6797f71f-e8f3-4ddb-872e-1d119fb28dd5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Flame’s hip hop strengthened by seminary]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A Grammy, four-time Dove Award and two-time Stellar Award nominee, hip hop artist Flame credits his time at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with strengthening the theology in his chart-topping songs. Flame &ndash; whose actual name is Marcus Gray &ndash; was introduced to Southern by happenstance when he and a friend took a road trip from St. Louis for a conference at the seminary in Louisville, Ky.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 19 Oct 2012 17:32:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Flame-s-hip-hop-strengthened-by-seminary?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">50e5a842-382d-45cd-893a-0aaaf61c4957</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SEBTS projects growth, adds new staff]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[During their fall meeting Oct. 15-16, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary&rsquo;s Board of Visitors and Trustees heard reports of record enrollment, new staff and future plans for the seminary and its college. This semester Southeastern has a record enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, reported Daniel Akin, the seminary&rsquo;s president.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 18 Oct 2012 19:38:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/SEBTS-projects-growth-adds-new-staff?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e1e30af7-8a96-42d9-b2d4-13a75c90452f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[LifeWay decides against Glorieta sale to Olivet]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.lifeway.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>LifeWay Christian Resources</strong></em></a> has &ldquo;decided not to go forward&rdquo; with the sale of its Glorieta, N.M., conference center to <a href="http://www.olivetuniversity.edu/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Olivet University</strong></em></a>, a San Francisco-based school which found itself in media crosshairs after the possible sale became public in July.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 18 Oct 2012 19:03:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/LifeWay-decides-against-Glorieta-sale-to-Olivet?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c4bde1b3-8520-47e8-8a4a-aff4a14fb68d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey: Young evangelicals at odds with their political parties]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A large majority of young evangelicals see a conflict between their faith and their political party &ndash; but Democrats grapple with this disconnect much more than Republicans. So says a new survey from Sojourners, the progressive Christian group, which asked evangelicals under the age of 35 about their political views and civic engagement.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:54:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Survey-Young-evangelicals-at-odds-with-their-polit?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9b08d850-c964-40be-9e48-4ecd9936864a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In debate, Obama promotes Planned Parenthood funding]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Planned Parenthood was among President Obama&rsquo;s buzzwords during the second presidential debate Oct. 16 as the incumbent mentioned the nation&rsquo;s largest abortion provider five times, using it to distinguish himself from Republican candidate Mitt Romney.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:44:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/In-debate-Obama-promotes-Planned-Parenthood-fundin?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5349ab8c-73df-4251-8c14-8acedde6f4bc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Block NYC school policy, groups still urge]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A federal appeals court should endorse a permanent block on New York City&rsquo;s prohibition of religious worship in public schools because the policy violates the First Amendment, the <a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><strong><em>Southern Baptist Convention</em></strong></a>&rsquo;s religious liberty entity and others have said in a legal brief.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:34:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Block-NYC-school-policy-groups-still-urge?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fd0384ff-5cad-466b-b11d-8a57799433bb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Prayer leaders pledge cooperation, ask SBC to elevate prayer ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[More than 400 feature films and television shows have used the North Carolina coastal town of Wilmington as a backdrop, and with filming underway for anticipated blockbusters such as &ldquo;Iron Man 3,&rdquo; the scenic port city does not seem to be in jeopardy of losing its &ldquo;Hollywood East&rdquo; nickname anytime soon.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:27:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Prayer-leaders-pledge-cooperation-ask-SBC-to-eleva?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">47a0e99e-5fbf-46f8-b85b-2683a10cdc30</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[McCreery Christmas CD features LifeWay song]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;<a href="http://www.scottymccreery.com/christmas/#.UH68_RhXzu4" target="_blank"><strong><em>Christmas in Heaven</em></strong></a>,&rdquo; a song written by two <a href="http://www.lifewayworship.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>LifeWay Worship</strong></em></a> songwriters, is on <a href="http://www.scottymccreery.com/Default.aspx#!news" target="_blank"><em><strong>Scotty McCreery</strong></em></a>&rsquo;s new Christmas CD. Christmas in Heaven, by <a href="http://paulmarinomusic.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Paul Marino</strong></em></a> and <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/jjnashville" target="_blank"><em><strong>Jeremy Johnson</strong></em></a>, is one of 11 holiday songs McCreery performs on his second album, &ldquo;Christmas with Scotty McCreery.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:09:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/McCreery-Christmas-CD-features-LifeWay-song?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b3943b68-62fc-4f59-be37-0482bdacb921</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[GuideStone offers ‘Retirement:Now’ resources]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.guidestone.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>GuideStone Financial Resources</strong></em></a> has announced its plans for <a href="http://www.guidestoneretirement.org/Promotions/RetirementNow.aspx" target="_blank"><em><strong>Retirement:Now</strong></em></a>, a one-week event to coincide with National Save for Retirement Week (Oct. 21-27). Retirement:Now &ldquo;will help employers create a retirement-focused interactive, learning environment for the benefit of their employees,&rdquo; according to a GuideStone news release.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2012 18:58:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/GuideStone-offers-Retirement-Now-resources?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b5e1a620-a4c5-4291-babb-9b4045f3fe7a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Abortion mandate’s legality debated by panel]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Is the Obama administration&rsquo;s abortion/contraception mandate constitutional? It depends on which religious liberty/public policy expert was speaking at a recent panel discussion in the country&rsquo;s capital.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2012 18:41:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Abortion-mandate-s-legality-debated-by-panel?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e0ddbcd9-59b9-4a2e-85c3-e9bdea8a4a33</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[State-by-state advocacy of U.S. religious liberty launches]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Representatives from nine state legislatures have announced the formation of state-level religious freedom caucuses in a new nationwide effort to combat religious discrimination. &ldquo;There is a renewed interest in religious freedom in the country, and this growing attention is bringing together people of all religious faiths and political ideologies,&rdquo; Tim Schultz of the American Religious Freedom Program (ARFP) said during a teleconference Oct. 9.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2012 18:27:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/State-by-state-advocacy-of-U-S-religious-liberty-l?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">060a3bf3-4a2a-43a8-83c7-4769d2226bd1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Repentance, prayer will ‘awaken’ N.C. Baptists, leaders say]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Next month during the annual meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>) N.C. Baptists will be challenged to respond to a call for spiritual awakening and a return to personal holiness. Recently, church and BSC leaders shared their thoughts on the reality of spiritual decline and what the church must do in order to reverse the trends.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:49:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Repentance-prayer-will-awaken-N-C-Baptists-leaders?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2085dea4-6ca2-4597-89f0-4a99bdf4940d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[9-year-old sacrifices presents to help children]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Emma Morgan&rsquo;s ninth birthday was not like any before it. After hearing about a big need for children living in the Mathare slum in Nairobi, Kenya, Emma wanted to do something to help.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:41:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/9-year-old-sacrifices-presents-to-help-children?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">01e30dca-9c4a-42e8-9763-0bf34cbfc703</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[TRUSTEES: NOBTS to begin 3 online degrees]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In an effort to make theological education more accessible, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (<a href="http://www.nobts.edu" target="_blank"><em><strong>NOBTS</strong></em></a>) trustees approved three fully online graduate degrees during their fall meeting Oct. 9.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:33:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/TRUSTEES-NOBTS-to-begin-3-online-degrees?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f04024fd-67a9-4b23-ba1c-df678834cefa</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Battle against abortion mandate now includes ERLC]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s religious freedom entity has joined the legal battle against the Obama administration&rsquo;s abortion/contraception mandate in the first case to reach a federal appeals court. The Ethics &amp; Religious Liberty Commission (<a href="http://www.erlc.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>ERLC</strong></em></a>) signed on to a friend-of-the-court brief filed Oct. 12 that asked a federal appeals court to reverse the dismissal of two lawsuits against the controversial requirement under the 2010 health care law.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:12:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Battle-against-abortion-mandate-now-includes-ERLC?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">da894d43-e7ec-4376-a8f3-78b7e7ec7df1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Update: Jason Allen elected as Midwestern president]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In a 29-2 vote, Jason K. Allen has been elected by Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary trustees as the school&rsquo;s fifth president. The vote took place Monday (Oct. 15) during the trustees&rsquo; bi-annual meeting in Kansas City, Mo.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:45:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Update-Jason-Allen-elected-as-Midwestern-president?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5f747b84-09b9-41e6-9b13-19293184cc13</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Former Colts punter shares about faith, new book and football]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Former Indianapolis Colts punter Hunter Smith has experienced the highs and lows of NFL life &ndash; from a Super Bowl XLI champion during his long stint with the Colts to a tough release in his final year with the Washington Redskins.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:44:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Former-Colts-punter-shares-about-faith-new-book-an?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">32b23301-f30b-4f50-81f3-ad05c55e8fe9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[ERLC releases party platform voter guide]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[While many Americans don&rsquo;t have the time or desire to get beyond the political attacks and counterattacks in an election season, Richard Land believes it is worth the effort for voters to go beyond the ads to determine the best candidate for office.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:40:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/ERLC-releases-party-platform-voter-guide?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">16bed359-35ee-48e5-9a98-1010f4a309c7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Next president could decide Roe’s future]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The future makeup of the U.S. Supreme Court has received little attention this election, despite the fact that four justices are in their 70s and are divided on a whole range of critical issues &ndash; including abortion and potentially gay marriage.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:27:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Next-president-could-decide-Roe-s-future?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">36d94733-e7c8-4e37-a0a9-a70d8b348475</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Nobel Prizes take pro-life turn]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A Japanese researcher who discovered a way to produce stem cells that act like embryonic ones without their lethal consequences has won a Nobel Prize.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:14:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Nobel-Prizes-take-pro-life-turn?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">17fe4b48-3682-4b0d-9649-2b454530a1ba</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Multivitamins, beans make a difference]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As the scorching sun blazes on the parched earth, the women gather in the small school building for the monthly Bread of Life presentation. As they entered the building, smiles and greetings of &ldquo;Namaste&rdquo; and &ldquo;Jai Masih ki&rdquo; filled the room. Over the past few months, these mothers have heard lessons on how to take care of their families at Bread of Life, a nutritional support program that provides preventive health lessons and food rations each month to extremely low weight children under the age of 5.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 12 Oct 2012 18:12:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Multivitamins-beans-make-a-difference?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">39b5d524-9794-401d-9f3d-ed2f8d429a1b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Washington Monthly recognizes Mars Hill]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Mars Hill College has ranked 17th among the top 100 baccalaureate colleges in the nation on rankings released Aug. 27 in <em>Washington Monthly</em> magazine.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 12 Oct 2012 18:06:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Washington-Monthly-recognizes-Mars-Hill?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2891c4c5-8df9-4461-b555-20f7b30ab133</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Poll: Pastors back Romney despite Mormonism]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Three times more Protestant pastors plan to vote for Mitt Romney over Barack Obama in the upcoming presidential election, and Romney&rsquo;s Mormon beliefs are a factor for only a small number of pastors, according to a new survey.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 12 Oct 2012 18:02:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Poll-Pastors-back-Romney-despite-Mormonism?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b05b5383-f0c5-4510-8134-b83c4fcbc8fe</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ezell envisions next generation of missionaries]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North American Mission Board (NAMB) President Kevin Ezell underscored the need to develop the next generation of Southern Baptist missionaries during NAMB&rsquo;s trustee meeting Oct. 10 in Chicago.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 12 Oct 2012 17:53:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Ezell-envisions-next-generation-of-missionaries?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b55d979b-b868-4868-8f5e-f49c21bfc80a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NAMB to help planters engage people groups]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The North American Mission Board (NAMB) wants more Southern Baptist Convention church plants to engage unreached people groups around the globe. To do that, the entity has set aside $1 million to help church planters.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 12 Oct 2012 17:49:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/NAMB-to-help-planters-engage-people-groups?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">dab5dbf1-d315-4271-bf92-971b038702d8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Biblical Recorder proposes revised legal documents]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messengers at the Baptist State Convention (BSC) of North Carolina&rsquo;s annual meeting this November will have an opportunity to approve proposed amendments to the <em>Biblical Recorder</em>&rsquo;s governing documents.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:19:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Biblical-Recorder-proposes-revised-legal-documents?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">23f9acdc-072a-4598-a47b-2508728cf9a7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Don’t panic amid rise of ‘nones,’ leaders say]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Headlines proclaiming the loss of the Protestant majority in the United States should not cause panic among evangelicals but should motivate them to articulate the gospel and live as followers of Christ, Southern Baptist leaders said.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:14:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Don-t-panic-amid-rise-of-nones-leaders-say?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">86db80a0-459a-4db0-9a46-8b1fac4a230e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bags of food go home with hungry kids]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Amy Simpson already had enough to do. With three kids and a full-time job with the city of Carterville, Ill., and a variety of church responsibilities, she had said no for four years when asked to start a Woman&rsquo;s Missionary Union (WMU) group for younger women at her church.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:07:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Bags-of-food-go-home-with-hungry-kids?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d341e056-470c-4469-a037-eec53ce4280f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Trustees: SBTS embarks on strategic plan]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary&rsquo;s (SBTS) trustees approved a new strategic plan and voted to form a task force to review the seminary&rsquo;s administrative structure during their Oct. 9 meeting at the Louisville, Ky., campus.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 11 Oct 2012 16:40:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Trustees-SBTS-embarks-on-strategic-plan?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3c8a4c22-f0e6-43e1-bbba-5815ff00d6b3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Seminary opens missions mobilization center]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary&rsquo;s (SBTS) new Bevin Center for Missions Mobilization officially opened Oct. 9 during the seminary&rsquo;s Heritage Week. The center will mobilize prayer and people through the seminary community for fulfilling the Great Commission.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 11 Oct 2012 16:35:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Seminary-opens-missions-mobilization-center?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e7bdaa10-4c21-40ff-be3e-031747a3e690</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Churches urged to increase giving, lead global missions advance]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Since 2006 the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina&rsquo;s (BSC) Cooperative Program budget has shifted a greater percentage of ministry dollars to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) for international missions, North American missions and equipping leaders through SBC seminaries.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:49:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Churches-urged-to-increase-giving-lead-global-miss?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0d256558-3c63-48ca-861d-7a166f961632</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Community rallies to fix hurricane-damaged seawall, house ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Baptist Children&rsquo;s Homes of North Carolina (BCH) celebrated volunteers&rsquo; repairs to its beach cottage recently. McNeill Home at Atlantic Beach needed repairs after Hurricane Irene damaged the cottage Aug. 27, 2011.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:45:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Community-rallies-to-fix-hurricane-damaged-seawall?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bc9c10d3-de04-42ed-8712-9c399526406a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Muslim diversity of belief, practice evident in Pew study]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Westerners tend to assume most Muslims are strongly committed to the Quran and to establishing Islamic republics, but that isn&rsquo;t accurate, Mike Edens, a professor of theology and Islamic studies, told Baptist Press concerning a Pew Research Center study of more than 38,000 Muslims in 39 countries.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:28:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Muslim-diversity-of-belief-practice-evident-in-Pew?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c360969b-c4de-4953-b741-b1e783587aeb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Turner Gill, at Liberty, steadied by faith]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Turner Gill has endured plenty of challenges in his life. But this current test is a real humdinger. The 50-year-old Gill, who is still a legend on the Nebraskan plains for his exploits as a Cornhusker, is now trying to rewrite history some 1,200 miles east of Lincoln in Lynchburg, Va.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:12:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Turner-Gill-at-Liberty-steadied-by-faith?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">98c04a48-29a2-4d96-81d2-e372d001ae86</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Former ‘bad kid’ leaves N.C. to start church]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Matt Chewning is not your typical Southern Baptist church planter. He did not grow up in a Christian home. He did not grow up in the South. He did not get a seminary degree. And, he has only been a believer for 12 years.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 09 Oct 2012 18:07:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Former-bad-kid-leaves-N-C-to-start-church?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">297015df-342d-4cc5-bab9-c04bb0e1d497</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NAMB to boost planters’ retirement accounts]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The North American Mission Board (NAMB) is providing a one-time deposit of $1,200 into the retirement accounts of Southern Baptist church planters who have joined its Send North America Support Network.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 09 Oct 2012 18:05:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/NAMB-to-boost-planters-retirement-accounts?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">362ab283-b68c-43ef-ada2-1c26736c0746</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Losing our religion: One in five Americans are now ‘nones’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The number of Americans who say they have no religious affiliation has hit an all-time high &ndash; about one in five American adults &ndash; according to a new study released Tuesday (Oct. 9) by the Pew Forum on Religion &amp; Public Life.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 09 Oct 2012 18:02:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Losing-our-religion-One-in-five-Americans-are-now?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4eeeef49-8fb7-49e8-8168-a1ac579149f9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Election 2012: Obama & Romney on gay marriage]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When future historians write about the 21st-century debate over gay marriage, Mitt Romney and Barack Obama will be featured prominently.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 09 Oct 2012 17:53:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Election-2012-Obama-Romney-on-gay-marriage?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cd80820b-75db-4855-bb57-a4fcbfd546cd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In 3 states, gay marriage eyes historic win]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For more than a decade now &ndash; 14 years to be exact &ndash; supporters of gay marriage have longed for that breakthrough win at the state level, where citizens go to the polls, and in the privacy of the voting booth actually endorse marriage for same-sex couples.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 09 Oct 2012 17:48:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/In-3-states-gay-marriage-eyes-historic-win?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7e144001-1f12-485e-b32a-591cc290be42</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Lawless named SEBTS dean]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Chuck Lawless has been named dean of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary&rsquo;s graduate school, effective Nov. 1.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:17:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Lawless-named-SEBTS-dean?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">55c24cfd-63b4-408c-9401-6435d0f33c85</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Innovative, family-friendly exhibit’ showcases Bible]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[At the recent opening of the Passages Bible exhibition in Charlotte, Steve Green was described as &ldquo;a man of no compromise who sticks to God&rsquo;s Word and does everything at a level of excellence.&rdquo; Green is the president of Hobby Lobby and owner of the world&rsquo;s largest private collection of rare biblical texts and artifacts.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:10:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Innovative-family-friendly-exhibit-showcases-Bible?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">65327a58-f66d-4c47-a924-163464bf17c2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Leaders discuss conversion, grace at 9Marks event]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[At a time when Calvinism and the &ldquo;sinner&rsquo;s prayer&rdquo; continue to stir debate among Southern Baptists, a crowd of more than 1,300 seminary students and ministry leaders &ndash; representing 20 states &ndash; gathered at <a href="http://www.sebts.edu" target="_blank"><strong>Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary</strong></a> in Wake Forest to discuss conversion.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 08 Oct 2012 18:56:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Leaders-discuss-conversion-grace-at-9Marks-event?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fe91c856-825c-4600-a09c-cd16fd6267ff</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[They take hope into Delhi’s slums]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Poverty is extreme in the slums of Delhi, India &ndash; the eighth-largest city in the world &ndash; but Southern Baptists are making a life-changing difference for 90 children and their families through the World Hunger Fund.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 08 Oct 2012 18:46:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/They-take-hope-into-Delhi-s-slums?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">45f20950-a0d7-4364-b37a-6a4114d0a4ab</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[BSC names children’s consultant]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Cheryl Markland began Oct. 1 as childhood ministry consultant for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 08 Oct 2012 18:35:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/BSC-names-children-s-consultant?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6dd14e71-9167-437b-bdc2-e21d4e07ff66</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Prayer, economy, missions at forefront of BOD meeting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Spiritual awakening, the 2013 budget and stories of God&rsquo;s work around the state and globe were among the hot topics during a Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) Board of Directors meeting at Caraway Conference Center in Sophia.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 2012 18:58:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Prayer-economy-missions-at-forefront-of-BOD-meetin?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c739e0d6-1972-40b3-b972-ea85e144703b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pastors to challenge IRS over political endorsements]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[This Sunday some 1,400 American pastors are planning to break the law. And they&rsquo;re likely to get away with it.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:23:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Pastors-to-challenge-IRS-over-political-endorsemen?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">66ccf752-b3da-471a-81e9-6cd94168356d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[First debate void of talk about social issues]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The general election&rsquo;s first presidential debate between President Obama and Mitt Romney was heavy on economic discussions and virtually void on talk about social issues, with Romney seen as the debate winner by both pundits and instant polls.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:20:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/First-debate-void-of-talk-about-social-issues?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">dc4ff6a8-1b3a-458f-a128-a83d0c7b682f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pakistan case turns against Christian girl]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Pakistan blasphemy case against 14-year-old Rimsha Masih has taken a sudden turn against her.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:18:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Pakistan-case-turns-against-Christian-girl?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5af0e8b9-c37b-40f9-af4a-731b8f9e19fa</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chick-fil-A’s Cathy still backs ‘biblical families’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Chick-fil-A still supports &ldquo;biblical families,&rdquo; company president Dan Cathy said Oct. 3 during a brief interview with an Atlanta TV station.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:12:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Chick-fil-A-s-Cathy-still-backs-biblical-families?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">09a1c8b0-44e3-4582-a135-ccdbded9c770</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bible publisher files suit against abortion mandate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Bible and Christian book publisher Tyndale House has filed suit against the Obama administration&rsquo;s abortion/contraceptive mandate, asserting it is an unconstitutional violation of religious liberty to force the publisher to pay for drugs that violate its faith tenets.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:38:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Bible-publisher-files-suit-against-abortion-mandat?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">83fe8e03-3b16-4192-9ab2-7b4a65305964</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Cohabitation harms marriage, expert says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Cohabitating couples are 30 to 50 percent less likely to have successful marriages, statistics show.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:28:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Cohabitation-harms-marriage-expert-says?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">59952436-5894-4c84-9b11-de9317ddc359</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Top minor league manager sees God’s ‘power’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Minor league manager Brett Butler stood before his players in the visiting clubhouse after the Reno Aces won the Pacific Coast League Championship Series against the Omaha Storm Chasers. He spoke about the importance of character and integrity &ndash; a theme that is familiar to his team. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:22:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Top-minor-league-manager-sees-God-s-power?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">36c56eef-9857-49e4-857a-1c030a17aa32</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[World Hunger Sunday: Jesus’ love compels response]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Southern Baptists observe their annual World Hunger Sunday on Oct. 14, they will be called to act out the powerful love of Jesus, who the Bible says was &ldquo;moved with compassion&rdquo; for people in desperate need. Scripture recounts several instances, like the one recorded in Matthew 14:14, when Jesus saw a large crowd, was moved with compassion for them, and took powerful action to meet their needs.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:33:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/World-Hunger-Sunday-Jesus-love-compels-response?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2b7a67ce-aa92-4cff-8373-72a373cba73a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[A little hunger fund money goes a long way]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[It doesn&rsquo;t take a lot of money to make a difference for hungry people in North America. For example: $20 provides five children food for a week at the GUM Drop backpack ministry in southern Illinois.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:29:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/A-little-hunger-fund-money-goes-a-long-way?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">111e6361-15be-4b64-890f-e5f44f4c97f1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey: Pastors reject pulpit endorsements]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nearly 90 percent of pastors believe they should not endorse candidates for public office from the pulpit, according to a survey by LifeWay Research. The survey, released Oct. 1, also revealed that 44 percent of pastors personally endorsed candidates, but did so outside of their church role.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:15:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Survey-Pastors-reject-pulpit-endorsements?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">002b46db-01df-4443-8f55-e21883872b67</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Worldwide, video leads to Christian persecution]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Across much of the Muslim world, more than two weeks of backlash to the Internet video &ldquo;Innocence of the Muslims&rdquo; has occasionally been directed at Christians, from computer hacks to church burnings.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:08:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Worldwide-video-leads-to-Christian-persecution?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8b63d4a1-a449-4a92-b5c2-7acd670c1e86</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Study: TV ratings system is ‘a failure’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Parents relying on the television ratings system to block objectionable content from their children might want to reconsider its usefulness, according to a new study that finds TV programs often include explicit content without the proper warning and that TV-PG programming has explicit content every five and a half minutes.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 03 Oct 2012 18:57:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Study-TV-ratings-system-is-a-failure?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d9445c17-f4f1-460a-b7bb-3f60bc44a1eb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[CP ends year 3% above budget; downturn may be reversing]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Cooperative Program (CP) ended its fiscal year 3 percent over budget and at 99.41 percent of last year&rsquo;s contributions. Church giving hopefully has dipped as low as it will from the U.S. economic downturn and may be ready to stabilize or climb, Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Executive Committee President Frank Page said.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:10:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/CP-ends-year-3-above-budget;-downturn-may-be-rever?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cc1de8ff-8278-4d59-8de6-123574f79031</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[ERLC pres. search committee goes online]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The trustee search committee for a new president of the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Ethics &amp; Religious Liberty Commission (<a href="http://www.erlc.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>ERLC</strong></em></a>) has launched a website to aid in identifying a candidate for the position.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:07:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/ERLC-pres-search-committee-goes-online?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">00a8e031-9ef9-489d-809d-c259248a20e5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pregame prayers defended by Univ. of Tenn.]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The University of Tennessee (UT), in rejecting a request from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) to eliminate the Volunteers&rsquo; traditional pregame prayer, has garnered praise from the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:52:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Pregame-prayers-defended-by-Univ-of-Tenn?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4d39a336-98cc-4138-9341-9ed4f16b621c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Report: Marriage cuts child poverty by 80 percent]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Being raised in a married family reduces a child&rsquo;s probability of living in poverty by more than 80 percent, according to a report by The Heritage Foundation which found the chief cause of child poverty is the absence of married fathers in the home.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:40:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Report-Marriage-cuts-child-poverty-by-80-percent?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f8f80ba1-eb9e-4578-be89-e394f7dbc603</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. could be ‘epicenter’ of My Hope with Billy Graham]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Will North Carolina be a key swing state that could have a major impact on the nation&rsquo;s future? Those organizing My Hope with Billy Graham seem to think so, but they are not talking about politics and the upcoming presidential election.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2012 19:14:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/N-C-could-be-epicenter-of-My-Hope-with-Billy-Graha?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e63d8cf5-350b-4966-83c3-7a95f8488307</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Luter conveys CP challenge to states]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) President Fred Luter Jr. is featured in a new series of videotaped appeals to churches to increase their giving to the Cooperative Program by 1 percentage point of their budgets.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2012 19:07:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Luter-conveys-CP-challenge-to-states?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9c1f0b10-e9a2-4bdd-af4c-b0963e85cb7c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Election 2012: Obama & Romney on abortion]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[President Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney differ on a wide range of significant issues, with abortion being among the most substantial. They are so far apart, in fact, that Obama&rsquo;s campaign made abortion an issue in campaign TV ads and at the Democratic National Convention, where at least 25 speakers referenced Obama&rsquo;s pro-choice and Romney&rsquo;s pro-life views.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2012 18:42:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Election-2012-Obama-Romney-on-abortion?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0e7cff9e-7c8b-4745-9a4f-62d4553673a3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[30 million Christians aren’t registered/don’t vote]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Voter registration deadlines are approaching, with a few swing states setting the limit at Oct. 9, and pro-family groups are emphasizing the need for Christians to participate in the upcoming election. Champion the Vote estimates that out of 60 million Christians in the United States, only 30 million of them vote in any given election or are even registered to vote.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2012 18:31:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/30-million-Christians-aren-t-registered-don-t-vote?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">eefe264e-12b1-4502-b305-b43c6e94a57f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Obama strengthens policy on human trafficking]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[President Obama has issued an executive order to strengthen the United States&rsquo; zero-tolerance policy against human trafficking through government contractors and organizations. &ldquo;As the largest single purchaser of goods and services in the world, the United States Government bears a responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars do not contribute to trafficking in persons,&rdquo; Obama wrote in the order.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2012 18:23:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/October-2012/Obama-strengthens-policy-on-human-trafficking?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">93624a58-505c-4e2e-9585-74b8bd5fdac8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. worship leader shows heart for orphans]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Ajay Kumar stands straight as a rod in a line of green-sweatered boys during a school presentation near Katihar, India. The show is serious business, complete with singing and an audience of honored American guests. But when the teacher calls Ajay&rsquo;s name, the 9-year-old&rsquo;s solemn face slips into a wide, infectious grin.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:19:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/N-C-worship-leader-shows-heart-for-orphans?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6ea03709-b2f1-45bc-9383-74fa939c7b7f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pastor compensation slightly ahead of inflation, survey says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Compensation for full-time Southern Baptist pastors increased at a rate slightly faster than inflation nationally over the past two years, yet many churches continue to struggle in providing their pastors with adequate medical insurance.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:12:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Pastor-compensation-slightly-ahead-of-inflation-su?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0c515917-50eb-4661-92e8-7823a4812665</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NAMB, states target church stagnation, decline]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Just over 70 percent of churches are plateaued or declining in membership in the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>), according to North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) statistics. In response, NAMB &ndash; working with state conventions &ndash; is launching a series of Send North America Church Growth and Revitalization Conferences in 2012 and 2013.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:09:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/NAMB-states-target-church-stagnation-decline?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5b0f60b8-2bf0-43bc-b2e2-80384a8d6e51</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Usage of LifeWay background check program is up 100%]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The number of churches signing up for LifeWay Christian Resources&rsquo; background check program increased by 100 percent over the last year.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:57:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Usage-of-LifeWay-background-check-program-is-up-10?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">225ff013-d372-41e1-a239-bfa440ad1a88</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Church anti-bullying push follows gun incidents]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;Enough is enough,&rdquo; the crowd, mostly wearing blue shirts, chanted at an anti-bullying rally on the front lawn of First Baptist Church (FBC) in Essex, Md. The &ldquo;B3 Code Blue&rdquo; rally was in response to a shooting at Perry Hall High School about 10 miles from the church and a gun incident at Stemmers Run Middle School about a mile away.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:50:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Church-anti-bullying-push-follows-gun-incidents?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a989f4f2-1d5e-45e6-9f8b-efb05cea42ca</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[DOM’s recovery from motorcycle accident called a miracle]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Most of the medical professionals who helped save Barry Nealy&rsquo;s life thought he was a &ldquo;dead man.&rdquo; But less than a year after a horrific motorcycle accident that nearly claimed his life, Nealy is back to work &ndash; with a slight limp and some minor aches &ndash; as director of missions for the Three Forks Baptist Association in Boone.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 27 Sep 2012 19:38:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/DOM-s-recovery-from-motorcycle-accident-called-a-m?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3fcb7e29-c9b1-4b4d-98bf-acf655ff2700</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[See You at the Pole draws prayerful teenagers]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[About a million teenagers at schools across the nation and the world gathered Sept. 26 for the 22nd annual See You at the Pole global day of student prayer.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 27 Sep 2012 19:32:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/See-You-at-the-Pole-draws-prayerful-teenagers?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c4d61a79-c9bd-4006-a1e1-172848c2f8ba</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Report: Restrictions on religious freedom increasing worldwide]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Religious believers throughout the world face a rising tide of restrictions, according to a study released Sept. 20. In the one-year period ending in mid-2010, 75 percent of the world&rsquo;s population lived in a nation with high or very high restrictions on religious beliefs or practices, according to the study conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion &amp; Public Life.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 27 Sep 2012 19:23:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Report-Restrictions-on-religious-freedom-increasin?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">52470324-fa0b-47e3-a965-2c6127a94736</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Group: DADT repeal has harmed religious liberty]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[One year after the military began allowing gay, lesbian and bisexual service members to openly proclaim their sexuality, some conservative groups continue to call for an end to the change in policy. But their pleas are falling largely on deaf ears on Capitol Hill, where most lawmakers seem content to focus on other issues.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 27 Sep 2012 19:18:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Group-DADT-repeal-has-harmed-religious-liberty?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e4446456-4247-4ea0-bcf7-fb1beb471324</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hobby Lobby helps Okla. Baptists buy camp]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Hobby Lobby, Inc., has donated $2 million to the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) designated for the purchase of a youth camp located near its Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center at Davis.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 27 Sep 2012 19:11:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Hobby-Lobby-helps-Okla-Baptists-buy-camp?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fdfc0acc-903a-42fa-9a2e-a0de902dd4f2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptist finds relief in helping others]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Bob Wilder from Trinity Baptist Church in Trinity typifies many well-aging North Carolina Baptists reaching out to others in the name of Jesus. To help some of those in need, Wilder assembled a team &ndash; with an average age of 70 &ndash; from his church that specializes in spreading the love of Jesus with nail guns and miter saws.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 26 Sep 2012 18:31:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/N-C-Baptist-finds-relief-in-helping-others?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">56939143-4a60-4fd0-b1bd-f6607edf42a2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Platt explains position on ‘sinner’s prayer’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In light of a Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) resolution that apparently had its impetus in comments by David Platt, the Alabama pastor has written a two-part series on the &ldquo;sinner&rsquo;s prayer&rdquo; explaining his concerns over its &ldquo;abuse&rdquo; while revealing that he voted for the resolution.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 26 Sep 2012 18:23:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Platt-explains-position-on-sinner-s-prayer?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3fc4ba4d-a45d-42df-be1c-90a85db5068f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Terrified Pakistani Christians get food aid]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pakistani Christians, driven from their homes when a mentally handicapped girl was accused of blasphemy, were assisted in their distress with resources provided by the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 26 Sep 2012 18:19:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Terrified-Pakistani-Christians-get-food-aid?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a3c45e66-1cb5-431f-a042-601ea3be03e1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Flooded graveyards among DR call-outs]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jerry Jones, mass feeding coordinator for Texas Baptist Men (TBM), knows how to run a large-scale food operation during disaster responses. But he was taken aback by a request for TBM volunteers to go to Louisiana&rsquo;s Plaquemines Parish to recover runaway caskets.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 26 Sep 2012 18:08:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Flooded-graveyards-among-DR-call-outs?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c5a4bdfe-b6c1-4bf7-a0c6-56f91d001023</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chinese congregation faces persecution but presses on]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The first time the government had them evicted from their rented building, they worshiped outside in a blizzard. When the police started arresting them at their outdoor services, they came back faithfully each Sunday. When their leadership was placed under house arrest and some of them were pressured to quit their jobs, they endured.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 26 Sep 2012 17:56:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Chinese-congregation-faces-persecution-but-presses?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">20d93d92-7471-4fb0-80de-1bf595bcde2e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Church leaders trained by IMB to ‘equip and release’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[During a Bible study in Southeast Asia James* asked people to raise their hand if they had been persecuted for their faith. After no one raised their hand, he asked the question again, and still no hands were raised. Confused by the response, James tried a different approach. He asked if anyone in the group had been sent to prison for their faith, or suffered physical pain for their faith. People raised their hands.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 25 Sep 2012 18:23:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Church-leaders-trained-by-IMB-to-equip-and-release?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3190da0c-442d-418b-a368-196805c8b0c5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Mud houses compound Niger flood recovery]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Floodwater destroys, dissolves, stains, reeks, stagnates and displaces. For those with homes built of mud and livelihoods based on farming, the devastation &ndash; and the time it takes to rebuild &ndash; multiplies exponentially.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 25 Sep 2012 18:07:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Mud-houses-compound-Niger-flood-recovery?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ed308962-062d-4b0e-8af2-57f93b258d0c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[China report disputed of end to abortion policy]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[It is too soon to say the Chinese government has put a stop to forced abortion, foes of the practice have said in response to such a report from one of their allies. All Girls Allowed (AGA) reported the end of forced abortion in China Sept. 12, but two other organizations &ndash; Women&rsquo;s Rights Without Frontiers (WRWF) and the Population Research Institute (PRI) &ndash; disputed that assertion days later.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 25 Sep 2012 17:54:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/China-report-disputed-of-end-to-abortion-policy?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f1782c54-e93d-41f7-83ca-37ec64e8007b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Spiritual awakening emphasis to highlight annual meeting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The 182nd Annual Meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>) will be Nov. 12-13 and include worship services, break out sessions and special related meetings. The annual meeting will be held at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex Special Events Center.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 24 Sep 2012 19:02:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Spiritual-awakening-emphasis-to-highlight-annual-m?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c6f52cc3-799e-4c25-bef6-ae1afc1b6a1e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Messengers to receive cards by September’s end]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Baptists from across the state will gather in Greensboro Nov. 12-13 for the 182nd annual meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>). The meeting will be held at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex Special Events Center.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:42:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Messengers-to-receive-cards-by-September-s-end?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4b60e84c-8eeb-4980-b40e-4639c4a88266</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Committee on Nominations Report]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Committee on Nominations is charged with the task of receiving and reviewing the numerous recommendations provided by North Carolina Baptists for service on the Board of Directors and committees of the Convention as well as the boards of the institutions and agencies of the Convention.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:33:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Committee-on-Nominations-Report?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">32454684-d36f-4dac-8c14-b9965edfe4a1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Youth weeks challenge students to apply God’s Word]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Mary Beth McDowell went to Haiti earlier this year she saw for the first time what it means to really be in need. She saw people living in poverty and their desperate plea for help. McDowell also saw something she had not expected: hope.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:16:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Youth-weeks-challenge-students-to-apply-God-s-Word?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">54fbd8cf-4973-4344-ba1b-980b5c8dce13</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iranian pastor says God provided in prison]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Iranian pastor who spent more than 1,000 days in prison simply for being a Christian has written an open letter saying Christ provided for his needs while behind bars and thanking those around the world for praying for him.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 24 Sep 2012 17:59:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Iranian-pastor-says-God-provided-in-prison?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fba75a3b-0995-415e-9b6d-4366bc06ce82</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NAMB declines property, congratulates recipient]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) president Kevin Ezell today (Sept. 21) congratulated Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., and Scholarships for GCU Students &ndash; a supporting organization for the Grand Canyon University (GCU) Scholarship Foundation &ndash; which will receive Hobby Lobby&rsquo;s gift of a 217-acre campus in Northfield, Mass. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 21 Sep 2012 18:05:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/NAMB-declines-property-congratulates-recipient?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">88078f3b-f204-4025-9771-f3915e2bc5f8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chick-fil-A’s Dan Cathy: We have made no concessions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Following reports that Chick-fil-A had agreed to stop funding certain traditional family groups in order to get approval for a new Chicago restaurant, company President Dan Cathy said Sept. 21 the restaurant made no concessions and &ldquo;we remain true to who we are.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:40:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Chick-fil-A-s-Dan-Cathy-We-have-made-no-concession?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0aad74a9-9a7d-498c-b797-fc5993101f25</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Focus on God even more,’ Perkins says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[American politics needs more of God, not less, a pro-family leader asserted during the three-day Values Voter Summit in Washington. &ldquo;It is time to focus on God even more,&rdquo; said Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council (FRC). &ldquo;The threat today is greater than it was in the cold war.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:56:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Focus-on-God-even-more-Perkins-says?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">313895a6-dcbd-4185-9251-9fdda231ea37</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gospel Project, in demand, gets 4th printing]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.LifeWay.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>LifeWay Christian Resources</strong></em></a> has returned to the printer for a fourth time to keep up with demands for The Gospel Project, as churches across the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) and other denominations dig into the inaugural quarter of LifeWay&rsquo;s newest curriculum.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:51:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Gospel-Project-in-demand-gets-4th-printing?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5dff431a-0f00-4e84-86d0-475b44f61b17</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Medical missions event highlights opportunities to serve]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Health care professionals have many opportunities to care, share and make disciples as well as empower the church overseas when doors are closed for other mission workers. The International Mission Board&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.imb.org" target="_blank"><strong><em>IMB</em></strong></a>) International Learning Center, near Richmond, Va., will host Med-Advance 2012 on Oct. 11-13.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:47:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Medical-missions-event-highlights-opportunities-to?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">da9c0b0d-80aa-4b53-a397-a638f683117b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Slain Southern Baptist worker laid to rest]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As Cheryll Harvey was buried Sept. 15 in Sudan, Texas, surrounded by friends and relatives who nourished and nurtured her, colleagues told of her love for a people in a land far from those dusty plains.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:39:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Slain-Southern-Baptist-worker-laid-to-rest?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">59686a1d-0034-4e8b-889c-b220f4db70eb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Unconditional’ film promotes faith in action]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The children in Nashville&rsquo;s public housing call him &ldquo;Papa Joe,&rdquo; and, as the name implies, consider him to be the father figure they lack at home. He&rsquo;s completely fine with that, and he wouldn&rsquo;t have it any other way.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:32:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Unconditional-film-promotes-faith-in-action?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4b6b6410-2e8e-4bae-9c01-2fa7ec73df12</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Church’s partnership leads to close encounter with Africa]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When the idea of attempting the church&rsquo;s own Vacation Bible School (VBS) was first proposed, Joy Stallings rolled her eyes and walked away. She knew the amount of work it would take. &ldquo;It did take a lot of extra work, [but] it was all for a good reason,&rdquo; said Stallings, director of children and outreach for First Baptist Church in Washington.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:16:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Church-s-partnership-leads-to-close-encounter-with?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2ad94cc5-999a-4bfa-ad15-5b8b71288fa6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC Exec. Committee hears GuideStone pitch, addresses motions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.guidestone.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>GuideStone Financial Resources</strong></em></a> president O.S. Hawkins told members of the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Executive Committee Tuesday (Sept. 18) that changing the entity&rsquo;s ministry assignment to make its investment and insurance products available to church members would benefit Southern Baptists.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:58:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/SBC-Exec-Committee-hears-GuideStone-pitch-addresse?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0ef8d540-027b-4d9c-b37c-1e4a62d720be</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Luter vows to help SBC’s entities reach Kingdom goals]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Fred Luter Jr. pledged to work with all Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><strong><em>SBC</em></strong></a>) entities to accomplish their Kingdom goals in his first presidential address to the SBC Executive Committee Sept. 17 in Nashville, Tenn.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:39:46 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Luter-vows-to-help-SBC-s-entities-reach-Kingdom-go?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">21774157-b75d-480d-ac1a-dce797152457</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Get it done,’ Page says of gospel task]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Executive Committee, used the Book of Jonah to exhort Southern Baptists to heed the call of God to accomplish the Great Commission. Most people think the miracle in the Book of Jonah was that a fish swallowed a man and the man survived, Page said at the Executive Committee meeting Sept. 17 in Nashville, Tenn.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:29:46 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Get-it-done-Page-says-of-gospel-task?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a48634b4-c580-406d-b713-8007fdacb7e0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Mideast violence creates gospel opportunities]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Bloody protests against an anti-Muslim film have stretched from the Mideast to Australia and Indonesia, and continue to roil the wider Islamic world. But Christian workers say the turmoil has created new opportunities to share the gospel.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:12:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Mideast-violence-creates-gospel-opportunities?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fa06069f-f3f3-4eb1-8d81-f8e3d4fd6a10</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ga. convention launches reorganization]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Georgia Baptist Convention (GBC) has reorganized around a more aggressive strategy focused on reaching more of the state&rsquo;s unchurched through five core initiatives. The GBC reorganization &ndash; the most far-reaching since 1997 &ndash; was shared with GBC executive committee members during their fall meeting on Sept. 11 and with convention staff the previous day.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 18 Sep 2012 17:32:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Ga-convention-launches-reorganization?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c1774cdf-2958-4c24-bd8b-479738c939c6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Evangelist sentenced to 10 years in prison]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Sammy Nuckolls, an evangelist who spoke for years at Southern Baptist and other youth gatherings, remains in custody after being sentenced to 10 years in prison for taping women with a hidden pen camera. Nuckolls, who is in his mid-30s, also must pay nearly $85,000 in fines and counseling for his victims.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 18 Sep 2012 17:22:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Evangelist-sentenced-to-10-years-in-prison?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ce20f52f-05a1-45b5-8da3-00bf0567a5ee</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Roy Fish ‘loved all the right things’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;Without hyperbole, I can truthfully say I never met a man greater than Roy Fish,&rdquo; Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church near Memphis, Tenn., said in eulogizing the distinguished professor of evangelism emeritus during a memorial service at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 18 Sep 2012 17:02:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Roy-Fish-loved-all-the-right-things?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8664ebcd-efb5-4b66-ae02-76338121f334</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[ERLC search committee meets]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Facing a full agenda, trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Ethics &amp; Religious Liberty Commission (<a href="http://www.erlc.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>ERLC</strong></em></a>) opened their annual meeting with an extended time of intercession. The meeting was punctuated with even more time dedicated to prayer over its two-day session.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 18 Sep 2012 16:47:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/ERLC-search-committee-meets?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">776b8eb8-6189-4c42-b5c9-2b94f2ffa21d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Noted Christian leader Freddie Sun dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Freddie Yi-Yin Sun, who served a decade in Chinese prisons because of his faith and who helped establish more than 150 Bible institutes in the communist country, died of cancer Aug. 22. He was 76.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 18 Sep 2012 16:07:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Noted-Christian-leader-Freddie-Sun-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2657ead2-ce77-4d6e-8e3d-d7283d98ac97</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. collegiate ministries teach students to be campus missionaries]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Students at North Carolina&rsquo;s oldest public university are learning that some things must change if they want to reach their campus with the gospel. For too long the event-driven, &ldquo;come and see&rdquo; approach has been the primary means of reaching out to students, and campus minister Lee Sullens is finding that more personalized outreach is making a greater impact.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 17 Sep 2012 18:10:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/N-C-collegiate-ministries-teach-students-to-be-cam?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">70c53909-d720-4351-bab4-8ff5b1f1c6d2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBDR needs Isaac mud-out, roof repair vols]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist Disaster Relief &nbsp;(SBDR) is seeking help with mud-out and assessment as it concentrates on clean-up, recovery and roof repairs for Hurricane Isaac victims, confident that meals are no longer needed.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 17 Sep 2012 17:55:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/SBDR-needs-Isaac-mud-out-roof-repair-vols?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">05e9d360-7704-40e0-a3a0-8ac1b9ce496f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[54 new int’l missionaries appointed by IMB]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As a college student traveling abroad in Cambodia, Hope Denaham* happened upon a 4-year-old girl in an alley. &ldquo;She reached her arms out to me, and I held her for an hour,&rdquo; Denaham recalled. &ldquo;I wondered if she had ever been held in her life.&rdquo; ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 17 Sep 2012 17:42:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/54-new-int-l-missionaries-appointed-by-IMB?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0f56a331-8247-44e5-8999-62af98bd1a95</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[State, NAMB leaders to move forward ‘in unity’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[State Baptist convention and North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) leaders &ldquo;have determined to move forward together in unity to impact the lostness of North America,&rdquo; according to a statement issued Sept. 14.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 17 Sep 2012 17:36:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/State-NAMB-leaders-to-move-forward-in-unity?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fca1d2dd-7ea1-408a-b602-a67f2d44a658</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Southern Baptist teacher killed in Jordan ‘loved by everyone’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A warm breeze whips sand around cars creeping down the main street of Irbid, Jordan. A man gestures to catch the attention of a carload of Americans, then lays his hand over his heart. He knows there is only one place they can be going. It seems the whole city is mourning the death of Southern Baptist representative Cheryll Harvey.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 17 Sep 2012 17:28:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Southern-Baptist-teacher-killed-in-Jordan-loved-by?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0ee75815-fbb8-4535-8269-0d7cb971e22c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Liquidity challenges’ may loom for Fla. convention]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Florida Baptists are assessing their future budgeting after being warned by auditors that their convention could face liquidity challenges as it moves toward a 50/50 split of Cooperative Program receipts.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 14 Sep 2012 14:36:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Liquidity-challenges-may-loom-for-Fla-convention?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5717a596-046d-4de1-8946-dd8f306a3a4f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[IMB launching new avenues for former personnel, prayer]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Creating more opportunities for Southern Baptists to be Jesus&rsquo; heart, hands and voice to a lost and dying world &ndash; that&rsquo;s the idea behind two new International Mission Board (<a href="http://www.imb.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>IMB</strong></em></a>) initiatives.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 14 Sep 2012 14:29:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/IMB-launching-new-avenues-for-former-personnel-pra?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">987cf4e1-ab59-4f99-9be5-5efee4f04c79</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bill Causey, former Miss. exec, dies at 81]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[William W. &ldquo;Bill&rdquo; Causey Sr., longtime Mississippi Baptist pastor and retired executive director-treasurer of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (MBCB), died Sept. 6. He was 81.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 14 Sep 2012 14:24:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Bill-Causey-former-Miss-exec-dies-at-81?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e72e680b-dbca-446d-ac70-152c7fa5af96</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Luter outlines goals during seminary visit]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) President Fred Luter Jr. discussed his goals with more than 100 Kansas City-area pastors and denominational workers after delivering a chapel message at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo., on Sept. 11.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 14 Sep 2012 14:20:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Luter-outlines-goals-during-seminary-visit?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">79556761-11e2-4ae7-924a-c4fa7096f006</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Facebook, others, urged to allow free speech]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Media giants such as Facebook, Google and Apple should voluntarily abide by the First Amendment&rsquo;s free speech requirement and fulfill their role as &ldquo;gatekeepers to new web-based communications platforms,&rdquo; according to a new proposal from the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 14 Sep 2012 14:14:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Facebook-others-urged-to-allow-free-speech?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7ccc8c27-2412-4c8f-bf2c-ffa9425aa4ce</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Deep Impact leaders teach students to ‘share story’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[After 15 years of working in retail, Dollie Noa was on her way to becoming a top-level manager, with no thoughts of looking back. But before she could continue climbing the corporate ladder, she realized that life was more than work. She wanted to invest more of her time in serving God and loving her family.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:53:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Deep-Impact-leaders-teach-students-to-share-story?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">639b8877-d169-490a-8db7-619c99e41451</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[IMB honors emeriti missionaries for service]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In a tiny, West African community under a star-filled sky, missionary Marvin Thompson would read scripture to villagers by the faint light of a kerosene lamp. Thompson spent many days and nights being Christ&rsquo;s heart, hands and voice to his people group, sharing Bible stories and building relationships.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:43:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/IMB-honors-emeriti-missionaries-for-service?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">05af8f0c-cfc4-4a24-88f6-46b6b2099949</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hobby Lobby files suit against abortion mandate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Evangelical-owned Hobby Lobby has filed a lawsuit against the Obama administration&rsquo;s contraceptive/abortion mandate, becoming the largest business yet to take action against the rule and underscoring once again that the issue impacts more than just Catholics.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:34:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Hobby-Lobby-files-suit-against-abortion-mandate?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">59813298-10c5-4e86-9896-ed1503a49f05</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Church planters offer advice to students]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Church planting requires humility and a willingness to serve and learn. These are things Tony Merida, pastor for preaching and vision at Imago Dei Church in Raleigh and professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., listed during a panel discussion &ndash; The Seasons of Church Planting &ndash; Aug. 30 at the seminary.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 12 Sep 2012 18:49:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Church-planters-offer-advice-to-students?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1adaf175-3509-44ad-b54f-0a8ad46ae18d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NAMB’s Larry Wynn joining Georgia Baptists]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Larry Wynn, who has served as vice president of evangelism at the North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) since early 2011, announced Tuesday (Sept. 11) he is leaving NAMB to become vice president of revitalization for the Georgia Baptist Convention (GBC).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 12 Sep 2012 18:43:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/NAMB-s-Larry-Wynn-joining-Georgia-Baptists?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">05222954-fc8d-4015-aac0-bed6feaf8f2c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Panel asks: Can Christians vote for a Mormon?]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Addressing an issue on the minds of many evangelical voters as a Mormon runs for president, a Baptist seminary panel said Tuesday that evangelicals must jettison &ndash; for the good of their faith &ndash; the idea that the White House occupant must be a &ldquo;religious mascot&rdquo; for Christianity.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 12 Sep 2012 18:40:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Panel-asks-Can-Christians-vote-for-a-Mormon?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">74e0bf89-9e4e-45cd-8501-2d1ec76cb066</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Upcoming election stirs Baptists to pray]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With the upcoming presidential election merely weeks away, many North Carolina Baptists &ndash; and fellow evangelicals across the country &ndash; seem to be focusing more attention on politics. But many Christians are also falling on their knees, organizing prayer efforts, seeking a spiritual awakening and hope for future generations.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 11 Sep 2012 18:57:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Upcoming-election-stirs-Baptists-to-pray?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7d690c77-a530-44eb-bb52-106a50aedfe0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Last Ounce of Courage’: Q&A with director ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The movie, &ldquo;Last Ounce of Courage,&rdquo; seeks to awaken Americans in a time of apathy and opens this weekend (Sept. 14) in more than 1,200 theaters nationwide. The movie has been released to coincide with Patriot&rsquo;s Day and the eleventh anniversary of 9/11.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 11 Sep 2012 18:49:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Last-Ounce-of-Courage-Q-A-with-director?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8477828c-ad8d-4384-9c37-434ed76f1e23</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Rudy Gray named S.C. Baptist Courier editor]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[James Rudy Gray, a pastor, writer and Christian counselor with roots in journalism, has been named the 11th editor and president of the <em>Baptist Courier</em>, the official newspaper of the South Carolina Baptist Convention (SCBC).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 11 Sep 2012 18:37:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Rudy-Gray-named-S-C-Baptist-Courier-editor?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">be5a13be-9066-4f7e-ad4a-9f4acedcf7cc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pakistani Christian girl granted bail]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A Pakistani court has granted bail to a Christian girl accused of blasphemy, but her lawyer says he will not seek her release until her security can be guaranteed. The Telegraph reported that Judge Muhammad Azam Khan set bail of 1 million rupees (about $10,000) for Rimsha Masih, who has been imprisoned for three weeks on charges of desecrating the Quran.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 11 Sep 2012 18:24:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Pakistani-Christian-girl-granted-bail?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4bbdc823-e3a2-4059-acbd-296e12a660e0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Roy Fish, former Southwestern professor, dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Roy J. Fish, 82, died earlier today (Sept. 10). Fish served Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, for nearly 50 years. &ldquo;Dr. Roy Fish was at once a fabulous lecturer and the most consistent soul-winner I know,&rdquo; Southwestern president Paige Patterson said. &ldquo;He lit a fire under thousands of students.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:33:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Roy-Fish-former-Southwestern-professor-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">61b7eb7f-c227-45ef-81f8-0fab7b3be92c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ministry, politics converge in Charlotte]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[While politics was the biggest draw in Charlotte during the week of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), many North Carolina Baptist churches in the area saw the large out-of-town crowd as an opportunity to share the love of Jesus.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:18:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Ministry-politics-converge-in-Charlotte?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c56ef4bd-efa5-439a-817e-8250a56f0189</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Suspect arrested in death of IMB worker]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A suspect has been arrested in the death of Southern Baptist representative Cheryll Harvey in Jordan, according to Jordanian authorities investigating the attack on the veteran teacher. Harvey, 55, whose body was found Sept. 4 in her apartment in Irbid, Jordan, was stabbed to death. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:09:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Suspect-arrested-in-death-of-IMB-worker?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e8249ed3-8958-4f70-a3fd-136063777445</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iranian pastor acquitted, freed]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been acquitted of apostasy and released, ending a saga that drew international attention and saw him spend more than 1,000 days in jail in the face of a death sentence &ndash; simply for being a Christian.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:01:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Iranian-pastor-acquitted-freed?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b9e6f97a-a4bf-438d-883a-f552aa707b04</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptist Men respond to Hurricane Isaac damage]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[On Sept. 9, a North Carolina Baptist Men&rsquo;s disaster recovery team arrived in Walker, La., to help people impacted by Hurricane Isaac.&nbsp;Approximately 450 homes in the area were affected by the storm, according to a report on Baptists on Mission website at <a href="http://www.baptistsonmission.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>baptistsonmission.org</strong></em></a>. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:54:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/N-C-Baptist-Men-respond-to-Hurricane-Isaac-damage?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">08dc4cde-c033-4c0c-a82f-b5bdb2abfb5a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Prof who did gay parenting study is vindicated]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin) has cleared sociology professor Mark Regnerus of academic misconduct after he was excoriated by some in the media over a study showing that parents&rsquo; homosexual relationships can have negative effects on children.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 07 Sep 2012 19:37:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Prof-who-did-gay-parenting-study-is-vindicated?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a83d72fd-ae91-4140-9e2b-a6b12caa891d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In Nepal’s Himalayas, 7 students engage Tibetans in conversation]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Elderly women walk clockwise around a Tibetan Buddhist temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. Their hands bear sculpted calluses earned from years of rolling prayer beads between their thumbs and index fingers.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 07 Sep 2012 19:21:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/In-Nepal-s-Himalayas-7-students-engage-Tibetans-in?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e1c5bf11-8551-450b-be1b-6b4b63a67e30</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tibetan believers find God in music]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Tibetan men and women begin to weep as the believer&rsquo;s hands slide over the guitar strings. It&rsquo;s their hearts&rsquo; melody &ndash; put to music in their own language. The gospel came alive to these believers when they realized God speaks to them in their language and culture, said James, one of 12 leaders in the Tibetan church among the Lhomi people group.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 07 Sep 2012 19:12:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Tibetan-believers-find-God-in-music?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">45ba68ec-17d8-4dcb-8b93-dfc8d5401485</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Unearthed stone seal may depict Old Testament judge Samson]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A small stone seal unearthed in Israel is likely the first archaeological evidence of the Old Testament judge Samson, say the co-directors of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Center for Archaeological Research.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 07 Sep 2012 19:09:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Unearthed-stone-seal-may-depict-Old-Testament-judg?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9b98f923-65fe-407e-b147-2d9447f8f269</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[IMB worker’s death in Jordan ruled foul play]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jordanian authorities are investigating the death of Southern Baptist worker Cheryll Harvey, whose body was discovered in her apartment in Irbid, Jordan, on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Foul play has been confirmed in the death of the 55-year-old single woman from Texas.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 06 Sep 2012 18:27:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/IMB-worker-s-death-in-Jordan-ruled-foul-play?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0157515c-2624-414d-9b5f-1b0e77a3d11d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Deadline to submit resolutions Sept. 10]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina Memorials and Resolutions Committee is now receiving resolutions for consideration. North Carolina Baptists have until Sept. 10 to submit resolutions.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 06 Sep 2012 18:24:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Deadline-to-submit-resolutions-Sept-10?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">32df867c-81d8-4dce-8bdc-b033e7721bc6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[World Changers, PowerPlant expand mission]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[LifeWay Christian Resources has announced a change for World Changers and PowerPlant student ministries which will allow a greater impact on the 64 cities and towns in 24 states where they will minister next year.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 06 Sep 2012 18:11:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/World-Changers-PowerPlant-expand-mission?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f442636c-cd97-45e2-986a-ebc3a292bdd2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Cleric arrested in Pakistani Christian girl case]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pakistani police have arrested a Muslim cleric for allegedly planting evidence against Rimsha Masih, a mentally handicapped Christian girl accused of committing blasphemy by desecrating texts from the Quran.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 06 Sep 2012 18:01:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Cleric-arrested-in-Pakistani-Christian-girl-case?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">13569d18-b050-4f7b-bc44-4c2f748b9dc6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[ERLC urges court to review gay marriage case]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s Ethics &amp; Religious Liberty Commission &nbsp;(ERLC) and other religious groups have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a federal appeals court&rsquo;s ruling that a state cannot define marriage as between a man and a woman.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 06 Sep 2012 17:45:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/ERLC-urges-court-to-review-gay-marriage-case?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2d206ff3-5fe1-4582-9fb8-f170bbe84646</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Jason Allen nominated to lead Midwestern]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jason K. Allen, vice president for institutional advancement at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has been selected by Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary&rsquo;s (MBTS) presidential search team members as their nominee for MBTS president.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:36:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Jason-Allen-nominated-to-lead-Midwestern?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e689f715-37c6-47e8-9995-596529bc205a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[CP poised to hit budget for year]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist national and international missions and ministries received by the Southern Baptist Convention (<strong><a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em>SBC</em></a></strong>) Executive Committee are $174,983,253.81, or 2.63 percent above the year-to-date budgeted goal, and 0.29 percent ahead of contributions received during the same time frame last year, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Frank S. Page.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:29:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/CP-poised-to-hit-budget-for-year?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d009efc8-0b3e-49cd-8379-e95283cd0094</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In the Himalayas: Carrying the gospel to the ‘roof of the world’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Aaron Juergens* had the mountains etched on his heart long before he reached the Himalayas. &ldquo;When I was 1 year old, my dad moved my family out to Colorado to be near the mountains where there was more stuff to do,&rdquo; he said. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:13:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/In-the-Himalayas-Carrying-the-gospel-to-the-roof-o?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a69d7e73-e739-4396-8a58-167d76f74c3e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Alexis: Doing, supporting missions, two sides of same coin]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Missions keeps Alexis Baptist Church a lively and outward-focused congregation, said Pastor Sandy M. Marks, and that means both going out to do missions and supporting missions financially. Alexis members have long equated missions support with Cooperative Program support, he added.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:40:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Alexis-Doing-supporting-missions-two-sides-of-same?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3e4ac556-4e57-44b2-b87a-d8b001e74be1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Calvinism team listens, learns at first meeting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[An advisory team on the issue of Calvinism met &ldquo;to listen, to learn and to hope,&rdquo; Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Executive Committee President Frank Page reported after the 16-member group met Aug. 29-30 in Nashville, Tenn.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:36:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Calvinism-team-listens-learns-at-first-meeting?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3eefb9cf-d9c3-4d01-97cd-fafea71e4266</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Isaac damage at NOBTS under $300,000]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (<a href="http://www.nobts.edu" target="_blank"><em><strong>NOBTS</strong></em></a>) escaped Hurricane Isaac&rsquo;s winds and rain with damage estimated at less than $300,000. The slow-moving storm raged on throughout the day Aug. 29, the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:25:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Isaac-damage-at-NOBTS-under-$300-000?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5bdfa82d-1344-48a8-a3e1-2203fd69c607</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Rainer encouraged as LifeWay faces challenges]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;We Christians are often too timid, lacking the boldness to move where God wants us,&rdquo; LifeWay Christian Resources President Thom Rainer told Southern Baptist entity&rsquo;s trustees during their semiannual meeting.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:14:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/September-2012/Rainer-encouraged-as-LifeWay-faces-challenges?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b6aefc0b-755e-4d34-b9fa-7b6caf00b3f6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. teen depends on God after horrible accident]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Kelly Blanton&rsquo;s ventilator drones softly in rhythm as she sits motionless in her wheelchair. The 18-year-old misses horseback riding along the road outside her home in Taylorsville, N.C. But, for now, the days when Blanton&rsquo;s mother said she &ldquo;had the world on a string&rdquo; are gone.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:34:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/N-C-teen-depends-on-God-after-horrible-accident?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c155d780-e19a-4002-a96c-aff895cc794e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Moody honors Gary Chapman]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Moody Bible Institute and its seminary have established The Gary D. Chapman Chair for Marriage and Family, which has been endowed by a gift from Chapman, a 1958 graduate of Moody, and his wife Karolyn. It is the first endowed chair in Moody&rsquo;s 126-year history, according to an Aug. 28 news release, and will serve as Moody&rsquo;s &ldquo;voice on marriage and family.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:31:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Moody-honors-Gary-Chapman?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3eb86305-e91b-4a18-b895-e252fabdaaf8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Isaac prompts large disaster relief response from Baptists]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptists are already headed to the Gulf Coast region as remnants of Hurricane Isaac continually disrupt the lives of an increasing number of residents. By the weekend, a total of 36&ndash;40 Baptist relief units will have been deployed to Louisiana and Mississippi, said Bruce Poss, a disaster recovery coordinator at North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) offices in Alpharetta, Ga.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:17:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Isaac-prompts-large-disaster-relief-response-from?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bc7c35b9-1afb-4dda-9ee0-29edd3ed9edc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NASCAR driver shares passion for racing, impacting others]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nationwide Driver&nbsp;Blake Koch has created a major fan base in both the NASCAR community and the faith-based market over the past three years. After only three short years, Koch went full time into the NASCAR Nationwide Series. In his first 10 career NASCAR Nationwide Series races, Blake Koch earned five top-25 finishes. Koch finished 18th in points and finished &ldquo;Runner Up&rdquo; Rookie of the year.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:10:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/NASCAR-driver-shares-passion-for-racing-impacting?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">646fc50e-6927-4d8a-b8b1-f25a93934c57</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Isaac, 7 years post-Katrina, mobilizes volunteers]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[On the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are in place to help Louisiana and neighboring states rebound from Hurricane Isaac&rsquo;s damage, heavy in some areas.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 30 Aug 2012 18:18:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Isaac-7-years-post-Katrina-mobilizes-volunteers?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8083fe50-603d-43ab-8ab3-1beb1d944352</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hostility to religion in U.S. at ‘all-time high’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Hostility toward religious expression &ldquo;has reached an all-time high&rdquo; in the United States, according to a new report. &ldquo;The Survey of Religious Hostility in America&rdquo; shows a rising tide of attacks on religious liberty in the public square and in schools as well as against churches and ministries, Liberty Institute (LI) and Family Research Council (FRC) said in the 140-page report.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 30 Aug 2012 18:14:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Hostility-to-religion-in-U-S-at-all-time-high?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">af3bbfac-5a88-4806-9a2e-69b100fa76fb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Looking to start a discipleship group?]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[If you have a desire to start up a discipleship group in your neighborhood this fall, and you don&rsquo;t have any idea where to begin, you&rsquo;re not alone. While every situation is different, and most will agree there is not a set formula, every group leader must adapt to their situation and the culture of their community. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 30 Aug 2012 18:04:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Looking-to-start-a-discipleship-group?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">01645adb-1658-4d0f-a2d5-48fa0f6d51da</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Niger families thrown ‘from famine to flood’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Six weeks of severe, ongoing flooding has claimed 52 lives and displaced almost 400,000 people in Niger, a landlocked country in West Africa that already was in the throes of a major food shortage.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 30 Aug 2012 17:59:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Niger-families-thrown-from-famine-to-flood?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4d6a888b-f52e-42f2-9cb3-590edbd01463</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Church moves forward after fire]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Beaver Baptist Church&rsquo;s Rick Miller sees the congregation he pastors as looking to the future. On July 29, Miller was awakened by a phone call notifying him that the church building was burning.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 29 Aug 2012 18:17:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Church-moves-forward-after-fire?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2e0bdc86-db08-41de-9a98-d6e82993df0f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[HHS broadens ‘safe harbor’ guidelines]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In a move that gives religious organizations some wiggle room but doesn&rsquo;t solve the larger issue, the Obama administration has broadened its health care law guidelines so that all nonprofit religious organizations are exempted &ndash; for one year &ndash; from being penalized for not carrying insurance plans covering contraceptives and abortion-causing drugs.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 29 Aug 2012 18:12:46 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/HHS-broadens-safe-harbor-guidelines?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">598a0bd6-4b12-4754-8c6f-e134c0899a05</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptist group pulls ‘weeds of injustice’ from Jewish cemetery]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[His hands trembled when Benjamin* saw a letter his son-in-law received, stamped with the letterhead of the government offices of Paris&rsquo; fourth administrative district. In fact he trembled all over, so much that he had to sit down.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:58:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Baptist-group-pulls-weeds-of-injustice-from-Jewish?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7c5727c8-70fc-4d21-bcaf-d6b03a9f1410</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Jews ‘see God’ in Baptist cleanup of graves]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[It was a dark day when David Eilenberg* faced the statue of Christ just outside the Catholic church and bellowed, &ldquo;Where are you, Jesus?&rdquo; Silence. That day, in the depths of the Holocaust, the Polish Jew hung up belief.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:41:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Jews-see-God-in-Baptist-cleanup-of-graves?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4656196d-a830-40d6-b37b-bd6495bbcb09</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Jews are the world’s most migratory religious group]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Ever since their mad dash out of Egypt bound for the Promised Land, Jews have been on the move &ndash; and they continue to be, far more than any other religious group, according to a new study. One in four of the world&rsquo;s Jews has migrated from one country to another, compared to 5 percent of Christians and 4 percent of Muslims who have left their native lands.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:35:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Jews-are-the-world-s-most-migratory-religious-grou?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3f9cd2aa-486f-4558-bd49-2f3cde22c5a5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptists, other states prepare to respond to Hurricane Isaac]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&quot;We are as ready as we can be at this time,&quot; Gibbie McMillan, disaster relief director for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, said as slow-moving Hurricane Isaac plodded toward southeast Louisiana.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 29 Aug 2012 01:24:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/N-C-Baptists-other-states-prepare-to-respond-to-Hu?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2b681047-e76a-4425-99d8-30875f121804</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chaplaincy volunteers make a difference in disaster relief]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Each year as hurricane season comes and goes we&rsquo;re reminded of the many challenges in the aftermath of a disaster. Some must replace a roof or refurbish a flooded home. Others must confront the challenge of overcoming the tragic loss of a loved one.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 28 Aug 2012 19:04:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Chaplaincy-volunteers-make-a-difference-in-disaste?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">46686a71-a20f-4223-a29a-c649996959eb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Isaac disaster relief prep focuses on Gulf Coast]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With Tropical Storm Isaac continuing to churn toward landfall as a potential hurricane on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning &ndash; somewhere along the Louisiana and Mississippi Coasts &ndash; Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) leaders already are planning where major storm responses will be deployed.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:55:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Isaac-disaster-relief-prep-focuses-on-Gulf-Coast?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c77973b9-65e8-4b89-a438-41857a5b7fc4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘This is God’s passion’: Training for N.C. churches to embrace UUPGs]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As Old Town Baptist Church continues on a journey that began a year and a half ago to share the gospel among a people group in Southeast Asia, they are discovering just how important it is to reach the nations for Jesus Christ.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:36:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/This-is-God-s-passion-Training-for-N-C-churches-to?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">193bd389-d3fd-4ad2-ab76-ea0939ad6e92</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘American Bible Challenge’ sets ratings record]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The debut of &ldquo;The American Bible Challenge&rdquo; game show provided GSN its highest ratings ever, easily outperforming the previous record, the network says. A total of 1.7 million viewers watched the game show Aug. 23, in which host Jeff Foxworthy asks Bible questions of three teams who play for their favorite charities. The show also features a gospel choir.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:21:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/American-Bible-Challenge-sets-ratings-record?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">69339e5f-0ec5-4faa-a842-1b567efa6ca5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[BSC leaders garner re-nominations for election]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The three top leaders for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>) will be re-nominated at the annual meeting in November to their respective posts. &ldquo;Mark [Harris] has been a tremendous leader in our Convention, serving as first and second vice president and this past year as president,&rdquo; said Marty Jacumin, senior pastor of Bay Leaf Baptist Church in Raleigh.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 27 Aug 2012 18:15:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/BSC-leaders-garner-re-nominations-for-election?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8435e3ee-745d-4934-9870-f1273dce6b71</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Association uses camp to teach God’s Word, show His love]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Ashley Ricks graduates next May her attention will turn to wedding planning, moving and job searching, and for the first time in a long time her summer plans will not include Camp Cale. Ricks, a senior at Campbell University, first came to Camp Cale as a 12-year-old camper. &ldquo;I could see the love that the counselors had for the Lord and for the campers.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 27 Aug 2012 17:58:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Association-uses-camp-to-teach-God-s-Word-show-His?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a2ef89d8-ac8b-419a-a4bd-4b9808f4b5c3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. church hosts ‘iPledge’ simulcast on voting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Leading pro-family organizations will attempt to motivate and equip Christians to fulfill their citizenship responsibilities &ndash; praying for the election and voting &ndash; through a live simulcast in September to local churches. The Family Research Council (FRC) and American Family Association are co-sponsoring &ldquo;iPledge Sunday: A Call to Faith, Family and Freedom&rdquo; Sunday, Sept. 9.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 27 Aug 2012 17:49:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/N-C-church-hosts-iPledge-simulcast-on-voting?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">67415c07-3b24-42a5-a893-3b215aae1f49</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Committee named to seek Land’s successor]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A search committee has been selected to find a successor to Richard Land as president of the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s Ethics &amp; Religious Liberty Commission (<a href="http://www.erlc.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>ERLC</strong></em></a>).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 27 Aug 2012 17:43:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Committee-named-to-seek-Land-s-successor?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">98c7ff9b-5896-4473-ac84-4179f3b1751e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey: Economy continues to impact churches]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pastors say the economy continues to have a negative impact on their churches despite stabilized giving, according to a survey by <a href="http://www.lifeway.com/LifeWay-Research/c/N-1z13wgl" target="_blank"><strong><em>LifeWay Research</em></strong></a>. The survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors asked respondents, &ldquo;How is the economy impacting your church?&rdquo; Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) responded negatively, with 56 percent indicating somewhat negatively and 8 percent very negatively. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 24 Aug 2012 18:56:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Survey-Economy-continues-to-impact-churches?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e335e225-8113-46a6-a49f-bbce72529bdf</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[GuideStone asks to change ministry assignment]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[GuideStone Financial Resources trustees have approved a recommendation to change the Southern Baptist entity&rsquo;s ministry assignment to make its mutual funds available to Southern Baptist and other evangelical church members.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 24 Aug 2012 18:52:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/GuideStone-asks-to-change-ministry-assignment?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c75a0265-6932-446e-998a-20240f6e232d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tenn. Baptists plan ‘right sizing’ cuts to staff]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC) Executive Board will eliminate up to 16 full- and part-time staff positions over the next several months. TBC Executive Director/Treasurer Randy C. Davis announced the changes during a mid-August staff meeting at the Baptist Center in Brentwood.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 23 Aug 2012 18:00:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Tenn-Baptists-plan-right-sizing-cuts-to-staff?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fa8476da-d20a-46fd-a9ed-ba4e250ee2de</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NAMB promotes wives as ministry partners]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The more than 2,000 church planters, pastors and ministry leaders attending the Send North America Conference at First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., brought with them what is often considered one of their greatest assets in ministry: their wives. The North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) conference featured workshops tailored for the wives and other women in attendance.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:46:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/NAMB-promotes-wives-as-ministry-partners?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d53fd504-ccc6-4951-9b26-83b073b507a9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Christian Pakistani girl, 11, remains jailed]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Controversy continues to swirl around Pakistan&rsquo;s blasphemy law after the arrest of a young Christian girl for defiling words from the Quran. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has asked the country&rsquo;s Interior Ministry for a report about the Aug. 16 arrest of Rimshah Masih, described as an 11-year-old with Down syndrome in various media reports.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:32:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Christian-Pakistani-girl-11-remains-jailed?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2f4e8335-143b-4c32-bef2-779703d54764</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptists reach souls at motorcycle rally]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As hordes of bikers attend the world&rsquo;s largest motorcycle rally in the small town of Sturgis, S.D., churches of the Dakota Baptist Convention partner with Southern Baptists from across the United States to spread the gospel. The annual August event draws hundreds of thousands of bikers from around the world to this town of just over 6,600 people in South Dakota&rsquo;s Black Hills.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:26:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Baptists-reach-souls-at-motorcycle-rally?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e6e09ec3-0896-49bd-8142-b22819b27152</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ridgecrest garners conference planners’ praise]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina has been awarded the first-ever 2012 &ldquo;Praise Award&rdquo; by <em>Religious Conference Manager</em> magazine. The nation&rsquo;s largest Christian conference facility, Ridgecrest is owned and operated by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention and has ministered to millions of guests during its more than a century of service.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:17:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Ridgecrest-garners-conference-planners-praise?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3124f3c1-d34e-478f-94be-8e7bc555eae9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In African Horn, witchdoctor and Muslim sheik follow Jesus]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[It used to be a brothel, the sandy house where Mike and Abbey Nettles* are raising their children in the Horn of Africa. When they arrived, their first act was to make the place a home. The second was to learn enough local language to tell people how to get there.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:58:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/In-African-Horn-witchdoctor-and-Muslim-sheik-follo?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">af4b145b-124b-4654-a064-0ec90a088073</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[These Orthodox appear to be Christian, but ...]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;After I became a follower of Jesus, my husband would always insult me,&rdquo; Melesse* said. &ldquo;I tried to share with him from the Word, but he said I wasn&rsquo;t being a good wife and kicked me out. &ldquo;Then one night when I was coming home late from work, he and five men followed me and broke down my door.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:42:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/These-Orthodox-appear-to-be-Christian-but?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2b8cc82e-3078-4d5a-aec0-950c391fcf0e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Obama ads’ focus on abortion is unprecedented]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In his quest for re-election, President Obama and his campaign have gone against historical precedent and perhaps conventional wisdom by opting to make abortion a major theme in television campaign ads &ndash; something no Democratic nominee has ever done in a general election.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:27:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Obama-ads-focus-on-abortion-is-unprecedented?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3bc4a683-2f9e-41c3-9a8e-92e8fb052c8d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Calvin Miller – author, pastor, professor – dies at 75]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Seminary professor, theologian and best-selling Christian author Calvin A. Miller died Aug. 19 of complications following open heart surgery. He was 75.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 21 Aug 2012 20:28:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Calvin-Miller-author-pastor-professor-dies-at-75?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0985b313-fc37-482f-97d6-07fc9320caed</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Frank Page discusses SBC issues at forum]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;The local church is God&rsquo;s plan to attack the gates of hell,&rdquo; said Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Executive Committee, during a special forum at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (<a href="http://www.sbts.edu" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBTS</strong></em></a>). R. Albert Mohler Jr., Southern&rsquo;s president, hosted Page for a discussion of major issues in the Southern Baptist Convention.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:26:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Frank-Page-discusses-SBC-issues-at-forum?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1b0cbbaa-c24d-4f17-b0fe-949935eaa65e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pakistani Christian girl’s arrest leads to probe]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has asked the country&rsquo;s Interior Ministry for a report about the arrest of a Christian girl on blasphemy charges for allegedly desecrating pages from the Quran, Voice of America reported Aug. 20.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:20:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Pakistani-Christian-girl-s-arrest-leads-to-probe?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">66eebb8e-99a9-4636-b476-690aaf5cb4f0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Amid Syria’s nightmare, rays of light appear for nation, refugees]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Could Syria&rsquo;s headlong descent into war and chaos get any worse? Yes &ndash; possibly much worse. A grim summary: Civilian deaths in the nearly 18-month-old rebellion against the dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad topped 21,000 in early August.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:03:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Amid-Syria-s-nightmare-rays-of-light-appear-for-na?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">856b47ba-1c28-4b8f-bf37-50cf7c52dca8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Adoption community fears impact if tax credit expires]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A substantial tax credit that couples or individuals receive when they adopt is set to expire at year&rsquo;s end unless Congress acts, and experts fear that without it fewer families will adopt. At issue is the adoption tax credit &ndash; last year it was a maximum of $13,360 &ndash; that allows low- and middle-income families who otherwise couldn&rsquo;t afford it to adopt.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 20 Aug 2012 19:03:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Adoption-community-fears-impact-if-tax-credit-expi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">413b2efd-e85b-43b7-aa68-114caebba9f6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[LifeWay awaits study pending Glorieta sale]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<a href="http://www.lifeway.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>LifeWay Christian Resources</strong></em></a> is awaiting results of a theological study of Olivet University before deciding whether to sell LifeWay Glorieta Conference Center to Olivet, even as media outlets debate whether the California-based university has heretical ties.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 20 Aug 2012 18:54:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/LifeWay-awaits-study-pending-Glorieta-sale?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0adaf065-2eee-4d49-9a71-082e840df8ad</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Student Life joins LifeWay family]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[LifeWay Christian Resources and Student Life, Inc., minister to more than 100,000 teenagers each year as two of the largest providers of Christian student conferences. On Aug. 15, Student Life officially became part of the LifeWay family of resources.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 20 Aug 2012 18:45:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Student-Life-joins-LifeWay-family?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1c5e3ea1-49e8-4d3b-ae69-ac9ed2e5e0f0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Penn State sees Baptist chaplain’s resolve]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Johnny Pons has experienced God&rsquo;s sense of humor. Pons grew up around Southeastern Conference football, pulling for Vanderbilt and Alabama, having been reared in Hendersonville, Tenn., and its First Baptist Church.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 20 Aug 2012 18:36:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Penn-State-sees-Baptist-chaplain-s-resolve?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b32dbe37-9afb-4c4a-855b-81a6d295e611</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Send: N.C. Bapt. among 2,200 challenged to plant churches]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In the wake of a historic Southern Baptist Convention meeting, many who attended the North American Mission Board&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) Send North America Conference, including about 90 North Carolinians, declared it &ldquo;a new day&rdquo; for the organization and its work.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 17 Aug 2012 17:35:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Send-N-C-Bapt-among-2-200-challenged-to-plant-chur?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2f8a763b-4ac8-420e-b6ba-d4d528ec1f91</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Executive Committee approves committee appointments]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Executive Committee (EC) of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>) met Thursday, August 16, via conference call for a brief meeting to hear and approve committee reports.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 17 Aug 2012 17:28:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Executive-Committee-approves-committee-appointment?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cc1a48f4-a829-4be8-a38b-3ce00c593a09</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gospel Project available on iPad, eBook]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Gospel Project curriculum created by<a href="http://www.LifeWay.com" target="_blank"><em><strong> LifeWay Christian Resources</strong></em></a> has introduced a digital delivery format to serve as yet another way for churches to engage in the three-year study designed for Sunday Schools and small groups of all ages.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 17 Aug 2012 17:20:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Gospel-Project-available-on-iPad-eBook?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">acf477ed-6001-488c-9430-15d3a80cf918</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iran now open to outside help post-quake]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Iran&rsquo;s government is now open to outside help with relief efforts in the aftermath of twin earthquakes that devastated rural villages in northwest Iran Aug. 11, killing at least 306 people. As a result, Southern Baptists are exploring ways to help.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 17 Aug 2012 17:16:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Iran-now-open-to-outside-help-post-quake?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cdada94f-d30c-447a-b03e-068a2a24aca0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. seminary’s Akin named to Calvinism advisory team]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee President Frank Page has announced the members of an advisory team who will help him craft a strategic plan to bring together various groups within the convention who hold different opinions on the issue of Calvinism.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 16 Aug 2012 18:08:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/N-C-seminary-s-Akin-named-to-Calvinism-advisory-te?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9d601e19-f0d6-4fea-94fa-7cf2f422e317</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[The Creek and other N.C. church plants: A small part of something big]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[God burdened Matt Rice&rsquo;s heart for northwest Cary when the area was nothing more than dirt roads. &ldquo;Nothing was there; I started praying along the dirt roads,&rdquo; said Rice, the pastor of The Creek Church of Cary that started in 2008. &ldquo;I prayed for God to do something in this area.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 16 Aug 2012 18:00:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/The-Creek-and-other-N-C-church-plants-A-small-part?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d2e14b8a-68d6-4722-ae97-7ec277968fe1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Acts 1:8 leaders focused on missions strategy, holistic outreach]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist Convention missions leaders are turning their attention to how they can help local churches carry out the Acts 1:8 Challenge initiative in practical ways that result in life transformation. The Acts 1:8 initiative launched in 2004 by Southern Baptist state conventions, local associations, the North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) and the International Mission Board (<a href="http://www.imb.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>IMB</strong></em></a>).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:21:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Acts-1-8-leaders-focused-on-missions-strategy-holi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1e720d2f-ce41-4ef0-9335-dee97db1ecaa</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Former Charity and Children editor dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[John E. Roberts, longest-serving editor in the 143-year history of <em>The Baptist Courier</em> in South Carolina, died Aug. 15 at a Greenville retirement community following a brief illness. He was 85.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:11:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Former-Charity-and-Children-editor-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8c5eb011-9caa-45c7-bb0a-8afc48daa9db</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Church planter leads by example in outreach]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Someone forgot to tell Jason Williams* that you can&rsquo;t plant churches in Muslim communities. Or share the gospel with Muslims. And see them come to faith in Christ and change a community.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 15 Aug 2012 19:42:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Church-planter-leads-by-example-in-outreach?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9f83d66e-0d52-4e7f-9652-27f11f9fad19</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Railway boys’ in India find a home]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Life for boys living in India&rsquo;s railway stations is a real-life &ldquo;Hunger Games.&rdquo; If they don&rsquo;t fight, they&rsquo;ll be killed. If they don&rsquo;t find food and survive in this arena, they&rsquo;ll starve on the train tracks. Railway boys are those who have run away from home and joined gangs who live in India&rsquo;s train stations.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 15 Aug 2012 19:06:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Railway-boys-in-India-find-a-home?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">59349f7d-8b8f-4a7e-a1a7-14b1204d2da3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[La. church helps runaways in India]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A boy sleeps face down on the concrete platform as a train pulls into the Indian train station. Around the corner, a boy who lost his foot to an incoming train hobbles through mounds of garbage.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 15 Aug 2012 18:43:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/La-church-helps-runaways-in-India?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">29655e57-d501-4d38-80a4-53b4ab53f7b1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Democrats OK plank endorsing gay marriage]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Democratic Party&rsquo;s platform committee has unanimously approved a plank endorsing the legalization of gay marriage, putting the party on track to become the first major political party supporting the redefinition of marriage.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 15 Aug 2012 18:27:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Democrats-OK-plank-endorsing-gay-marriage?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">47c29299-adeb-41ce-b6f4-4a988ce1b96b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[UPDATE: Billy Graham released from hospital]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Evangelist Billy Graham was admitted to the hospital Sunday morning but was released Tuesday, Aug. 14. He was treated for a bronchitis infection.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 14 Aug 2012 18:09:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/UPDATE-Billy-Graham-released-from-hospital?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4a757c14-13e5-4f03-904f-82db68f20dc6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Cultural gospel: more than language]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Her job isn&rsquo;t normal. She frequently heads into the African Bush armed with a sketchpad, pencils and paintbrushes. But Michelle Michaels* isn&rsquo;t there to play around.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 14 Aug 2012 17:46:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Cultural-gospel-more-than-language?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9b558a4e-f3c7-48b0-9de1-213ab08b471f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iran declining help in quakes’ aftermath]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Iran is declining offers of assistance from other countries after twin earthquakes devastated rural villages in northwest Iran Aug. 11, killing at least 306 people, most of them women and children.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 14 Aug 2012 17:36:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Iran-declining-help-in-quakes-aftermath?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0addb6cb-e49c-4278-9c2a-db4a3e6c0309</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bivocational pastors find joy in serving, connecting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The busy lifestyle of a bivocational pastor sometimes takes its toll on pastor Jim Hunsucker. Bivocational pastors can work long hours. Some log 90 hours every week between two or more jobs. The long hours can impact their families and their ministries, and make it difficult to find time to build solid relationships. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:20:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Bivocational-pastors-find-joy-in-serving-connectin?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fd48c2b0-5a1c-4bca-ad4a-0af8373707c4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[2012 Olympics see ‘largest’ Baptist event response overseas]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;We lit the flame and lit up the world.&rdquo; Doug Shaw had to smile a little when London 2012 chairman Lord Coe closed the Olympics with those words Aug. 12. Because Shaw&rsquo;s hoping that&rsquo;s exactly what happened.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:11:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/2012-Olympics-see-largest-Baptist-event-response-o?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">91c91e18-970f-4e64-b4df-79cdecc82936</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Happiness Retreat campers encounter joy, acceptance]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Cindy Thomas attended her first Happiness Retreat one year ago when she came as a chaperone for three special needs children from Burkemont Baptist Church in Morganton. It was an experience the children wished would never end.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 13 Aug 2012 17:59:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Happiness-Retreat-campers-encounter-joy-acceptance?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f5a377b0-cd93-4d62-9433-c511a15b2455</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Court upholds Hawaii traditional marriage law]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A federal court has refused to legalize gay marriage in Hawaii, ruling the issue is best addressed by the legislature and that the current law &ndash; which defines marriage as between a man and a woman &ndash; does not violate the U.S. Constitution.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 13 Aug 2012 17:48:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Court-upholds-Hawaii-traditional-marriage-law?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7555ade7-933b-40cc-ab71-faf703ef2e0d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Black church leaders explore missions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Standing before a room of African American church leaders in Ridgecrest, N.C., Jonathan Marshall* cleared his throat and began his pitch: &ldquo;My topic is &lsquo;Young Black Men in Missions,&rsquo;&ldquo; the 26-year-old IMB missionary said with a grin, &ldquo;but I&rsquo;m the only one, so I&rsquo;m going to talk about myself.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:57:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Black-church-leaders-explore-missions?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">aa04b7c6-26ef-414b-aa97-b41d19a3dffa</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Luter exhorts leaders to commitment & renewal]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) President Fred Luter exhorted African American believers to heighten their denominational involvement while also seeking spiritual renewal as he addressed the Black Church Leadership and Family Conference at the LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:49:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Luter-exhorts-leaders-to-commitment-renewal?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6b94e14b-673f-43a6-83a5-d6a0b4ff7da5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey finds record 19 percent of religiously unaffiliated Americans]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Unbelief is on the uptick. People who check &ldquo;None&rdquo; for their religious affiliation are now nearly one in five Americans (19 percent), the highest ever documented, according to the Pew Center for the People and the Press.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:41:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Survey-finds-record-19-percent-of-religiously-unaf?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0d55db25-afa3-4230-89c2-d3323f37358b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[U.S. gold medalist Gabby Douglas: ‘glory goes’ to God]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Gabby Douglas will soon have more money than she ever dreamed. With a vibrant smile and two gold medals to her credit at the Olympics, the 16-year-old gymnast undoubtedly will cash in with endorsement and marketing deals worth millions of dollars. At the top of her wish list? An Acura NSX.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:58:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/U-S-gold-medalist-Gabby-Douglas-glory-goes-to-God?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ebd07bc1-4906-4792-9a45-16b8b9e7d989</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Heartbroken: Students, IMB workers reach out to Sikhs]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[He wept for them. His heart broke for them. He now feels called to serve them. Chris McKean, a senior at Truett-McConnell Christian College in Cleveland, Ga., knows God has placed Sikhs on his heart.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:47:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Heartbroken-Students-IMB-workers-reach-out-to-Sikh?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1fdd4172-0f8b-4355-91ea-9500be944b16</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptists have ‘opportunity’ to reach out to Sikhs]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In the wake of one of the greatest tragedies to hit the Sikh community in North America, Southern Baptists have an unprecedented opportunity to reach out to their Sikh neighbors with the gospel of Jesus Christ, says Aslam Masih, North American Mission Board&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) national coordinator for Muslim people groups and South Asians. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:40:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Baptists-have-opportunity-to-reach-out-to-Sikhs?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1454a00b-f49e-492c-baf2-ba47d1fe5fc5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[What do Sikhs believe?]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[His untrimmed beard and carefully wrapped turban set him apart in a crowd. He isn&rsquo;t Muslim, though many of his brothers in the faith are mistaken for followers of Allah.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:31:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/What-do-Sikhs-believe?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">28ac939f-bc7d-4160-a251-0bfdbd701afe</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Missouri prayer amendment passes by wide margin]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Voters in Missouri overwhelmingly approved a &ldquo;right to pray&rdquo; amendment to the state&rsquo;s constitution Aug. 7, despite concerns about the measure&rsquo;s necessity and legality. Amendment 2, which supporters said would protect the freedom of religious expression in public schools and other public spaces, received nearly 80 percent of the vote.&nbsp; ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:29:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Missouri-prayer-amendment-passes-by-wide-margin?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c553d294-36b9-4393-905b-ffbdff922ccf</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Miss. church apologizes for barring wedding ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[First Baptist Church in Crystal Springs, Miss., has publicly apologized after an African American couple was barred because of their race from holding their wedding at the predominantly white church. &ldquo;Both the pastor and those involved in the wedding location being changed have expressed their regrets and sorrow for their actions.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 08 Aug 2012 18:35:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Miss-church-apologizes-for-barring-wedding?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a85ac582-a0d2-4b5c-bf8a-3979bad153a1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Olympian Brittany Viola ‘diving for the Lord’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[At 15, American Brittany Viola thought she wasn&rsquo;t good enough to be one of the top divers in the world because she didn&rsquo;t look the part. The young diver had been given an opportunity to train with Laura Wilkinson, the best diver in Viola&rsquo;s event at the time (and a former Olympic gold medalist).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 08 Aug 2012 17:46:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Olympian-Brittany-Viola-diving-for-the-Lord?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">beec3990-24f5-4c6b-b6d6-09567bcedb6b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Olympic high jumper sees God in opportunity]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The fact that Jesse Williams is even on the U.S. Olympic team may seem like a fluke to some. The U.S. high jumper finished fourth in the Olympic trials earlier this summer, and only the top three qualify for the Olympics]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 08 Aug 2012 17:39:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Olympic-high-jumper-sees-God-in-opportunity?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a55d6d7e-343d-4dc5-abd2-3419d9897aca</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[U.S. triathlete says God healed him of injury]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A swimmer lagging behind the field at a triathlon competition in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in October ran to his bike for the second stage of an event. A race referee should have stopped him before he darted onto the road where the other athletes were already speeding along on their bikes. But he didn&rsquo;t]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 08 Aug 2012 17:32:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/U-S-triathlete-says-God-healed-him-of-injury?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a348843e-b28c-4926-99d5-4d5487f3f640</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Southern Baptist leaders: Calvinism should not divide SBC]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A panel of four Southern Baptist leaders Saturday (Aug. 4) talked honestly about the division within the convention over the issue of Calvinism while offering suggestions and maintaining that Southern Baptists should and can unite, despite differences.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 07 Aug 2012 18:38:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Southern-Baptist-leaders-Calvinism-should-not-divi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cc51f244-1a93-416f-af66-8f1a9d497611</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Dockery: Calvinism has roots in SBC history]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Calvinism isn&rsquo;t a recent phenomenon in Southern Baptist life but instead has deep roots in its history, Union University President David S. Dockery said Saturday (Aug. 4) at a conference on the issue.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 07 Aug 2012 18:27:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Dockery-Calvinism-has-roots-in-SBC-history?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3aa2c733-75e1-4011-b5b7-6b7d7a46ce01</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey: most Americans keep faith private online]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Meet the social media &ldquo;nones.&rdquo; A new survey finds that Americans, while mostly religious, generally do not use social media to supplement worship and mostly keep their faith private online.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:51:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Survey-most-Americans-keep-faith-private-online?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3ec7b303-0fa1-4d2d-9b03-ace849028909</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[God has used ‘ups & downs’ of volleyball, U.S. captain says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In one way, Reid Priddy hopes that the London Olympics won&rsquo;t be a repeat of what happened in Beijing. Four years ago, tragedy struck the men&rsquo;s volleyball squad when Todd Bachman, the father-in-law of team coach Hugh McCutcheon, was stabbed and killed at the Drum Tower in Beijing shortly after the Opening Ceremony.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:45:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/God-has-used-ups-downs-of-volleyball-U-S-captain-s?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4c354079-7acc-43d0-8ad1-dc8d0ae9d117</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Project identifies 8 attributes of discipleship]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[LifeWay Research surveyed 7,000 churches in 2008 to discover the principles involved with healthy congregations. Last year, LifeWay&rsquo;s researchers went back into the field to focus on individual believers, asking more than 4,000 people about their spiritual lives and level of maturity.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:03:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Project-identifies-8-attributes-of-discipleship?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6c47d8b8-8721-44e5-8061-3195f878a5f5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Disciple a people group in your neighborhood]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Ken Tan is the team leader of the multicultural team for Congregational Services with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. Tan shares his passion for his work and how God is moving among ethnic congregations across the state. He shares suggestions for how churches can become more involved.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 06 Aug 2012 18:20:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Disciple-a-people-group-in-your-neighborhood?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">84da7fef-700a-42da-9fe8-c10a31c6414d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Intense demonic battle meets gospel in Asia]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Lizzie Francis* huddled in the back seat and watched as the gang formed around the pickup truck. She clutched her friends&rsquo; two toddlers as one of the men, flanked by his brothers, got out a gun and waved it at his neighbor, yelling obscenities and threatening to end his life.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 06 Aug 2012 18:05:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Intense-demonic-battle-meets-gospel-in-Asia?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2441be7b-e83c-4f15-9f51-382103053865</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Study: Pastors’ concerns for others may harm their own health]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Most members of the clergy are taught to put the physical and spiritual needs of others first, but that self-denial may be harmful to their own health, according to a new Duke University study. Studies of United Methodist pastors in North Carolina found high rates of chronic disease and depression, and researchers worry it can be difficult to convince clergy to seek help.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 06 Aug 2012 17:59:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Study-Pastors-concerns-for-others-may-harm-their-o?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d5909a8d-65da-439a-be06-bbd2b7cd4fdb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘A brand new day’: 2,000 plus attend NAMB’s ‘Send’ conference]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[More than 2,000 church planters, pastors and other Southern Baptist leaders &ndash; triple the number originally predicted &mdash; attended the North American Mission Board&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) Send North America Conference at First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., July 30-31.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 03 Aug 2012 17:07:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/A-brand-new-day-2-000-plus-attend-NAMB-s-Send-conf?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fb01b35f-5416-4e04-9a46-a23ac257e316</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Abortion/contraceptive mandate takes effect]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Obama administration&rsquo;s much-criticized abortion/contraceptive mandate went into effect Aug. 1, forcing businesses and religious organizations to carry insurance plans covering contraceptives that can cause chemical abortions, at no cost to the employee.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 03 Aug 2012 16:58:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Abortion-contraceptive-mandate-takes-effect?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a906a156-2d9c-4ccc-bf53-1a5ca712d166</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[D.C. late-term abortion ban fails in House]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The U.S. House of Representatives has failed to approve a bill to restrict the District of Columbia&rsquo;s unfettered abortion policy. In a roll call July 31, the House voted 220-154 for the District of Columbia Pain-capable Unborn Child Protection Act, but fell short of the two-thirds majority required for passage.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 03 Aug 2012 16:52:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/D-C-late-term-abortion-ban-fails-in-House?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">826435f4-d093-417c-81b3-36c8fa3db369</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[New initiative teaches students to be leaders in missions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Holy Spirit&rsquo;s presence so overwhelmed Hannah Davidson that she left the meeting and went to pray. On this night, she knew God was calling her to devote her life to full-time international missions. &ldquo;I felt God was saying, &lsquo;You are a missionary. You have to go. You have to do this,&rsquo;&rdquo; said the freshman at North Carolina State University. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 02 Aug 2012 18:04:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/New-initiative-teaches-students-to-be-leaders-in-m?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">86b31789-efb9-4ae7-9968-4ae3c2f56c85</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chick-fil-A Day: N.C., thousands across country show support]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A television news crew set up their gear Wednesday at a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Apex, N.C.&nbsp;to capture the action as cars snaked around the parking lot and people lined up outside the building. A poster on Randy Dye&rsquo;s parked vehicle carried the message: &quot;Supporting: Christian Values, American Business, First Amendment, Chick-fil-A.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 02 Aug 2012 01:08:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Chick-fil-A-Day-N-C-thousands-across-country-show?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f8744ed6-0060-4305-9cb4-ebecf4fab88e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[ERLC’s Land announces retirement effective Oct. 2013]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Richard Land, who led the transformation of the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) ethics entity during the denomination&rsquo;s conservative resurgence, has announced he will retire next year after a quarter of a century of service as its head.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 01 Aug 2012 19:50:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/ERLC-s-Land-announces-retirement-effective-Oct-201?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6827dbf8-295a-4f75-b729-cba14e0072d1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Luter: Graham excited about future of SBC]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Billy Graham established a precedent early in his ministry during America&rsquo;s days of racial segregation by only proceeding with a crusade if blacks and whites could sit together in the audience.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 01 Aug 2012 19:44:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Luter-Graham-excited-about-future-of-SBC?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">00f9271b-9733-4402-9467-5d2a6758923d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Poll: Majority of Americans would vote for an atheist for president]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For the second time in less than a year, the Gallup poll reports that a majority of Americans would vote for an atheist for president. The latest survey, from June, found that 54 percent of those asked said they would vote a &ldquo;well- qualified&rdquo; atheist into the Oval Office &ndash; the highest percentage since Gallup began asking the question in 1958, when only 18 percent said they would back a nonbeliever.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 01 Aug 2012 19:35:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Poll-Majority-of-Americans-would-vote-for-an-athei?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">38eafdd1-f16a-44bc-a3f3-04d7196e840c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[U.S. archer: God has used struggles to ‘deepen my trust’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jennifer Nichols admits that the road to this year&rsquo;s Olympics has been one of the most trying times of her life. &ldquo;My faith has been challenged more than ever before in the last few years,&rdquo; the U.S. archer said.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 01 Aug 2012 19:13:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/U-S-archer-God-has-used-struggles-to-deepen-my-tru?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5a05a559-a7cd-4b2f-9512-1b4c9de7125b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bible museum closes $50 million deal for D.C. spot ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Planners of a Bible museum in Washington closed a $50 million deal July 26 on a building two blocks from the National Mall. The Museum of the Bible, a nonprofit group planning the, as yet, unnamed museum, announced it will be housed at 300 D Street, SW, in what is now the Washington Design Center, a series of showrooms of luxury home furnishings.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 01 Aug 2012 19:07:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/August-2012/Bible-museum-closes-$50-million-deal-for-D-C-spot?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8c3a16b4-0e37-4f4f-b4fe-993c48829ff4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Caraway celebrates 50 years]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Former Camp Caraway staff members brought their families to a special event July 21 at Caraway Conference Center and Camp near Asheboro. Directors, counselors and others gathered to reminisce and celebrate 50 years of Camp Caraway.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 31 Jul 2012 18:55:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Caraway-celebrates-50-years?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b747f7ab-4901-410a-87b6-a38584baead6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Democratic platform to endorse gay marriage]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Democratic Party&rsquo;s new platform is set to include a plank endorsing the legalization of gay marriage, marking the first time that either major party has taken such a position, several media outlets reported Monday (July 30).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 31 Jul 2012 18:41:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Democratic-platform-to-endorse-gay-marriage?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7c12186a-a1bc-4e81-a538-518d1597e5ce</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Miss. wedding refusal not indicative of SBC]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The inability of an African American couple to wed at predominantly white First Baptist Church in Crystal Springs, Miss., is not indicative of Southern Baptists, denominational leaders said.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 31 Jul 2012 18:32:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Miss-wedding-refusal-not-indicative-of-SBC?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e48820bd-2a90-4628-9964-8742dab1bb25</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Olympic diver’s empty life undergoes ‘radical change’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[David Boudia should have been happy. At age 19, he competed in his first Olympics in Beijing. USA Diving&rsquo;s male athlete of the year in 2008, Boudia was heading for what proved to be an immensely successful diving career at Purdue. But the happiness was elusive.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 31 Jul 2012 18:07:46 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Olympic-diver-s-empty-life-undergoes-radical-chang?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ac68c284-4f54-4b6c-afca-6f4a4d9ef887</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Scherer fails to medal but ‘happy with my performance’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[U.S. shooter Sarah Scherer, 21, advanced to the finals of the women&#39;s 10-meter air rifle competition July 28 at the Royal Artillery Barracks in London before settling for a seventh-place finish overall. &ldquo;I&#39;m very happy with my performance,&rdquo; Scherer said after the competition. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 31 Jul 2012 17:52:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Scherer-fails-to-medal-but-happy-with-my-performan?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">67283542-a514-49af-b947-eb0889a8c590</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. couple ministers to South Asian refugees]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The white gunnysack keeps slipping out of my hands. My arms feel like wet noodles in this Bangkok heat and humidity. It feels like I&rsquo;m carrying 70 pounds of rice, but it&rsquo;s really just 10 &ndash; plus spices, cookies, canned meat and an odd assortment of extras from the &ldquo;world hunger food closet&rdquo; at Calvary Baptist Church in Bangkok.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 30 Jul 2012 19:01:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/N-C-couple-ministers-to-South-Asian-refugees?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e2c34a39-2c07-4a5a-93fd-5d1a9762e2c5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Women’s conference to focus on God’s redeeming love]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[During the time leading up to the Babylonian exile the Israelites continually turned away from God, refusing to repent of their sins and to follow God&rsquo;s commandments. The exile could have marked the end of the Jews. &ldquo;Jerusalem was decimated and the temple was burned. It seemed like that was it,&rdquo; said Kelly Minter, a popular writer, speaker and worship leader whose latest women&rsquo;s Bible study is on Nehemiah.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:55:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Women-s-conference-to-focus-on-God-s-redeeming-lov?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">71e6c81f-bde9-472b-ad77-f410b9c44572</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tobin Heath’s passions are Christ & soccer]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Tobin Heath&rsquo;s love affair with the sport of soccer began early in life &ndash; when she started playing at age 4 at the local YMCA. &ldquo;I had an incredible sense of joy in the game,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t want to do anything else.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:47:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Tobin-Heath-s-passions-are-Christ-soccer?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2c904f21-f760-47cc-abc9-e5cb5b207f8b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[U.S. archer Wukie learns to trust God]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jacob Wukie had little reason to feel confident heading into this year&rsquo;s Olympic archery trials. Stomach problems had plagued him for weeks, significantly cutting into his training plans.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:37:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/U-S-archer-Wukie-learns-to-trust-God?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">008c0b46-270f-4317-a5bb-d29765eb338e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Immigrant-rich, multicultural London is ideal missions ground]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For more than 200 years, London has been a repository for some of the globe&rsquo;s most remarkable cultural treasures. In an hour&rsquo;s stroll through the British Museum, a visitor can view Greek statues from the Parthenon; colossal stone-winged lions from an Assyrian palace; the Rosetta Stone, the world&rsquo;s key to unlocking the language of the pharaohs; and a plethora of other incomparable, priceless treasures.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:11:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Immigrant-rich-multicultural-London-is-ideal-missi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">60a3a7d6-0e3b-4c8c-86e1-59576df12173</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Billy Graham plans to ‘Eat Mor Chikin’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With many media outlets covering the recent controversy over statements made by Chick-fil-A&rsquo;s president, more people have begun publicly supporting the business. Evangelist Billy Graham released a statement July 26 supporting Chick-fil-A and its stance on the traditional family.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:01:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Billy-Graham-plans-to-Eat-Mor-Chikin?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">73d4870c-4521-4b88-a365-468e9292d74f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Experts: Politicians can’t legally block Chick-fil-A]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Attempts by Chicago and Boston politicians to block the opening of Chick-fil-A restaurants because of the company president&rsquo;s views on marriage would be unconstitutional and also set a dangerous precedent for other businesses, say several attorneys.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jul 2012 16:55:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Experts-Politicians-can-t-legally-block-Chick-fil?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">24afcc15-e85c-462c-835a-e0012b29fe90</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[School supt.: Churches opposed to homosexuality not welcome]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The head of Miami-Dade County Public Schools wants to evict a Southern Baptist church that rents space in one of its buildings because of the congregation&rsquo;s opposition to homosexuality.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jul 2012 16:50:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/School-supt-Churches-opposed-to-homosexuality-not?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5ba49a50-0c07-4e31-8357-b8d8a1c65201</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Aurora churches kindle hope after the horror]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Almost as soon as the gunfire ceased in the Century Theater in Aurora, Colo., local churches began meeting the needs of the hurting in the community and their own congregations.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2012 18:27:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Aurora-churches-kindle-hope-after-the-horror?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ae0ae3a3-8455-489d-a4cf-b05d2dfe48ac</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Chick-fil-A Day’ sign-up tops 175,000]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[More than 175,000 people have signed up so far to take part in Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day Aug. 1, despite the fact that Facebook workers may have censored the event page for about 12 hours Tuesday. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2012 18:16:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Chick-fil-A-Day-sign-up-tops-175-000?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a0510217-65c6-4c8d-97ce-871a5e54fd71</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Seminary to support ‘Chick-fil-A Day’ Aug. 1]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary will be buying chicken sandwiches for faculty, staff and students on Aug. 1 to show its support for Chick-Fil-A as part of a nationwide initiative launched by former presidential candidate and Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2012 18:13:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Seminary-to-support-Chick-fil-A-Day-Aug-1?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6c512c69-76a1-4ab1-a612-53a1e5b9b77f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[For Planned Parenthood, bad news becoming commonplace]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[There&rsquo;s good news and bad news for Planned Parenthood. The good news is the Obama administration continues to go out of its way to funnel money to the country&rsquo;s No. 1 abortion provider. The bad news is Planned Parenthood can&rsquo;t stop scandals and negative reports from reaching at least some of the American public.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2012 18:07:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/For-Planned-Parenthood-bad-news-becoming-commonpla?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ee4b450a-7789-470a-ae7b-652a7b8aa98c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Poll: Minn. marriage amend. up 52-37 percent]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A proposed constitutional amendment in Minnesota that would define marriage as between one man and one woman is enjoying a 15-point lead, according to a new poll. The amendment, which will be on the ballot in November, leads by a margin of 52-37 percent, according to the SurveyUSA poll, which was conducted July 17-19 among 552 likely voters for KSTP-TV.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2012 17:59:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Poll-Minn-marriage-amend-up-52-37-percent?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fe5b470b-5df0-4131-8784-70eb7c634466</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Church and family connect]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[I have been involved with ministry to families in one role or another for over 20 years. For the last 13 of those years, I&rsquo;ve also been a father. Ironically, the twin roles of pastor and father collided for me when my kids were preschoolers.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:33:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Church-and-family-connect?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">51ae6f66-a257-4530-b775-6d154370e44a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Critics: State fumbled China trafficking rating]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The U.S. State Department&rsquo;s refusal to categorize China as one of the world&rsquo;s worst countries at combating human trafficking continues to receive criticism.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:29:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Critics-State-fumbled-China-trafficking-rating?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">04e993a9-dfd7-4f3d-b1ea-7e51d5369aed</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In Taipei, parade of idols sparks prayer]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[It started off as a typical Tuesday morning in Taipei for Southern Baptist missionary Erin Pendleton*. After cooking breakfast for her husband and sons and getting the boys off to school, Pendleton started down her to-do list for the day, which included a trip on her bicycle to buy a Dustbuster.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:12:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/In-Taipei-parade-of-idols-sparks-prayer?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">751df847-6cca-4c50-867b-a67470c3fa25</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Churches in Taipei sprout from student ministry]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Taipei is a bit like a waffle &ndash; at least that&rsquo;s how missionary Ward Ferris* sees it. &ldquo;A pancake, you pour the syrup on and it goes everywhere. But with a waffle ... you&rsquo;ve got to intentionally pour it into each little waffle,&rdquo; the International Mission Board worker explained.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:10:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Churches-in-Taipei-sprout-from-student-ministry?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">665713d6-c09c-4639-a7f8-0e968f17465f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[House panel OKs D.C. late-term abortion ban]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A congressional committee has approved a bill seeking to place a limitation on the District of Columbia&rsquo;s unfettered abortion policy. The House of Representatives Judiciary Committee voted 18-14 July 18 to send the District of Columbia Pain-capable Unborn Child Protection Act to the full chamber.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:06:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/House-panel-OKs-D-C-late-term-abortion-ban?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bc08fff1-858c-4fca-8b3b-93a308bc8721</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Discovering a life of discipleship]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The life of discipleship is filled with discovery. We must discover who Jesus is and what He expects. We must also discover who we are and how we will respond to Jesus&rsquo; call to discipleship.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:39:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Discovering-a-life-of-discipleship?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e6ae5172-1f82-441b-9445-0410913f0620</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Aurora church near theater massacre, aims to convey that ‘God is real’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Less than a mile separates the movie theater in suburban Denver where 12 people were killed and Mississippi Avenue Baptist Church. Aurora pastor Mitch Hamilton told the congregation Sunday that the bulletins for the service would not be of much use &ndash; they were printed Thursday and then &ldquo;everything changed&rdquo; just after midnight.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:30:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Aurora-church-near-theater-massacre-aims-to-convey?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8ecee132-4937-4ecf-a49d-d19671b41c12</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC chaplain ministers to Aurora survivors]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[U.S. Army Chaplain Jared Vineyard was only in his fifth day on the job at nearby Buckley Air Force Base when a dozen innocent victims were brutally murdered by a gunman early last Friday morning at the Century Theater in Aurora.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:22:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/SBC-chaplain-ministers-to-Aurora-survivors?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b459a55f-6381-43f8-8a01-42b67d556ce2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Huckabee launches ‘Chick-fil-A Day’ for Aug. 1]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Former presidential candidate and Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee says he is &ldquo;incensed&rdquo; at the way Chick-fil-A has been treated in recent days, and he is launching a nationwide Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day for Aug. 1, urging people to visit the restaurant that day or to make their support known via social media.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:15:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Huckabee-launches-Chick-fil-A-Day-for-Aug-1?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5af53bd9-c03a-4023-9ce4-aa7fd0a44d71</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Transforming women’s lives through discipleship]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Eva Rice moved from Winston-Salem to Sparta, N.C., she saw a need in her church for discipleship among the women. Rice saw that the women were involved in Sunday School, but there was a lack of application of what they were learning.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2012 18:00:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Transforming-women-s-lives-through-discipleship?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0a64f2eb-c94b-4f57-a078-c689e81d3a0d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Wheaton sues to strike abortion drug mandate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Evangelical school Wheaton College has joined the list of religious organizations suing to overturn the Obama administration&rsquo;s abortion/contraceptive mandate, asserting in a new federal suit that the mandate for religious organizations is unconstitutional and &ldquo;runs roughshod over Wheaton&rsquo;s religious beliefs.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:49:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Wheaton-sues-to-strike-abortion-drug-mandate?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d47f52c4-b3cc-46ac-8aed-31f4c1edd9d9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Orphaned children tug at collegians’ hearts]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Barrett Keene is walking from coast to coast to raise awareness about the plight of orphans &ndash; a journey &ldquo;that&rsquo;s crazy enough that people pause and say, &lsquo;What is going on? Why is he doing this?&rsquo;&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:40:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Orphaned-children-tug-at-collegians-hearts?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">39e9b024-c1f0-43cf-b15a-6518406e8844</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Editor recounts ‘positive’ Chick-fil-A story; some reports ‘distorted’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As debate continues to swirl over comments made by Chick-fil-A&rsquo;s president, the <em>Biblical Recorder</em>&rsquo;s editor described many media reports of his conversation with the company&rsquo;s president as &ldquo;distorted.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jul 2012 14:55:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Editor-recounts-positive-Chick-fil-A-story;-some-r?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">81fb94dd-d2ee-4e7a-a798-68f1305f3a93</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Trust the trustees’ editorial stirs responses]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[An editorial written by a Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) state newspaper editor has opened a dialogue on the role and accountability of the various boards of trustees governing SBC entities.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jul 2012 14:48:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Trust-the-trustees-editorial-stirs-responses?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0ef6c370-c9c2-4d58-a31d-2251ae28e92a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chick-fil-A interview with BR triggers media storm]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Comments Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy made to the <em>Biblical Recorder</em> newspaper -- in a story re-posted by Baptist Press -- have&nbsp;been mentioned on networks such as CNN and referenced by the <em>Los Angeles Times</em>, <em>Washington Post</em>, <em>Atlanta Journal-Constitution</em>, <em>Associated Press</em> and <em>Huffington Post,</em> just to name a few ...]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jul 2012 21:06:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Chick-fil-A-interview-with-BR-triggers-media-storm?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f96fb052-4324-4c91-b4d4-79179e229b55</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Luter, while opposed to Obama on gay marriage, appreciates call ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Fred Luter and Barack Obama share historical distinctions as African Americans&rsquo; first Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) and U.S. presidents, respectively, but on the political-moral issue of gay marriage they are on opposite sides &ndash; a disagreement driven by Luter&rsquo;s commitment to the Bible.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:32:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Luter-while-opposed-to-Obama-on-gay-marriage-appre?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9b6cbd69-e8ef-4efd-b4f2-02bfdc5e7c9b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Boy Scouts reaffirm exclusion of gay leaders]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[After a confidential two-year review, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is upholding its policy to exclude homosexuals from membership and leadership posts in the group, despite activists&rsquo; cries for change.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:25:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Boy-Scouts-reaffirm-exclusion-of-gay-leaders?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">53fdeae6-668d-472b-8b79-05f8bf2c2bfa</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gallup reports new low in religious confidence]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Americans&rsquo; confidence in organized religion, slowly but steadily declining since the 1970s, slipped to a new low in the latest survey, the Gallup Organization reported. Today only 44 percent of Americans have &ldquo;a great deal&rdquo; or &ldquo;quite a lot&rdquo; of confidence in &ldquo;the church or organized religion,&rdquo; Gallup said. It was 68 percent in the mid-1970s.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:22:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Gallup-reports-new-low-in-religious-confidence?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f05f4448-b932-4416-8b2b-d421fe3bc971</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Alliance Defense Fund changes its name]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Alliance Defense Fund (<a href="http://www.alliancedefendingfreedom.org/" target="_blank"><strong><em>ADF</em></strong></a>), one of the nation&rsquo;s leading Christian legal groups, has a new name &ndash; the Alliance Defending Freedom.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:16:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Alliance-Defense-Fund-changes-its-name?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">127f8c07-8081-4e6f-a283-544baa841b83</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Warren hopes to host Obama-Romney forum]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pastor Rick Warren says he hopes to host another forum between the major two presidential candidates this year &ndash; similar to what took place in 2008 &ndash; although no formal agreement is in place. The pastor of Saddleback Church in California told reporters during a conference call July 16 that he has reached out to the campaigns of President Obama and presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney, <a href="http://www.FoxNews.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>FoxNews.com</strong></em></a> reported.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 2012 19:17:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Warren-hopes-to-host-Obama-Romney-forum?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">17d82da3-e86a-45ec-9c17-0fcfda000063</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[How mentoring, discipleship changed the ‘most hateful man’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Don&rsquo;t be fooled by Jim Gillespie&rsquo;s appearance &ndash; that leather vest, braided goatee and all-around rugged biker look. Gillespie, pastor of men&rsquo;s ministry at Richland Creek Community Church in Wake Forest, admits he doesn&rsquo;t quite fit the typical profile of your average Southern Baptist pastor.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 2012 19:00:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/How-mentoring-discipleship-changed-the-most-hatefu?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">29d2177d-a236-4eb6-a84b-b2c3d35e73a8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[10 life-changing tips that will change a man’s life]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In his two-volume book, <em>Mentoring Men for the Master Handbook and 10 absolute life-changers of men; guaranteed</em>, author Bill Bennett details how a man can transform his life for Christ &ndash; inside and out.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 2012 18:50:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/10-life-changing-tips-that-will-change-a-man-s-lif?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">42baf5bf-36d2-4844-8ebe-cbef376f3522</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Laura Story sees ‘Blessings’ beyond awards]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;Blessings&rdquo; is more than just a song that has garnered several key awards for Christian singer-songwriter Laura Story; it is her own tale of finding healing and peace with hardship. Story&rsquo;s song came from her own personal struggle understanding God&rsquo;s plan after learning that her husband had a brain tumor early in their marriage.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 2012 18:36:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Laura-Story-sees-Blessings-beyond-awards?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8b768736-5ca9-43c3-b78c-138e4dabe697</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Lineman overcomes troubled past, ministers to needy children]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Washington Redskins defensive lineman Kedric Golston will enter his seventh season in the NFL this fall.&nbsp;The former Georgia Bulldog is talented, big, fast and strong. I recently had the opportunity to work a youth football camp with him for two days in Lenoir, N.C.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2012 19:43:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Lineman-overcomes-troubled-past-ministers-to-needy?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4a8ab6e3-8136-4414-9d19-32b6e4f0b7ba</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Grandview not only church in need of ‘miracle’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Grandview Baptist Church members began to pack up and move out of the church building, they were uncertain what was next. Pastor John Whisnant Jr. was at the church packing up boxes with a looming deadline the next day to vacate the premises on the foreclosed property.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2012 19:11:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Grandview-not-only-church-in-need-of-miracle?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">493b434f-9529-4460-893e-f81f34ad23f7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hospice chaplain is there when death looms]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Behind the wheel of his red Ford pickup truck, Danny Ray drives a nine-county circuit &ndash; always trailing terminal illness, inevitable death and heartache. Ray&rsquo;s ministry as a hospice chaplain is not one for the faint of heart or the weak of spirit.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:59:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Hospice-chaplain-is-there-when-death-looms?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a1285907-0aed-4f36-83ae-eb2edc7d6750</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Judge issues split ruling on Miss. abortion law]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Mississippi&rsquo;s only abortion clinic will stay open even though a new law that threatens its existence has gone into effect. In a ruling July 13, federal judge Daniel Jordan III of Jackson permitted the law to become effective.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:48:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Judge-issues-split-ruling-on-Miss-abortion-law?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b65194c7-6f6d-445a-8bea-516893384f86</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[The pursuit of disciple making]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As an associational missionary, Chuck Campbell began to notice a glaring deficiency in church ministry and in the personal lives of pastors. His concern was not born out of a judgmental position, but from a passion to help pastors become more effective in their calling.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 16 Jul 2012 19:15:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/The-pursuit-of-disciple-making?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a741e461-e44a-4b66-8ec4-6d22441becce</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[The church, discipleship and culture]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[What do you get when you place a frog in a pot of lukewarm water and slowly turn up the heat until it is boiling?&nbsp; Supper &ndash; because the frog will stay in the water until it boils to death! In 1990, a groundbreaking and rather controversial book was published with a futuristic look at the transforming culture of the coming millennium for the church.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 16 Jul 2012 19:01:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/The-church-discipleship-and-culture?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bd902f2e-5d6f-49cb-9f21-5d0012d6dc39</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Executive Committee approves 2013 budget]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Executive Committee (EC) of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>) met July 12 to hear the proposed 2013 Cooperative Program budget and other reports.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:57:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Executive-Committee-approves-2013-budget?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5a3e3f48-5a4b-4eea-b628-c73643a37bda</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Leaders, steer students to campus ministries]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em> <strong>Baptist State Convention of North Carolina</strong></em></a> wants students across the state to get involved in Baptist Campus Ministries. This list is provided as a ministry resource to you and your church to help students find a campus ministry on or near their campus where they can plug in to ministry.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:21:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Leaders-steer-students-to-campus-ministries?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3ff77774-646d-48cd-8f83-23197cb11f98</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Glorieta Conference Center may go to Calif.-based school]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The potential sale of <a href="http://www.LifeWay.com" target="_blank"><strong><em>LifeWay</em></strong></a> Glorieta Conference Center has turned from the Baptist Convention of New Mexico (BCNM) to a California-based Christian school, Olivet University.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:09:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Glorieta-Conference-Center-may-go-to-Calif-based-s?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">eb035f96-0522-41c8-8349-cdf46df036f6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Crisis pregnancy centers get big legal win]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In the latest legal victory for pro-life crisis pregnancy centers nationwide, an appeals court has struck down a Baltimore, Md., law that would have required such facilities to post, in large print outside their doors, a sign saying they don&rsquo;t provide abortions or refer clients to abortion providers.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:53:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Crisis-pregnancy-centers-get-big-legal-win?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">61d9cce1-c41e-42d1-ae90-61758e886cf6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Accounts of forced abortions in China only ‘tip of the iceberg’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Recent reports of women undergoing late-term abortions against their will are &ldquo;only the tip of the iceberg&rdquo; of the forced procedures that occur daily in China, a Christian advocate for human rights has told a congressional panel.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:43:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Accounts-of-forced-abortions-in-China-only-tip-of?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1524829c-65c3-4a8a-b1c6-a54ebaed2271</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Suit against Ky. children’s agency to proceed]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A federal judge has ruled that millions of dollars in state funding received by a Kentucky Baptist children&rsquo;s agency can be challenged in court once again.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:34:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Suit-against-Ky-children-s-agency-to-proceed?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cfe4da2a-b313-4e2d-8cfd-fec48a8fa8ac</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[100 Christians killed in Nigeria massacre]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Tensions in central Nigeria have run high all week between two Nigerian people groups after a massacre killing of some 100 members of the Church of Christ in Nigeria July 7. The groups, located in the Plateau state of Nigeria, include ethnic Fulani, who are mainly Muslim, and ethnic Birom, who are mainly Christian.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:28:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/100-Christians-killed-in-Nigeria-massacre?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4f743843-32ba-46ae-b395-7d9d185fcf49</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Senator’s resolution applauds Luter election]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D.-La., has introduced a congressional resolution congratulating the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) for electing as president Fred Luter Jr., the first African American to hold the post.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 12 Jul 2012 18:54:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Senator-s-resolution-applauds-Luter-election?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ee4526e6-3d5a-44a1-9216-e925145e64fe</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iranian pastor, facing death, passes 1,000th day in jail]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, arrested in 2009 and later handed a death sentence simply for being a Christian, has now been in prison 1,000 days. Nadarkhani marked his 1,000th day in prison July 8, a marker that his supporters hope serves to keep his case in front of the international community.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 12 Jul 2012 18:49:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Iranian-pastor-facing-death-passes-1-000th-day-in?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1d54cc1d-096f-4c19-8871-2a28ebb58375</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Obamacare’ repeal passes House again]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The U.S. House of Representatives again has voted to repeal the 2010 health care reform law, and the Senate again is expected to reject the proposal. The Republican-controlled House voted 244-185 July 11 to rescind the controversial measure for the second time in 18 months.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 12 Jul 2012 18:44:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Obamacare-repeal-passes-House-again?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">86a27274-0f6f-4829-a915-8ce1ef2e37d1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[James Nelson, former Montana exec, dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[James W. Nelson, executive director of the Montana Southern Baptist Fellowship (now Montana Southern Baptist Convention) from 1985 until his retirement in 1994, died July 4 in Albuquerque, N.M. He was 88.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 12 Jul 2012 18:36:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/James-Nelson-former-Montana-exec-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5ccbfa6e-1733-443a-ac49-a8e4eaf51260</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Man U chaplain to manage faith presence in Olympic Village]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[John Boyers&rsquo; gig at the Summer Olympics might seem sensational until you see his normal digs. His &ldquo;office&rdquo; &ndash; the home of the Manchester United football (soccer) club &ndash; is nicknamed the Theatre of Dreams. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jul 2012 19:22:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Man-U-chaplain-to-manage-faith-presence-in-Olympic?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">81041c84-d31d-47da-8e59-00baaf60cfa5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Duke: immigration decisions show D.C. must act]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Recent decisions by both the U.S. Supreme Court and the White House demonstrate anew the need for Congress to provide immigration reform, a Southern Baptist public policy specialist says.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jul 2012 19:01:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Duke-immigration-decisions-show-D-C-must-act?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ed35075c-2f0d-4ca1-8754-d2da6d0c3667</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bourbon Street sex industry is ministry’s focus]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[New Orleans&rsquo; Bourbon Street is awash nightly in neon light and lewd images. Some in the crowd disappear into the strip clubs that line the street. Others come only to gawk. One Crossover team prior to this year&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>Southern Baptist Convention</strong></em></a> annual meeting &ndash; all women &ndash; came to pray.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:37:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Bourbon-Street-sex-industry-is-ministry-s-focus?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">86c3232c-cc8a-4f41-a0a9-c722268d964f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[CBF honors Vestal, passes strategic report]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Participants in the June 20-22 General Assembly meeting of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship considered what moderator-elect Keith Herron described as &ldquo;life in the wrinkle of time between the past and the present,&rdquo; as Coordinator Daniel Vestal was honored for 15 years of leadership and a strategic report to refocus and streamline organizational structures was embraced unanimously.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:30:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/CBF-honors-Vestal-passes-strategic-report?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">57bdb293-2777-4402-a60e-d97284d4fe0e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[North Carolina pulls plug on Planned Parenthood]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina has joined a growing list of states that don&rsquo;t want to support Planned Parenthood with taxpayer dollars. Under a new budget approved July 3, the state will send the $434,000 that was formerly sent to Planned Parenthood to county health departments in the next fiscal year.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:11:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/North-Carolina-pulls-plug-on-Planned-Parenthood?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">142cbb62-c099-444f-bdf8-1f1851455452</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Orphanology’ author says adoption shouldn’t be ‘Plan B’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Every adoption story is unique, but the tale of how pastor and author Tony Merida came to see he should adopt &ndash; essentially, through his own sermon &ndash; likely is quite rare. When Merida was asked to preach at a youth camp on the subject of poverty, he began studying the subject in-depth, looking at the issue from a worldwide perspective.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:57:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Orphanology-author-says-adoption-shouldn-t-be-Plan?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1d6d3ed7-72c5-4530-b545-0f6fad224e9c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Restaurant church discount draws investigation]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A family-owned restaurant in Pennsylvania is under a state discrimination investigation for offering a 10 percent discount for diners who present a church bulletin on Sundays. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission confirmed there is an investigation against Prudhomme&rsquo;s Lost Cajun Kitchen in the town of Columbia. The complaint was filed by John Wolff, a retired electrical engineer.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:50:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Restaurant-church-discount-draws-investigation?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cec2c599-b8fa-4761-a336-199f3bac136b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chinese baby, in utero, led to mom’s baptism]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Were it not for newborn Vivian Wang, her family might have missed out. It was Vivian&rsquo;s life in utero that helped place the Wangs at a Chinese Baptist church on the Sunday when Vivian&rsquo;s mother Jenny and brother Jerry were baptized along with 14 others.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:43:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Chinese-baby-in-utero-led-to-mom-s-baptism?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c9292bbf-16d9-49f0-a272-d110a66b6a8b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Verdict reversal requested in Fla. suit]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Florida Baptist Convention has filed two post-trial motions seeking reversal of an &ldquo;inconsistent&rdquo; jury verdict in May that found it liable for sexual abuse committed by a former church planting pastor. While the jury found the convention liable for sexual abuse of a minor committed by the pastor, it also agreed with the convention&rsquo;s contention that the pastor was not its employee.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:36:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Verdict-reversal-requested-in-Fla-suit?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b00a5784-22c0-4721-96d8-f3dc0c9b8097</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tenn. law restricting sex-ed could serve as national model]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[State legislators in Tennessee have made it official: Sex toys and graphic promotions of sexual activity are not welcome in public schools. With the signing into law of SB 3310 by Gov. Bill Haslam, public schools that teach sex education classes must emphasize abstinence, and teachers are barred from promoting &ldquo;gateway sexual activity&rdquo; that encourages students to sexually experiment.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jul 2012 19:30:37 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Tenn-law-restricting-sex-ed-could-serve-as-nationa?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6bfc01a3-bda3-496b-8689-8f889432dd10</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Teen STD rates rise, despite high condom use]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) rates have continued to grow, particularly in teenagers, despite condom usage remaining at or near record levels, according to recent data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jul 2012 19:22:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Teen-STD-rates-rise-despite-high-condom-use?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0065fc2a-9ff5-48b8-bd4d-48319effeb3b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In Asia, former SBC president sees breakthrough to the unreached]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Headlights pierce the darkness of this Southeast Asian village as a Toyota truck bounces along the dirt path. American pastors have hiked for hours down the side of a mountain in extreme heat and humidity to reach the village. One of the pastors is suffering from dehydration, and the truck has arrived to transport him to the nearest hospital.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jul 2012 19:14:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/In-Asia-former-SBC-president-sees-breakthrough-to?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1e68aacc-def7-4272-a653-b2b70c32bfaf</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Suits for Servants’ founder Tatum passes away]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Radiant in an ivory dress suit, a smiling Bernice Tatum told mourners she met Jim Tatum nearly 63 years ago on a rainy July evening when he sought shelter from Florida&rsquo;s rain. It was the first time he ever set foot in a church, she said. What followed was a dedicated life of service to God and to the church, his wife told hundreds at a memorial service at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jul 2012 19:03:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Suits-for-Servants-founder-Tatum-passes-away?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b494cff3-0f70-4324-be38-6c3ff6571086</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Candidates urged to speak out for persecuted]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Religious freedom advocates need to persuade each presidential candidate to &ldquo;grow a backbone&rdquo; and speak out for the rights of Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East, a Southern Baptist church-state specialist said at a recent Washington conference.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jul 2012 17:31:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Candidates-urged-to-speak-out-for-persecuted?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7e99cebd-20a6-427f-87fd-90fca95a7a43</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pastor’s encounter with terrorist: beatings, jail, yet perseverance]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A group of criminals sits jam-packed in the filthy Indian holding cell. The smell of urine permeates the dank air. Two bedraggled men in the corner stand out from the other detainees &ndash; not because of their threadbare clothes or clean-cut features but because of their actions. Pabitra Kata hums a hymn while Niladri Kanhar prays.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jul 2012 17:23:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Pastor-s-encounter-with-terrorist-beatings-jail-ye?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0cd2fbaa-5e99-4c02-859f-f96b9f544927</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Audio: ‘How many of you have been persecuted?’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The evangelists sit on the floor listening intently as I teach about persecution. They soak up the lesson on 1 Peter like it&rsquo;s news from a long lost friend. I stop and ask, &ldquo;How many of you have been persecuted for your faith?&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jul 2012 17:10:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Audio-How-many-of-you-have-been-persecuted?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bac406b1-cd94-4aa7-8eac-4ea10359a100</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[CP 4.27% above budget for year]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist national and international missions and ministries received by the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Executive Committee are $5,959,045.57, or 4.27 percent, above the year-to-date budgeted goal, and are .32 percent above contributions received during the same time frame last year, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Frank S. Page.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jul 2012 17:08:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/CP-4-27-above-budget-for-year?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">52c5ada0-084b-4b6a-bf81-ae7e2299cb1c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptists respond to W.Va. - UPDATED STORY]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[While many Americans were enjoying Fourth of July celebrations, <a href="http://www.baptistsonmission.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>North Carolina Baptist Men</strong></em></a> deployed its Manna One unit and about 50 disaster relief volunteers to Lewisburg, W.Va. Since then, they have helped provide meals to locals who lost power due to a destructive storm that moved through the area.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 2012 19:06:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/N-C-Baptists-respond-to-W-Va-UPDATED-STORY?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0b68056a-626a-40f8-845b-aa4b4253a1e3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Storms & fires activate DR in 15 states]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist Disaster Relief units are in action in 15 states in response to recent storms in the mid-Atlantic, flooding in Florida and wildfires in Colorado. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a busy time,&rdquo; said Mickey Caison, the North American Mission Board&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) disaster relief team leader who is in Colorado assisting relief efforts with the wildfire in the state.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:56:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Storms-fires-activate-DR-in-15-states?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a31ebc28-a685-40f5-9f1f-3aa549eaa566</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Amid wildfires, Beth Moore holds forth ‘new start’ in Colo.]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With acrid smoke from devastating wildfires still looming over Colorado Springs, approximately 5,000 women there lifted their voices in praise and worship to God at a Living Proof Live conference featuring Bible teacher Beth Moore.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:51:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Amid-wildfires-Beth-Moore-holds-forth-new-start-in?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">11294522-5da3-4fe9-ae4b-33a3476080b1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gay marriage issue appealed to Supreme Court]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The issue of gay marriage has officially been appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court in a move that could lead to a landmark ruling.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:46:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Gay-marriage-issue-appealed-to-Supreme-Court?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fb080020-f8c8-4eff-ba88-4debd9894c75</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Storms, fires activate DR in 15 states]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist Disaster Relief units are in action in 15 states in response to recent storms in the mid-Atlantic, flooding in Florida and wildfires in Colorado.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jul 2012 00:37:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Storms-fires-activate-DR-in-15-states?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3e2185d3-95f2-4af1-9f2e-0426b243cf89</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[These Corinthians cooperate to support missions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[If you pass through Elizabeth City headed to the coast, you just might pass by Corinth Baptist Church that sits alongside U.S. 17 near the city&rsquo;s cluster of restaurants and shopping centers. David M. Turner, Corinth&rsquo;s pastor, is committed to cooperation with the other churches of Chowan Baptist Association, North Carolina Baptists and Southern Baptists beyond.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jul 2012 17:29:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/These-Corinthians-cooperate-to-support-missions?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4b1f31ab-728a-48bd-87ee-1f714fdc05f0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[18 dead in twin church attacks in Kenya]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[At least 18 people died while 66 were wounded in Kenya&rsquo;s northeastern town of Garissa on July 1 when assailants burst into the Africa Inland Church (AIC) and Catholic Church, shooting at worshipers with firearms and detonating grenades. Two policemen guarding the AIC churches were among those killed. Four of the injured are in critical condition in Nairobi hospitals.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jul 2012 17:26:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/18-dead-in-twin-church-attacks-in-Kenya?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5db28054-1508-49df-82a3-cce9fab74211</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Guilty as charged,’ Dan Cathy says of Chick-fil-A’s stand on faith]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Dan Cathy oversees one of the country&rsquo;s most successful businesses. As president and chief operating officer of Chick-fil-A, Cathy leads a business with 1,608 restaurants that had sales of more than $4 billion dollars last year. They sell chicken and train employees to focus on values rooted in the Bible.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 02 Jul 2012 19:55:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Guilty-as-charged-Dan-Cathy-says-of-Chick-fil-A-s?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">398a0d5f-bd3a-45ca-9216-8228a1af676d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NYC churches can meet in schools, judge rules]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A federal judge ruled June 29 that churches and other faith groups can continue to meet in New York City public school buildings for worship services.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 02 Jul 2012 19:51:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/NYC-churches-can-meet-in-schools-judge-rules?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b03935fb-ce6e-4fc1-bacc-55fdea2283b5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC President Fred Luter’s mother dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Viola Blayton Brooks, 82, the mother of newly elected Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter Jr., died June 27. A life-long resident of New Orleans, Brooks was one of two daughters born to Joseph and Winnie Blayton, who preceded her in death.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 02 Jul 2012 19:42:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/SBC-President-Fred-Luter-s-mother-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cc6c9e2d-7bf7-4f16-8cd6-b87482b6e803</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Messengers pass resolutions on ‘Sinner’s Prayer,’ gay marriage]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messsengers to the Southern Baptist Convention approved resolutions June 20 reaffirming their convictions regarding the means of salvation and the inerrancy of scripture while indicating their intention to continue cooperating in the Great Commission despite some theological differences.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 02 Jul 2012 19:37:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Messengers-pass-resolutions-on-Sinner-s-Prayer-gay?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d0d0809d-390b-4c1e-b341-c382c942aba6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bryant Wright exhorts traditionalists & Calvinists]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The &ldquo;elephant in the room&rdquo; in the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) is the tension between &ldquo;traditional&rdquo; Southern Baptists and &ldquo;Calvinists,&rdquo; Southern Baptist Convention President Bryant Wright said in his message to the SBC annual meeting June 19 in New Orleans.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 02 Jul 2012 19:26:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/Bryant-Wright-exhorts-traditionalists-Calvinists?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">33b840f9-c425-4b1b-8886-39a74333cef8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Bible storying’ is key to reaching 2/3 of world]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Storytelling is one of the most effective ways to reach two-thirds of the world&rsquo;s population who &ldquo;learn through stories or music, drama or poetry.&rdquo; &ldquo;If you hand them a book to read, they either can&rsquo;t read it or they won&rsquo;t read it,&rdquo; International Mission Board (IMB) worker Annette Hall said of chronological Bible storying&rsquo;s impact in addressing Woman&rsquo;s Missionary Union&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.wmu.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>WMU</strong></em></a>) Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting June 17-18 in New Orleans.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:53:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Bible-storying-is-key-to-reaching-2-3-of-world?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8d060765-20f3-4673-bc1b-fac2517e6a3b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Evangelists underscore ‘power of God’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Two former presidents and the new president of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists (COSBE) focused on &ldquo;The Gospel: The Power of God Unto Salvation&rdquo; during the group&rsquo;s worship June 17 in New Orleans prior to the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) annual meeting.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:44:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Evangelists-underscore-power-of-God?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">034663dd-7bee-43a0-b7e7-0ffc3a5fbd9e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[IMB, NAMB presidents address DOMs’ queries]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Directors of Missions (SBCADOM) held its annual meeting at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary June 17-18. Nearly 225 associational leaders attended the SBCADOM sessions in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) annual meeting June 19-20 in New Orleans.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 28 Jun 2012 20:27:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/IMB-NAMB-presidents-address-DOMs-queries?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">64dbf0de-7a98-4cf9-9d08-27acae5fe84a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[God-given femininity: Value it, Kassian says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A sold-out crowd of 1,800 ministers&rsquo; wives heard Mary Kassian speak on &ldquo;The Hidden Person of the Heart,&rdquo; drawing from 1 Peter 3, at their luncheon during the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (SBC) annual meeting in New Orleans.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 28 Jun 2012 20:23:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/God-given-femininity-Value-it-Kassian-says?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0f3a6458-4a2b-4a65-86ca-ec55115cae1d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Health care law upheld, disappointing pro-lifers]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The U.S. Supreme Court narrowly upheld the 2010 health care law Thursday, dealing a disheartening setback to pro-life and religious liberty advocates who fervently oppose the controversial measure. With Chief Justice John Roberts casting the deciding vote, the high court announced its affirmation in a 5-4 opinion of what is often labeled as &ldquo;Obamacare.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:06:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Health-care-law-upheld-disappointing-pro-lifers?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">edb9a12c-2578-4e77-9fc8-778c1ac18729</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bedouin tent at SBC inspires Great Commission prayer]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jill Welton quickly discovered that the Bedouin tent inside the convention center wasn&rsquo;t a marketing gimmick. It was a place for prayer and reflection. Welton, a pastor&rsquo;s wife from Berryville, Va., had come to New Orleans for the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) annual meeting and visited IMB&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.imb.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>International Mission Board</strong></em></a>) booth in the exhibit hall.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 27 Jun 2012 18:05:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Bedouin-tent-at-SBC-inspires-Great-Commission-pray?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">107cbdf2-5f8f-4724-be81-d49e2a599600</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Native Americans install 1st executive director]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Fellowship of Native American Christians (FoNAC) has installed its first executive director, Gary Hawkins. Hawkins, a church planting associate with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, was called by FoNAC&rsquo;s executive committee as the group&rsquo;s executive director.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 27 Jun 2012 17:57:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Native-Americans-install-1st-executive-director?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a91cf735-51d8-405e-bb28-99904bbe457c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[As African Sahel hunger crisis deepens, pleas for help grow]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The food crisis in Africa&rsquo;s Sahel region is expected to remain critical throughout the summer, a United Nations relief official has announced. Southern Baptists are being asked to pray for those who are suffering near starvation and for the workers struggling to help them, and to give to the World Hunger Fund.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 27 Jun 2012 17:41:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/As-African-Sahel-hunger-crisis-deepens-pleas-for-h?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2222d3bd-da1c-4988-964f-ac1b55582c25</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NAMB, at SBC, spotlights spiritual need of North America]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Last year at the 2011 Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) annual meeting in Phoenix, Matt Mowrey took the stage as a testimony to God&rsquo;s work in Norwich, Conn., through North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) missionary Shaun Pillay. This year Southern Baptists saw video of Matt&rsquo;s dad who, shortly after watching last year&rsquo;s presentation, became one of Norwich&rsquo;s newest believers.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:16:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/NAMB-at-SBC-spotlights-spiritual-need-of-North-Ame?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6a4d98ea-4df7-4dbf-b239-6c6d06739e52</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ezell: Bivocational pastors are SBC’s ‘Iron Men’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Called the &ldquo;Iron Men of the SBC,&rdquo; some 180 bivocational pastors and their wives from 17 states attended the third annual Bivocational Luncheon June 20, during the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) annual meeting in New Orleans. The luncheon was sponsored by the North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:05:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Ezell-Bivocational-pastors-are-SBC-s-Iron-Men?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">76922647-81aa-44aa-83b1-f39830a932bc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptists help impact Hispanic outreach during Crossover]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Since April, Guillermo Soriano has been praying and thinking about Crossover 2012 in New Orleans. Crossover, an evangelistic emphasis held each year prior to the <a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>Southern Baptist Convention</strong></em></a> meeting, is coordinated by local churches, associations and the <a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>North American Mission Board</strong></em></a>.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:58:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/N-C-Baptists-help-impact-Hispanic-outreach-during?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ff10ebf1-de2d-492d-a3d0-675c7b3a6b86</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Uth urges messengers to ‘see those around you’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[David Uth called Southern Baptists to a fresh understanding of the depth of the love of Jesus Christ, urging them to &ldquo;love loud and love much because of all that He has forgiven.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:54:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Uth-urges-messengers-to-see-those-around-you?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">45307a67-bed1-4f08-8318-0f2f0356a2da</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Church plants benefit from Crossover 2012]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Edith Sampson Park near the Desire Housing Project buzzed with activity June 16 as kids from the surrounding neighborhood played on a giant slip-n-slide and munched on hot dogs. The event was one of 38 block parties hosted by Southern Baptist churches around metro New Orleans during Crossover 2012.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:49:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Church-plants-benefit-from-Crossover-2012?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">05bd68ee-3f93-4175-a09f-f890316ff181</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[WMU celebrates Jesus’ story in New Orleans]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;The Story Lives On&rdquo; &ndash; Woman&rsquo;s Missionary Union&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.wmu.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>WMU</strong></em></a>) 2012-13 theme &ndash; took life through the words of a New Orleans pastor, an International Mission Board (<a href="http://www.imb.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>IMB</strong></em></a>) missionary and others during the opening session of WMU&rsquo;s June 17-18 meeting in New Orleans.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:37:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/WMU-celebrates-Jesus-story-in-New-Orleans?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f96a6310-50f5-427f-9f03-106927f95e2d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[African American pastor imparts missions vision]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Spend some time with Bill Smith and you&rsquo;ll catch his vision for missions. That&rsquo;s what happened to North Buffalo Community Church in New York, a congregation Smith planted in 1994 with his wife Adrian.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:26:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/African-American-pastor-imparts-missions-vision?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bf1f87ef-87b7-4c4a-bcd6-2f8cabaadad4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Panel in New Orleans shares joys of adoption, challenges church]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When it comes to being &ldquo;doers of the Word,&rdquo; Tony Merida firmly believes part of that challenge involves caring for orphans, widows and the vulnerable. Merida, lead pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, was one of four panelists at a break-out discussion on adoption and orphan care June 20, during the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s annual meeting in New Orleans.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 22 Jun 2012 19:03:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Panel-in-New-Orleans-shares-joys-of-adoption-chall?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2b9bedbf-56bd-46c3-83d0-b34ccf6262d4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Unofficial New Orleans total: 7,868 messengers]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Attendance at the 2012 Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) annual meeting June 19-20 tallied 7,868 messengers from the nation&rsquo;s 45,000 Southern Baptist churches. Official numbers will not be released until later in June. In 2001, the last time Southern Baptists gathered in New Orleans, 9,584 messengers were in attendance.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:41:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Unofficial-New-Orleans-total-7-868-messengers?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2e0b3e40-dcc2-4c44-8c2b-287a87a2ac39</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[First-timers reflect on their first SBC annual meeting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Emillie Collins got to go home to enjoy her first Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) annual meeting. Collins, a <a href="http://www.sebts.edu" target="_blank"><em><strong>Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary</strong></em></a> student from northern Louisiana, grew up in a Baptist church and attended a Southern Baptist college.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:23:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/First-timers-reflect-on-their-first-SBC-annual-mee?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d7a418d4-ce34-475e-b58a-0556225e9741</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Southeastern equipping students for local, global outreach]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In 1992, <a href="http://www.sebts.edu" target="_blank"><em><strong>Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary</strong></em></a> was in trouble. Facing an enrollment of fewer than 600 students and problems with accrediting agencies, &ldquo;many were predicting our seminary would not survive,&rdquo; said Danny Akin during his report to messengers June 20 of the 2012 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in New Orleans.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:14:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Southeastern-equipping-students-for-local-global-o?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ec7253bf-ed23-48f0-8496-4e1ccd862318</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NCBAM plans ministry to ministers]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry (<a href="http://www.ncbam.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>NCBAM</strong></em></a>) is currently developing plans for a new outreach to North Carolina Baptist ministers 65 and older &ndash; retired or still serving. Discussion forums and initial brainstorming meetings&nbsp;are scheduled for July 24, 26 and 31 at Baptist Children&rsquo;s Homes&nbsp;campuses.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 22 Jun 2012 17:11:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/NCBAM-plans-ministry-to-ministers?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f922fc89-7fb5-446f-9155-96c9ce592bdf</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Messengers OK resolution on ‘Sinner’s Prayer’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention approved Wednesday morning June 20 at their annual meeting a resolution identifying what is frequently described as a &ldquo;Sinner&rsquo;s Prayer&rdquo; as a biblical way of expressing repentance and faith.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 21 Jun 2012 18:14:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Messengers-OK-resolution-on-Sinner-s-Prayer?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">651140ca-64dc-4a55-8c13-c4df0fd96571</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptist21 panel talks SBC history & future]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Conservative Resurgence within the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) in the 1980s and &rsquo;90s and its implications for the future of the denomination were discussed at the Baptist21 luncheon June 19 in New Orleans where two key leaders of the movement &ndash; Paige Patterson and Paul Pressler &ndash; were honored.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 21 Jun 2012 18:07:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Baptist21-panel-talks-SBC-history-future?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">87e21047-fba6-40e0-9dca-89c945dcdafe</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Lino, Miller snag first, second vp elections]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messengers to the 2012 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) elected Nathan Lino as SBC first vice president June 19 and Dave Miller as second vice president June 20.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:33:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Lino-Miller-snag-first-second-vp-elections?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">646b45ec-0909-4956-984d-0e85d5305d6e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Peachtree Memorial celebrates 175 years]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Ten charter members, including two Cherokee Indians, started a church in Peachtree in 1837. The church, now located on N.C. 141 in Murphy, celebrated its 175th anniversary June 10. The first church building was made of hewn logs and it would become known as Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:26:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Peachtree-Memorial-celebrates-175-years?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7c1cd0a6-51f1-4d1d-b106-07396a09316e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Great Commission’ descriptor approved by messengers]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The descriptor &ldquo;Great Commission Baptists&rdquo; was approved by messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) by a vote of 53 percent to 46 percent after nearly a half-hour debate June 19 at the SBC annual meeting in New Orleans.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 20 Jun 2012 17:40:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Great-Commission-descriptor-approved-by-messengers?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9b30ebde-9a46-4b8d-a8a2-0ad7e0854f8e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pam Tebow describes ‘fishbowl’ experience]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Well-versed in living a &ldquo;fishbowl&rdquo; experience, Pam Tebow, mother of NFL quarterback Tim Tebow and a former missionary to the Philippines, joined Jeannie Elliff, wife of the International Mission Board&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.imb.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>IMB</strong></em></a>) president, for the Pastors&rsquo; Wives Conference June 18 prior to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in New Orleans.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 20 Jun 2012 17:29:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Pam-Tebow-describes-fishbowl-experience?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ab6f818b-43fc-4edf-bfe1-832e3545015f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[WMU-NC announces interim leader]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Executive Committee of Woman&rsquo;s Missionary Union of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.wmunc.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>WMU-NC</strong></em></a>) chose Robin C. Bass as its interim executive director-treasurer during a recent meeting. The decision was made June 7. Bass, part-time minister of education and volunteer worship leader at Hermon Baptist Church in Waxhaw, will be working part time at WMU-NC as well.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 20 Jun 2012 17:17:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/WMU-NC-announces-interim-leader?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2d34a81f-7ff7-4e35-8f62-4940864d8448</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Drinking water project transforms spiritually, physically]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Through help from North Carolina Baptists, Biju Thomas is on a mission to bring spiritual and physical change to Bihar, India. &ldquo;I believe it is the birthright of every person in Bihar to hear the gospel at least once in their lifetime,&rdquo; said the founder and president of Transformation India Movement (TIM), which is partnering with North Carolina Baptist Men (<a href="http://www.baptistsonmission.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>NCBM</strong></em></a>).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:59:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Drinking-water-project-transforms-spiritually-phys?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fd470961-3914-4064-a1b8-41329cd6ca29</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC elects first African American president]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[There were no surprises during the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) presidential election June 19 in New Orleans, but the convention&rsquo;s decision to elect Fred Luter Jr. as its first African American president was no less historic.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 19:54:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/SBC-elects-first-African-American-president?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d70c357a-9139-4d7d-a066-ac146deb85fd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptists top 2011 Annie Armstrong offering]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina is the number one state in Annie Armstrong Easter Offering giving for 2011, Kevin Ezell announced June 18, during the North American Mission Board&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) appreciation luncheon in New Orleans. The event was held as Southern Baptists gather this week for their annual meeting.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:55:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/N-C-Baptists-top-2011-Annie-Armstrong-offering?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">57689b5d-1cae-415a-88f0-5116daf18066</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pastors’ Conference opens with fathers, sons]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A Father&rsquo;s Day theme marked the opening session of the 2012 Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Pastors&rsquo; Conference June 18, with speakers being introduced by either their fathers or their sons.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:47:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Pastors-Conference-opens-with-fathers-sons?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">76e7bfb9-8c12-4ec3-a361-dc36a8895f9b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Simpson thankful for grace after winning Open]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A tense finish to the U.S. Open may have been difficult on Webb Simpson&rsquo;s emotions, but a boost to his prayer life. &ldquo;I probably prayed more the last three holes than I&rsquo;ve ever done in my life,&rdquo; Simpson said after winning the tournament [Sunday] June 17.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:38:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Simpson-thankful-for-grace-after-winning-Open?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3e51b187-65cf-49f7-affc-94d8e8ee7613</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Major leaguer shares about challenges, inspiring young people]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Baseball relief pitcher Jeremy Affeldt&#39;s journey in Major League Baseball started in 1997 as a third round pick of the Kansas City Royals. In 2007, the powerful lefthander was traded to the Colorado Rockies where he experienced his first taste of World Series baseball, losing to the Boston Red Sox. After a short stint in 2008 with the Cinncinnati Reds, he joined his current team the San Francisco Giants.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:31:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Major-leaguer-shares-about-challenges-inspiring-yo?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a28dcae0-697c-4a8c-a538-ad1fd04701fe</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptists spread gospel throughout New Orleans]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Crossover 2012 &ndash; the evangelistic emphasis that precedes the annual meeting of the <a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>Southern Baptist Convention</strong></em></a> in the host city &ndash; covered metro New Orleans just like Saturday&rsquo;s early morning showers &ndash; which ended as soon as they began &ndash; turning gray skies blue and sunny, making it a pleasant day to share Jesus in The Big Easy.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:54:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Baptists-spread-gospel-throughout-New-Orleans?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">18685ee3-cfc1-4d70-9971-6f4e8ffee4ba</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Two more nominees for SBC 2nd VP]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[South Carolina pastor Brad Atkins and Iowa pastor David Miller will be nominated for Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) second vice president during the denomination&rsquo;s Tuesday-Wednesday annual meeting in New Orleans.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 2012 19:02:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Two-more-nominees-for-SBC-2nd-VP?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5e8272de-a02e-4ae4-9ad2-a200b2eef043</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bryant Wright reflects on SBC presidency]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Bryant Wright has traveled more than 100,000 miles to 16 states and to 10 countries on three continents since his election as president of the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) in June 2010.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:43:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Bryant-Wright-reflects-on-SBC-presidency?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ea100740-2cfa-45c8-99f3-fdcb7a812613</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Mission:Dignity Sunday honors SBC ministers, widows]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Ten dollars a month. That&rsquo;s all Gordon and Alice Burks had left over from his salary after paying rent of $65 for their little place in Home Gardens, Calif. The small church Gordon had agreed to pastor couldn&rsquo;t pay them more than $75 a month, but he followed the Lord&rsquo;s calling in spite of the hardships it might entail. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:29:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Mission-Dignity-Sunday-honors-SBC-ministers-widows?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5cd1db30-32cc-4e18-8796-d6c931687f51</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[At Friendly Avenue, ‘Our mission is missions’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;Our mission is missions,&rdquo; Pat Cronin says. He&rsquo;s referring to Friendly Avenue Baptist Church, the 1,300-member congregation in Greensboro, where he has led as pastor for 17 years. Walk through the building complex and you&rsquo;ll see mission trip photos and mementos lining the halls; there&rsquo;s a big photo display of the Burmese congregation that meets in their building.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:20:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/At-Friendly-Avenue-Our-mission-is-missions?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4604e4ba-0142-4802-8a59-1ed0c6e7dd0c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Statement on Calvinism sparks blog discussion]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A May 30 statement aimed at critiquing Calvinism launched a discussion within the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) nearly immediately when it was posted online, and the debate has yet to slow down.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 15 Jun 2012 19:08:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Statement-on-Calvinism-sparks-blog-discussion?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a03a0e3a-ed9c-4ce3-b244-eaad26de13d6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Black pastors discuss ‘Great Commission Baptists’ descriptor ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As Southern Baptists prepare to vote on the adoption of the descriptor &ldquo;Great Commission Baptists,&rdquo; African American pastors are adding insight on how well the reference will improve the convention&rsquo;s cross-cultural attraction.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:52:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Black-pastors-discuss-Great-Commission-Baptists-de?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1b5ee0cc-79d2-4cc7-b74c-084414b423ef</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[B21 panel topic: Conservative Resurgence]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Conservative Resurgence will be the main topic for discussion by this year&rsquo;s Baptist21 panel with Paige Patterson, R. Albert Mohler Jr., Fred Luter and others, held in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) annual meeting in New Orleans.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:44:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/B21-panel-topic-Conservative-Resurgence?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">36468c56-2c2f-4026-ad4b-ccf2416bb0f9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Evangelicals, from left & right, call for immigration reform]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist leaders have joined in the strongest effort to date by evangelical Christians to bring about comprehensive immigration reform in the United States. Bryant Wright, president of the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>), and Richard Land, head of the SBC&rsquo;s ethics entity, were among more than 20 Southern Baptist denominational leaders, academics and pastors who endorsed an &ldquo;Evangelical Statement of Principles for Immigration Reform.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:35:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Evangelicals-from-left-right-call-for-immigration?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0a430f4a-fb11-4e59-a526-7cd24909ae0e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC church plants: up 27 percent in 2011]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Last year was an encouraging one for church planting by Southern Baptists. According to new statistics released by the North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>), the number of plants reported by state convention partners grew by 27 percent &ndash; from 780 to 990 &ndash; between 2010 and 2011.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 15 Jun 2012 18:29:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/SBC-church-plants-up-27-percent-in-2011?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">96dd97b6-74b0-4e85-98ac-44a2228b47f2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC baptisms & churches up in 2011, membership declines]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) in 2011 reported an increase in the number of baptisms and total churches over the previous year, but declined in total membership, according to the Annual Church Profile (ACP) compiled by LifeWay Christian Resources in cooperation with Baptist state conventions.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 13 Jun 2012 17:00:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/SBC-baptisms-churches-up-in-2011-membership-declin?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7d6ae710-9361-4991-8597-422a496a0379</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Sinner’s Prayer’ among proposed resolutions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Sinner&rsquo;s Prayer, same-sex marriage and civil rights, and &ldquo;racist statements&rdquo; in Mormon documents are among the topics being discussed in various media about resolutions that pastors state they submitted for the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Resolution Committee to consider in preparation for the June 19-20 annual meeting in New Orleans.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:49:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Sinner-s-Prayer-among-proposed-resolutions?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ed42d6cf-19b8-4a66-9d57-ce90a2dc9123</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Christian comic producer reacts gay Green Lantern]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In light of DC Comics revelation that it will re-launch one of its oldest superheroes as a gay man, a Christian comic company has pledged to continue to produce content with a biblical worldview.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:39:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Christian-comic-producer-reacts-gay-Green-Lantern?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8bfdd607-a023-49b7-b892-87af4e315d46</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Deadline extended for compensation survey]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The deadline for completing the biennial Southern Baptist Convention Church Compensation Survey has been extended to June 30. More than 12,000 surveys had been completed as of May 21, with the highest number of completed surveys from North Carolina and Alabama]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:31:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Deadline-extended-for-compensation-survey?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2cb418fe-1f07-49b5-864d-aa61f6ff4017</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Modest gain marks 2011 Lottie Moon offering ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;Extremely grateful.&rdquo; That&rsquo;s what International Mission Board (<a href="http://www.imb.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>IMB</strong></em></a>) President Tom Elliff is saying about Southern Baptists&rsquo; gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, which reached $146.8 million last year &mdash; the fourth highest total in the offering&rsquo;s 123-year history. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 2012 20:07:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Modest-gain-marks-2011-Lottie-Moon-offering?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a182c8c0-bfa1-45bd-9ef1-997e9189f6df</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Wells to be re-nominated for reg. secretary]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jim Wells, Cooperative Program state missionary for strategic partners for the Missouri Baptist Convention, will be re-nominated for another one-year term as Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) registration secretary during the June 19-20 annual meeting in New Orleans, a Missouri pastor has announced.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:31:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Wells-to-be-re-nominated-for-reg-secretary?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8396390f-00df-499d-bbc0-4b75def014cc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Faith-based ‘Unconditional’ to be shown at SBC]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Going to the movies can be an expensive outing, but this month at the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) in New Orleans, LifeWay Films is hosting a free screening of &ldquo;Unconditional,&rdquo; a new faith-based film.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:21:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Faith-based-Unconditional-to-be-shown-at-SBC?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1fce6850-e4d3-49ac-8a9e-014275477242</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Church bombing in Nigeria kills 2, injures 40]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:15:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Church-bombing-in-Nigeria-kills-2-injures-40?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">797f2fca-4d77-4b40-816f-16ed40c0eb28</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Science & scripture align, professor says in BioLogos exchange]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In the study of the origin of humans, ultimately what is true in the physical world will be perfectly consistent with scripture, a Southern Baptist seminary professor said in an essay arguing against theistic evolution.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 12 Jun 2012 18:04:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Science-scripture-align-professor-says-in-BioLogos?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">740c80da-6f20-4eb0-b74e-240b9eeae184</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pastors want to keep SBC name]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[More than half of the pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) do not intend to use the name &ldquo;Great Commission Baptists&rdquo; in communication about their church, although 40 percent say they have not discussed the issue or decided, according to a survey by <a href="http://www.lifeway.com/LifeWay-Research/c/N-1z13wgl" target="_blank"><em><strong>LifeWay Research</strong></em></a>.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 2012 17:51:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Pastors-want-to-keep-SBC-name?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">14e00d8b-24b7-468c-aece-2cff2f839cd0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[New genetic test: a ‘death sentence’ for unborn]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A new blood test that might empower physicians to screen unborn children for more than 3,000 genetic disorders will result in a &ldquo;death sentence&rdquo; for many, a Southern Baptist bioethicist says. In research published June 6, a University of Washington team reported it was able to map the entire genetic code of an unborn baby using a blood sample from the mother, who was 18 weeks into her pregnancy, and saliva from the father.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 2012 17:40:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/New-genetic-test-a-death-sentence-for-unborn?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">62766c53-908b-476d-aa0e-95d68c1d634c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Council identifies needs of black Southern Baptists]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Encouraging stronger churches to partner with declining churches and developing effective mentoring strategies to groom future missionaries, state convention leaders and denominational employees were among the topics discussed during the first meeting of the African American Advisory Council May 29-30 at the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Building in Nashville, Tenn.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 2012 17:21:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Council-identifies-needs-of-black-Southern-Baptist?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c72cc3b0-aae7-44f4-b8e8-4eac4c7af783</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Dad’s best present: sons who are godly leaders ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Rex Jones knows a thing or two about raising sons &ndash; he&rsquo;s got three of them &ndash; and he&rsquo;s trained them to make an impact on the world for Christ. The Jones boys &ndash; Barrett, 22; Harrison, 20; and Walker, 18 &ndash; are all talented football players.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 2012 17:10:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Dad-s-best-present-sons-who-are-godly-leaders?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3adf4fc5-d7c4-4baa-96a3-c5b02bbce277</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC annual meeting schedule]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Southern Baptist Convention is set for June 19-20. The event will be available live at <a href="http://www.sbcannualmeeting.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>sbcannualmeeting.net</strong></em></a>. Below is a basic schedule for the two-day annual meeting.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 2012 16:00:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/SBC-annual-meeting-schedule?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">66b2c8ef-1377-4700-a41b-fc33342ee32d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Yeats to be re-nominated recording secretary]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[John L. Yeats will be re-nominated for another one-year term as recording secretary of the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) during the June 19-20 annual meeting in New Orleans, a Virginia pastor has announced.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 08 Jun 2012 17:30:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Yeats-to-be-re-nominated-recording-secretary?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6d68ccf0-9e79-4b18-ba82-8493580240a0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Fritz Wilson named NAMB DR exec. director]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Fritz M. Wilson, disaster relief and recovery team strategist for the Florida Baptist Convention since 2006, has been named executive director of the North American Mission Board&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) disaster relief team.<br />
&nbsp; ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 08 Jun 2012 17:18:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Fritz-Wilson-named-NAMB-DR-exec-director?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3ca53f85-0926-49f4-bebc-d7ed71cdd145</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Tension exists’ because of military gay policy]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The military&rsquo;s revised policy on homosexuality has definitely produced stress for chaplains and service members, Southern Baptists&rsquo; lead chaplain told a Washington, D.C., audience.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 08 Jun 2012 17:04:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Tension-exists-because-of-military-gay-policy?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f9e41d87-daf8-4a5a-92af-58e563910eea</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Olympics provide Baptists unique ministry opportunity]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[At times, when Doug Shaw stands on the hill just outside Olympic Park in London, he can barely hear himself think. Construction buzzes and roars in preparation for the Summer Olympic Games, which start July 27. The work&rsquo;s been going strong for years.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 08 Jun 2012 16:57:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Olympics-provide-Baptists-unique-ministry-opportun?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">31b67f4f-c7da-466f-9d56-b72e5621dc64</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[House GOP moves to act on religion in vets’ funerals]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Families of deceased veterans were shocked and angry last year when religious references were banned from funeral rituals and a Memorial Day service at Houston National Cemetery. A lawsuit eventually resolved the matter, but a House bill would enshrine in law the lessons learned from that isolated incident.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 08 Jun 2012 16:52:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/House-GOP-moves-to-act-on-religion-in-vets-funeral?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0b703da6-8dd8-479c-811a-3e488b18cdef</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Julian Pentecost, retired Va. editor, dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Julian H. Pentecost, retired editor of the <em>Religious Herald</em>, a Baptist newspaper based in Richmond, Va., died May 31. He was 88.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:55:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Julian-Pentecost-retired-Va-editor-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8e4735a6-c197-4750-aae9-b65c6eb81588</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Wash. marriage groups turn in record signatures]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A Washington state coalition of traditional groups turned in more than 240,000 signatures June 6 in an effort to overturn the state&rsquo;s gay marriage law, a number that is double the number required and one that all but guarantees that the state&rsquo;s voters will decide the issue this fall.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:41:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Wash-marriage-groups-turn-in-record-signatures?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c4a3a16e-e896-4e8b-9b0c-7537367d6c98</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In Egypt, Christian sentences cloud election]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[An Egyptian judge has sentenced 12 Coptic Christians to life in prison for their alleged part in a riot that left two Muslims and one Christian dead in the village of Abu-Qurgas. Eight Muslims charged with the same crimes in the same riot were acquitted.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:33:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/In-Egypt-Christian-sentences-cloud-election?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1cb70b0e-c04d-4481-a78a-19a5d31ea3ef</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Religious liberty advocates debate ‘unprecedented threats’ in U.S.]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Are the current threats to religious liberty in the United States unprecedented? Religious freedom advocates disagreed at a recent Washington, D.C., conference, but at least one asserted there is something new and different about the menace to a right protected in the First Amendment.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 06 Jun 2012 19:21:37 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Religious-liberty-advocates-debate-unprecedented-t?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cf2611c7-99c5-4081-b390-0b0643ba5fb3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[1617 King James Bible acquired by New Orleans Seminary]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In 2011, English speakers &ndash; and Christians in particular &ndash; celebrated the 400th anniversary of the first printing of the King James &ldquo;Authorized Version&rdquo; of the Bible. The KJV, heralded both for its longstanding value as a translation of scripture and for its impact on the English language, was commissioned in 1604.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 06 Jun 2012 19:10:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/1617-King-James-Bible-acquired-by-New-Orleans-Semi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">03ff4e21-468e-4283-b0e2-573ab826fddd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Obama issues Gay Pride month proclamation]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For the fourth straight year, President Obama has issued a proclamation recognizing June as Gay Pride month, saying &ldquo;more remains to be done&rdquo; in advancing gay issues and for the first time acknowledging his support for gay marriage within a proclamation.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 06 Jun 2012 19:07:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Obama-issues-Gay-Pride-month-proclamation?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">99a1ffc6-2a50-402c-a8cb-c0a03ae0de43</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gay marriage case may go to Supreme Court?]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The question of whether states can &ndash; under the U.S. Constitution &ndash; define marriage as between a man and a woman could be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court after an appeals court declined to hear the widely followed Proposition 8 case.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 06 Jun 2012 19:01:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Gay-marriage-case-may-go-to-Supreme-Court?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e47a58ef-5101-4741-9622-39b708037bfa</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. pastor shares inspiration behind new book]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The <em>Biblical Recorder</em> recently interviewed Rit Varriale, pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C., about his book <em>Reformation in Responsibility</em>: A New Ethic for a New Era. The book was released in March. He shared the inspiration behind the book and why he believes Christians should not only read it but respond to the message.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 05 Jun 2012 17:56:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/N-C-pastor-shares-inspiration-behind-new-book?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b30a69c4-e9c6-4341-aae2-57a4296c2585</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NAMB a finalist to receive free D.L. Moody property]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) has been named one of two finalists in a bid to receive a 217-acre Massachusetts private school campus built by evangelist D.L. Moody in 1879.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 05 Jun 2012 17:47:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/NAMB-a-finalist-to-receive-free-D-L-Moody-property?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c17cb5f4-3e31-4815-9adf-fa4fd892f2f9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. churches, associations ready to partner long-term in Toronto]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[One year after launching a partnership in Toronto, North Carolina Baptists are responding to the need to come alongside church planters and engage in long-term partnerships.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 05 Jun 2012 17:39:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/N-C-churches-associations-ready-to-partner-long-te?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">42c81632-d4bb-40a9-a8e2-81ef7aa03d62</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Budget, NAMB, annual meeting at forefront of BOD]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[During a regularly scheduled meeting May 22-23 at Caraway Conference Center, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>) Board of Directors heard reports and testimonies related to finances, this fall in Greensboro, the North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) and of how God is using N.C. Baptists for Kingdom impact.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 04 Jun 2012 18:33:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Budget-NAMB-annual-meeting-at-forefront-of-BOD?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4680f213-bba2-41ff-9760-b860f02a0c31</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[State church leaders to share adoption passion in New Orleans]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For Matt Capps, adoption used to be an &ldquo;abstract category&rdquo; that didn&rsquo;t really apply to his life. Then he and his wife, Laura, saw their world changed forever as the couple from North Carolina adopted their son, Solomon, &ndash; now 2 years old &ndash; from Ethiopia.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 04 Jun 2012 18:25:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/State-church-leaders-to-share-adoption-passion-in?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">389ed24f-ccbe-4dff-aef6-53852aab0f7d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Evangelist, 33, pleads guilty to voyeurism]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Sammy Nuckolls, a 33-year-old evangelist who spoke for years at Southern Baptist youth gatherings, has pleaded guilty to charges of video voyeurism in two Arkansas towns. He now is facing charges in Texas and has been granted extra time to accept a plea bargain on similar charges in Mississippi.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 04 Jun 2012 18:18:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Evangelist-33-pleads-guilty-to-voyeurism?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e77be664-6a99-41a9-8a11-ce86673a53fb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Statement on Calvinism draws approval, criticism]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A group of current and former Southern Baptist leaders has signed a statement affirming what they call the &ldquo;traditional Southern Baptist&rdquo; understanding of the doctrine of salvation, with the goal of drawing a distinction with the beliefs of &ldquo;New Calvinism.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Jun 2012 18:14:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/Statement-on-Calvinism-draws-approval-criticism?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fbf8526e-edf3-4a02-9aa2-f596ad6becae</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[ERLC trustees reprimand Richard Land, halt radio program]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Two reprimands have been issued to Richard Land by the trustee executive committee of the Ethics &amp; Religious Liberty Commission (<a href="http://www.erlc.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>ERLC</strong></em></a>).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Jun 2012 18:05:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/ERLC-trustees-reprimand-Richard-Land-halt-radio-pr?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a89fcc44-8e9d-4a87-8bf7-c7053e2de6a7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[A first: Appeals court strikes down Defense of Marriage Act]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A federal appeals court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act in a unanimous ruling Thursday (May 31), becoming the first appeals court ever to rule against the federal law defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:57:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/A-first-Appeals-court-strikes-down-Defense-of-Marr?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b977dd28-32b3-4297-888a-2743839fe8e6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[China tries to shut down large church]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Authorities in China&rsquo;s southwestern province of Sichuan are pressuring a large Christian church to halt its activities, according to the pastor. The move comes as Chinese authorities are cracking down on unofficial churches and intensifying their harassment of Christians.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:52:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/June-2012/China-tries-to-shut-down-large-church?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6e9fc484-f1d1-46d9-a6f7-34ce3917aab6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. pastor to nominate SBC 2nd VP nominee]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Mississippi pastor Eric Hankins will be nominated for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) by North Carolina pastor Clint Pressley during the SBC&rsquo;s June 19-20 annual meeting in New Orleans.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 31 May 2012 18:48:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/N-C-pastor-to-nominate-SBC-2nd-VP-nominee?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b1f3b617-b1d2-4940-b8c7-142a105cc561</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Poll: SBC pastors say black leader would be good]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Eighty-six percent of Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) pastors who expressed an opinion believe it would be good for the convention to have an African-American leader.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 31 May 2012 18:42:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Poll-SBC-pastors-say-black-leader-would-be-good?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">24f78174-0e4f-436f-ae72-075ce53cb5aa</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NAMB expands SBDR fleet]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[While so far, 2012 has been a relatively quiet year for Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) on a national scale &ndash; compared to tornado-dominated 2011 &ndash; SBDR leaders at the North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) have used the time to significantly beef up the response fleet and prepare for future disasters sure to come.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 31 May 2012 18:19:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/NAMB-expands-SBDR-fleet?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b345a205-5f22-458b-b4d8-1aebfb867495</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Poll: Churchgoers as digitally engaged as U.S.]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[American churchgoers are just as likely to use Twitter, Facebook and the Internet as non-churchgoers, according to a new study that shows the impact that technology can have on spreading a church&rsquo;s message.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 31 May 2012 18:14:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Poll-Churchgoers-as-digitally-engaged-as-U-S?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ed423701-a7e6-4cbd-9ac9-9cce35b4bf7c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Suffering was ‘beyond imagination,’ Chen tells CNN]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In one of his first televised interviews since seeking refuge in the United States, former Chinese prisoner Chen Guangcheng told CNN&rsquo;s Anderson Cooper &ldquo;the brutality was beyond anyone&rsquo;s imagination.&rdquo; ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 30 May 2012 17:46:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Suffering-was-beyond-imagination-Chen-tells-CNN?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1de428b3-fbbf-4cb9-9dbb-d0752097fc1d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gay marriage at issue in Pentagon budget bill]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[President Obama told the graduating class of U.S. Air Force Academy cadets May 23 that they are starting their service at a time when the burden of national security no longer falls so heavily on the military&rsquo;s shoulders.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 30 May 2012 17:33:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Gay-marriage-at-issue-in-Pentagon-budget-bill?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">27bbe426-5f33-4741-a53f-d4eb6f3cc537</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Walk-through tabernacle replica in Israel reflects atonement]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As the little girl stepped forward to pull back the ornate curtain, her eyes widened. &ldquo;Are we going to die?&rdquo; she asked. She and hundreds of other Jewish children take it seriously when they enter the Holy of Holies at the tabernacle in Eilat, Israel&rsquo;s southernmost city.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 30 May 2012 17:28:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Walk-through-tabernacle-replica-in-Israel-reflects?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4e889bf1-a550-49c6-8494-cc8ef03292a6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[101 new missionaries appointed by IMB]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nate and Joanna Whitmire* told God they would go anywhere if He called them to missions. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not like He&rsquo;d ever call us to Africa,&rdquo; they thought. But He did.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 29 May 2012 17:15:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/101-new-missionaries-appointed-by-IMB?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3781452b-4d54-4d0b-b55f-1bea1e462b03</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[UNC–Greensboro reverses ruling on group’s religious status]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A Christian student group at the University of North Carolina&ndash;Greensboro will be allowed to limit its membership to those who share its beliefs after the college reversed a previous decision. In April 2011, the Make Up Your Own Mind club first sought exemption from the school&rsquo;s nondiscrimination policy under its provisions for religious groups.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 29 May 2012 17:04:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/UNC-Greensboro-reverses-ruling-on-group-s-religiou?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fdc1ad70-04e9-4c14-8e4b-a7a08f9ca3f7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Believers ponder movement of the gospel in Syria, ask for prayers]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For a long time, Syrians were complacent. At least that&rsquo;s how one person familiar with Syria described the people of the war-torn country. &ldquo;[Syrians were] a people who felt they were more blessed than others because natural disasters and wars had not been a part of their modern history,&rdquo; Dan David* said.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 29 May 2012 16:44:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Believers-ponder-movement-of-the-gospel-in-Syria-a?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ea71daba-49f2-44ec-b56b-ff00fd96fdf7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[UNC committee won’t recommend 'all-comers' policy]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The committee reviewing the nondiscrimination policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill likely will not recommend the school adopt an &ldquo;all-comers&rdquo; policy for student organizations. Jonathan Sauls, dean of students at UNC, said this week the group did not think such a policy would benefit the school&rsquo;s student body.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 25 May 2012 18:28:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/UNC-committee-won-t-recommend-all-comers-policy?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9b5f8c66-914e-4e2f-bd5f-2e354d410625</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[IMB trustees elect VP of marketplace endeavor]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Scott Holste has been elected as vice president for global strategic mobilization for the International Mission Board (IMB). Holste, who was elected during the May 22-23 meeting of IMB trustees in Nashville, Tenn., will direct a new initiative with Christian leaders in business and marketplace professions across the world.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 25 May 2012 17:40:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/IMB-trustees-elect-VP-of-marketplace-endeavor?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">95f00b8c-dcc2-4f07-83c1-615224036e8f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[41%, a record low: Pro-choice view slides in Gallup polling]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Americans who consider themselves pro-choice on abortion are at a record low, according to a new Gallup public opinion poll. Forty-one percent of Americans identify themselves as pro-choice - marking a drop of 6 percent since July and the lowest percentage since Gallup began asking the public in 1995 to self-identify as pro-choice or pro-life.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 25 May 2012 17:33:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/41-a-record-low-Pro-choice-view-slides-in-Gallup-p?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">292b73f7-a9c3-4e8a-8c11-3dd8d75677dd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Wright previews 'historic' SBC annual meeting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In his final monthly video as president of the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>), Bryant Wright offers a preview at <a href="http://www.Pray4SBC.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>www.Pray4SBC.com</strong></em></a> of the annual meeting in New Orleans, noting that unengaged, unreached people groups and church planting will be the main focuses.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 24 May 2012 18:07:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Wright-previews-historic-SBC-annual-meeting?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ad517257-10e1-4398-8405-f772efa41b1a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘A lot of hurt’ in Seattle meets with church planter’s vision]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Crazy. Not the first description that comes to mind for church planting, but for Keith and Kristine Carpenter the word comes up often. The couple, married 21 years, moved to Seattle three years ago to help launch Epic Life Church.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 24 May 2012 17:49:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/A-lot-of-hurt-in-Seattle-meets-with-church-planter?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c3619bd7-75fe-4925-bd4d-e8eaadfb613e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Believer sees harvest in months of imprisonment, torture]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;Dad, I think we&rsquo;re being followed.&rdquo; Yasemin* drummed her fingers nervously on the car door. Her father kept on driving the familiar route to drop her off at English class, singing a praise song to Jesus as he drove.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 24 May 2012 17:34:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Believer-sees-harvest-in-months-of-imprisonment-to?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7094b36c-5ed9-4661-8f8a-bc2af6b779b8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Shelby Mission Camp dedicated, awaits volunteers]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Shelby Mission Camp was dedicated and pronounced open for ministry in an April 29 service attended by hundreds of volunteers and supporters.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 23 May 2012 17:09:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Shelby-Mission-Camp-dedicated-awaits-volunteers?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7eb6450b-5da4-4283-9e1d-7782ef3026f3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Craft accepts senior pastor position in Mississippi]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Darryl Craft has accepted a position as senior pastor at Temple Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, Miss. Since 2007, Craft has served at Green Street Baptist Church in High Point, N.C.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 23 May 2012 17:01:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Craft-accepts-senior-pastor-position-in-Mississipp?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f00d3816-f2e2-40b4-a778-470fa47a702c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptists hold ‘Rooftop Prayer Meeting’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pastors, church leaders and laymen in North Carolina gathered April 18-19 to pray and encourage each other in seeking a &ldquo;fresh vision of God&rsquo;s heart for reaching the lost.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 23 May 2012 16:53:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/N-C-Baptists-hold-Rooftop-Prayer-Meeting?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3305c079-9df7-4c85-ad02-560115e8b973</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Women vital part of organization known for its men]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Llewellyn Jones knows God provides for those in need. As administration team leader for North Carolina Baptist Men, Jones sees God working in little and big ways.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 22 May 2012 17:57:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Women-vital-part-of-organization-known-for-its-men?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e9e1854f-179a-4af3-a1a1-7949eedd7b9c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NFL career gave Priest Holmes opportunity to impact others]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[On his Sold Out Sports Talk show Roman Gabriel III had the opportunity to sit down with former Ravens and Chiefs All-Pro running back Priest Holmes. Holmes and Emmitt Smith are the only backs in NFL history to rush for 20 touchdowns in consecutive seasons.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 22 May 2012 17:40:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/NFL-career-gave-Priest-Holmes-opportunity-to-impac?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">437e9a45-83cd-4ae0-b1e8-0cdbe7f34705</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Lee Porter, former SBC officer, dies at 83]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Lee Porter, who served as registration secretary for the Southern Baptist Convention from 1977-2002, died May 17 in Franklin, Tenn. He was 83.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 22 May 2012 17:35:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Lee-Porter-former-SBC-officer-dies-at-83?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e9d9fb63-e473-4def-a52e-82eca8e5865f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Personal calling’ leads pastor to start school among Roma]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Craig Hamlin was unable to get the needs of the Roma people in Munkacs, Ukraine, out of his mind. For Hamlin, senior pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Apex, the poverty, lack of education, and ongoing struggles of the Roma people &ndash; or the &ldquo;Gypsy people&rdquo; as many know them &ndash; weighed on his heart.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 21 May 2012 18:11:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Personal-calling-leads-pastor-to-start-school-amon?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ce2b4904-68ca-4ae3-9196-fb4c174de192</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[New partnership to target New England, ‘impact lostness’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[On any given weekend, less than three percent of New England&rsquo;s 14.3 million people will attend an evangelical church. Studies show that 97 out of every 100 New Englanders do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 21 May 2012 18:03:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/New-partnership-to-target-New-England-impact-lostn?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4d06ccab-348c-4e43-98d0-248464a3951e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. makes top 5 on ‘smuttiest cities’ list]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Two of North Carolina&rsquo;s largest cities &ndash; Charlotte and Raleigh &ndash; were among the top five on a <em>Men&rsquo;s Health</em> magazine study entitled &ldquo;Smuttiest cities in America.&rdquo; The list &ndash; which ranked Orlando at the top &ndash; was published in the magazine&rsquo;s April issue.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 21 May 2012 17:59:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/N-C-makes-top-5-on-smuttiest-cities-list?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e2113518-c43b-4478-9fbe-cfb8eaff8b74</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Students skip ‘break’ to serve]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[While most people picture spring break as a time to escape to the beach or the mountains, North Carolina Baptist college students took time to serve.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 21 May 2012 17:50:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Students-skip-break-to-serve?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7111ca5b-4e56-4488-9a90-b722d9709120</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gardner-Webb University sent 71 people on mission ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Doubling 2011&rsquo;s number of mission trips, Gardner-Webb University (GWU) sent six teams March 8-18. &ldquo;We are especially excited about the great variety of projects and ministry activities our six teams are pursuing this year,&rdquo; said Tracy Jessup, vice president for Christian life and service and senior minister to the university, in a press release.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 21 May 2012 17:44:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Gardner-Webb-University-sent-71-people-on-mission?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d0148139-8e24-4368-a5ca-dbe298e19e66</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ezell announces full-time Northeast missionaries]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Moving forward to shift more Southern Baptist resources to areas of North America with the most widespread lostness, North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell has announced new missionary placements for several states in the northeast United States that have not had a full-time missionary fully funded by NAMB.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 21:00:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Ezell-announces-full-time-Northeast-missionaries?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">06cf2909-cd26-440c-ba16-fdca99dfb71a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Protect your church’s children against sexual abuse nightmare]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[He looked like the ideal youth minister &ndash; recommended by a friend of the pastor, personable, and leading a thriving ministry to teens at Wayside Baptist Church in Miami. But looks were deceiving.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 18:32:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Protect-your-church-s-children-against-sexual-abus?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9a629942-4829-4c0e-9710-9e4bad3b2370</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Background checks are on the rise, LifeWay reports]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[More than 25,000 background checks conducted by churches or organizations on prospective workers in the past three years have turned up more than 1,600 felony offenses, with the number of organizations conducting background checks having risen 27 percent in the past year, according to LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 18:17:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Background-checks-are-on-the-rise-LifeWay-reports?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d69ce3bb-c326-4a0c-bd29-50147023919d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[DOJ ‘actively’ working to see DOMA overturned]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When President Obama told the Justice Department in February 2011 to stop defending a key federal law that defines marriage as between a man and a woman, it was widely assumed the department would take a neutral position and sit on the sidelines.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2012 18:13:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/DOJ-actively-working-to-see-DOMA-overturned?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">34f8e611-5731-449e-8064-c18709e3bd5b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Page: Meeting Billy Graham was ‘gift from God’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Billy Graham remains passionate for the Kingdom, Frank Page observed during a May 12 visit with the 93-year-old evangelist.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 17:59:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Page-Meeting-Billy-Graham-was-gift-from-God?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a175f3cb-86c6-4a29-9d67-b0be14467e62</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Online poker gambling could be legalized]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Predictably, the news cycles these days have been largely consumed with the unpredictable &ndash; the outcome of the 2012 presidential election and the future of the institution of marriage. This follows days of media showcasing the sensational &ndash; Secret Service prostitution scandals in Colombia and General Services Administration spending scandals in Las Vegas.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 17:52:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Online-poker-gambling-could-be-legalized?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b07d67b1-84d0-4b65-a740-bcedcac4dc3d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In Bangladesh, a ‘vast multitude’ envisioned]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As youths, Qahir Hamad* and his Bangladeshi friends beat a group selling Bibles and Christian literature and threw the wares into a pond. Consumed with guilt over what he&rsquo;d done, Hamad hardly slept that night. Having secretly saved four books to read later, he found someone after weeks of searching to tell him what the books meant.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 17:43:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/In-Bangladesh-a-vast-multitude-envisioned?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d4843788-6756-4b7a-92e5-6c0c4fff3a18</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptists chosen to serve SBC]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Appointments to the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Committee on Committees have been announced by SBC President Bryant Wright. Wright, pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga., announced the appointments.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 17:07:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/N-C-Baptists-chosen-to-serve-SBC?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a12dac27-5ce5-4c78-ab5e-b72ff55e140b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NAMB to link churches & mission field]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Dean Sisk is bringing four men to Georgia in July from Belle Aire Baptist Church hoping they gain new vision and new connections for expanding their reach. &ldquo;We came to a conclusion that our primary focus in missions needed to be on planting churches,&rdquo; said Sisk, who has led the Tennessee congregation in assisting a half-dozen church starts across North America.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 16:51:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/NAMB-to-link-churches-mission-field?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1a72cdc5-1755-4662-bbcd-23acc2ccfa2b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ezell introduces missionary development plan]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Having enough missionaries to support the Southern Baptist effort to impact lostness in North America will require intentional missionary development. Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>), addressed that need during his monthly webcast with Baptist directors of missions and church planter catalysts May 1.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 16:46:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Ezell-introduces-missionary-development-plan?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d4ed3ad1-7c6c-44c9-b7bd-31aa0ac4e597</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Mayan calendar draws spotlight; a troubled culture struggles]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Because the ancient 5,125-year Mayan calendar will end on Dec. 21, 2012, global interest in Mayans has skyrocketed in recent years. Some New Age philosophers predict the beginning of a new era of enlightenment for mankind.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 17:09:37 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Mayan-calendar-draws-spotlight;-a-troubled-culture?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">64ad2d96-3794-4815-affc-fb872a70e4b2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[AZ defunding of P. Parenthood continues trend]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Arizona has become the latest state to bar funds to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. Gov. Jan Brewer signed into law May 4 legislation that prohibits state family planning money from going to organizations that perform abortions.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 16:59:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/AZ-defunding-of-P-Parenthood-continues-trend?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fa2cf7ef-78ea-49d8-ba89-05e9ba3d53f2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Vanderbilt BCM to decline registered status]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Even though Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) was approved as a recognized student organization on the campus of Vanderbilt University, the BCM will decline that status. Randy C. Davis, executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC), informed members of the TBC Executive Board of the decision to not accept the recognized status in a letter e-mailed to them May 7.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 16:42:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Vanderbilt-BCM-to-decline-registered-status?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">86422fa0-7d57-482d-9f53-53ca68b74d1a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Anti-religion campus policies targeted by ADF]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Alliance Defense Fund (<a href="http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/" target="_blank"><em><strong>ADF</strong></em></a>) has launched a nationwide campaign to convince state universities and colleges to change policies that restrict students&rsquo; First Amendment rights. Its strategy starts with persuasion but could culminate in lawsuits.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 16:35:46 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Anti-religion-campus-policies-targeted-by-ADF?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0929e174-20ab-4693-997f-831400d4a3c5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Move, RAs top agenda at Missions Extravaganza]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Gearing up for the fall merge involving Royal Ambassadors (RAs), which will bring them under the fold of the Woman&rsquo;s Missionary Union, WMU-North Carolina&rsquo;s leader observed that the change will be a joint effort.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 17:52:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Move-RAs-top-agenda-at-Missions-Extravaganza?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">634168a1-80f7-417f-82a1-b1d23384424b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[U.S. split on homosexual behavior as sin]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Americans are split on whether homosexual behavior is a sin, and many do not appreciate if a church teaches it is sinful, according to a recent survey conducted by LifeWay Research.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 17:47:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/U-S-split-on-homosexual-behavior-as-sin?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e7bf6e93-f048-4a12-972f-06f155b65e9e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iranian pastor: I’m surrendered ‘to God’s will’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The jailed Iranian pastor who could be executed for converting to Christianity has released a public letter asking for continued prayers and saying that while he wishes to be released, he has surrendered &ldquo;to God&rsquo;s will.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 17:38:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Iranian-pastor-I-m-surrendered-to-God-s-will?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cfdf2f02-d6b7-48c8-849c-7281201a22a8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Brian Autry elected SBC of Virginia exec]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Brian Autry has been elected as executive director of the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia (SBC of Virginia) in a unanimous vote by the state convention&rsquo;s Executive Board.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 17:31:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Brian-Autry-elected-SBC-of-Virginia-exec?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6c95ce88-1853-4611-8534-ae13a919bfaf</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Franklin Graham responds to Obama’s same-sex marriage support]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association issued the following statement in response to President Obama&rsquo;s statement in support of same-sex marriage: &ldquo;On Tuesday my state of North Carolina became the 31st state to approve a constitutional amendment defining marriage as being between a man and a woman....&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 18:00:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Franklin-Graham-responds-to-Obama-s-same-sex-marri?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7a6b7534-6100-46c0-a599-679f97bde8de</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Obama first president to support gay ‘marriage’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[President Obama Wednesday became the first sitting U.S. president to support gay &ldquo;marriage&rdquo; publicly, an announcement that was surprising perhaps only in its timing and one that could impact the general election.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 17:48:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Obama-first-president-to-support-gay-marriage?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ac550111-c26c-45ed-9b82-7fa043d66d3c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Land issues 5-part apology; NAAF pres. awaits trustee action]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A five-part apology for &ldquo;injudicious comments&rdquo; was released May 9 by Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics &amp; Religious Liberty Commission (<a href="http://www.erlc.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>ERLC</strong></em></a>), regarding the Trayvon Martin killing.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 17:38:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Land-issues-5-part-apology;-NAAF-pres-awaits-trust?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">963b8e7a-e4ea-4ca1-945b-f3dcef3bcfa8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. native Anthony Allen  elected as HLGU president]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[After a seven-month long search, Hannibal-LaGrange University (<a href="http://www.hlg.edu/index.php" target="_blank"><em><strong>HLGU</strong></em></a>) trustees unanimously elected Anthony Allen as HLGU&rsquo;s 17th president. The announcement came at the end of spring commencement May 5 at the Hannibal, Mo., campus. Allen was elected in a special called business meeting May 4.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 17:31:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/N-C-native-Anthony-Allen-elected-as-HLGU-president?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ef21f262-3812-45a4-b1c5-cc345452d606</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iranian pastor’s attorney headed to prison]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Iranian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani&rsquo;s attorney &ndash; called by many a hero for his representation of religious minorities &ndash; has been convicted and could begin serving a nine-year sentence soon in a development that will leave Nadarkhani without a lawyer.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 10 May 2012 17:23:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Iranian-pastor-s-attorney-headed-to-prison?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f95a84aa-0b1b-44dc-b0d3-cc4291852bd9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Ramped up’: Volunteers minister across the state]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Vicky Coerper couldn&rsquo;t believe the team&rsquo;s progress after just a couple of hours working. By the end of the day the wheelchair ramp would be finished, giving her mom a new sense of freedom.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 09 May 2012 19:52:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Ramped-up-Volunteers-minister-across-the-state?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3b556d12-c95d-4a28-9a1d-83fd4dd30ad8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ky. board approves new staff structure]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Kentucky Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (KBC) Mission Board approved a plan May 8 to overhaul the structure of the convention and its staff. The proposal, presented by KBC Executive Director Paul Chitwood, passed with a strong majority vote of the board. Only five dissenting votes were cast.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 09 May 2012 19:44:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Ky-board-approves-new-staff-structure?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a0f65a1b-bb1c-4553-9771-6c58b1dc9503</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[China escalates crackdown on house churches]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Chinese government is engaging in a three-phase campaign to eradicate Protestant house churches, according to the China Aid Association.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 09 May 2012 19:35:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/China-escalates-crackdown-on-house-churches?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c2a52be0-f21f-403a-9a83-f10d09ac4417</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. voters pass marriage amendment]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Supporters of an amendment to North Carolina&rsquo;s constitution that defines marriage as being between one man and one woman celebrated Tuesday evening as they received word the amendment had been overwhelmingly approved by voters.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 09 May 2012 09:37:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/N-C-voters-pass-marriage-amendment?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f91f7847-23ac-4f47-8e2e-b20e5e8f53ae</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[West Asheville pastor likes Cooperative Program’s ‘synergy’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Stan Welch says he figured out years ago why the Cooperative Program is by far the best way for Baptists to support missions and ministry together. The pastor of West Asheville Baptist Church in Asheville says it&rsquo;s synergy.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 17:46:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/West-Asheville-pastor-likes-Cooperative-Program-s?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a5788cb6-0829-488b-8ca1-d4c4c2f79c0a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[More than 500 gather for ‘Old Time Camp Meeting’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[More than 500 people took part in an &ldquo;Old Time Camp Meeting&rdquo; sponsored by North Carolina Campers on Mission that included Southern Gospel music, train rides and preaching by evangelist Jonathan Lotz, grandson of Billy Graham and son of Anne Graham Lotz.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 17:26:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/More-than-500-gather-for-Old-Time-Camp-Meeting?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">87ebc6ae-7db6-466e-9f47-8deb465a5e64</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptist communicators win awards]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[During its annual meeting the Baptist Communicators Association held the Wilmer C. Fields awards April 13 in Fort Worth, Texas, and three North Carolina Baptists received awards in the competition.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2012 17:22:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/N-C-Baptist-communicators-win-awards?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4eb3d70c-1d90-4176-9788-baa6e98d4486</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[M.O. Owens Jr. Chair of N.T. Studies installed at Southeastern]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southeastern recognized Milum Oswell &ldquo;M.O.&rdquo; Owens Jr.&rsquo;s ministry, life and legacy by the endowment and installation of a New Testament Studies Chair in his name.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 07 May 2012 17:16:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/M-O-Owens-Jr-Chair-of-N-T-Studies-installed-at-Sou?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6a4268e7-7eb0-4c1a-a07b-099e9826a1e8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. ‘Impact Your World’ event draws leaders from 10 states]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Leading your churches to be on mission among those who have little to no access to the gospel will come with a price, said Michael Cloer, pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, N.C.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 07 May 2012 17:09:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/N-C-Impact-Your-World-event-draws-leaders-from-10?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e3519fdb-adab-4b7c-a71d-bf4ebc9b548c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Day of Prayer may have been largest ever]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Americans observed the National Day of Prayer by gathering at thousands of locations across the country in what was expected to be the largest such observance in its six-decade history.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 07 May 2012 17:05:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Day-of-Prayer-may-have-been-largest-ever?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2de56248-b600-4c97-b2e0-8d7632d9b60b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptists honored at Heritage Award ceremony]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Sixteen North Carolina Baptists from across the state were recognized for their accomplishments and dedication through the years during the 12th annual Baptist Heritage Award ceremony at the Grandover Resort &amp; Conference Center in Greensboro April 24.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2012 18:08:46 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/N-C-Baptists-honored-at-Heritage-Award-ceremony?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">36745698-68f9-46ca-bc9b-486b736d997e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In ads, Billy Graham backs N.C. marriage amend.]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In a move that could sway some voters in the final days leading up to Tuesday&rsquo;s vote, evangelist Billy Graham has announced his support for a proposed constitutional marriage amendment in his home state of North Carolina, and his ministry will pay for 14 newspaper ads across the state featuring him.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2012 17:59:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/In-ads-Billy-Graham-backs-N-C-marriage-amend?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a29adc42-2d5b-45e8-94c9-b58e96f3fc01</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Soldiers’ Bibles exhibit a walk through American history]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The simplicity of the exhibit &ndash; copies of the Bible resting in glass cases &ndash; can be deceptive. But the Museum of Biblical Art&rsquo;s exhibition, &ldquo;Finding Comfort in Difficult Times: A Selection of Soldiers&rsquo; Bibles,&rdquo; is American religious history come alive.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2012 17:56:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Soldiers-Bibles-exhibit-a-walk-through-American-hi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">dbe0c291-2860-42fc-a4c6-bc1f5b890f01</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. couple in Brazil sees prayerwalking open doors]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[During their daily walks, Rob and Phyllis Hefner have been mugged, physically assaulted and narrowly escaped an attempted kidnapping. During a robbery, a woman held a knitting needle to Phyllis&rsquo; throat.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 18:08:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/N-C-couple-in-Brazil-sees-prayerwalking-open-doors?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">424a77a5-d2d5-4682-b71b-13fc050fb6c1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[CP still ahead of budgeted goal for year]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist national and international missions and ministries received by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee are $5,628,995.10, or 5.19 percent above the year-to-date budgeted goal, and are 0.22 percent behind contributions received during the same time frame last year, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Frank S. Page.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 18:00:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/CP-still-ahead-of-budgeted-goal-for-year?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bef6f9e8-0547-4c6a-9fdb-d3b0f980cd9a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Andy Stanley’s stance on homosexuality questioned]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Megachurch pastor Andy Stanley is being criticized for a recent sermon illustration involving a gay couple in which Stanley labeled adultery, but not homosexuality, a sin.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 03 May 2012 17:57:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Andy-Stanley-s-stance-on-homosexuality-questioned?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ce69b635-3d14-4703-8b86-0308235e4af6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Report: Half of N.C. marriage amend. signs stolen]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Roughly half of the yard signs around North Carolina supporting a proposed constitutional marriage amendment have been stolen or damaged, according to the communications director for the group promoting the amendment.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2012 19:25:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Report-Half-of-N-C-marriage-amend-signs-stolen?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2b2d8a52-6357-4d82-9ed7-667f13f7f7ba</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tenn. convention exploring property options]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Members of the Tennessee Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (TBC) executive board have approved the exploration of &ldquo;options for placing the Baptist Center property in Brentwood on the market and recruiting interested parties to submit proposals on the property.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2012 19:14:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Tenn-convention-exploring-property-options?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">441abe03-e11e-4e5d-8ecb-a9b685395548</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘The Vow’ couple humbled by story’s impact]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The authors behind the bestselling book &ldquo;The Vow&rdquo; are seeing lives changed and marriages healed after B&amp;H Publishing Group released their book the same weekend as a hit Hollywood movie of the same name.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2012 18:52:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/The-Vow-couple-humbled-by-story-s-impact?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">13243707-cd16-49b7-b2a5-d64bef0a4141</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pakistani cultural hub: Awakening envisioned]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The streets of the ancient city of Lahore, Pakistan, anchor majestic buildings in a blend of Islamic, Persian, Turkish and Indian architecture. Known as the cultural capital of Pakistan, Lahore is the country&rsquo;s second-largest city and the capital of the influential Punjab province.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2012 18:43:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Pakistani-cultural-hub-Awakening-envisioned?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">eb1d2e45-64b6-4eae-bd71-67c6a7c635d1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Lives impacted through weekend of outreach]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Vera Miller sat quietly at the kitchen counter eating her breakfast this past Saturday. If you didn&rsquo;t know about the eight men who were outside her front door swinging hammers and cutting wood to install a wheelchair ramp for her, you&rsquo;d think it was just any typical day.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 01 May 2012 19:07:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Lives-impacted-through-weekend-of-outreach?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">84fe5add-aeb1-4a16-b29f-1b22797a8440</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pastor retires after 41 years at Lewis Fork]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[George Washington was president of the United States, and the Declaration of Independence was only 16 years old when Lewis Fork Baptist Church was planted in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Wilkesboro, N.C. Since its founding in 1792 the church has been led by 27 pastors.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 01 May 2012 19:02:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/Pastor-retires-after-41-years-at-Lewis-Fork?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f32c0d19-7afe-46d2-80f3-ae136fd7a597</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[New ‘descriptor’ and historic election ahead for SBC meeting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The recommendation of &ldquo;Great Commission Baptists&rdquo; as a descriptive name and the prospective election of the first ever African American president are on the horizon for the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) June 19&ndash;20 meeting in New Orleans.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 01 May 2012 18:53:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/New-descriptor-and-historic-election-ahead-for-SBC?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">26ed3148-c07c-4c62-9f63-1962e8b68db3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC meeting smartphone app launches]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For the first time, messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) annual meeting this year can stay up to date with an SBC Annual Meeting smartphone app, which will include more than a dozen features, including maps, alerts, the Book of Reports and the Daily Bulletin.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 01 May 2012 18:49:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/SBC-meeting-smartphone-app-launches?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">705c6129-5848-46fc-a8ca-6f6a452cfa52</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[White House releases public/private guidelines]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A new White House report that offers guidance on public/private partnerships between the government and faith-based groups leaves critical questions unanswered and does not resolve the issue of religious groups&rsquo; ability to discriminate in hiring and firing, church-state watchdogs said.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 01 May 2012 18:46:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/May-2012/White-House-releases-public-private-guidelines?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bbdea72e-629a-4fad-935e-32edd6a4689c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Jesus is enough: Convention staff encouraged by great faith ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[After just a day or two, walking on piles of snow and narrow strips of ice was a welcome relief from mud. Walking on mud that had hardened somewhat wasn&rsquo;t so bad because you could gingerly step on the top and squish along, slipping and sliding.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:10:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Jesus-is-enough-Convention-staff-encouraged-by-gre?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7ad27572-1522-417b-8d68-8dc6b03e94d4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Glorieta available for $1 to N.M. Baptists]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The <a href="http://www.Lifeway.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>LifeWay</strong></em></a> Glorieta Conference Center is being offered for $1 to the Baptist Convention of New Mexico, according to both LifeWay and state convention leaders.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:59:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Glorieta-available-for-$1-to-N-M-Baptists?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">84414bb2-f280-4a2f-8762-afe7dd7aa860</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Jim Wells to join Mo. convention staff]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jim Wells, registration secretary for the Southern Baptist Convention (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>), is joining the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) executive board staff as Cooperative Program state missionary for strategic partnerships.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:43:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Jim-Wells-to-join-Mo-convention-staff?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">dad3555d-22d9-47b5-abc2-db2de9e27337</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NC gay ‘marriage’ backers try to change subject]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Less than two weeks before voters in North Carolina go to the polls to vote on a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman, the main group opposing it essentially has acknowledged it will win only by changing the subject from marriage &ndash; a tactic that has been tried before in other states.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:53:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/NC-gay-marriage-backers-try-to-change-subject?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c0feae43-34d0-4ede-a164-2c6efac771db</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine approved ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Campbell University&rsquo;s School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM) has been approved to begin recruiting students for its inaugural class that will begin in August 2013.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:46:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Campbell-University-School-of-Osteopathic-Medicine?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d3b4263f-b2e1-4b11-a3c8-aa3e65eefa90</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Calvinism conf. with SBC leaders coming to Ky.]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Kentucky Baptist Convention will sponsor a conference on Calvinism in August featuring four well-known panelists from divergent viewpoints, and despite its regional sponsorship, the conference likely will get widespread attention throughout the Southern Baptist Convention.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:41:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Calvinism-conf-with-SBC-leaders-coming-to-Ky?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">046e392c-5e12-4a18-9b8d-a6f0b542f642</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[VP nominee would lead IMB strategy for business leaders]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Long before he became IMB president, Tom Elliff dreamed of a new kind of missionary &ndash; Southern Baptist business leaders who leverage their resources, global connections and growth strategies to help fulfill the Great Commission.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:33:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/VP-nominee-would-lead-IMB-strategy-for-business-le?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0f9c1571-758a-406b-bb77-1f037d070fff</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Golfer, author shares devotionals, near-death experience]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Professional golfer and instructor Meredith Kirk shares about the game she loves, death and her devotional book. Meredith Kirk is a wife and mom of three, and is an accomplished Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) golfer and certified golf instructor operating out of the golf mecca of Myrtle Beach, S.C.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:24:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Golfer-author-shares-devotionals-near-death-experi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ada9c5f1-9373-4518-8e52-05a444393664</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bombings in Nigeria continue against Christians]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Suspected Islamic extremists attacked a TV viewing center in Jos, Nigeria, April 24, in a Christian area of the city where a crowd had gathered to watch a soccer match.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:13:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Bombings-in-Nigeria-continue-against-Christians?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ce90ee4b-6357-4aaf-ac0b-c575b94fcd5a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[National Day of Prayer set May 3]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Many North Carolina Baptists plan to gather for prayer May 3. Recognized as the National Day of Prayer, Baptists will join with others that day to pray for the country and its leaders.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:07:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/National-Day-of-Prayer-set-May-3?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3075ed0d-9e56-4a57-bd5f-14cefdce61b3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[ERLC: Military religious rights need safeguards]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s Ethics &amp; Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) has urged a key congressman to work for passage of legislation to protect the freedom of armed services members and chaplains in the wake of policy changes on homosexuality and same-sex &ldquo;marriage&rdquo; in the military.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:55:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/ERLC-Military-religious-rights-need-safeguards?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">67653a4a-92a9-4d6e-b04c-6c1b457029b6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptists declare ‘Glory to God!’ during annual missions event]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Angie Yelverton remembers clearly the child that died in front of her eyes during a volunteer mission trip to Haiti last year. Yelverton, of Northside Baptist Church in Wilmington, N.C., could barely speak as she shared before a crowd of nearly 1,200 Baptists about the father who carried his daughter to a clinic right before the girl died of malnutrition and malaria as Yelverton watched helplessly.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:25:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/N-C-Baptists-declare-Glory-to-God-during-annual-mi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">52d77e4d-d389-4eb1-b0e8-045b2f1c04db</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NYC church policy challenged in court filing]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The New York City ban on religious worship in public schools violates both the free exercise of religion and the prohibition on government establishment of religion, a Southern Baptist entity and other groups contend in a friend-of-the-court brief filed in federal court.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:21:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/NYC-church-policy-challenged-in-court-filing?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">69e51860-b5a1-46e5-be2b-1b91767a4214</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Obama site touts 40 accomplishments for gays]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Perhaps trying to send a message to gay activists who want him to do more, President Obama&rsquo;s re-election website has posted a timeline of 40 specific accomplishments his administration has made for the gay community &ndash; a timeline that no doubt will be referenced both by his supporters and opponents in the coming months.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:01:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Obama-site-touts-40-accomplishments-for-gays?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">790670eb-989f-44c3-99b9-404b15145a4b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Young ‘Millennials’ losing faith in record numbers]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A growing tide of young Americans is drifting away from the religions of their childhood &ndash; and most of them are ending up in no religion at all.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:58:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Young-Millennials-losing-faith-in-record-numbers?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b3e163f8-7f1d-4401-84c9-6e4aa1b3f23f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Board of Visitors, Trustees visit Southeastern campus]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest hosted the Board of Visitors and Trustees on its campus April 15-17. From Sunday evening to Tuesday afternoon, the Southeastern Board of Visitors and Trustees discussed several matters taking place at the College at Southeastern and Southeastern Seminary since their last visit in the fall.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 23:12:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Board-of-Visitors-Trustees-visit-Southeastern-camp?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0259028f-4ac2-47f1-be25-3cedf5e46d6e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Black Hawk Down’ soldier shares story, enrolled at Southeastern]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jeff Struecker has escaped death on more than one occasion and watched many fellow soldiers die in combat during his 22 years of service with the United States Army. The movie &ldquo;Black Hawk Down&rdquo; featured his service in Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 23:04:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Black-Hawk-Down-soldier-shares-story-enrolled-at-S?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">326227ce-9c57-4f12-86b1-beace495f5c8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Jason Crabb wins top honors at Doves]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jason Crabb won top honors at the 43rd annual Gospel Music Association Dove Awards at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta April 19, taking home awards for Artist of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. The Dove Awards will air on GMC, formerly the Gospel Music Channel, at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, followed by an encore at 10 p.m.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 24 Apr 2012 23:00:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Jason-Crabb-wins-top-honors-at-Doves?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">34d9a31a-79d4-45a3-9f08-3b5285cea46e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship, dies]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Prison Fellowship Ministries founder Charles W. &ldquo;Chuck&rdquo; Colson died April 21 due to complications resulting from a brain hemorrhage.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:37:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Chuck-Colson-founder-of-Prison-Fellowship-dies?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">41813876-bb0e-4a1e-9a6e-727631040ef8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Mother’s Day Offering, prayer help family through ‘scary time’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Matt and Jennifer Keever, members of Mt. Herman Baptist Church in Taylorsville, know the impact of the North Carolina Baptist Hospital&rsquo;s Mother&rsquo;s Day Offering first hand.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Eight days after the Keever&rsquo;s daughter, Raeghan, was born she was admitted to Baptist Hospital for heart surgery.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&ldquo;It was such a scary time in our lives,&rdquo; Jennifer said.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:11:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Mother-s-Day-Offering-prayer-help-family-through-s?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a13f8ccb-5a47-4b4a-aede-6ff0effc83c3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Operation Inasmuch – April 28, May 5 – is opportunity to evangelize]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Sharing the gospel in modern America is not as acceptable to the unchurched population as it was just two generations ago, said David Crocker, executive-director and founder of Operation Inasmuch (OIAM).<br />
&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:01:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Operation-Inasmuch-April-28-May-5-is-opportunity-t?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8f146ba8-be9d-4eb5-acff-4654176ba8e1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Campbell law professors refute claims about marriage amendment]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[RALEIGH, N.C. &mdash; On April 18, <strong><a href="http://www.voteformarriagenc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Campbell-White-Paper.pdf">law professors from Campbell University released a white paper</a><a href="http://www.voteformarriagenc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Campbell-White-Paper.pdf" target="_blank"> </a></strong>refuting the claims made by Professor Maxine Eichner of University of North Carolina School of Law who has alleged that the N.C. Marriage Protection Amendment would negatively affect current law.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:58:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Campbell-law-professors-refute-claims-about-marria?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b8c1ae26-5d26-4c3c-87c2-e14575d45f97</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Study: Religious hostility escalates worldwide]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[WASHINGTON &ndash; Practicing a religious belief in nearly one-third of the world&rsquo;s countries is increasingly difficult due to government restrictions and public hostilities, according to new data from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. The Pew study found a 32 percent increase in governmental restrictions and public hostilities from 2006-09 in the 198 countries of the world.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:55:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Study-Religious-hostility-escalates-worldwide?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3d601eb3-7b89-49de-a018-38e0359d85ff</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Guest column: Lessons from Chuck Colson, a transformer of culture]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Chuck Colson, the former White House &ldquo;Hatchet Man&rdquo; who became a modern-day prophet, has passed on to his heavenly reward. He was the first in the Nixon administration to be incarcerated for Watergate charges. He became an evangelical leader, author of 30 books, cultural philosopher, founder of Prison Fellowship and...]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sat, 21 Apr 2012 22:31:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Guest-column-Lessons-from-Chuck-Colson-a-transform?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b607f7ea-5b5f-449c-91e1-d2a7fac46695</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NAMB increases funding for Appalachian Regional Ministry]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Matthew Hallenbeck got a phone call no pastor wants to get on a Sunday morning. The church was on fire. An incapacitated driver had plowed into Bellewood Baptist Church in Syracuse, N.Y., early that morning causing massive damage &ndash; and a fire.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:41:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/NAMB-increases-funding-for-Appalachian-Regional-Mi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">89854ec2-08c0-4ddc-b468-fd85128954ca</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Teen birth rate drops; deeper issues remain]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The teenage birth rate in the United States has fallen to the lowest level since 1946, according to the latest data from National Center for Health Statistics. In 2010, babies born to women between ages 15 and 19 numbered 367,752. The previous year, there were 409,802 such births.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:35:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Teen-birth-rate-drops;-deeper-issues-remain?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">398a254d-453c-4729-9df2-6725d58667cb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. pastor leads search for Midwestern president]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.mbts.edu" target="_blank"><em><strong>MBTS</strong></em></a>) trustees have established a seven-member presidential search committee and solidified their commitment to two leaders serving in an interim capacity.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:08:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/N-C-pastor-leads-search-for-Midwestern-president?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5d722a42-484f-4de7-8700-a28b3cb73c75</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Land’s comments meet with ERLC’s regret, investigation]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Comments by Richard Land about the Trayvon Martin killing &ldquo;have angered many and opened wounds from the past,&rdquo; the Ethics &amp; Religious Liberty Commission&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.erlc.com" target="_blank"><em><strong>ERLC</strong></em></a>) executive committee said in a statement released April 18.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:55:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Land-s-comments-meet-with-ERLC-s-regret-investigat?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">36acb2d1-c630-4427-ace6-9de0ddbf08e8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Risqué billboard removed after NYC pastor sends out Tweets]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When pastor Freddy T. Wyatt arrives at his New York City church plant and sits down in his office every day, he looks out the window. There, on the side of the Broadway Plaza Hotel, is a four-story billboard that is home to ads for products like Coca-Cola and VITAMINWATER<small><span style="font-size: 9px;">&reg;</span></small>.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:48:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Risque-billboard-removed-after-NYC-pastor-sends-ou?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6ae05a35-d2a0-4bcc-963f-8115da633c5c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Morningstar recognizes MyDestination Funds]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Launched just over five years ago, the MyDestination Funds family of date target funds continue to attract attention and recognition. Today, nearly one out of every four dollars coming into GuideStone retirement accounts is invested in a MyDestination fund.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:35:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Morningstar-recognizes-MyDestination-Funds?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">66eb153c-b737-40fa-9ffd-3ac6830f27da</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Q&A: Gospel Project’s Trevin Wax on the interest in new curriculum]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The latest small group curriculum from LifeWay Christian Resources won&rsquo;t launch until September, but interest in it is already high &ndash; so much so that nearly 6,000 churches have downloaded sample lessons, five months before its launch.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:29:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Q-A-Gospel-Project-s-Trevin-Wax-on-the-interest-in?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">169288c7-d577-4d64-ac7d-c2f844e2ceb4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Calif. voters may yet vote on gay history]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A landmark California law that legalized the teaching of gay history in California&rsquo;s public school might still be reversed at the ballot, months after an earlier signature drive aimed at overturning it fell short.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:18:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Calif-voters-may-yet-vote-on-gay-history?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">db01129c-6a92-4090-8c36-6d9368a9836f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hispanic leaders mobilize for Send N. America]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>NAMB</strong></em></a>) hosted its annual national Hispanic evangelism and mobilization conference March 15-17 in Atlanta.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:05:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Hispanic-leaders-mobilize-for-Send-N-America?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">eff4c569-7d85-4421-85ad-f3e0598e7b28</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘We are beyond excited,’ report N.C. pastors about Easter services]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[More than a week later, North Carolina Baptist pastors are still sharing testimonies of what God did &ndash; and continues to do &ndash; in their congregation on Easter Sunday and in the days to follow. All across the state churches baptized new believers on Easter, and many reported record attendance.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:02:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/We-are-beyond-excited-report-N-C-pastors-about-Eas?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">84851d6b-b35f-430e-8e63-c079db770e3d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Land issues letter of apology for Trayvon Martin comments]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Richard Land has written an open letter of apology for comments he voiced about the infusion of politics into the Trayvon Martin killing.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:55:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Land-issues-letter-of-apology-for-Trayvon-Martin-c?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">160f59a2-8145-4ee5-9bef-b9faf8495068</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptist group will remain on Vanderbilt campus]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Although some religious organizations have said they will not register as campus organizations at Vanderbilt University, the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) has applied to remain a registered campus organization.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:47:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Baptist-group-will-remain-on-Vanderbilt-campus?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f3daf6b0-0676-4c30-a1e2-2e97f6f5dbca</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Year after April 16 tornadoes, N.C. Baptists reflect on lives impacted]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Memories of the April 16 tornadoes that swept through North Carolina &ndash; claiming 24 lives &ndash; one year ago still remain clear for those impacted, including the thousands of volunteers who pitched in to help.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:46:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Year-after-April-16-tornadoes-N-C-Baptists-reflect?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">82a6c02f-023c-40ce-b576-866480084eff</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Wife of late N.C. pastor establishes fund to help deaf students]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Stephanie Johnson knows the challenges facing a potential seminary student who is deaf. She watched as her husband, Daniel, tried to follow God&rsquo;s call to seminary only to encounter closed doors.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:37:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Wife-of-late-N-C-pastor-establishes-fund-to-help-d?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ffe903ae-27bd-4186-8de2-dd2989780b90</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Komen still giving to Planned Parenthood]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Susan G. Komen for the Cure&rsquo;s coffers remain as open as ever for Planned Parenthood, even as they appear to be taking a hit.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:11:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Komen-still-giving-to-Planned-Parenthood?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">42263f46-0ab6-4af8-9ed6-3e5cc08afa47</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[As Titanic sank, he pleaded, ‘believe in the Lord Jesus!’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[It has been 100 years since Titanic, the greatest ship of its time, sank on its maiden voyage, killing more than 1,500 passengers. The &ldquo;unsinkable ship&rdquo; had done just that, and on the tragedy&rsquo;s centennial we stand captivated by the story.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:01:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/As-Titanic-sank-he-pleaded-believe-in-the-Lord-Jes?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">72c62b4b-5845-42d7-b652-d958a8c502f1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[World’s most manicured mission field is his call]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Scott Lehman stands on the first tee of a golf course, he&rsquo;s gazing out across one of the most manicured mission fields on earth &ndash; his mission field.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:46:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/World-s-most-manicured-mission-field-is-his-call?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c23480a2-6ded-4712-a048-8c8aa52362b5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[3-D helps build disciple-making culture]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Although scripture instructs churches to focus on disciple-making, making the leap from affirming disciple-making as a priority to being a disciple-maker is often easier said than done.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:23:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/3-D-helps-build-disciple-making-culture?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">dba22006-4f55-4226-834f-f8e11e992e36</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NAMB addressing tensions regarding strategy]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North American Mission Board (<a href="http://www.namb.net" target="_blank"><strong>NAMB</strong></a>) President Kevin Ezell has explained the board&rsquo;s initiatives in church planting and evangelism in April 9 and March 6 video conferences with directors of missions and church planting catalysts.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:11:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/NAMB-addressing-tensions-regarding-strategy?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">439b8e40-af60-4846-a3d7-d4779dd84227</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Research: Pastors, laity disagree on gospel’s exclusivity]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nearly eight in 10 Protestant pastors strongly disagree that eternal life can be obtained through religions other than Christianity, according to a survey by <a href="http://www.lifeway.com/LifeWay-Research/c/N-1z13wgl" target="_blank"><em><strong>LifeWay Research</strong></em></a>.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:00:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Research-Pastors-laity-disagree-on-gospel-s-exclus?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0cb2d12f-e474-46ba-94c6-6ec57dac3be4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Nathan Lino to be nominated for SBC 1st VP]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Texas pastor Nathan Lino will be nominated to the office of first vice president of the <a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>Southern Baptist Convention</strong></em></a> during the annual meeting in New Orleans this summer.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:43:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Nathan-Lino-to-be-nominated-for-SBC-1st-VP?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0ad253f4-6b11-42cb-98a7-d2af8d448340</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC meeting theme to spotlight ‘Neighborhood & Nations’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;Jesus: to the Neighborhood and the Nations&rdquo; is the theme for the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) June 19-20 annual meeting in New Orleans, SBC President Bryant Wright has announced.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:02:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/SBC-meeting-theme-to-spotlight-Neighborhood-Nation?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6ec1370c-30f1-4519-9bbb-4f6cda123e15</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Charlotte churches choose to change, reach community for Christ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Every week on the way to the hospital for visitation Jack Homesley drives through the neighborhood where he spent his childhood. Only now when he drives by Hoskins Avenue Baptist Church in Charlotte, which he remembers as always having a full parking lot, it looks almost empty.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:39:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Charlotte-churches-choose-to-change-reach-communit?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6bbb3d5f-b905-4fb4-a96f-3a9f86c6dbc2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Retired dental clinic finds new life, meets needs in western N.C.]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A dental bus retired by North Carolina Baptist Men after 22 years of service is finding a second life as a stationary dental clinic operated by Truett Baptist Association in Marble. See a dentist for a toothache? It&rsquo;s routine for many North Carolinians, but it can be a challenge for many living in Cherokee and Clay counties in the far western part of the state.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:26:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Retired-dental-clinic-finds-new-life-meets-needs-i?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">621185ba-0d26-45dc-af6b-c5921c700760</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Camp celebrates 50 years, challenges churches to ‘Send 1 for Him’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Walking the trails and hills around Camp Caraway in Sophia, N.C., isn&rsquo;t as easy as it once was 40 years ago for C.J. Bordeaux. &ldquo;When did you all move Mountain View so far back up in the woods?&rdquo; Bordeaux joked during a more recent visit to the camp.<br />
&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:41:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Camp-celebrates-50-years-challenges-churches-to-Se?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">45bc1600-bec1-4ff0-a6a3-54cbe24acb60</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Starnes combats ‘war on Christianity’ with satire]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A new book by Fox News journalist Todd Starnes chronicles approximately 100 instances of political correctness gone wild and religious freedom encroached &ndash; what Starnes dubs a &ldquo;war on Christianity&rdquo; and traditional values.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:33:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Starnes-combats-war-on-Christianity-with-satire?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">238f4e70-3118-4e22-8963-2767436a155d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. couple shares calling at IMB appointment service]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[At least one North Carolina couple thought they had it all figured out. In recent years their family had traveled on multiple mission trips to South America. They became familiar with the language and the culture. Their desire to become missionaries in that part of the world seemed natural, easy and to be a good fit.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:30:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/N-C-couple-shares-calling-at-IMB-appointment-servi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3066bbdf-3097-4e72-878b-8e3b625bccd6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptists rally to fight for marriage amendment]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Baptists continue to rally together across the state to learn more about how they can help support a proposed amendment to the state&rsquo;s constitution that, if passed, would define marriage as being only between a man and a woman.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:26:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/N-C-Baptists-rally-to-fight-for-marriage-amendment?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f98fa67c-f329-459f-adb6-66f6f707ad36</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Three Forks DOM recovering after motorcycle accident]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Barry Nealy, director of missions for Three Forks Baptist Association in Boone who was involved in a motorcycle accident March 22, was moved from a hospital in Tennessee to a facility in Greensboro.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:21:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Three-Forks-DOM-recovering-after-motorcycle-accide?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cb8c4981-0c87-49ab-9a38-48496e8c95f1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ga. Baptists to explore property sale]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Georgia Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (GBC) Executive Committee has voted to entertain any valid offers for a potential sale of its six-year-old Baptist Missions and Ministry Center and 43 acres of property.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:09:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Ga-Baptists-to-explore-property-sale?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">374ef0ca-a5ab-4557-ac5a-b891c0c37d0e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Committee on Resolutions named for 2012 SBC]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[SBC President Bryant Wright has named the members of the Committee on Resolutions who will serve during the June 19-20 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting in New Orleans.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:04:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Committee-on-Resolutions-named-for-2012-SBC?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">77ec6b3d-12d7-427b-8d18-57af176fa4f9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Masters winner Watson not ashamed of his Christian faith]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[There&rsquo;s something different about Bubba Watson. And he doesn&rsquo;t care if you know it. The winner of the 2012 Masters golf tournament realizes he&rsquo;s not like most famous athletes. In fact, he welcomes it.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:01:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Masters-winner-Watson-not-ashamed-of-his-Christian?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">347a5235-30ce-462c-95bd-c8657ab6cb87</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Feeding a hunger for truth: Convention staff leads way in Moldova]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As two team members from the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (<a href="http://www.ncbaptist.org" target="_blank"><em><strong>BSC</strong></em></a>) left a family&rsquo;s home in the district of Ungheni, they weren&rsquo;t sure what to think. They shared the gospel. The husband and wife listened, but they did not really have much to say.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:40:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Feeding-a-hunger-for-truth-Convention-staff-leads?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fdf57dcc-bef7-46d6-aff2-48137474d436</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Moldova mission team encounters lostness, spiritual darkness]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Wrinkles lined her face and wisps of gray hair poked out from underneath the blue and yellow scarf wrapped around her head. She stood in the doorway bundled up in a long gray coat. A smile never left her face.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:28:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Moldova-mission-team-encounters-lostness-spiritual?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ab3b3feb-bcfa-4874-944b-d4eae90b8578</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iran pastor, still alive, passes 900th day in jail]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As Christians around the world prepare to celebrate Easter, Iranian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani remains in jail &ndash; alive, yes &ndash; but having already passed his 900th day behind bars for being a Christian and still facing a possible execution.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:17:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Iran-pastor-still-alive-passes-900th-day-in-jail?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">12245759-2aa0-4ceb-aaae-ed425b5186cc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Guest Column: Easter and overseas missions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Have you ever wondered what Easter and international missions have in common? To find out, we need to start at the beginning. Astronaut James Lovell first coined the phrase, &ldquo;Houston, we have a problem,&rdquo; when Apollo 13 began to experience trouble.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:34:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Guest-Column-Easter-and-overseas-missions?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">09139ea1-a6bf-41ed-805f-4cf2748d2d9b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Evangelist Sammy Nuckolls, 33, charged with video voyeurism]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A 33-year-old evangelist who spoke for years at Southern Baptist youth gatherings is being investigated in three states for video voyeurism. The evangelist, Sammy Nuckolls, was indicted in February in Mississippi on 13 counts of video voyeurism for filming women in private situations without their consent.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:16:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Evangelist-Sammy-Nuckolls-33-charged-with-video-vo?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">62db185f-a223-417b-906c-5e1da5f4bb38</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[National WMU introduces new trademark and tagline]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[National Woman&rsquo;s Missionary Union (WMU) introduced new branding elements recently, including an updated trademark and tagline. Since 2006, the trademark for the national missions organization incorporated the letters WMU with a larger &ldquo;M&rdquo; to place emphasis on &ldquo;missions.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:07:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/National-WMU-introduces-new-trademark-and-tagline?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">dffac26d-1f5b-48d9-bec0-2efab39518cb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Anchorage voters defeat transgender proposal]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A controversial proposal in Anchorage, Alaska, that would have added protections based on &ldquo;sexual orientation&rdquo; and &ldquo;transgender identity&rdquo; to the city&rsquo;s code has been handily defeated, defying a pre-election survey and proving once again that voters often say one thing on issues of homosexuality and then do another.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:56:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Anchorage-voters-defeat-transgender-proposal?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">02340a7f-f3fb-432f-98dd-0a2ca29346de</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In Cuba, leaders encouraged by Baptists’ perseverance, vibrance]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Walking through the Western Cuba Baptist Convention (WCBC) Seminary&rsquo;s corridors in Havana, Kevin Ezell heard how home missionaries Herbert Caudill and David Fite were escorted from those halls in 1965 and sent to Fidel Castro&rsquo;s notorious prison.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:49:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/In-Cuba-leaders-encouraged-by-Baptists-perseveranc?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2c5d7884-d7c5-465d-9f12-df06e703c919</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Polls: N.C. marriage amend. has 20-point lead]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Two new polls that use the exact language citizens will see on the ballot show a proposed North Carolina marriage amendment with a substantial lead. A survey of 1,191 likely voters by Public Policy Polling has the amendment ahead, 58-38 percent, while a poll of 1,001 by SurveyUSA has the amendment up, 58-36 percent.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:34:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Polls-N-C-marriage-amend-has-20-point-lead?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">dd78d963-c376-4893-b72f-918d9e29eb52</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Luter: Humility, mind of Christ must define Christian life]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As a teenager, Fred Luter met a quiet girl named Elizabeth, as the two were paired together for a Louisiana history class project at their school in the lower ninth ward of New Orleans. The two eventually began dating and sought to get married a few years later, but finances stood in their way.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:26:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Luter-Humility-mind-of-Christ-must-define-Christia?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">200b72ed-3d3e-4a26-8335-6040d77cd949</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Daytona Bike Week draws 500-plus to Christ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Would you trade three minutes of your time for a chance to win a black 2012 Harley Davidson Road Glide motorcycle?]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:21:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Daytona-Bike-Week-draws-500-plus-to-Christ?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fa09eddd-c4ce-4077-afa1-20b49fbe3b24</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Carey pastor: ‘They wish they had ... our Cooperative Program’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Al James drives up to Carey Baptist Church near Henderson, his head is uncovered but actually he wears two &ldquo;hats.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:13:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Carey-pastor-They-wish-they-had-our-Cooperative-Pr?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3213a189-7382-45a3-b01a-6e71e28a1318</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[CP ahead of pace at fiscal year midpoint]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist national and international missions and ministries received by the SBC Executive Committee are $4,764,590.68, or 5.12 percent, above the year-to-date budgeted goal, and are 0.75 percent behind contributions received during the same time frame last year, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Frank S. Page.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:05:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/CP-ahead-of-pace-at-fiscal-year-midpoint?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4001cdc2-c8d3-4f27-a563-c8f409672c56</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Page “cautiously optimistic” about CP’s future ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (<a href="http://www.sbc.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>SBC</strong></em></a>) Executive Committee president Frank Page discussed the future of the Cooperative Program during a Q&amp;A session with students and faculty at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, March 23.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:51:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Page-cautiously-optimistic-about-CP-s-future?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">56919b53-b071-4ab1-bbea-4bb8ade5d69f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Atheist shocked when church helps with bills]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The man who threatened to sue a Texas county for placing a nativity scene on the courthouse lawn has had a shift in perspective, dropped the lawsuit and now plans to move to the county with his wife and cat.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:43:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Atheist-shocked-when-church-helps-with-bills?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">620756c3-fc5c-4110-b1b2-b5e5564da379</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[IRS allows churches to endorse marriage initiatives, attorney says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Conventional wisdom might hold that churches can never legally get involved in politics, but when it comes to issues &ndash; and specifically for 2012, ballot initiatives dealing with the definition of marriage &ndash; churches actually have wide latitude, says an attorney well-versed in IRS law.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:28:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/IRS-allows-churches-to-endorse-marriage-initiative?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f8886c79-20ad-45b3-9d48-f2c08eb9fe4c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Cleveland project creators hope potato idea spreads]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In small potato patches across Cleveland County and in the hearts of the hungry who receive the potatoes, Christ&rsquo;s followers are planting hope. Since potatoes are a viable crop across North Carolina, the leaders of the Cleveland County Potato Project hope this highly successful project will take root across the state.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:18:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Cleveland-project-creators-hope-potato-idea-spread?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c5593c3e-f30d-494c-b7bc-518dc2ef6c60</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Q&A: ‘October Baby’ actress shares about her experience]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When producer/directors Jon and Andrew Erwin asked Shari Rigby to consider a small but crucial role in their film &ldquo;October Baby,&rdquo; none of them realized how closely the script about a young woman who discovers she survived an abortion attempt paralleled Rigby&rsquo;s own life.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:12:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/Q-A-October-Baby-actress-shares-about-her-experien?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">753a4484-0e5d-4174-838e-097d05187144</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[2012 VBS to teach ‘God’s Awesome Power’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nearly 4,000 people attended Vacation Bible School (VBS) preview events this winter to prepare for &ldquo;Amazing Wonders Aviation: Encountering God&rsquo;s Awesome Power.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:04:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/April-2012/2012-VBS-to-teach-God-s-Awesome-Power?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">90f3df89-d82e-40d7-b624-75f4426ca204</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Three N.C. Acteens to serve on national panel]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Each year, Woman&rsquo;s Missionary Union (WMU) selects six outstanding Acteens to serve as National Acteens Panelists based on their commitment to missions and participation and leadership in their Acteens group, church, school and community.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:28:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Three-N-C-Acteens-to-serve-on-national-panel?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8d4f66f4-2097-4338-8903-5ef741919ef9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Disaster relief training still available]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Baptist Men still have three regions of training opportunities through June 2. Regions 6, 8 and 10 still have slots available to learn how to respond in disaster relief situations.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:19:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Disaster-relief-training-still-available?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f26f34ff-4855-4c0b-9750-a502d1f203b5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptists learn to ‘embrace‘ unreached, N.C. church leads way]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Beyond Beverly Hills&rsquo; designer-label storefronts and gated estates are apartments and condos filled with people from diverse walks of life. &ldquo;The image is all wealthy, but once you&rsquo;ve been here for six months, you understand that it&rsquo;s broader than that,&rdquo; said Randy Nessly, pastor of First Baptist Church in Beverly Hills.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:06:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Baptists-learn-to-embrace-unreached-N-C-church-lea?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8becb970-1eef-4627-a755-54f98a38a181</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Poll: Miss. most religious state, Vt. & N.H. least]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Mississippi, Utah and Alabama are the most religious states and Vermont and New Hampshire the least religious, according to a Gallup survey that asked respondents about their religion and their church attendance.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:00:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Poll-Miss-most-religious-state-Vt-N-H-least?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">df8e6c08-9e62-471b-8b48-29514f8fd4ed</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘It’s about religious freedom,’ marriage panelists say ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A panel of Christian leaders shared how the eyes of the nation will be on North Carolina May 8 when its citizens go to the polls to decide whether marriage will be defined as only between a man and a woman. Panelists contend it is an issue that is more about religious freedom than &ldquo;gay rights.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:55:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/It-s-about-religious-freedom-marriage-panelists-sa?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">be2d741a-98e0-40a3-bb70-4fa2ea2d68a5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Secrecy gone: Most adoptions today are ‘open,’ report says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A new survey of adoption agencies confirms that the secrecy once associated with adoption is no longer a reality, with 95 percent of all domestic adoptions now being &ldquo;open&rdquo; or &ldquo;semi-open&rdquo; &ndash; that is, the birth parents and adoptive parents having at least some level of contact.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:48:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Secrecy-gone-Most-adoptions-today-are-open-report?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4713071c-1147-4c28-97c5-88007b030e1f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ex-Victoria’s Secret model promotes Prov. 31]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Alex Eklund updated his Facebook status on Nov. 30, he had no idea it would make him a social media star. Eklund was studying in the Baylor University library when he noticed a theme among his friends&rsquo; status updates.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:39:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Ex-Victoria-s-Secret-model-promotes-Prov-31?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">82b39a39-fadc-46ce-bc51-60e64481213d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[DOM in hospital after motorcycle accident]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Barry Nealy, director of missions for Three Forks Baptist Association, is in the Intensive Care Unit at Johnson City Medical Center in Tennessee. Nealy was riding his motorcycle March 22 when he was involved in an accident.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:28:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/DOM-in-hospital-after-motorcycle-accident?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8d95fba0-bc13-4ead-850d-b16dd4326bca</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bapt. medical center names vp of faith, health ministries]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem has appointed Gary R. Gunderson as vice president of faith and health ministries, effective July 1. Gunderson, a 1973 graduate of Wake Forest University, is currently senior vice president for faith and health at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Memphis, Tenn., and director of its Center of Excellence in Faith and Health.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:24:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Bapt-medical-center-names-vp-of-faith-health-minis?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fd0d63e5-cd49-475c-a540-e9fe632a9f41</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tim Tebow brings a little goodness to Gotham]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Tim Tebow is Howdy Doody in a helmet. No, he is Opie Taylor running for touchdowns &ndash; while reciting Bible verses, stopping to find a lost dog, visiting sick children in a hospital and helping a little old lady across the street, all before he reaches the end zone.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:11:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Tim-Tebow-brings-a-little-goodness-to-Gotham?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">930e29e3-ffb7-4591-9a6d-452bbe972795</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Asian farmer’s coffee crop brings nurture to his faith]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Far off the beaten path in the mountains of an East Asian nation, believers in a house church find God&rsquo;s faithfulness in budding coffee crops and healthy animals. Zhe Wang Hu* is one of these believers, praying for his coffee crops when the church gathers to worship after a long day in the fields.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:55:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Asian-farmer-s-coffee-crop-brings-nurture-to-his-f?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c7692718-2896-4456-848a-7566cfb728e9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Christianity frees farmer from fear of death]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jia Liang* doesn&rsquo;t stop to sit down the entire evening, making sure guests never see the bottom of porcelain bowls full of rice and fish stew. Traditionally in East Asia, women play the role of host, but tonight under a star-studded sky, Liang serves family members and friends who helped plant his terraced rice fields.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:42:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Christianity-frees-farmer-from-fear-of-death?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5be1209c-61fd-42c1-8283-c9365c3c02af</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[IMB welcomes 61 new missionaries]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[He was a rebellious punk rock skateboarder who openly renounced his family&rsquo;s faith, telling his parents that &ldquo;God was a joke.&rdquo; But God had a plan for Charles Drake*.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:33:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/IMB-welcomes-61-new-missionaries?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">26490771-1a21-48e7-be4d-49ef4d17893c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[October Baby has successful Top 10 opening]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The faith-based film &ldquo;October Baby&rdquo; finished in the Top 10 on its opening weekend despite playing in only 390 theaters, and did even better on a per-theater average.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:14:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/October-Baby-has-successful-Top-10-opening?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4bf872e7-5a74-4d40-9e09-6383d45ff963</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Mich. abortion clinic abuses go ‘uninvestigated’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Michigan provides almost no oversight of the 32 abortion clinics in the state, a leader of Right to Life of Michigan has testified in a state Senate subcommittee hearing. As a result, unhealthy conditions and violations of reporting mandates are rampant, said Ed Rivet, Right to Life state legislative director, according to the Detroit Free Press.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:06:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Mich-abortion-clinic-abuses-go-uninvestigated?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6b6244d3-6183-4655-823d-854a47ad51ae</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Coup in Mali: Baptist family waits for calm]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist workers in Mali are prayerfully waiting out the unfolding military coup that erupted in the West African nation March 22.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:51:46 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Coup-in-Mali-Baptist-family-waits-for-calm?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">47a928c1-e750-4d0d-a47f-a37dd33548c6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Turkey added to watchdog’s list of religious liberty violators]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Two more countries &ndash; Turkey and Tajikistan &ndash; are worthy of inclusion on a list of the world&rsquo;s worst violators of religious liberty, a congressionally approved watchdog on the issue has recommended.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:45:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Turkey-added-to-watchdog-s-list-of-religious-liber?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d3a94472-18d0-481b-8aad-7344443b4608</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Couple leaves comforts of South for city that never sleeps]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Kevin and Kristi Cabe love the view from Sunset Park in Brooklyn, N.Y. The park overlooks a backdrop of tall buildings and skyscrapers in Jersey City, Manhattan and Staten Island. Further in the distance one can see Queens and the Bronx.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:31:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Couple-leaves-comforts-of-South-for-city-that-neve?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">edf7a08d-893d-4d3f-b5fd-b84e7646bfc6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tony Dungy shares about Colts, faith, Billy Graham]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Earlier this year, Tony Dungy, an NBC football analyst and Super Bowl winning coach, sat down with <em>Biblical Recorder </em>sports correspondent Roman Gabriel III. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:23:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Tony-Dungy-shares-about-Colts-faith-Billy-Graham?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2732147a-e328-40ba-9347-b8d6ca31a8fd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Evangelical training helps churches reach communities]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Although every church is called by God to engage in evangelism, a one-size-fits-all approach does not exist. Every local church must develop an effective strategy to evangelize its community.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:17:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Evangelical-training-helps-churches-reach-communit?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">53161612-5a6a-4e67-ba4d-d97e5ee07649</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Find It Here: Expanding the kingdom, impacting lostness]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The statistics can be daunting: 5.6 million, 258 million and 6 billion. But those are more than statistics; they represent the number of people across North Carolina, North America and around the world who desperately need to hear and respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:05:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Find-It-Here-Expanding-the-kingdom-impacting-lostn?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">02bec184-3200-4f35-afe8-dd29721c7f6f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Churches lost $1.2 billion in recession]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Even as membership remains relatively stable in U.S. churches, the effects of the recession have caused contributions to drop by $1.2 billion. According to the 2012 Yearbook of American &amp; Canadian Churches, the almost $29 billion contributed by church members represented a 2.2 percent decrease in terms of per capita giving.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:09:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Churches-lost-$1-2-billion-in-recession?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">516ddbcd-4969-40a0-9773-db7493d11f7e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Film traces real-life story of abortion ‘survivor’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A new movie confronts a controversial topic by highlighting two words that don&rsquo;t typically go together: &ldquo;abortion&rdquo; and &ldquo;survivor.&rdquo; &ldquo;We didn&rsquo;t know there was such a thing,&rdquo; said Jon Erwin, who wrote and co-directed &ldquo;October Baby&rdquo; with his brother, Andrew.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:59:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Film-traces-real-life-story-of-abortion-survivor?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b7b63584-aef8-4f56-984e-d9ad1d286702</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Harsh winter countered by Baptists’ aid & love]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[An unusually harsh winter across Europe and Central Asia has caused suffering and hardship for millions of people. But it also has created opportunities to demonstrate God&rsquo;s love for people in need through such efforts as hand-digging tunnels through deep snow and shoveling out remote mountain passes.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:53:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Harsh-winter-countered-by-Baptists-aid-love?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">30f16bc3-ecd2-4e0c-845c-cf48c3f4ef16</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Manila’s squatter communities receive hope]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;Come on,&rdquo; a young man calls as he and a group of teenagers trek to a squatter village to teach the Bible. As they pass an open field where several children are kicking a partially deflated soccer ball, he again calls, &ldquo;Come on.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:20:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Manila-s-squatter-communities-receive-hope?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3eb23803-3851-4053-9c84-54f66e7fe0d3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In Sudan, more ethnic cleansing of Christians is alleged]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Alleged ethnic cleansing that Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has undertaken against black Africans in the Nuba Mountains also is aimed at ridding the area of Christianity, according to humanitarian workers.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:37:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/In-Sudan-more-ethnic-cleansing-of-Christians-is-al?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a1913a83-f4ad-4361-ab70-ee50ae843165</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Q&A: Researcher Kara Powell on why teens leave the faith]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A 2007 LifeWay Research study found that 70 percent of young adults who attended church in high school subsequently stopped attending church for at least a year during their college years.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:27:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Q-A-Researcher-Kara-Powell-on-why-teens-leave-the?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">54431887-ce97-4a35-8f36-0126f7ae4c68</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Southeastern Seminary to host marriage amendment forum]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest will host the Marriage Amendment Forum March 28 beginning at 10 a.m. in Binkley Chapel.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:35:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Southeastern-Seminary-to-host-marriage-amendment-f?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bf413066-4449-49b0-aca6-3a75ee1d4733</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Is the CBF poised for a shift on homosexuality?]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[An upcoming conference and hiring policy point to a potential paradigm shift on homosexuality for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF). The conference is already making waves as the event draws near.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:24:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Is-the-CBF-poised-for-a-shift-on-homosexuality?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">78bd34aa-af79-4b17-907e-6d83b42a2bb9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Fleeing Syrian refugees meet with God’s love]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Ongoing violence in Syria is driving refugees across borders into neighboring countries, where many of them are being met by Southern Baptists&rsquo; ministry partners with badly needed help and the love of Jesus.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:10:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Fleeing-Syrian-refugees-meet-with-God-s-love?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a5c455c6-7174-4590-ac8f-107ae8f3d6ca</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ho Chi Minh City ‘moving forward’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Even at midnight, the city isn&rsquo;t silent. The night air is punctuated with the honking of horns and the music of karaoke bars. Even the scream of power tools from high-rise construction sites continues well into the night.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:02:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Ho-Chi-Minh-City-moving-forward?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">721e8bd9-bbc3-4989-909d-60122f2f4d8a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[After arrest Southeastern ‘family’ gathers to worship, pray]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A former student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is out on $50,000 bond after his arrest March 17. William &ldquo;Billy&rdquo; Birch, 43, has been charged with sexual assault after an incident involving another male student March 17 in an apartment on the Wake Forest campus.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:48:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/After-arrest-Southeastern-family-gathers-to-worshi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2f52c26e-bdfa-4c35-a905-7ab3eaab7e08</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Obama opposes N.C. marriage amendment]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[President Obama says he opposes a proposed North Carolina constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman &ndash; an amendment that polls show a majority of the state&rsquo;s voters support.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:30:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Obama-opposes-N-C-marriage-amendment?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9f853332-866c-4543-89ce-675eb46d6c17</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Q&A: Kirk Cameron on new film, Piers Morgan ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Kirk Cameron went on CNN&rsquo;s &ldquo;Piers Morgan Tonight&rdquo; to discuss his upcoming patriotic-themed documentary &ldquo;Monumental,&rdquo; he didn&rsquo;t expect to get pulled into a national debate over homosexuality.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:22:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Q-A-Kirk-Cameron-on-new-film-Piers-Morgan?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5ec3528b-4060-4813-996d-00c55eb1c6c5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Missionary kids’ aid hospital’s makeover]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Joining in the &ldquo;extreme makeover&rdquo; of Sanyati Baptist Hospital in Zimbabwe, a crew of nine youth, ages 11-18, proved up to the task.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:14:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Missionary-kids-aid-hospital-s-makeover?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2e20568d-1145-4402-9860-27e5e3f2869c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Crossover New Orleans: Big outreach planned for Big Easy ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[There&rsquo;s no better time than June to visit New Orleans. Add to jazz, beignets and the French Quarter, the attraction of city residents who have grown to love Southern Baptists, and you have a perfect chemistry for a successful Crossover 2012.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:07:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Crossover-New-Orleans-Big-outreach-planned-for-Big?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">070c3669-7538-465d-88cd-21dbaf6a2360</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[U.S. homeschoolers wary of Canadian bill]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Homeschool defenders in the United States are wary of proposed legislation in Alberta, Canada, that could set a philosophical precedent for government intrusion into what parents are allowed to teach their homeschooled children.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:00:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/U-S-homeschoolers-wary-of-Canadian-bill?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">18cf6ccd-f76e-4a61-9637-1850cc1fbeab</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Warfare in Syria upends a once-complacent people]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Syrians were complacent for a long time &ndash; at least that&rsquo;s how one person familiar with the war-torn Mideast country described its people. They were &ldquo;a people who felt they were more blessed than others,&rdquo; as Dan David* put it, &ldquo;because natural disasters and wars had not been a part of their modern history.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:53:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Warfare-in-Syria-upends-a-once-complacent-people?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9508b843-62ef-48bd-bce1-1394fce81398</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Douglas Carver to lead NAMB chaplaincy]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Retired U.S. Army Chief of Chaplains (Major General) Douglas L. Carver has been appointed executive director of chaplain services for the North American Mission Board (NAMB) in Alpharetta, Ga., with the goal of taking Southern Baptist chaplaincy to a &ldquo;new level.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:34:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Douglas-Carver-to-lead-NAMB-chaplaincy?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e7000476-f44b-4a1b-b9fb-fda25180033a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[S.C. editor Kirkland to retire at year’s end]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Don Kirkland, editor and president of <em>The Baptist Courier</em> for the last 16 years, has announced he will retire from the South Carolina Baptist paper at the end of 2012.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:18:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/S-C-editor-Kirkland-to-retire-at-year-s-end?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6cda8b5c-b4c8-43b7-aaac-fcf4d4c9c851</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Knowing the ‘real God’ has come at a price]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[His heart pounds as he presses his two young daughters tightly to his chest and darts into the freezing rain. His wife follows close behind, quietly making her way through the darkness to the taxi idling outside the family&rsquo;s home. Faruq and Jamilah* aren&rsquo;t safe here anymore; police have finally tracked them down. Faruq knows they will soon come to arrest him.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:10:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Knowing-the-real-God-has-come-at-a-price?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d21e468d-7275-4516-9622-a04ddfad68b4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Couple awarded $3M in ‘wrongful birth’ suit]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A &ldquo;wrongful birth&rdquo; lawsuit is a horribly flawed response to the unexpected birth of a baby with a disability, pro-life bioethics specialists said in the wake of an Oregon jury&rsquo;s award of nearly $3 million to the parents of a child with Down syndrome.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:58:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Couple-awarded-$3M-in-wrongful-birth-suit?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5c3188b9-1378-41e0-959c-13f6b837108d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Afghanistan massacre prompts call for Christians to pray]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A lone U.S. soldier accused in a shooting rampage that killed 16 Afghan civilians near Kandahar over the weekend is prompting Southern Baptist workers in Central Asia to ask American Christians to pray for peace.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:00:37 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Afghanistan-massacre-prompts-call-for-Christians-t?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">80895625-1b38-4ec2-adf6-db06ce3a2c54</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[GuideStone Funds honored with premier financial award]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[GuideStone Funds has won one of the most prestigious awards in the financial world for mutual fund families with up to $40 billion in assets &ndash; the 2012 Lipper Award for Best Overall Small Fund Group in the U.S.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:50:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/GuideStone-Funds-honored-with-premier-financial-aw?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">567508ec-352e-4153-bb6a-3cad2f438c4a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[African American Advisory Council named]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[An African American Advisory Council has been created to communicate the perspectives of black churches and their leaders to Southern Baptist Convention entity leaders, Executive Committee (EC) President Frank S. Page has announced.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:45:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/African-American-Advisory-Council-named?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">316d8931-8b22-44ad-b47a-afc025a13243</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hispanic Advisory Council holds first meeting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The effectiveness of cell groups in reaching Hispanics, the need for quality discipleship materials in Spanish and family pressures experienced by Hispanic believers were among the topics discussed at the first meeting of the Hispanic Advisory Council on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:38:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Hispanic-Advisory-Council-holds-first-meeting?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">393f3e18-a620-4970-b1fb-a39633bedcaf</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[New committee members announced during Executive Committee]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Executive Committee (EC) of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) met March 2 at Hollifield Leadership Center for a brief business meeting that included hearing committee and budget reports.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 14 Mar 2012 22:55:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/New-committee-members-announced-during-Executive-C?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8d836b69-03e5-476c-b9df-f566d1a6d2c8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Networks enable churches to partner toward Kingdom growth]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In 2010 Todd Brady met a church planter from Canada in the exhibit hall of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina&rsquo;s (BSC) annual meeting. Brady, who is lead pastor of The River Church in Fayetteville, said that meeting began a relationship that took 15 of his church members to Toronto last summer.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 14 Mar 2012 22:41:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Networks-enable-churches-to-partner-toward-Kingdom?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">84b9eda3-92b0-413a-801a-dfdabf5aa05e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Prayer, training help equip planters for Kingdom impact]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Since the North American Mission Board&nbsp; (NAMB) was formed in 1997, Southern Baptists have planted more than 20,000 churches in North America, averaging more than 1,500 new starts each year. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 14 Mar 2012 22:25:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Prayer-training-help-equip-planters-for-Kingdom-im?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">baae63dd-468a-4692-a29d-b1ef0a23fac2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Poll: Most back abortion/contraceptive exemption ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A majority of Americans say religiously affiliated organizations &ndash; such as hospitals and universities &ndash; should be exempt from the Obama administration&rsquo;s abortion/contraceptive mandate, according to a CBS News/New York Times poll.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 14 Mar 2012 22:20:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Poll-Most-back-abortion-contraceptive-exemption?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">93505554-75ea-4d8c-b72a-f71861abc036</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Bringing heaven to earth’ becomes focus of church planter]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[It&rsquo;s just about dusk at Heritage Glen apartments in the Cincinnati, Ohio, suburb of Fairfield. As the sun drops from sight, the lower light begins to mask some of the harsher realities of this low-income apartment complex&mdash;including the dilapidated tennis court that&rsquo;s populated with random cracks and missing a net, the overgrown grass, and the worn exterior paint job.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:25:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Bringing-heaven-to-earth-becomes-focus-of-church-p?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e93428e8-597f-43b1-b11f-66279866738d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Medical professionals seek to preach and heal]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Richard Marx remembers treating patients at a medical clinic held under a sheet in the slums of some remote village somewhere in North Africa. The sun bore down on them while children begged for water and needed care.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:16:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Medical-professionals-seek-to-preach-and-heal?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">77b95edd-3aaf-48bc-9096-e92ac926fc12</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Former N.C. pastor urges churches to ‘Love Loud’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Al Gilbert left Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem in 2011, &ldquo;love&rdquo; was one of the reasons. As executive director of Love Loud, the evangelism arm of the North American Mission Board (NAMB), Gilbert said he and his team are working toward some simple steps to help Southern Baptist churches improve their ministry.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:24:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Former-N-C-pastor-urges-churches-to-Love-Loud?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">50017078-0f3c-4bff-ba8b-db1375831ae7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[CBF to revisit policy on hiring gays]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) leadership may revisit the organization&rsquo;s policy on hiring homosexuals after they replace retiring Executive Coordinator Daniel Vestal and the organization finishes its re-visioning process.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:20:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/CBF-to-revisit-policy-on-hiring-gays?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3f7abddb-9451-4591-9f86-be269564b4f5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[BSC leader gives marriage vote challenge]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As the May 8 vote on a proposed marriage amendment approaches, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina&rsquo;s executive director-treasurer reminded Baptists of their opportunity to help determine whether marriage will be defined as the union between a man and a woman in the state&rsquo;s constitution.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:12:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/BSC-leader-gives-marriage-vote-challenge?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">acd97e01-61e7-42d4-8a2d-b58b5fd68d51</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Crowd challenged to ‘wake up,’ reach culture for Christ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[While movies, television shows and the Internet continue to be among the most influential factors in our culture today, Christians are falling short in using them to spread the gospel, contends Alex Kendrick, actor, filmmaker and associate pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church, Albany, Ga.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:07:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Crowd-challenged-to-wake-up-reach-culture-for-Chri?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">03d8a201-ede3-4f7e-84c6-f3d07205ce64</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ky. convention offers early retirement]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Preceding what will be a reorganization of the entire Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC), KBC Mission Board employees have been asked to consider retiring early or resigning voluntarily. In a KBC staff-only meeting March 7, Executive Director Paul Chitwood proposed the offer to all of the convention&rsquo;s 73 full-time employees.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:50:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Ky-convention-offers-early-retirement?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">58e852d6-fc91-43cd-a2aa-ec47ee357ffc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Harold Camping says May 21 prediction was ‘incorrect and sinful’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Radio evangelist Harold Camping has called his erroneous prediction that the world would end last May 21 an &ldquo;incorrect and sinful statement&rdquo; and said his ministry is out of the prediction business.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:44:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Harold-Camping-says-May-21-prediction-was-incorrec?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d7b93ff7-9f35-464c-bdde-7c97097b5069</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tsunami survivors in Japan grateful for SBC relief]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Nobuko Tanno closes her eyes, she sees tsunami waves rushing in and destroying her village along Japan&rsquo;s northeastern coastline. She sees cars floating and houses coming off foundations. She hears the roar of the water and desperate cries for help.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:30:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Tsunami-survivors-in-Japan-grateful-for-SBC-relief?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">717da021-b961-4981-84b3-a2412c99b3cf</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Alaska church reaches the world ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;We&rsquo;re a small town in a remote area,&rdquo; Alaska pastor Dave Becker says of Delta Junction, where he leads First Baptist Church. As a Southern Baptist congregation, however, the church has a global reach.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:25:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Alaska-church-reaches-the-world?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">54ecdfe5-bc74-4fbf-967b-9dfe0025ace3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[God’s Plan for Sharing has new team leader]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[God&rsquo;s Plan for Sharing (GPS), the North American Mission Board&rsquo;s (NAMB) national evangelism initiative, has a new team leader, Ken Ellis. &ldquo;Ken is a strong leader and I am excited about this new role for him,&rdquo; said Kevin Ezell, the mission board&rsquo;s president.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:32:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/God-s-Plan-for-Sharing-has-new-team-leader?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">214b5e06-9834-4aee-911b-57025f2e25d4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Young Koreans face tension in transition]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Seoul is South Korea&rsquo;s bulging center of politics, culture, finance, entertainment and religion. Nearly half the country&rsquo;s population resides in Seoul, Incheon and Suwon &ndash; Seoul&rsquo;s larger metropolitan area, which many consider the world&rsquo;s second largest city. Yet Seoul stands apart from other Asian megacities for the prominence of Christianity and its global influence on evangelical causes.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:21:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Young-Koreans-face-tension-in-transition?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f4e2f037-9270-41c3-aa1d-ad108c305875</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Lottie Moon film aims for theaters, DVD]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;Lottie&rsquo;s life and message needs to reach a new generation,&rdquo; said Erich Bridges, screenwriter and a producer for &ldquo;Heart of a Rebel,&rdquo; a feature-length film in development about Moon, who spent 40 years in China teaching young girls and sharing the gospel.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:04:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Lottie-Moon-film-aims-for-theaters-DVD?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bd4532b0-2415-4c75-9175-c92888cd6b5f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Week of Prayer for North American Missions – March 4-11]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The North American Mission Board sets aside a specific week each year to highlight the work of its missionaries. This year, five missionaries representing thousands of missionaries serving throughout the United States, Canada, and their territories are spotlighted.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:44:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Week-of-Prayer-for-North-American-Missions-March-4?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d68b89b5-c57d-4d51-b524-a802c1171d2a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Parents’ worst nightmare becomes call to missions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[If Liam McGibbon had been tumor-free, you might not be reading about his parents this week. They probably would have never made it to Hamilton, Ontario, and certainly not as miraculously.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:22:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Parents-worst-nightmare-becomes-call-to-missions?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fe4515cd-f56e-4934-86d8-9d94a116b18e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Central Asia water project is saving lives]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In remote areas of Central Asia, access to clean water is a matter of life and death, especially for children. One humanitarian project supported by Southern Baptists in that region is making steady progress against the deadly scourge of impure water.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:15:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Central-Asia-water-project-is-saving-lives?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1ce2e03a-7fb5-4633-9a90-c800d495069b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptist Men responds to tornado damage, needs volunteers]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Following the tornadoes that struck over the weekend in several states, &ndash; including North Carolina &ndash; N.C. Baptist Men&rsquo;s Disaster Relief Ministry has responded to damage in the central and western part of the state and sent volunteers to eastern Kentucky.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:18:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/N-C-Baptist-Men-responds-to-tornado-damage-needs-v?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f0b3bc76-a717-4ca9-bebf-c998039dcab5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ind. church shelters 200 for Henryville tornado; relief work under way]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pastor Toby Jenkins and 200 others were hunkered down in the basement of First Baptist Church in Henryville about 3 p.m. last Friday, March 2, when an EF-4 tornado barreled down the main street of the small Indiana town of 6,000.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:08:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Ind-church-shelters-200-for-Henryville-tornado;-re?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">581c6241-9b67-4768-b665-b33ab47f28a6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Winter Jam tour moves thousands to Christ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[At a recent Winter Jam concert, a girl approached evangelist Nick Hall in response to the message he had just delivered and held out her fist. She wanted to give him a necklace she had been wearing for three years. Attached to the necklace was a razor blade.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:59:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Winter-Jam-tour-moves-thousands-to-Christ?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">33c8a895-38c7-4600-94df-25e4d5ba7a4d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gay issues threaten domestic violence act]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Enacted into law as landmark legislation, the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 has received bipartisan support every time it has needed reauthorization, but not this year.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:47:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Gay-issues-threaten-domestic-violence-act?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6c61c42a-d6ee-41c4-bb44-6cafff8b6514</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[CP ahead of budget for missions support]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist national and international missions and ministries received by the SBC Executive Committee are $4,122,100.78, or 5.32 percent above the year-to-date budgeted goal, and are 1.53 percent behind contributions received during the same time frame last year, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Frank S. Page.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:56:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/CP-ahead-of-budget-for-missions-support?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">246f5dbc-5271-42c1-92c1-c7596508fa2b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Michael Catt on ‘Courageous,’ success and (possibly) another movie]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Michael Catt, senior pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga., spoke to the Florida Baptist Witness (FBW) about his church&rsquo;s new movie &ldquo;Courageous&rdquo; during a visit to the Pastors&rsquo; Conference at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:17:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Michael-Catt-on-Courageous-success-and-(possibly)?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cc753b5c-fb58-42a8-8453-e5a4a7d0008c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Appeals court: NYC churches can meet in schools (for now)]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[New York churches gained a victory in the courts Feb. 29 as the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a district judge&rsquo;s injunction against the city&rsquo;s enforcement of a ban to keep churches from meeting for worship in public schools.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:45:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Appeals-court-NYC-churches-can-meet-in-schools-(fo?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7a13e261-875a-41af-ad5e-434c12c875b4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[E-quip.net, online learning website, ‘multiplies our efforts’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A free online learning community is capturing the training provided at many conferences and workshops throughout the Southern Baptist Convention and archiving it to view at any time.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:34:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/E-quip-net-online-learning-website-multiplies-our?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b8ced0d7-1c15-4f01-9ba4-02d9d1439971</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Md. gay ‘marriage’ bill signed, but not legal yet]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Maryland Gov. Martin O&rsquo;Malley signed a bill into law Thursday that would legalize gay &ldquo;marriage&rdquo; in the state beginning in January 2013, but churches already are mobilizing to reverse it at the ballot.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:27:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Md-gay-marriage-bill-signed-but-not-legal-yet?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c0d86e76-b84a-45de-a33f-c15aff5706f5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iran pastor: U.S. House calls for his release]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Adding pressure to Iranian officials, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a resolution calling for the immediate release of Iranian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, who could be executed any day for his Christian faith.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:21:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Iran-pastor-U-S-House-calls-for-his-release?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7f363010-7cc5-41fa-b321-8df18243aa63</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Mark fragment only part of what was discovered]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The seminary professor who surprised the academic world by saying a first-century fragment of Mark&rsquo;s Gospel had been found has released new information along with two new claims &ndash; an early sermon on Hebrews and the earliest-known manuscripts of Paul&rsquo;s letters also have been discovered.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:12:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/Mark-fragment-only-part-of-what-was-discovered?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ecaaf8d2-c85e-40ae-abf3-204b058a5545</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[GuideStone, Brotherhood Mutual form alliance]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[GuideStone Financial Resources and Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company have announced the formation of an alliance to provide property and liability insurance services to Southern Baptist churches and affiliated ministries.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:04:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/March-2012/GuideStone-Brotherhood-Mutual-form-alliance?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0abbf4b4-a919-4fce-8f11-8fee8cbfcf07</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Moms, daughters learn about God’s heart for the nations]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Beth Deichler and her 10-year-old daughter Noelle stopped in to visit a woman at Cross Road Retirement Community in Asheboro the woman was waiting on a call from her daughter. The woman didn&rsquo;t really have much to say. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:12:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Moms-daughters-learn-about-God-s-heart-for-the-nat?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">70c7b8d4-12e2-4fab-8e24-d2188ffae0fd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Snow-stricken Afghan refugees receive aid]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Refugees in more than 40 camps at Kabul, Afghanistan, are suffering from the heaviest snowfall in many years and bitter cold temperatures. Humanitarian partners in Kabul are moving to bring relief to more than 500 of the hardest-hit families.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:08:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Snow-stricken-Afghan-refugees-receive-aid?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e18daa06-df60-44f0-a9d5-e5a53acb9dc4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Kazakhstan heightens religious crackdown]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Central Asian country of Kazakhstan has toughened its crackdown on religious freedom, stripping previously recognized religious groups, including Baptists, of their registrations.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:02:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Kazakhstan-heightens-religious-crackdown?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">57f380c1-58fe-481a-aed6-d6e88cf335f3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hand-cranked trikes bring hope in Nepal]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Uraj experiments awkwardly with the hand-propelled tricycle. &ldquo;His grip is good. He&rsquo;ll be sore tomorrow, but he&rsquo;ll get the hang of this,&rdquo; says Bruce Burk, a Christian worker in Nepal who designed the trike after seeing how difficult it was for Uraj and other disabled individuals to travel in their villages.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:26:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Hand-cranked-trikes-bring-hope-in-Nepal?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bd5957c3-2a0b-48d9-8835-cde4cdce49fc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. couple shares ‘miracle medicine’ in Haiti]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A growing crowd of Haitians gathers behind Bob and Wanda Temple as they carefully count medication on a makeshift table of boxes somewhere outside of Port-au-Prince.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:51:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/N-C-couple-shares-miracle-medicine-in-Haiti?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a5800211-adc6-4e1f-8c84-7fa94aff31d9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Judge: NYC churches can meet in schools]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A federal judge has handed New York City churches a major victory, issuing a preliminary injunction that will allow congregations to meet in schools while the lawsuit proceeds &ndash; that is, unless the city wins on appeal.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:40:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Judge-NYC-churches-can-meet-in-schools?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5e68b4dc-49ff-4c84-8f25-eda16aa9c16d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Former Colts tight end discusses winning Super Bowl, faith, music]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A few weeks ago during the week of Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, <em>Biblical Recorder</em> sports correspondent Roman Gabriel III&nbsp;sat down with former NFL tight end Ben Utecht. Utecht helped the Indianapolis Colts, under then head coach Tony Dungy, win Super Bowl XLI.<br />
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:31:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Former-Colts-tight-end-discusses-winning-Super-Bow?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3d2af958-471e-4e8d-9ee6-34f731f5b94e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[House panel OKs ban on sex-based abortions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A U.S. House of Representatives committee has approved a bill prohibiting abortions based on a child&rsquo;s sex or race. The House Judiciary Committee endorsed the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act, H.R. 3541, in a party-line vote. Republicans on the panel outpolled Democrats 20-13.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:24:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/House-panel-OKs-ban-on-sex-based-abortions?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4f5bfb73-fdbf-4683-b3c5-fb890cf1524d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Making of a planter: Offering supports N.C. pastor in Arizona]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Dennis Conner is a North Carolina native who had no interest in being a church planter &ndash; much less one who would live in Arizona. But God was preparing him to invest Southern Baptists&rsquo; Annie Armstrong Easter Offering dollars in an unreached part of North America.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:41:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Making-of-a-planter-Offering-supports-N-C-pastor-i?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c9333212-03a5-4417-bf82-34ce03967a93</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Lives changed, N.C. baptism numbers up]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[She had been raised to be an atheist. Growing up in China, those around Jing taught her to be skeptical of any religious teaching. Still, a curiosity about Jesus rested deep inside her.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:34:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Lives-changed-N-C-baptism-numbers-up?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">27fd7a77-39a5-433d-a9dc-32a5a1af82ca</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Worthy of the calling’ focus of Embrace leadership event]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[After visiting more than 30 countries, earning a master&rsquo;s degree and serving as a Journeyman missionary, Alicia Wong planned to become a career missionary with IMB (International Mission Board).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:29:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Worthy-of-the-calling-focus-of-Embrace-leadership?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9c63c72f-8298-4326-a4fe-a197d0b79b58</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[College students challenged to risk it all for gospel]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Scripture makes it clear that faithful followers of Jesus Christ will encounter risks and experience trials. Some may experience rejection from family and friends, while others experience physical persecution for taking a stand for the gospel.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:21:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/College-students-challenged-to-risk-it-all-for-gos?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3191bfe2-d910-4063-b8ff-aee648db1c67</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iran pastor facing execution any day, but supporters still hopeful]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The White House Thursday increased the international pressure on Iran to release a Christian pastor sentenced to death, as several reports seemed to confirm his execution order had been issued.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:22:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Iran-pastor-facing-execution-any-day-but-supporter?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d2112eaf-384d-4aa5-a9ec-c6f4e7e362f5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[State execs form NAMB study committee]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[State convention executive directors have appointed a special committee to evaluate relations with the North America Mission Board (NAMB). The action came during the Fellowship of State Executive Directors annual meeting, Feb. 13-16 in Scottsdale, Ariz.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:20:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/State-execs-form-NAMB-study-committee?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3c8d1a1d-b767-4295-9e0c-2c5a45d9a3e2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Jamie Grace among Dove Awards nominees]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Nineteen-year-old Grammy nominee Jamie Grace became one to watch at the upcoming 43rd annual Dove Awards. Winners of this year&rsquo;s awards, which honor Christian music&rsquo;s top artists, will be announced April 19 at Atlanta&rsquo;s Fox Theater.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:17:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Jamie-Grace-among-Dove-Awards-nominees?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">186c2a51-832b-473c-8670-1ec12474cfbb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Sharing Christ in India’s fastest-growing city]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Social, political and religious barriers make sharing the gospel difficult in Admedabad, the fastest-growing city in India and third fastest-growing in the world, as ranked by Forbes magazine in 2010.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:10:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Sharing-Christ-in-India-s-fastest-growing-city?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e45960f7-c4d0-41d4-86ff-d6d0fee510de</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Prop 8 supporters appeal to full 9th circuit]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Bypassing the Supreme Court for the moment, supporters of California Prop 8 are appealing a ruling that went against them to the full Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:42:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Prop-8-supporters-appeal-to-full-9th-circuit?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a8f6a08e-2fc9-4a2f-b596-7c64302cd9e9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Q&A: A first-century fragment of Mark found?]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Much of the biblical scholarly world has been buzzing since Feb. 1, when a New Testament professor made a claim during a debate that was news to most everyone who heard it &ndash; a first-century fragment of Mark&rsquo;s Gospel may have been found.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:37:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Q-A-A-first-century-fragment-of-Mark-found?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f0998f88-f3e0-45ca-84b3-2a3a415417fd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In Iran, government halts Farsi worship]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Iran&rsquo;s Ministry of Intelligence has ordered the last two officially registered churches holding Friday Farsi-language services in Tehran to discontinue them.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:33:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/In-Iran-government-halts-Farsi-worship?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">53529132-fbed-4e34-a0db-cbc8330bcaa4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Spirit world yields to God’s power in Southeast Asia]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Most instruments need musicians to play them. But others, as two Christian workers once learned, don&rsquo;t need any humans at all.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:24:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Spirit-world-yields-to-God-s-power-in-Southeast-As?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f7d25e71-903f-4c55-a8c3-34b2a347425b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Report: Iran may be set to execute pastor]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Iranian officials may have issued an order to execute a pastor at the center of a high-profile case that has drawn international attention, according to a legal group that has followed the case. The statement asked for Christians worldwide to pray.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:16:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Report-Iran-may-be-set-to-execute-pastor?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">824f1d61-7e58-45e3-97df-9fe04d2d5e66</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Vanderbilt policy to impact Baptist group]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Leaders of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) at Vanderbilt University are determining how a new policy will affect the BCM ministry on campus. On Jan. 31, the administration of Vanderbilt met with students to explain its enforcement of the university&rsquo;s non-discrimination policy and a new &ldquo;all-comers&rdquo; policy.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:05:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Vanderbilt-policy-to-impact-Baptist-group?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">70d3b8c5-3f9f-41c6-ad9b-9994ed6e0999</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Task force: Keep SBC name, adopt informal option]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The task force appointed to study a possible name change of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is recommending the convention maintain its legal name but adopt an informal, non-legal name for those who want to use it: Great Commission Baptists.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:53:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Task-force-Keep-SBC-name-adopt-informal-option?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">11e6dee2-80a9-45d6-808a-3e99a51a42c3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Knicks’ Jeremy Lin dubbed the ‘Taiwanese Tebow’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin&rsquo;s underdog story and outspoken evangelical faith have some sportswriters dubbing him the &ldquo;Taiwanese Tebow.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:43:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Knicks-Jeremy-Lin-dubbed-the-Taiwanese-Tebow?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c016890a-cc44-4030-9784-40ca701afe3f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NYC churches suffer last-minute decision]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The New York City Department of Education won a last-minute appeal to keep churches from meeting for worship in public schools, revoking previously issued permits just hours before congregations were scheduled to gather.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:50:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/NYC-churches-suffer-last-minute-decision?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">caa116ba-2213-48c4-a3d6-8fc949076b61</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Famine danger looms in Africa’s Sahel]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Aid groups worldwide are rallying to head off an emerging hunger crisis that threatens as many as 11 million people in Africa&rsquo;s Sahel region.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:46:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Famine-danger-looms-in-Africa-s-Sahel?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6db48462-57b9-4dad-915a-11bc176ae657</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptist ethicist on mandate: We’d rather go to jail, pay fines]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Obama administration&rsquo;s mandate that health insurance plans cover contraceptives that can cause abortions harms not only Baptists and other religious adherents but all Americans, two Southern Baptist ethicists told a congressional panel Feb. 16.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:25:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Baptist-ethicist-on-mandate-We-d-rather-go-to-jail?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cc3e1acc-480c-4f4b-9ea4-790f12a9bfd8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.J. Gov. Christie vetoes gay ‘marriage’ bill]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a gay &ldquo;marriage&rdquo; bill Feb .17, following through on a promise he made when he ran for governor. Meanwhile, Maryland&rsquo;s House of Delegates narrowly approved a similar bill Friday afternoon.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:24:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/N-J-Gov-Christie-vetoes-gay-marriage-bill?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6bd6c331-496e-4926-bd82-fa32a736b570</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Syria bloodshed: ‘same hopelessness’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As Syria&rsquo;s murderous civil war spreads, global leaders have begun to focus on the dangerous regional struggles affecting the conflict: Syrian ally Iran versus Arab regional powers, Sunni versus Shiite Muslims, the fate of Syria&rsquo;s unstable neighbors and what might happen next if the regime of President Bashar Assad falls.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:16:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Syria-bloodshed-same-hopelessness?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7125b41e-75dd-44c4-99ef-ec4193192f63</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iran raids house church, arrests Christians]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Iranian authorities in early February arrested Christian converts from Islam while they were meeting for worship at a home in the southern city of Shiraz, according to sources. Officials are holding the Christians at an unknown location, they told Compass Direct News.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:50:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Iran-raids-house-church-arrests-Christians?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">996ad740-99c6-4128-909e-416869a8ba99</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Southern Baptists mull whether ‘Southern’ still fits]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For Jerry Henry, pastor of First Baptist Church of Fairhope, being Southern Baptist is a defining aspect of life. He embraces the denomination&rsquo;s conservative social values, extols its evangelism &ndash; &ldquo;We reach out to people instead of waiting for them to come to us&rdquo; &ndash; and identifies with its name.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:25:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Southern-Baptists-mull-whether-Southern-still-fits?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">32fceb6e-1841-45c6-817b-03a2986d82b1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[LifeWay trustees vote to continue selling ’11 NIV]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Trustees of LifeWay Christian Resources voted to continue selling the new NIV Bible in LifeWay stores, approved a new vice president for its largest division and elected new board officers.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:19:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/LifeWay-trustees-vote-to-continue-selling-11-NIV?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">75bbd87f-2be4-49d9-b774-76a6d96a3b7e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[New LifeWay VP champions churches]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Eric Geiger wants to help pastors become heroes. &ldquo;My dream is that we would bless and serve church leaders so well, they will become heroes within their area of ministry and influence,&rdquo; said Geiger, newly appointed vice president of LifeWay Christian Resources&rsquo; church resources division.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:13:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/New-LifeWay-VP-champions-churches?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5da5d873-6cef-48cf-ab72-ff43dde4a802</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NYC churches get court win, can meet at least 2 more weeks]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A federal judge has intervened on behalf of New York churches, issuing a temporary restraining order that allows them to continue meeting for worship in public schools while the court deliberates over the constitutionality of the city&rsquo;s ban.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:09:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/NYC-churches-get-court-win-can-meet-at-least-2-mor?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">09a12d99-71b7-4f72-a774-8da879eaf17a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[New Orleans pastor to get SBC leader nomination]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, will be nominated for president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) by David E. Crosby, pastor of First Baptist Church in New Orleans.<br />]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:57:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/New-Orleans-pastor-to-get-SBC-leader-nomination?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">80151813-6139-4ba1-b181-811167990f2c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Luter shares vision for SBC if elected]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Two weeks into a church-wide 21-day session of prayer and fasting, Fred Luter came to the conclusion that God wanted him to allow his nomination for the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (SBC) presidency.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:52:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Luter-shares-vision-for-SBC-if-elected?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9497ab13-6641-4909-bdcd-fe2c72e336a7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NYC pastor fears ‘agenda’ against churches]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[New York&rsquo;s ban on churches meeting in public schools, which went into effect Feb. 12, is about &ldquo;far more than meeting space,&rdquo; according to a Southern Baptist pastor in the area who believes broader religious freedom is at stake.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:41:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/NYC-pastor-fears-agenda-against-churches?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2e32cd37-564e-40fa-a330-cc197481bb8d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Wash. gay ‘marriage’ bill signed; ballot looms]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Washington state Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a gay &ldquo;marriage&rdquo; bill Feb. 13, hoping to see the state become the seventh to allow gays to &ldquo;wed&rdquo; but also knowing that a signature drive could put the issue on the November ballot.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:36:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Wash-gay-marriage-bill-signed;-ballot-looms?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5562244a-b9cb-4f1b-b21c-f492eb6f4d0f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. churches share Lottie Moon offering updates]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Although the focus on missions giving is beginning to turn toward North America with the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, many North Carolina Baptist churches are sharing their 2011 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering results.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:40:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/N-C-churches-share-Lottie-Moon-offering-updates?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4ec119ef-e82d-498e-ac2d-bc9ea92bd993</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptists ‘ramp up’ efforts to help wheelchair bound]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For many Americans who are confined to a wheelchair, simply leaving their homes can be a daunting task. Without a wheelchair ramp it can be nearly impossible. North Carolina Baptist church groups and other volunteer teams will have an opportunity April 28 to help those with this need.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:33:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/N-C-Baptists-ramp-up-efforts-to-help-wheelchair-bo?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1c6aed7a-da44-4d6d-8964-84c069517a22</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Scriptures Come to Life’ during 20/20 conference]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[More than 900 people attended the 20/20 Collegiate Conference with the theme &ldquo;The Scriptures Come to Life&rdquo; Feb. 3-4 at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) in Wake Forest.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:24:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Scriptures-Come-to-Life-during-20-20-conference?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ef9c59be-c691-4070-b3be-625abeb17325</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Poll: Many pastors feel lonely, but privileged in role]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Though almost all pastors feel privileged to be in ministry, a majority also experience loneliness and discouragement. That is the finding of a new survey by LifeWay Research of 1,000 American Protestant pastors.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:19:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Poll-Many-pastors-feel-lonely-but-privileged-in-ro?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6e16fd46-0233-46ae-abf4-7d6d3e0453ab</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Annie Armstrong Easter Offering sees 3 percent increase in 2011]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist churches gave three percent more to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions in 2011 than they did in 2010. For the year ending Dec. 31, 2011, the offering totaled $56,040,868.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:27:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Annie-Armstrong-Easter-Offering-sees-3-percent-inc?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9d32d9d1-235c-46f0-97f7-b7efa40cbadd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NAMB deploys for gains in church planting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;Send North America&rdquo; is the strategic plan to reverse the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s trend of losing ground in the planting of new congregations, North American Mission Board (NAMB) President Kevin Ezell told trustees during their Feb. 8 meeting in Miami.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:17:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/NAMB-deploys-for-gains-in-church-planting?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bbea49ff-2322-40f0-8d6f-dcee5a546dce</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Easter’s coming: Time to prepare for Annie Armstrong offering]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Easter is getting closer, so it&rsquo;s time to prepare for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions. North Carolina Baptists will join with Southern Baptists across the United States in contributing to this offering.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:13:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Easter-s-coming-Time-to-prepare-for-Annie-Armstron?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b738f255-c2bf-4841-ac7f-d2b10bc1829d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘A crazy leap’ South African couple follows call to U.S.]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[No one understands doing whatever it takes to reach people for Christ better than Shaun Pillay. Born and raised in South Africa, he and his wife, Deshni, arrived in the United States in 2007 as newlyweds.<br />]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:07:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/A-crazy-leap-South-African-couple-follows-call-to?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8370e33b-f8f4-4bee-a677-1040f0ca1df4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pastor: CP an old idea that still works well]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The road out to Holly Springs Baptist Church in Franklin winds through rolling hills that rule the scenery across Macon County.&nbsp;A newer and larger sanctuary sits alongside the smaller, original building.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:25:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Pastor-CP-an-old-idea-that-still-works-well?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d9451bf2-cc51-4648-94c0-29e676eb25c0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Midwestern seminary president resigns]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The trustees of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Feb. 10 accepted the resignation of seminary president R. Philip Roberts effective Feb. 29 during a called meeting at an airport hotel and named as acting president Robin Hadaway, associate professor of missions at the seminary.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:18:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Midwestern-seminary-president-resigns?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">33f2b31c-d23e-4ed5-a5c8-d59887b75c71</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Haiti relief: 2 years of care, thousands of changed lives]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Smiling through her tears, Madam Maris thanks and kisses the Southern Baptist volunteers as they hand her the keys to her new home. For nearly two years, the 70-year-old Haitian woman has lived in a tent.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:10:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Haiti-relief-2-years-of-care-thousands-of-changed?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2a6eea70-48d9-4675-b7b3-c999899e3cc5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[S. Baptists protest latest contraceptive decision]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[President Obama Feb. 10 announced a change in the way that employees of religious organizations will receive free contraceptives that can cause abortions, but it fell far short of what is needed to protect religious liberty, say Southern Baptist leaders.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:06:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/S-Baptists-protest-latest-contraceptive-decision?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">47d42b8e-2b24-4fc7-a1e0-9dccd9e98a2a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Saudis pressed to release Ethiopian Christians]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[America&rsquo;s congressionally approved watchdog for global religious liberty has called on Saudi Arabia to release 35 Ethiopian Christians arrested during a prayer meeting and imprisoned for nearly two months.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:32:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Saudis-pressed-to-release-Ethiopian-Christians?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2462be34-7754-411c-9a40-22e9d2240b57</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[True Love Waits marks February for purity]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[February sometimes is called the &ldquo;month of love,&rdquo; with Valentine&rsquo;s week especially being a time when people not only send cards and gifts to loved ones, but also when families and churches give special attention to the meaning of true love and the value of saving sex for marriage.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:30:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/True-Love-Waits-marks-February-for-purity?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e4dc4099-23df-4cbb-b8b6-4bfcb878d79a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Hindus & Muslims converge in Hyderabad, India]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Construction is everywhere in the city of Hyderabad, India&rsquo;s sixth-largest city, with nearly 10 million people. &ldquo;The city is changing so fast &ndash; it&rsquo;s a completely different place to live than it was when we first came,&rdquo; said Abigail Downey,* an IMB (International Mission Board) worker based in Hyderabad with her husband Ben.*]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:23:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Hindus-Muslims-converge-in-Hyderabad-India?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f594bccc-7cfb-4890-b7c9-e3ee22987b92</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.Y. Senate passes bill to continue worship in schools]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With a weekend deadline approaching when churches will no longer be allowed to meet in public schools, the New York State Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill that would allow worship services to continue.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:13:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/N-Y-Senate-passes-bill-to-continue-worship-in-scho?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f647930d-b48d-44b3-ab17-f494f91fdc68</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ga. Convention eliminates 18 positions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Georgia Baptist Convention (GBC) experienced its most dramatic staff reduction ever Jan. 27 and Jan. 30 as 16 employees and two vacant positions were eliminated in the latest round of downsizing.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:09:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Ga-Convention-eliminates-18-positions?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5a992c86-ddc8-4164-a59c-bb29aac5a272</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Anabaptists shape Purpose Driven pastor, Southern Baptist churches]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Rick Warren, renowned pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., and author of The Purpose Driven Life, confessed that the 16th-century Anabaptists shaped his Purpose Driven model for the church.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:01:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Anabaptists-shape-Purpose-Driven-pastor-Southern-B?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a83fb6d5-48e0-449c-9fea-a961c316f8a2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[India’s IT elite lend an ear to storytelling]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The blue Skype icon bounces on the bottom of the computer screen in front of Lekha Katti*, an Information Technology [IT] professional in Bangalore, India. When her Bible verse of the day arrives via an instant message, she copies it to her Facebook profile.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:56:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/India-s-IT-elite-lend-an-ear-to-storytelling?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e466716b-f3bb-4311-b32b-5d55919bc61b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Narrow’ ruling? Court strikes down Prop 8]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A federal appeals court Tuesday struck down California&rsquo;s Proposition 8, handing gay groups a big win while avoiding the larger question of whether the U.S. Constitution guarantees gays nationwide the right to &ldquo;marry.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:56:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Narrow-ruling-Court-strikes-down-Prop-8?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5837372a-037e-414b-b8da-5091691f549a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Role of faith in Bush White House examined]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When former White House aide Timothy Goeglein realized he had been caught in a plagiarism scandal, he collapsed as a broken man, gripping the cross of Christ and genuinely hating himself.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:38:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Role-of-faith-in-Bush-White-House-examined?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">02bb5c57-ed5e-484e-829a-bdce1d1b3a9f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Q&A: Goeglein says ‘SBC was instrumental’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For nearly eight years, Timothy Goeglein enjoyed an inside look at the role of faith &ndash; including the influence of Southern Baptists &ndash; in the presidency of George W. Bush.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:27:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Q-A-Goeglein-says-SBC-was-instrumental?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d783bf9b-a938-4ef6-9b0f-24493c7191db</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pastors’ Conf. taking shape for New Orleans]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[When Grant Ethridge was elected president of the Southern Baptist Pastors&rsquo; Conference, the weight of the task quickly became evident.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:23:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Pastors-Conf-taking-shape-for-New-Orleans?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f8c8db17-d6b2-48a7-af0b-b24f30910f7b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[GuideStone: Obama mandate violates religious liberty]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s (SBC) benefits entity has joined the growing chorus of evangelical and Roman Catholic voices publicly protesting the Obama administration&rsquo;s mandate that health insurance plans cover contraceptives, including ones that can cause abortions.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:28:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/GuideStone-Obama-mandate-violates-religious-libert?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d4bafa26-a9cb-4690-9d8e-7135fbb420c1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Rep. Shuler, a conservative Dem., to retire]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, a Southern Baptist and conservative Democrat who went against his party on a number of social issues, says he is retiring. First elected during the Democratic wave of 2006, Shuler was re-elected twice and survived in 2010 when Republicans took control of Congress.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:25:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Rep-Shuler-a-conservative-Dem-to-retire?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c07257b3-bf02-4b1e-aceb-e55506c98cac</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Giants’ star: God gave me another ‘opportunity’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For much of the season, Chase Blackburn watched the NFL season the way millions of other fans did &ndash; from his couch. He ended the season, however, in the middle of the New York Giants Super Bowl victory celebration.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:18:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Giants-star-God-gave-me-another-opportunity?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c9e8acf2-d995-4794-b2d6-4630bb02e2eb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[65 percent in U.S. say acceptable for churches to meet in schools]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Two-thirds of Americans believe public schools should rent to churches and other community groups, according to a new study by LifeWay Research.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:35:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/65-percent-in-U-S-say-acceptable-for-churches-to-m?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">85b81605-3eb9-42dd-9548-ad0e8fae6e04</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Despite backup role, Giants’ Carr is ‘blessed’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[You could forgive David Carr if he happened to be bitter about football. The first overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft by the Houston Texans, Carr seemed headed for NFL success after starring at Fresno State University.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:08:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Despite-backup-role-Giants-Carr-is-blessed?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4f65b60d-778b-4a3b-a56a-fa9a0de9ffb2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.M. convention forms Glorieta committee]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Baptist Convention of New Mexico&rsquo;s (BCNM) Executive Board has followed up on a resolution adopted at the convention&rsquo;s annual meeting in October authorizing the creation of a committee to &ldquo;explore the future and possibilities of Glorieta,&rdquo; LifeWay Christian Resources&rsquo; conference center near Santa Fe.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:03:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/N-M-convention-forms-Glorieta-committee?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ad4e6958-97d3-434a-a369-fa719e2bfadd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Komen reverses course, says Planned Parenthood still eligible]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Susan G. Komen for the Cure revised a policy Feb. 3 that it had recently used in deciding to stop funding for Planned Parenthood, leaving the impression it had reversed itself on future grants to the country&rsquo;s No. 1 abortion provider.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:49:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Komen-reverses-course-says-Planned-Parenthood-stil?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f4682267-c139-44ad-acb8-dab24c2e9717</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Luter makes it official: he’ll be nominated for SBC president]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Louisiana pastor Fred Luter has told his congregation that he&rsquo;s willing to have his name placed in nomination for president of the Southern Baptist Convention, a step that could lead to a historic election.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:36:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Luter-makes-it-official-he-ll-be-nominated-for-SBC?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fc9fdb2b-51f2-4ec3-a75d-cbecdb0f20f9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Patriots’ Slater a spiritual leader for teammates]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As the son of an NFL Hall of Famer, Matthew Slater of the New England Patriots had some advantages when it came to learning the game of football.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:09:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Patriots-Slater-a-spiritual-leader-for-teammates?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b39a43b2-de3c-4e67-b792-ec2b020a3f17</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Courageous’ hits No. 1 in nationwide DVD sales]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The church-made film &ldquo;Courageous&rdquo; is once again surprising the pundits thanks to strong DVD sales that have made it the No. 1-selling DVD nationwide.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:06:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Courageous-hits-No-1-in-nationwide-DVD-sales?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6eedb59a-13d6-4d03-9ccc-cc1cba6dfee6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Historical committee announces writing competition]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Historical Committee of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) has announced its annual writing competition that seeks to recognize and reward excellent historical publications.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:53:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Historical-committee-announces-writing-competition?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">672616a8-33b3-4421-aeac-bfbd889ffdbf</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Under pressure, Komen halts funds for Planned Parenthood]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world&rsquo;s leading breast cancer organization, will no longer give money to affiliates of Planned Parenthood, America&rsquo;s No. 1 abortion practitioner.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:36:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Under-pressure-Komen-halts-funds-for-Planned-Paren?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fb37bf08-a796-4ab2-8052-0c44a5412acc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Unclear if Lifeway decision impacted Komen]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[LifeWay Christian Resources&rsquo; decision to end sales of a special-edition Bible that partly benefited Susan G. Komen for the Cure reportedly came the same month the breast cancer charity revealed it would cut ties with Planned Parenthood, but Thom Rainer can&rsquo;t say for sure if the two actions are related.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:28:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Unclear-if-Lifeway-decision-impacted-Komen?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3933200b-95d9-4077-9a9f-0a94743d9441</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Conference challenges believers to make prayer priority]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>North Carolina Baptists from across the state wanted to learn how they could be empowered by seeking God through prayer, praise and His Word &ndash; and ultimately impact the world for Jesus Christ. They did just that at the Empowered North Carolina Pastor/Staff Prayer Retreat.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:35:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Conference-challenges-believers-to-make-prayer-pri?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5a46f3a8-1d37-4100-9558-5fec012b17a2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Polls: N.C. & Minn. marriage amendments lead]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A majority of North Carolina voters and a plurality of Minnesota voters favor amending their state constitutions to define marriage as the union of a man and a woman, according to two new polls previewing upcoming ballot initiatives.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:24:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/Polls-N-C-Minn-marriage-amendments-lead?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">48b60fdc-0c46-4888-86eb-7127de2b9f28</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[$100,000 gift to help Fruitland]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[George Shinn, former owner of the New Orleans/Charlotte Hornets, gave $100,000 to Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute Jan. 26 during a chapel service.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:12:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/$100-000-gift-to-help-Fruitland?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">272f20cd-6635-48fb-8572-928bc5f03cde</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.Y. Senate committee passes church/school bill]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A New York State Senate committee has stepped in on behalf of churches that soon will not be allowed to meet in public schools in New York City.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:04:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/February-2012/N-Y-Senate-committee-passes-church-school-bill?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">eeddace7-d52a-4a7a-8370-ba4ab32da8bf</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Souper service: N.C. Baptists give to curb hunger]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>Boxes of macaroni and cheese are piling up at Southside Baptist Church in Lincolnton. Collecting these boxes is one way Southside is helping to fight hunger in its community.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:19:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Souper-service-N-C-Baptists-give-to-curb-hunger?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">75da291f-b409-4062-bac8-ab0339e4bbf9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Culture Reach conference urges gospel conversations ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Baptists are invited to attend the annual statewide evangelism conference Feb. 27 at Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem for a day of learning how to understand culture and how to engage in gospel-centered conversations.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:13:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Culture-Reach-conference-urges-gospel-conversation?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">61a986f5-c311-4399-adb0-67be2b89a0d4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Battleford cowboy church is ‘point of light’ in darkness]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[You&rsquo;ll hear lots of country music, and the floors won&rsquo;t have any fancy carpet or tile &ndash; usually just dirt or concrete. The flavor of the cowboy church in Battleford &ndash; located in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan &ndash; is a little different than most, said Jeff Smith, a North Carolina pastor and cowboy missionary for the Cowboy Church Network of North America.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:57:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Battleford-cowboy-church-is-point-of-light-in-dark?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">af216452-5a5f-4bbc-9170-a87e52d4a333</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Marriage, budget, elections top BSC Board meeting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The budget, election of new executive committee members and the May 8 vote on a marriage amendment were among the top issues of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) Board of Directors meeting Jan. 24-25 at Caraway Conference Center in Sophia.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:28:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Marriage-budget-elections-top-BSC-Board-meeting?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">31520537-a81e-4d8e-86c3-2b76aa7615f1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptists increase mission offering gifts]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Baptists seem to have a tender heart when it comes to missions. In 2011, giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and the North Carolina Missions Offering (NCMO) exceeded amounts contributed in 2010.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:15:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/N-C-Baptists-increase-mission-offering-gifts?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8f49f8c6-d2f8-40a1-b6e7-3d24f09d5b59</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptist Men recognized for disaster relief efforts]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Baptist Men (NCBM) staff and volunteers were honored during the 32nd annual Martin Luther King Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast Jan. 16 for their service during the aftermath of the devastating tornado that struck several Raleigh communities last year on April 16.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:11:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/N-C-Baptist-Men-recognized-for-disaster-relief-eff?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">532afbc2-de5b-4b23-be02-b98780aebf57</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Designate one Sunday Baptist College Day]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Baptist churches are encouraged to name one Sunday during February as &ldquo;Baptist College Day&rdquo; and to use this day to celebrate how God is at work on the campuses of the five educational institutions affiliated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:04:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Designate-one-Sunday-Baptist-College-Day?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e77c6443-dc1f-4da0-a906-0fb0029ca7f4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N. England disaster relief: ‘enormous’ impact]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In a record-setting year of disasters, the overwhelming urge to meet practical needs while sharing the gospel spurred New England Baptist disaster relief leaders and volunteers to new levels of outreach and service.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:11:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/N-England-disaster-relief-enormous-impact?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4a75a14b-e61a-43ed-94cc-df2429413290</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Super Bowl may air Baptist grad’s Doritos ad]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A Baptist university graduate has a chance to see a commercial he produced aired during this year&rsquo;s Super Bowl. Jimmy Duke, a 1998 graduate of Union University in Tennessee, produced the commercial titled &ldquo;Birds of Prey&rdquo; with some friends from his church for the Doritos &ldquo;Crash the Super Bowl&rdquo; contest.<br />]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:02:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Super-Bowl-may-air-Baptist-grad-s-Doritos-ad?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">67399809-ca1b-4c5d-b890-869d98fc5ffc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In India, praying for Delhi’s masses]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[DELHI, India &ndash; Delhi is a sprawling, energetic intersection of old and new, wealth and poverty, religion and science. People from across southern Asia come for jobs, education and asylum. Delhi is massive, teeming and heaving with people.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:56:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/In-India-praying-for-Delhi-s-masses?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d9926a66-fc89-43e2-9cdc-a5dae2ee5c7f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[2012 could be make or break year for future of gay 'marriage']]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The effort to redefine marriage nationwide could take a critical turn either way this year, with as many as four more states potentially legalizing gay &ldquo;marriage&rdquo; or as many as six states possibly voting to protect the traditional definition of marriage.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:57:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/2012-could-be-make-or-break-year-for-future-of-gay?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8ce02505-b48b-4e57-ade4-28c56c7eabe6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[St. Louis: 75 new churches is goal]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptists in St. Louis hope a revitalized city is on the horizon. Yet they&rsquo;re not banking on economics or politics to make it happen. Instead, they&rsquo;re counting on the gospel.<br />]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:49:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/St-Louis-75-new-churches-is-goal?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4401d632-7a4d-4601-8313-401240c0925a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Barbershop patrons stir a church plant]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[You can tell a lot about a community from the inside of a barbershop. Just about everyone, at some time or another, needs a haircut. Yet of all the patrons at the beauty and barbershop operated by Sean and Taquella Boone in metro St. Louis, one group stood out to the couple &ndash; young African&ndash;Americans who wanted no part of the traditional church.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:42:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Barbershop-patrons-stir-a-church-plant?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d8605dce-1c46-4e85-8ff8-e6a235ad316f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Lawsuit aims to remove cross from water tower]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[To show support for a Tennessee town facing legal action against a cross atop its water tower, area residents carried a 12-foot cross nine miles to Whiteville, where it was presented to city representatives during a rally that drew about 350 people.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:33:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Lawsuit-aims-to-remove-cross-from-water-tower?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">00a071e7-5089-466e-b96d-c602acc279cd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Young people dominate Washington pro-life march]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[President Obama and another massive turnout of pro-life Americans gained attention in Washington as the country passed the 39th anniversary of the Supreme Court&rsquo;s legalization of abortion. The president reaffirmed his commitment to abortion rights, even urging continued efforts to protect those rights for &ldquo;our daughters.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:17:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Young-people-dominate-Washington-pro-life-march?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">56b3ab08-bb23-4aa8-b867-0a3b8c1c87a3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey: Half of churchgoers’ lives not affected by time in pews]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>Almost half of churchgoing Americans say their life has not changed a bit due to their time in the pews, a new survey shows. Barna Group, an evangelical company based in California, found that 46 percent reported no change.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:13:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Survey-Half-of-churchgoers-lives-not-affected-by-t?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3a622155-cfa2-4576-9c6a-b3da3c772244</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tahrir Square reflects ongoing tensions, deeper needs]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Lucy Hamilton* can&rsquo;t really explain it &ndash; even on a normal day, the air just feels strange in Tahrir Square. People bustle about the giant traffic circle in downtown Cairo, going to the Egyptian Museum, to McDonald&rsquo;s, to kebab shops.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:04:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Tahrir-Square-reflects-ongoing-tensions-deeper-nee?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">eb639ae8-e4a5-41b4-a4cb-e5bdefc69aa8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Human trafficking event stirs fight against ‘modern-day slavery’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Tasha is a 15-year-old runaway who was kicked out of a troubled home. An older man took her in, and he offered to care for her. Instead, he beat her and forced her into prostitution. Having nowhere to go, Tasha felt trapped and afraid to leave.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:38:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Human-trafficking-event-stirs-fight-against-modern?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ae711f3f-0968-4c2c-88e3-96d311e59193</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘R’ movies make less money]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[R-rated movies continued to generate smaller profits for Hollywood last year, though the movie industry released 205 R-rated films compared to just 18 G-rated movies.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:30:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/R-movies-make-less-money?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ed92a5aa-a0eb-49a6-9a1d-948a699cf45b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Girls Embrace Ministry to hold retreat Feb. 3-4]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pam Gibbs is passionate about girls ministry not only because she knows it&rsquo;s a great need, but more importantly, because she has seen the fruit that comes when adults invest in the lives of girls.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:33:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Girls-Embrace-Ministry-to-hold-retreat-Feb-3-4?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f3e65ec1-77bd-4f44-809f-bb26c8abe5b9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Survey: U.S. split on candidates’ religion talk]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Presidential candidates who discuss their faith on the campaign trail may not be helping their bid for the nomination, according to a LifeWay Research survey of American adults. The online survey asked, &ldquo;When a candidate running for office regularly expresses religious conviction or activity, how does that impact your vote?&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:25:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Survey-U-S-split-on-candidates-religion-talk?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2da33279-f1b3-480a-8655-ab55b9af5dbf</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Platt/‘Secret Church’ topic: ‘Cross & Suffering’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&ldquo;The Cross and Suffering&rdquo; will be pastor David Platt&rsquo;s topic for a Good Friday &ldquo;Secret Church&rdquo; simulcast on April 6.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:21:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Platt-Secret-Church-topic-Cross-Suffering?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4fd65857-d55a-4de8-a90b-c6afa0595f0b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[LifeWay’s Gospel Project to provide in-depth curriculum]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For the first time in more than a decade, LifeWay Christian Resources is releasing a new ongoing Bible study series for children, students and adults under one theme. The Gospel Project is an in-depth and gospel-centered Bible study designed to help participants examine the deeper theological and missional concepts in the text.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:09:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/LifeWay-s-Gospel-Project-to-provide-in-depth-curri?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">85f6749d-97f1-40de-b348-9a290426d7cd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Sudan escalates threats on churches, leaders]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Sudan&rsquo;s Ministry of Guidance and Religious Endowments has threatened to arrest church leaders if they carry out evangelistic activities and do not comply with an order for churches to provide their names and contact information, Christian sources in Sudan have reported to Compass Direct News.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:14:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Sudan-escalates-threats-on-churches-leaders?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">18b544c5-4fbb-4a88-9624-7e6b2f528181</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Babies ‘dedicated’ to temple prostitution]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Imagine living in a society in which you are judged by your station in life, determined by your birth, rather than by your individual worth or accomplishments. As a member of the lowest rung of society, you can barely keep food on the table for your wife and two daughters.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:53:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Babies-dedicated-to-temple-prostitution?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c2012501-fcd7-4636-9136-ab4826dddf73</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[India’s brothels need God’s love]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A white-haired American woman sits in the corner seat of the train as it rattles along its tracks through the skyscrapers and the slums of a large city in India. Kathleen Jones* chats with a street boy hawking nail polish, a friendship she has acquired during her frequent train rides.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:39:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/India-s-brothels-need-God-s-love?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">14f4753e-8c06-4b54-9336-535a64cd40d3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Poverty, unemployment factor in pregnancy crises]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>In Roger Newton&rsquo;s five years leading the Ashe Pregnancy Care Center he has seen the need for pregnancy ministries rise &ndash; not only in Ashe County, but across North Carolina. The economic downturn has made unexpected pregnancies even more of a crisis for many. He has seen more families as well as grandmothers raising children.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:45:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Poverty-unemployment-factor-in-pregnancy-crises?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">90d68066-ef3a-4344-94cd-49c5f791ac1d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Church planter reflects on journey, God’s provision]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Bryon Lamb knew God was calling him to plant a church that would intentionally engage the unchurched people in his community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. But Lamb was not trained in church planting, had never started a church, and he wasn&rsquo;t even sure he had the means to start one.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:38:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Church-planter-reflects-on-journey-God-s-provision?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cd744e71-151f-485e-8dbf-3e8a56fdd4b8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Trot Nixon: Lunch pail guy aims for ‘hall of fame with Jesus’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Boston Red Sox fans appreciated Trot Nixon as a hard-working, bring your lunch pail to work everyday guy in left field. In a career that spanned from 1996 to 2008, Nixon was always ready to battle opposing pitchers while residing in the outfield at legendary Fenway Park. But it was his late game heroics that set him apart. <br />]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:28:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Trot-Nixon-Lunch-pail-guy-aims-for-hall-of-fame-wi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">928b7952-0f64-42f9-9a4b-1c8a0e0415a6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Season ends, but Tebow inspired fans on and off the field]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Tim Tebow&rsquo;s riveting and tumultuous season ended Jan. 14, with the New England Patriots hammering the Denver Broncos 45-10 in an AFC divisional playoff game. &ldquo;A lot of ups and downs,&rdquo; Tebow said about his second NFL season after the loss in Foxborough, Mass. &ldquo;Overall, it&rsquo;s been a very special opportunity for me, something I&rsquo;m really thankful for.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:19:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Season-ends-but-Tebow-inspired-fans-on-and-off-the?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">399731e8-bc81-464f-8a5d-f1469608a406</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Old Town moves forward in commitment to unengaged, unreached]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[During an International Mission Board (IMB) regional training conference Mark Harrison, missions pastor at Old Town Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, met Mike,* a missionary whose work in a Southeast Asian country got Harrison&rsquo;s attention.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:35:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Old-Town-moves-forward-in-commitment-to-unengaged?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">16513e66-4fdc-4522-bebf-e452a29eed2d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Court allows ‘Jesus prayers’ to be banned]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Supreme Court will not intervene in a controversy over Christian prayers delivered before commission meetings in Forsyth County, N.C. The North Carolina chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State praised the decision as a victory for the First Amendment.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:20:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Court-allows-Jesus-prayers-to-be-banned?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">29bceaf9-f6e9-4cee-a1de-2ea0f481f4cd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ministers encouraged to take compensation survey]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist Convention church ministers and employees are encouraged to take the 2012 Compensation Survey at <a href="http://www.guidestone.org/compensationsurvey" target="_blank"><em><strong>guidestone.org/compensationsurvey</strong></em></a>. The deadline is May 31.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:17:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Ministers-encouraged-to-take-compensation-survey?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d5cebfc9-ed25-435c-b85e-971c7fdc2299</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Romney defends switch, says he’s pro-life]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney defended his position on abortion during the GOP debate Monday, saying he&rsquo;s pro-life while touting a letter from the National Right to Life&rsquo;s Massachusetts affiliate.<br />]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:10:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Romney-defends-switch-says-he-s-pro-life?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6846cd25-a859-489f-b5da-51179eb16835</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Rebirth of a dying church: Congregation finds new life through merger]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>Lexington Avenue Baptist Church in High Point was about to close its doors &ndash; for good. Over a year ago, during an average Sunday service, there were about 30 to 40 in attendance. Nearly everyone in the building was around the age of 70 &ndash; with the exception of a young grandchild or two.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:41:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Rebirth-of-a-dying-church-Congregation-finds-new-l?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">15f34d84-dc9f-48a3-a41f-7825e0f2e229</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Church merger brings hope to community]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Ray Johnson wasn&rsquo;t sure if East Albemarle Baptist Church would really go through with it, and he wasn&rsquo;t exactly sure about how his congregation at High Rock Community Church would react.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:31:02 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Church-merger-brings-hope-to-community?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cc330cdb-ba08-43a7-9c9e-3627cd7dd9e8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ga. Baptists reaffirm commitment to forwarding CP gifts to SBC]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Even while Georgia&rsquo;s unemployment rate remains one of the highest in the nation, the Georgia Baptist Convention remains committed to forwarding its Cooperative Program gifts to the SBC Executive Committee in Nashville as quickly as it has traditionally done.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:16:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Ga-Baptists-reaffirm-commitment-to-forwarding-CP-g?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c600c1ad-287c-4b31-ba80-43ff5a3ffcb7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[David Hardage named BGCT executive director]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[DALLAS &ndash; David Hardage, director of development at Truett Theological Seminary, has been elected as executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:00:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/David-Hardage-named-BGCT-executive-director?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d5d98727-b133-48a7-8cbe-0ff38116ef1c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptist Men complete 4 homes for tornado victims]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>The tornado scattered nearly everything they owned across the road outside their once standing mobile home and into a nearby field. Terry and Sharon Bond and their three teenagers lost their home in Harrellsville on April 16, 2011.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:16:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/N-C-Baptist-Men-complete-4-homes-for-tornado-victi?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1867182f-fd20-4c04-bce7-115883b55cbc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[43 arrested while protesting NYC church ban]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[NEW YORK &ndash; Police arrested 43 New York City pastors and lay people on Jan. 12 who were protesting the city&rsquo;s ban on church use of public schools for worship services. The ban is scheduled to go into effect Feb. 12.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:12:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/43-arrested-while-protesting-NYC-church-ban?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1e44f59b-2600-4b81-b1ec-e940e1128a40</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[U.S. jumps to top of charity index]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Americans: the most generous people in the world. In this season of giving, that&rsquo;s no idle gloat. According to a new study, the United States tops a massive global charity survey, rising from fifth place in 2010.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:43:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/U-S-jumps-to-top-of-charity-index?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1f057de6-efc2-4c4c-9b49-2dbd03701203</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[How much ‘Tebowing’ is too much?]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>Along with politics, it is one of two things we don&rsquo;t talk about at parties: sports and religion. Football has always been a religion to some. But now, thanks to Denver quarterback Tim Tebow, sports and religion have become the topic du jour.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:35:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/How-much-Tebowing-is-too-much?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d6dcce31-ef40-4906-80ae-23086a8c8b10</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptist Men respond to tornado damage]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Volunteers with North Carolina Baptist Men&rsquo;s disaster relief ministry  are responding to damage from a tornado that struck areas of Burke and  Rutherford counties Jan. 11.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:14:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/N-C-Baptist-Men-respond-to-tornado-damage?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b3cd70f2-8f31-4a29-8882-dc4df99b0b4b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Supreme Court sides with churches in ‘ministerial exception’ case]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In a landmark decision for churches, the U.S. Supreme Court has for the first time ruled that a &ldquo;ministerial exception&rdquo; allows congregations and religious groups to hire and fire ministers free of federal employment discrimination laws.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:32:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Supreme-Court-sides-with-churches-in-ministerial-e?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3172f128-6314-4603-9ec8-db3d1ff1626c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Israel inaugurates ‘Gospel Trail’ to follow Jesus’ steps]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[GALILEE, Israel &ndash; Perched on Tel Kinrot, a hill above the Sea of Galilee, Winston Mah turned his face toward the warm sun and took in the tranquil view before him.&nbsp;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:17:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Israel-inaugurates-Gospel-Trail-to-follow-Jesus-st?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">165a6e78-7c21-4dcb-82d6-1ca695af33c6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tebow is top religion author of 2011]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Critics have hammered Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow for everything from his throwing style to his trademark professions of evangelical faith. But this much is now beyond dispute: the guy has a gift for selling books.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:09:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Tebow-is-top-religion-author-of-2011?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">17206000-c78b-45e7-8433-b22d14ab2bc9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ethnic church plants arise in Philadelphia]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Philadelphia, the nation&rsquo;s temporary capital in the 1790s while Washington, D.C., was being built, drips with American history. Tree-lined streets downtown lead tourists past Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Museum, Betsy Ross&rsquo; home and the grave of one of Philadelphia&rsquo;s most famous sons, Benjamin Franklin.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:36:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Ethnic-church-plants-arise-in-Philadelphia?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">32b4243f-55ac-4e23-b15e-553dcc300d91</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Supreme Court case: more TV nudity, profanity?]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Jan. 10 in its most significant broadcast indecency case since 1978, and conservative groups are warning the justices that if the television networks win, profanity and nudity will flood TV broadcasts.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:21:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Supreme-Court-case-more-TV-nudity-profanity?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4d99b583-0f8a-47fc-b4c7-d3e18071cd7d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Study links TV profanity, teen aggression ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Teens exposed to profanity in television and video games are more likely to use profanity and also to exhibit physically aggressive behavior, according to a new study published in the journal <em>Pediatrics</em>.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:07:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Study-links-TV-profanity-teen-aggression?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a9324f51-6bb1-4669-a6d1-dc27929a15e0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Report shows Christianity shifting to Africa]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[With 2.18 billion adherents, Christianity has become a truly global religion over the past century as rapid growth in developing nations offset declines in Christianity&rsquo;s traditional strongholds, according to a report released Monday (Dec. 19).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:59:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Report-shows-Christianity-shifting-to-Africa?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d6a4195d-b53c-4201-8acd-595a91bf969d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[EVOLUTION: LifeWay survey shows pastors are split on earth’s age]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pastors overwhelmingly believe that God did not use evolution to create humans and think Adam and Eve were literal people, according to a survey by LifeWay Research.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:02:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/EVOLUTION-LifeWay-survey-shows-pastors-are-split-o?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">09b6496e-1a06-4b31-ab19-2091a1a64413</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gingrich, Romney warn of gay marriage impact]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Redefining marriage to include gay couples has negative consequences that rarely are discussed in the news media, Republican presidential candidates Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney say.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:49:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Gingrich-Romney-warn-of-gay-marriage-impact?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6753b652-c6ad-4ecb-87e0-89edbe76e4a8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Planned Parenthood abortions dip below previous years]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Planned Parenthood, the country&rsquo;s leading abortion provider, finally saw a decline in the number of lethal procedures its affiliates performed in a year, according to its latest annual report.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:35:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Planned-Parenthood-abortions-dip-below-previous-ye?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7958b59e-f465-4c32-b868-91b8e49396cc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptists & the civil war on display at library]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the American Civil War, the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives is presenting a display on Baptists and the war.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:23:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Baptists-the-civil-war-on-display-at-library?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6bae5a8c-40a3-4878-91e2-b46af504461e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tebow answers critics with big playoff win]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[After three straight losses and speculation from analysts that his days as the Denver Broncos&rsquo; starting quarterback were near an end, Tim Tebow answered his critics decisively in a 29-23 playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers Jan. 8.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:59:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Tebow-answers-critics-with-big-playoff-win?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bece4858-2674-4cd5-9dd2-79319acc2574</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[In Iraqi Kurdistan, Baptists partner for clinic, school]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A new day dawned in Iraqi Kurdistan this fall as Governor Tamar Ramadhan gave Baptists two acres of land valued at $2 million for the Grace Baptist Cultural Center &ndash; a multi-phase project including a medical clinic, school, athletic facility, church building and seminary in the town of Simele.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:05:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/In-Iraqi-Kurdistan-Baptists-partner-for-clinic-sch?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bfa0b957-e7a9-4c55-b38b-a01fe4d5bab2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iraqi pastor: ‘Imagine if I had mistreated him’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In a place once called &ldquo;the land of rivers,&rdquo; or Mesopotamia, there was a young man in 1974 who needed helpers to survey sites for dams. Farouk Hammo saw two young men sitting by the side of the road in Simele, an Iraqi Kurdish town with ancient roots where the fertile land is fed from the Duhok River.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:58:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Iraqi-pastor-Imagine-if-I-had-mistreated-him?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4ff5eb49-bef4-4914-bb3c-df91328c5337</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[7 arrested in N.Y. protesting church ban]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Police arrested New York City councilman and pastor Fernando Cabrera, a fellow pastor and five others Jan. 5 on charges of &ldquo;criminal trespassing.&rdquo; Their alleged trespass was kneeling and singing two hymns outside the doors of the New York City Law Department.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:45:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/7-arrested-in-N-Y-protesting-church-ban?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">13449c28-01c6-4964-8827-88e03cfd1b0b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[New flooding worsens Philippines crisis]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The plight of people who survived a Dec. 17 typhoon in the Philippines has been worsened in 14 provinces by heavy rains that have caused new flooding.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:13:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/New-flooding-worsens-Philippines-crisis?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a265e1c4-9c30-4353-a00b-fdbd1f2f8008</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Akin invites graduates to be thankful for gift of Christ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[On Dec. 16, 132 students graduated from Southeastern &ndash; 25 graduates from the College at Southeastern, 82 students in the seminary, 11 from the master of theology program, and 14 in the program of doctoral studies.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:10:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Akin-invites-graduates-to-be-thankful-for-gift-of?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0b7bfbd8-4fb2-4d4d-a876-466e177a474a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.Y. Times notes NAMB church planting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[NEW YORK &ndash; The North American Mission Board&rsquo;s Send North America: New York City church planting focus garnered attention from the New York Times over the Christmas holidays.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:54:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/N-Y-Times-notes-NAMB-church-planting?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">13528d2e-974e-4245-9d4d-d4dbd40db61a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Indonesia: More intolerance against Christians]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Acts of violence and intolerance against Christians in Indonesia nearly doubled in 2011, with an Islamist campaign to close down churches a key factor in the plight of the nation&rsquo;s religious minority.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:51:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Indonesia-More-intolerance-against-Christians?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">131c711b-733f-47da-878e-b6feb16272d0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ministry targets teeth, soul with medical, dental unit]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>Donald Sutton, 34, made his way through Coats United Methodist Church&rsquo;s parking lot, nursing a bad tooth. As he entered the social hall of the church, Sutton looked over his shoulder at the two medical dental units idling along one side of the lot, a mobile clinic that would serve up to 50 people before the team called it a day.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:05:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Ministry-targets-teeth-soul-with-medical-dental-un?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">29c45e97-3016-44bd-b9d5-85457bab17b9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Jan. 31 deadline for nominations]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[North Carolina Baptists still have time to submit recommendations for people to serve on the Baptist State Convention&rsquo;s (BSC) Board of Directors,&nbsp;the boards of the Convention&rsquo;s agencies, institutions and committees.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:51:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Jan-31-deadline-for-nominations?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">acabef82-8464-4288-aec9-3398f259faeb</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NIGERIA: Christmas bombings, Islamist uptick]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[On Christmas Day, churches were bombed in five Nigerian cities &ndash; Madalla (a suburb of the capital Abuja), Jos, Kano, Damaturu and Gadaka &ndash; leaving dozens, perhaps hundreds, dead or wounded.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:42:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/NIGERIA-Christmas-bombings-Islamist-uptick?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">295846b7-1c5f-419f-bbca-95297e5bd624</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[CP puts ‘missionary’ in Locust Grove, pastor says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>What puts the &ldquo;missionary&rdquo; into Locust Grove Missionary Baptist Church? Pastor Ben Whitmire says it&rsquo;s their Cooperative Program giving.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:30:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/CP-puts-missionary-in-Locust-Grove-pastor-says?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3f539521-2064-4a61-a9a6-2b399e2e38c0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[CP gains ground, yet 7% below last year’s pace]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist national and international missions and ministries received by the SBC Executive Committee are 7.01 percent below the same time frame last year, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Page.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:24:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/CP-gains-ground-yet-7-below-last-year-s-pace?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4318506e-e0c5-402d-b3c4-ee0ebc333496</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptist Foundation helps Baptists invest in Kingdom work]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Making a will is not a priority for most Baptists, said Clay Warf, executive director of the North Carolina Baptist Foundation (NCBF). When it comes to wills, many people often think they don&rsquo;t have a lot of material resources that would impact others, or they struggle with procrastination.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:21:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/N-C-Baptist-Foundation-helps-Baptists-invest-in-Ki?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">63cb7977-a421-4c1c-bed9-b3239aeb1b0f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[48 Chinese Christians detained New Year’s Day]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Beijing authorities detained 48 members of a large persecuted house church on New Year&rsquo;s Day, marking a total of more than 1,000 church members who have been taken into police custody during the church&rsquo;s 38 weeks of attempting to hold outdoor worship services.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:47:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/48-Chinese-Christians-detained-New-Year-s-Day?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">750f26cc-990d-4387-89aa-f2cc07834f93</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[2011 – a year of transition, ministry]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[While many stories stood out in 2011, there were a few main themes that jumped to the forefront when looking back at the events that shaped North Carolina Baptists this past year &ndash; leadership changes, focused vision, disaster relief and missions.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:12:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/2011-a-year-of-transition-ministry?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7012a7da-ba66-4ef6-94be-6ceafe2cd5d5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptist Children’s Homes receives special Christmas]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For David Burke, the message was loud and clear one October Sunday while sitting in the pews at Galatia Baptist Church in Seaboard. During a presentation by the Baptist Children&rsquo;s Homes of North Carolina (BCH), Burke would later say, he heard God telling him he needed to &ldquo;make something happen.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:03:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Baptist-Children-s-Homes-receives-special-Christma?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">28e69d84-1035-4a3c-974d-749b83177c3b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Crisis pregnancy care helps mothers choose life for babies ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A tiny hand seemed to wave at everyone in the room on a small TV screen inside a watermelon-slice-shaped window. Then a face of the same black-and-white image became visible.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:49:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Crisis-pregnancy-care-helps-mothers-choose-life-fo?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bb15a2a1-8001-426d-ade2-3e38b08e1bf2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC Call to Prayer coming in January]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[This month, Southern Baptists are again being called to a time of prayer and spiritual awakening. The Southern Baptist Convention Call to Prayer is an opportunity to focus on praying missionally.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:27:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/SBC-Call-to-Prayer-coming-in-January?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a3798d08-c063-4ab3-9f06-2c73ba57d2e9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Sudan again terrorizing its own people]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Sudan&rsquo;s militant Islamic regime again is terrorizing its own people based on religion and ethnicity, driving about 280,000 people from their homes and producing another humanitarian crisis, according to a United States watchdog for religious liberty.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:19:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/January-2012/Sudan-again-terrorizing-its-own-people?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9fadc034-67da-4b3d-a4a8-79a6cc4ad2df</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Urban engagement sparks NAMB-Rebuild partnership]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Hip hop may not readily come to mind when thinking of Southern Baptist work through the North American Mission Board. With The Rebuild Initiative, it may be essential.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:57:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Urban-engagement-sparks-NAMB-Rebuild-partnership?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7400e581-d6d0-4bf5-b37d-719fd86695b8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[The prosperity gospel – ‘pagan teaching with a Christian face,’ prof says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A dangerous &ldquo;egocentric gospel&rdquo; that omits Jesus, neglects the cross, and instead promises health and wealth is being promoted by some of America&rsquo;s most well-known preachers today, and their teachings are readily available on cable TV and in local bookstores.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:01:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/The-prosperity-gospel-pagan-teaching-with-a-Christ?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8b2aad4a-2109-4018-b8a6-93f4f2044800</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Dolly scientist: abandon embryonic stem cell research]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The scientist who led the team that cloned Dolly the sheep has urged fellow researchers to forego embryonic stem cell research &ndash; which he says is fraught with practical problems &ndash; and pursue more promising types of research.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:54:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Dolly-scientist-abandon-embryonic-stem-cell-resear?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9c1ff74e-04c8-4fb7-85e1-e5759ce94dab</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pew: Christianity has become global faith in past century]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Christianity has grown into a global faith in the last century, moving from a predominantly European, North and South American religion to one that is now practiced in large numbers on every continent, particularly Africa and Asia.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:56:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Pew-Christianity-has-become-global-faith-in-past-c?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4ea3c3b5-6616-41a5-a8ee-408d316564a7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Big-sky missions view: Mont. church ups CP 5%]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[About nine months after pastor KJ Ellington started educating Jordan Community Bible Church about missions, missionaries and Southern Baptists&rsquo; Cooperative Program, members voted to increase their percentage CP giving from 8 to 13 percent.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:49:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Big-sky-missions-view-Mont-church-ups-CP-5?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6d34b3dc-e43e-43a2-a0a1-643b2ce6ac60</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Diversity-rich Vancouver is NAMB’s 2nd ‘Send’ launch]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[VANCOUVER, British Columbia (BP) &ndash; Vancouver can have a surprising aura as North America&rsquo;s most diversity-dense city and Canada&rsquo;s largest seaport.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:37:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Diversity-rich-Vancouver-is-NAMB-s-2nd-Send-launch?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">33e9e050-c4db-4714-8484-29ff5e89c136</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[One-third of shelter residents are newly homeless]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (RNS) &ndash; Nearly one in five clients of Christian rescue missions said they were victims of physical violence within the past year, a 6 percent jump from the previous year, according to a new survey.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:27:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/One-third-of-shelter-residents-are-newly-homeless?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8d37bd58-ded7-4e0f-8e91-ac8aee9575e2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[North Carolina Baptists called to prayer]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[To kick off the year in prayer, pastors, church staff and prayer leaders are invited to gather Jan. 10-11&nbsp;at the Lifeway Ridgecrest Conference Center in Ridgecrest for the Empowered: North Carolina Pastor/Staff Prayer Retreat.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:52:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/North-Carolina-Baptists-called-to-prayer?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">097dc035-7f51-4f1f-b1cc-38ce5c75d86b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Americans’ view of Southern Baptists studied]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The majority of Americans have a favorable impression of Southern Baptists, according to a recent LifeWay Research study. However, 40 percent of respondents have an unfavorable view of the denomination; more than a third strongly assume a Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) church is not for them; and the negativity is higher among the unchurched.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:33:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Americans-view-of-Southern-Baptists-studied?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">76f9bd5d-be86-42c8-b71e-4133f72d0b8e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[GuideStone helps provide ‘happy days’ for retired couple]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[&nbsp;&ldquo;Sunday, Monday, happy days...Tuesday, Wednesday, happy days...&rdquo; Who can forget the familiar tune from the popular mid-70s TV show &ldquo;Happy Days&rdquo;?]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:00:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/GuideStone-helps-provide-happy-days-for-retired-co?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2f1e0864-32d9-4c42-bd39-1bf10dc188dc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Church planting snapshots]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>Terry Hollifield is seeking unchurched people, but in a targeted way. Think of Paul addressing the Greeks of Athens.&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:39:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Church-planting-snapshots?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4ab6a19a-0228-4eca-95d3-aae34dbabc0d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Westfield Baptist joins hands in the harvest ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pastor Joel Stephens tells his church members they&rsquo;re supporting nearly 10,000 missionaries across Asia, Africa and all around the world and across the country.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:55:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Westfield-Baptist-joins-hands-in-the-harvest?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">64f29eee-09d0-4286-8706-c378b96eee56</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Oglesby uses aviation ministry to impact lives]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>Bob Oglesby&rsquo;s dad is a pilot and his son is a commercial pilot, but it wasn&rsquo;t until much later in life that Oglesby moved into the cockpit and learned to fly. He always had an interest in flying and even flew some with his dad. In 1994, when Oglesby felt like he could afford the cost of getting his pilot&rsquo;s license, he turned to his son.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:45:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Oglesby-uses-aviation-ministry-to-impact-lives?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cc01ab32-5179-4056-a334-64b37a6c5034</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. couple thankful for opportunity to share meaning of Christmas ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jane was in the middle of explaining how God had called her family to one of the toughest areas in Central Asia when the Skype connection went dead.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:14:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/N-C-couple-thankful-for-opportunity-to-share-meani?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d411e7c4-5c80-4a89-91b5-bacb4a8ff146</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Coach: Career opened opportunities to make a difference]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Former three-time Dallas Cowboy&nbsp;Super Bowl champion Bill Bates is proving&nbsp;that life after football has provided him with an even greater opportunity to&nbsp;influence thousands of young people.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:07:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Coach-Career-opened-opportunities-to-make-a-differ?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">befd509e-77cb-4cc5-98a8-9ba8d950ec70</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Planting hope in Cambodia’s ‘Killing Fields’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[KRATIE, Cambodia (BP) &ndash; Afternoon light filters through the windows as Cambodian villagers map out the future of their communities. This day was more than 30 years in coming. The villages haven&rsquo;t been rebuilt since the horrific Khmer Rouge years that tore communities apart.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:09:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Planting-hope-in-Cambodia-s-Killing-Fields?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b9d4f738-34c1-4d52-bd14-ed6c2f910dcf</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Khmer Rouge survivor nurtures his village]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[POIPET, Cambodia (BP) &ndash; David leans back and coughs into a handkerchief. His asthma ails him, but not as much as the nightmares that still torment him more than 30 years after the Khmer Rouge genocide in his Cambodian homeland.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:12:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Khmer-Rouge-survivor-nurtures-his-village?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4703d625-d1f8-4b8e-b67b-279e100c9b2b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Panel: Baptist academia face major challenges]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Southern Baptist universities and seminaries face significant challenges in the near future in areas such as theology and science, globalization, and their relationship to churches, Union University President David S. Dockery said in an address in conjunction with the Evangelical Theological Society&rsquo;s mid-November meeting in San Francisco.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:07:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Panel-Baptist-academia-face-major-challenges?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fc16e3ac-27f0-465e-abd0-1b0decf48d1c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Indy’s ‘Send’ initiative launched by NAMB]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Pastor John Newland said he&rsquo;d go anywhere &ndash; Asia, Africa, the Middle East, wherever the Lord led him. A life-changing mission trip to the Middle East had made him restless to make a difference. He couldn&rsquo;t help but see the vast pockets of lostness in the cities of the world.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:01:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Indy-s-Send-initiative-launched-by-NAMB?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">02f08d8d-0824-4820-b768-7898df8edef7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Scroll fragments could ‘shed light’ on O.T. text]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The potential contribution to Dead Sea Scroll scholarship of nine scroll fragments owned by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary was underscored when several SWBTS professors discussed their research to date during the Society of Biblical Literature&rsquo;s 2011 meeting in San Francisco.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:51:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Scroll-fragments-could-shed-light-on-O-T-text?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">73575d83-f967-4792-9b34-83d75a61399c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[ Missions-minded grandma confronts thief – and wins]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) &ndash; They knew something was wrong when they spotted a strange car in their driveway. A black Honda. No one was in it, but it was idling.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:15:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Missions-minded-grandma-confronts-thief-and-wins?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3bb54775-3129-4c42-87a7-0b14bae2204b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Armenia experiencing revival, hopeful about future]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Armenia is a small country nestled between its much larger and predominately Muslim neighbors of Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan. Situated at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, it is a nation with a unique and varied history, including a Christian tradition that dates to the apostolic age.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:17:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Armenia-experiencing-revival-hopeful-about-future?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">19cdb436-7d9e-4911-8a18-ab0c1a82e6c9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Glimpse of heaven seen at annual banquet]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>This year&rsquo;s Heavenly Banquet Nov. 8 offered a small picture of what heaven might look like. With 160 participants from various tribes, tongues and nations, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina&rsquo;s (BSC) multicultural ministries offered participants a chance to learn from a multicultural church planter and a panel of experts working with various ethnic groups.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:07:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Glimpse-of-heaven-seen-at-annual-banquet?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d6087f47-81e7-4371-9d24-ba8b968f2df3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Missionary couple perseveres through challenges in Rio de Janeiro]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[His greatest fear: One day, he will go out to share the gospel and not come back. IMB missionary Eric Reese serves on one of the most dangerous mission fields in South America &mdash; the gang-controlled favelas (slums) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:08:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Missionary-couple-perseveres-through-challenges-in?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">429e2a69-eeec-4c3c-9c9b-1d72a3e20f3e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Interview with a Brazilian drug lord: A first-person account]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>Four years ago, a drug lord called &ldquo;The Godfather&rdquo; wanted Eric Reese dead. Reese, an IMB missionary in Brazil, works in the gang-controlled favelas (slums) of Rio de Janeiro. His ministry puts him in contact with prostitutes, drug dealers and gang leaders. Frequently, he finds himself in dangerous situations on streets where violence often rules.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:51:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Interview-with-a-Brazilian-drug-lord-A-first-perso?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">62b2b93b-bdf9-4b6d-87f6-9c6a80ec6656</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Campbell breaks ground on new medical school]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[BUIES CREEK &ndash; One simple but powerful word was repeated during the Dec. 8 groundbreaking ceremony of Campbell University&rsquo;s School of Osteopathic Medicine. Big.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:18:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Campbell-breaks-ground-on-new-medical-school?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e2524241-219e-459c-ac34-996abf85b80a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[We’ve moved!]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The <em>Biblical Recorder</em> staff and Board of Directors&nbsp;is pleased to announce that we have moved our office into the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina building. Our last day in the Raleigh office was Dec. 16. <br />]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:13:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/We-ve-moved?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">83f3e65a-33b0-4310-a6ae-f4b151d6205b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Companies pull ads from Muslim reality TV show]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Lowe&rsquo;s, the national hardware chain, has pulled commercials from future episodes of &ldquo;All-American Muslim,&rdquo; a TLC reality-TV show, after protests by Christian groups.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:32:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Companies-pull-ads-from-Muslim-reality-TV-show?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2a50e623-019b-4c95-bf1d-d20d1968f1a9</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Refugee center in Europe lacks funds but not opportunity]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[She is looking for a little good news. Shirin has found her way to a refugee center in Europe run by Southern Baptist workers. A worker calls Shirin&rsquo;s grown daughter in the U.S. &mdash; Shirin is desperate to reconnect.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:06:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Refugee-center-in-Europe-lacks-funds-but-not-oppor?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">15372788-ad37-4ac8-b0fa-495cdd065cc3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Young refugees journey through trauma toward hope]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Many Afghan families, desperate for a better life, pay fortunes to a highly developed network of smugglers who help them escape difficult situations. Often they send their children alone to freedom before the rest of the family can follow.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:02:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Young-refugees-journey-through-trauma-toward-hope?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7b6aaaea-663f-471f-91c8-769175cd2cde</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Iowa Baptists add partnership with Mo.]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[DES MOINES, Iowa (BP) &ndash; Messengers to the annual meeting of the Baptist Convention of Iowa launched a four-year missions partnership with the Missouri Baptist Convention beginning in January.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:26:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Iowa-Baptists-add-partnership-with-Mo?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c8b9b5b3-1b9c-40c9-940d-0a4377a9252a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Mich. Baptists approve strategic plan]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[WARREN, Mich. (BP) &ndash; Messengers to the 54th annual meeting of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan approved a new strategic plan for refocusing and restructuring the convention for greater effectiveness in the future.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:15:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Mich-Baptists-approve-strategic-plan?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a788f43f-f9f4-453d-8704-37aed7d425b6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[New England Baptists see record baptisms]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[MARLBORO, Mass. (BP) &ndash; Messengers to the 29th annual meeting of the Baptist Convention of New England celebrated the best membership-to-baptism ratio in the Southern Baptist Convention for 2010 when they gathered in Marlboro, Mass.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:14:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/New-England-Baptists-see-record-baptisms?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">04d19b3f-1455-4692-ba19-bfc05fb8f949</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Penn-Jersey Baptists to evaluate future]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[HARRISBURG, Pa. (BP) &ndash; Messengers to the annual meeting of the Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania/South Jersey celebrated the theme &ldquo;Forward in Faith,&rdquo; based on Hebrews 10:38-39, and appointed a task force to evaluate the convention&rsquo;s future.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:11:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Penn-Jersey-Baptists-to-evaluate-future?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">85c3822e-0f34-4f9b-8b10-41a1cbd083f4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Va. Baptists (SBCV) mark 15th anniversary]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messengers to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia marked the convention&rsquo;s 15th anniversary at Grove Avenue Baptist Church in Richmond with the theme &ldquo;Transforming Churches.&rdquo;<br />]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:53:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Va-Baptists-(SBCV)-mark-15th-anniversary?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0a95ce1b-fc75-4453-86ed-ed0ec6869904</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Christmas season is prime time for sharing Jesus, leader says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Amid the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holiday season, it can be easy for Christians to get caught up in last-minute shopping, music programs and parties like everyone else.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:20:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Christmas-season-is-prime-time-for-sharing-Jesus-l?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">531b1053-c02c-4524-b349-ce2069c47cf7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC name change task force reaches decision]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[ATLANTA (BP) &ndash; The task force appointed to study the possibility of changing the Southern Baptist Convention&rsquo;s name has reached a decision that they believe &ldquo;will please the Father and greatly strengthen our ability to reach more people with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:15:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/SBC-name-change-task-force-reaches-decision?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">bc687a57-4010-45fb-8152-8256bd1a3e13</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Factories make impact in China]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[DONGGUAN, China (BP) &mdash; The taxi races down the elevated 10-lane highway. There&rsquo;s not much to look at on this journey. Endless rows of blank-faced factories barricaded behind 6-foot metal fences line both sides of the road.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 09 Dec 2011 18:01:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Factories-make-impact-in-China?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">956aeedc-a896-40c5-86f0-dee9683863a6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tentmaker spreads gospel by working in Chinese factory]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>DONGGUAN, China (BP) &mdash; Everything about Fa Hsing* is quiet. His voice. His countenance. His strength. He is a man of few words. His actions speak for him. He puts in no less than 12 hours a day, six days a week, on the factory floor in Dongguan, China.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:56:46 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Tentmaker-spreads-gospel-by-working-in-Chinese-fac?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f6f14c66-28fa-411a-a0f6-cfe9d0d4e68d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Making fruitful disciples of the next generation]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>A recent study by the Barna Group found that nearly 60 percent of young people leave the church either permanently or for extended periods of time after age 15. A 2006 Barna study (http://tinyurl.com/3ao3q7p) found that 61 percent of young adults involved in church as teenagers no longer attend church, read the Bible or spend time in prayer.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:11:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Making-fruitful-disciples-of-the-next-generation?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4c34981d-f833-4230-98b1-5ad97063ba24</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[First-Person: An inside look at human trafficking]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[SOUTH AFRICA (BP)&mdash;The odors of liquor, smoke and sweat permeate the air. One small bulb lights the alleyway. Traffic is light on the main road, but this side street keeps busy.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:00:07 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/First-Person-An-inside-look-at-human-trafficking?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">62547a06-4fa6-43c0-bc15-21c4e2dc1de0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Billy Graham released from hospital]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[ASHEVILLE &ndash;&nbsp;Evangelist Billy Graham was released from the hospital Tuesday, six days after being admitted with pneumonia. A statement from Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., said Graham had made &ldquo;good clinical progress&rdquo; in his response to antibiotics and had &ldquo;advanced daily&rdquo; in showing increased strength and mobility.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:32:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Billy-Graham-released-from-hospital?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1259d149-3ce4-48a9-bc7f-d95f5b8ba136</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NCBM rely on volunteers, funds to operate]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>North Carolina Baptists are known for their heart. That&rsquo;s evident to the many peoples that have been ministered to by the North Carolina Baptist Men (NCBM). &ldquo;Thousands of people have found out that God cares about them&rdquo; through the efforts of Baptists from the state, said Richard Brunson, NCBM executive director.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:24:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/NCBM-rely-on-volunteers-funds-to-operate?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">37130c0f-eacd-449c-b5bc-ba7f85383b86</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Unreached people groups in London bring challenges to missionaries ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Descend into the extensive London underground transport system and only station names on tiled walls tell what lies above ground. Signs for &ldquo;Victoria&rdquo; and &ldquo;Waterloo&rdquo; signal bustling railway stations above. Climb the steps from the Oxford and Piccadilly Circus underground stations to reach premier shopping districts in the City.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:19:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Unreached-people-groups-in-London-bring-challenges?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3d7f5779-6e98-4374-b908-e87b6ef30212</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[High court permits NYC schools to ban churches]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[NEW YORK CITY (BP) &ndash; The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an evangelical church&rsquo;s plea to overturn New York City&rsquo;s ban on renting public schools for religious worship services. That means the city now has a green light to begin evicting congregations that pay rent to use public school buildings for church services.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:15:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/High-court-permits-NYC-schools-to-ban-churches?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">065cdfff-ea3c-4ec5-8b8a-cd5a24e196f3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pakistani Christians thank pioneer missionaries for bringing them the gospel]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Aadam Channar* was only a young boy quietly listening in the shadows when Baptist missionary Hu Addleton first brought the gospel to his Hindu tribal village in the Sindh province of Pakistan.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:46:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Pakistani-Christians-thank-pioneer-missionaries-fo?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">928eb823-6ff9-4cfc-887f-35cc78e4cc62</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. Baptists leaders ask messengers if they’re ‘All In’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>North Carolina Baptists are not alone in losing sight of their primary objective. Just like the people in Ephesus, Greg Mathis says Paul&rsquo;s words are relevant to N.C. Baptists. He was calling the people back to their primary objective: spreading the gospel.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:38:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/N-C-Baptists-leaders-ask-messengers-if-they-re-All?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b8cbb93b-50bd-4a84-89e2-fb35d7cb66bf</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Merry Christmas from your Biblical Recorder staff]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[During the holidays our office will officially be closed Dec. 23-27 and Jan. 2. After Dec. 16, our new office will be located in the Baptist State Convention (BSC) building, 205 Convention Drive, Cary, NC 27511. Our new mailing address is P.O. Box 1185, Cary, NC 27512.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:16:13 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Merry-Christmas-from-your-Biblical-Recorder-staff?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cab40631-73df-47c3-b655-98074f8b1898</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Queen’ reflects fondly on 35 years in Nigeria]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Shirley Gunn learned to live by some simple rules during her nearly 35 years as an IMB (International Mission Board) missionary in Nigeria &ndash; spend time with and love others, hold tight to the Word of God, and keep her eyes open when praying with strangers.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:58:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Queen-reflects-fondly-on-35-years-in-Nigeria?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">03c0929f-379b-4a54-9ac8-f210d08ca9aa</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ariz. Baptists hear transition report]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[PHOENIX (BP) &ndash; After a call to seek God&rsquo;s face and an invitation to attend a convention-wide sacred assembly in January, Arizona Southern Baptist Convention messengers concluded the 83rd annual meeting on their knees in prayer. <br />]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:46:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Ariz-Baptists-hear-transition-report?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d988bde4-9a15-4508-8dc2-cccfbda9f6b8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Elliff shares encouragement, Lottie challenge with N.C. Baptists]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[After being inaugurated in November as the 11th president of IMB (International Mission Board), Tom Elliff expressed his appreciation to North Carolina Baptists for their ongoing support of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and their willingness to embrace the unengaged, unreached around the globe with the gospel.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:46:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Elliff-shares-encouragement-Lottie-challenge-with?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8559f1bd-1f1e-4f12-831c-3ee6fedd15ce</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Miss. Baptists support the unborn]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[JACKSON, Miss. (BP) &ndash; Messengers to the Mississippi Baptist Convention unanimously passed a resolution supporting a constitutional amendment that would have defined human life as beginning at conception.<br />]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:45:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Miss-Baptists-support-the-unborn?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e589dfeb-4a50-441c-97b3-78d2e52e8d76</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Utah-Idaho Baptists decrease budget]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[JEROME, Idaho (BP) &ndash; Messengers to the 47th annual meeting of the Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Convention celebrated the theme &ldquo;Building for the Future&rdquo; based on Nehemiah 4:13-20 and approved a decreased budget.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:42:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Utah-Idaho-Baptists-decrease-budget?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">19b34a24-ad97-4778-aa0e-be78472a13b7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Jerusalem: Searching for peace]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As Jesus approached Jerusalem for the last time, He wept. He thought about the people within its walls and said, &ldquo;If you had only known on this day what would bring you peace.&rdquo; He knew within hours He&rsquo;d be crucified by the very people for whom He wept.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:38:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Jerusalem-Searching-for-peace?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">83be9ae5-ec01-40ef-a77c-bd7ff6dc66d8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[CP: 11.14% below last year’s pace]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Year-to-date contributions to Southern Baptist national and international missions and ministries received by the SBC Executive Committee are 11.14 percent below the same time frame last year, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Page.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:34:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/CP-11-14-below-last-year-s-pace?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ee283f5c-3894-4a6b-aee1-bd6d40050442</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[World AIDS Day: in Swaziland, 26 percent are infected]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[MBABANE, Swaziland (BP) &ndash; A 7-year-boy in a ragged gray shirt, with scabby knees and scuffed shoes, sits on a grass mat. He is listening intently to a presentation assuring him that the disease in his body is not his fault. Nor is it an ancestor&rsquo;s ire or demon possession.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:19:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/World-AIDS-Day-in-Swaziland-26-percent-are-infecte?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">077594bd-0c82-4934-8b5d-7d403c29f53e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[1,000 churches to get apps as part of giveaway]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[NASHVILLE, Tenn. &ndash; LifeWay Christian Resources and ROAR, a mobile app development group, are giving mobile church apps to 1,000 churches throughout the month of December.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:14:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/1-000-churches-to-get-apps-as-part-of-giveaway?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7a8cf71f-f462-4234-a61a-b9c42f349008</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Japanese businessman goes from high finance to homelessness]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[TOKYO (BP)&mdash;Kiyoshi Sugioka entered the busy Tokyo train station in July 2009 with a single purpose in mind &mdash; to end his life. Dressed in a business suit and dress shirt, the 53-year-old man looked like any of the hundreds of Japanese businessmen crowding the station.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:00:42 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Japanese-businessman-goes-from-high-finance-to-hom?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">beea1fe9-eeb8-441b-b38a-241200c9a6c8</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Billy Graham hospitalized, in stable condition]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[ASHEVILLE &shy;&ndash; Evangelist Billy Graham has been hospitalized, potentially with pneumonia, and is in stable condition, according a hospital statement. The 93-year-old Graham was admitted to Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., &ldquo;alert, smiling and waving at hospital staff,&rdquo; according to the statement.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:54:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Billy-Graham-hospitalized-in-stable-condition?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">557ce757-6b7e-48c2-a77b-098110909d44</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Christmas Day services will go on, pastors say]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) &ndash; Nine in 10 pastors plan for their churches to host Christmas Day services this year. A LifeWay Research study of 1,000 Protestant pastors shows that 91 percent of Protestant pastors plan to have services on Christmas Day while 69 percent said they plan to host Christmas Eve services.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:51:06 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Christmas-Day-services-will-go-on-pastors-say?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">dbacb1a1-3885-45ac-aea3-f4ba3b2c5a30</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[IMB missionaries train Japanese leaders ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[NAGOYA, Japan (BP)&mdash;Five Japanese men shuffle into the room quietly and bow to their hosts, IMB missionaries Wang and Rose Lee. Even though they&rsquo;ve been coming for fellowship and leadership training for a while now, they still fidget nervously like a bunch of schoolboys on test day.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:23:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/IMB-missionaries-train-Japanese-leaders?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">54bd0fc9-6f9a-45b9-942d-71238d45f0bf</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Formerly homeless couple seeks next steps in ministry]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[TOKYO (BP)&mdash;Sunlight filters through the windows of apartment 201 in a small green building on the outskirts of Tokyo, Japan. Outside, blue skies and the first hint of cherry blossoms signal the beginning of spring. Inside, the small, two-room apartment is immaculately clean with minimal furnishings.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:13:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/December-2011/Formerly-homeless-couple-seeks-next-steps-in-minis?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">049eed9c-a0b8-40af-961a-13afd0bcce9f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Charitable giving up slightly but still ailing]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>(RNS) Charitable giving is trickling back up as the economy heals, but it could take years to return to pre-recession levels, nonprofit leaders say. Giving totaled $291 billion in 2010, according to the 2011 annual report by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. That&rsquo;s up 3.8 percent from 2009 and follows two consecutive years of declines.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:56:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Charitable-giving-up-slightly-but-still-ailing?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b05e1b37-8dd4-4335-8ce5-95e44bb392a3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Missionaries help Japan’s homeless find hope]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[TOKYO (BP) &ndash; As the sun rises over Japan, millions rise early to head to work. An intricate system of commuter trains and subways moves countless men and women from the comfort of their homes to a skyscraper in Tokyo or a factory in neighboring Nagoya. Together, the two cities represent the business and manufacturing facets of the country&rsquo;s economy.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:44:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Missionaries-help-Japan-s-homeless-find-hope?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d3c07d94-db5f-4b20-b012-d9d9ceeef768</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Yellow shirts’ give Japan’s quake/tsunami survivors hope]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[TOHOKU, Japan (BP) &ndash; Everything changed on March 11 for Eiko Tanno. It was the day a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit the northeastern coast of Japan &ndash; the day she lost hope. Tanno was working in her home office when the ground started shaking and shimmying. She ran outside and huddled with her neighbors.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:19:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Yellow-shirts-give-Japan-s-quake-tsunami-survivors?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7c8c82da-fd98-4c23-b4ee-c90f3880e3fc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Bivocational pastors needed for church planting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) &ndash; If the North American Mission Board&rsquo;s Send North America evangelistic church planting initiative is to succeed, it must include thousands of bivocational pastors who are willing to plant churches.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:35:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Bivocational-pastors-needed-for-church-planting?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">440e1d7c-1303-4911-920b-83ea8035513f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Gypsies in Macedonia find roots in Christ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[SKOPJE, Macedonia (BP) &ndash; The tattered blanket hanging loosely in the doorway of the cinderblock house does little to keep the shouting inside from drifting out into the dusty streets of Dame Gruev. The set of lungs belongs to a grandmother who sits in the bare, one-room house that only has one chair &ndash; the one in front of the computer.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:21:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Gypsies-in-Macedonia-find-roots-in-Christ?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7f7802b9-3850-404a-b94b-ced99c9da306</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[W.Va. adopts plan for church planting, CP]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (BP) &ndash; A six-point plan to streamline the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists and focus more sharply on church planting was adopted by a 60/40 margin during the WVCSB&rsquo;s annual meeting Nov. 4-5.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:45:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/W-Va-adopts-plan-for-church-planting-CP?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6739cad6-7964-4ede-bfb0-f717d392eb90</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Okla. Baptists increase CP giving]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[MOORE, Okla. (BP) &ndash; A total of 764 messengers to the 105th annual meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma focused on the theme &ldquo;Together&rdquo; at First Baptist Church in Moore Nov. 14-15.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:41:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Okla-Baptists-increase-CP-giving?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">adc25646-4798-4b81-8bc6-3ef0eaf67e31</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Kan.-Neb. Baptists leave budget unchanged]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[LENEXA, Kan. (BP) &ndash; Messengers to the annual meeting of the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists celebrated the theme &ldquo;Sharing the Gospel&rdquo; at Lenexa Baptist Church in Lenexa, Kan.<br />]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:40:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Kan-Neb-Baptists-leave-budget-unchanged?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">068dac25-01c9-4926-a55e-83cdf9bb273a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Modern Marvels features N.C. Baptist Men’s Manna One]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>The popular History Channel show Modern Marvels featured the North Carolina Baptist Men&rsquo;s Disaster Relief unit &ldquo;Manna One.&rdquo;</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:17:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Modern-Marvels-features-N-C-Baptist-Men-s-Manna-On?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1880a188-3724-4a86-a04f-02ecde40606c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ill. Baptists take 1% CP challenge]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[O&rsquo;FALLON, Ill. (BP) &ndash; &ldquo;Churches Cooperating&rdquo; was the theme of the Illinois Baptist State Association&rsquo;s 105th annual meeting, Nov. 2-3 at First Baptist Church in O&rsquo;Fallon, Ill.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:54:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Ill-Baptists-take-1-CP-challenge?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">eec70cd5-3976-4599-a5e4-afeb0e6905e0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Fla. Baptists celebrate ethnic diversity]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (BP) &ndash; Messengers to the 150th annual meeting of the Florida Baptist State Convention experienced the international flavor of South Florida Nov. 14-15 at Church by the Glades in Coral Springs.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:57:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Fla-Baptists-celebrate-ethnic-diversity?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7f96b7b0-30c6-4b7e-8203-b22a8b0bddc1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[La. Baptists urged to fight complacency]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[COVINGTON, La. (BP) &ndash; The clock is ticking, Louisiana Baptists were reminded at the 164th annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention at First Baptist Church in Covington Nov. 14-15.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:55:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/La-Baptists-urged-to-fight-complacency?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fc497946-8701-4520-88a8-03bc81d1fa96</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Md./Del. Baptists defend traditional marriage]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[OCEAN CITY, Md. (BP) &ndash; Messengers to the 176th annual meeting of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware approved a budget increasing Cooperative Program giving and passed a resolution in support of biblically-defined traditional marriage.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:46:37 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Md-Del-Baptists-defend-traditional-marriage?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fae9c95d-5553-4818-ba8d-52b9e7e2df55</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Lottie Moon Week of Prayer: Dec. 4-11]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[RICHMOND, Va. &ndash; Jesus gave His followers a task &ndash; to fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-19). He commissioned believers to be His heart, His hands and His voice to share the gospel with the world. Through praying for, giving to and going on mission, Southern Baptists have dedicated themselves to this legacy for more than 160 years.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:43:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Lottie-Moon-Week-of-Prayer-Dec-4-11?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f671775c-418f-4bd4-8935-2b810037b57d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Only 46% of children grow up in an intact home, study says]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[WASHINGTON &ndash; Only 46 percent of children in the United States will reach age 17 having grown up in a home with biological parents who are married &ndash; a figure that has a significant impact on the nation&rsquo;s graduation, poverty and teenage birth rates, according to a new report.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:36:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Only-46-of-children-grow-up-in-an-intact-home-stud?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1f8fec41-7c6c-46ec-98af-92f2d9626743</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptist Men respond to tornado damage]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>North Carolina Baptist Men&rsquo;s Disaster Relief responded to the devastation of a deadly tornado that hit Davidson and Randolph counties Nov. 16. Volunteers set up feeding and shower units at Liberty Baptist Church in Thomasville.&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:28:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Baptist-Men-respond-to-tornado-damage?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">82f8483e-177e-4283-9865-4386bcc7fff3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Thankful, yes, but to whom? ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<i>(EDITOR'S NOTE: See other guest columns at the bottom of <a href="http://www.brnow.org" target="_blank"><strong>brnow.org</strong></a> next to Tar Heel Voices.</i>)<br />
<br />
FORT WORTH, Texas &ndash; &ldquo;Pass the turkey, please.&rdquo; You can hear the subtle scrape of the fork on the plate to get the last delicious bite of grandmother&rsquo;s dressing with giblet gravy.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:26:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Thankful-yes-but-to-whom?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3e3d1b5f-7ba6-4cc1-8992-b8eab8f8704a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[BR report introduces new staff, updated logo, website]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>This year has brought several changes to the <em>Biblical Recorder</em>. These changes were shared during its report to North Carolina Baptist messengers Nov. 8. K. Allan Blume was elected to the position of editor/president in April. This year the paper has launched a new logo, new design for print and website <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brnow.org"><strong><em>brnow.org</em></strong></a>.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:42:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/BR-report-introduces-new-staff-updated-logo-websit?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0e753085-673e-44a5-9548-e45dff74d3fe</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Unreached, unengaged embrace gospel for first time]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[To an 18-year-old on his first international mission trip the scene was surreal, like something from television or straight out of National Geographic. After spending several days in a Southeast Asia country seeking to share the gospel and build relationships, Jamie Buckley and the team from Old Town Baptist Church in Winston-Salem headed to a predominantly Buddhist fisherman&rsquo;s village off the coast.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:36:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Unreached-unengaged-embrace-gospel-for-first-time?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2f82d6ae-c312-4c1a-853f-333adf7a669d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Chowan service group selects Mills as president]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[MURFREESBORO &ndash; Julian Mills, a resident of Roanoke Rapids, has been selected to be the new president of the Chowan Christian Service Association (CCSA) Board of Directors at Chowan University in Murfreesboro.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:33:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Chowan-service-group-selects-Mills-as-president?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">97d3a91b-3047-48a1-ac66-efd416372a5c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ga. Baptists adopt GCR report, pare budget]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (BP) &ndash; For the first time in a decade, two candidates ran for president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, with Statesboro pastor John Waters garnering 749 votes over Tifton pastor Fred Evers&rsquo; 656.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:24:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Ga-Baptists-adopt-GCR-report-pare-budget?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">eefdfe51-5909-4282-b866-54fbb4129a12</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ky. Baptists welcome new exec. director]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[FLORENCE, Ky. &ndash; &ldquo;More for Christ&rdquo; was the theme for Kentucky Baptists&rsquo; 174th annual meeting at Florence Baptist Church at Mt. Zion in Florence Nov. 15. In the first year of a three-year spiritual renewal emphasis, messengers were encouraged to take up the words of John the Baptist &ndash; &ldquo;He must increase ... I must decrease&rdquo; (John 3:30).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:19:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Ky-Baptists-welcome-new-exec-director?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">03e6cca8-822c-441d-95bf-01a9ae3d0855</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Baptists in Texas (SBTC) ‘embrace’ unreached]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[IRVING, Texas &ndash; Messengers to the 14th session of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention annual meeting approved a $26.2 million budget; passed resolutions ranging from the personhood of the unborn to biblical gender roles; and elected Mesquite pastor Terry Turner as president.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:12:55 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Baptists-in-Texas-(SBTC)-embrace-unreached?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">96aac2ef-038b-41f7-8aa7-261953311335</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pastor shares ‘OneCry’ for N.C. Baptists]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[While pushing his way through the cobwebs as he entered the balcony of Moriah Chapel in Wales, Darryl Craft felt chills. During a 10-day trip to the United Kingdom, he stood there looking across the site of the legendary Welsh revival that took place in 1904.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:52:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Pastor-shares-OneCry-for-N-C-Baptists?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fa4ac6f6-8cc2-4e18-95d8-7e2e32322202</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Minister’s wives encouraged to share one another’s burdens]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>Laughter and tears seem to be key ingredients for a successful women&rsquo;s meeting. That combination was demonstrated at the North Carolina Baptist Ministers&rsquo; Wives 56th annual meeting Nov. 7. &ldquo;You all are part of a really exclusive club,&rdquo; said Allison Speer, a singer from Nashville, Tenn.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:47:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Minister-s-wives-encouraged-to-share-one-another-s?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d387acce-91aa-4737-9574-16747411a7c0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[NOBTS trustees approve new housing ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Trustees at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary approved a new student housing project and voted to relocate the school&rsquo;s South Georgia Extension center during an Oct. 12 meeting. The board also approved five new certificate-level training sites and reduced the number of required hours in the doctor of educational ministry degree.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:37:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/NOBTS-trustees-approve-new-housing?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">826d7e49-8d6b-437b-a7c6-e2d47be79fc5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[White House flubs the Bible – along with everyone else]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>WASHINGTON &ndash; The White House proved itself Scripturally challenged Nov. 2 when Press Secretary Jay Carney said: &ldquo;I believe the phrase from the Bible is, &lsquo;The Lord helps those who help themselves.&rsquo;&rdquo; Actually, no.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:33:23 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/White-House-flubs-the-Bible-along-with-everyone-el?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">52a44e70-f531-4c5f-ab96-4e940f6d8ad0</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ark. Baptists continue CP increases]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[LITTLE ROCK, Ark. &ndash; Messengers to the 158th annual meeting of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) retained a $21.5 million budget for 2012 and celebrated the theme &ldquo;GO! Across the Street, Across Arkansas, Across the World.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:19:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Ark-Baptists-continue-CP-increases?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">23a32d9d-b06d-42da-b556-d02a6132b52a</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Wyo. Baptists increase CP]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[MILLS, Wyo. (BP) &ndash; Messengers to the 28th annual meeting of the Wyoming Southern Baptist Convention increased Cooperative Program giving to national and international causes by .25 percent of their CP budget for the coming year.<br />]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:16:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Wyo-Baptists-increase-CP?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0b5add1c-61cd-41ae-b2d1-c26ff077e56c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Va. Baptists (BGAV) elect first black president]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[RICHMOND, Va. (BP) &ndash; Messengers to the Baptist General Association of Virginia elected the state association&rsquo;s first black president, Mark Croston, during its Nov. 8-9 annual meeting in Richmond, Va.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:09:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Va-Baptists-(BGAV)-elect-first-black-president?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fb21ebf2-3761-4c62-8c12-715c32ace3fd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[‘Let the fire fall,’ said N.C. Baptist president]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Before leaving his post as president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC), Ed Yount challenged Baptist leaders this month to pray for revival and reexamine the priorities and purpose of their churches. Yount noted there is much for Baptists in the state to be thankful for &ldquo;yet, God has given [them] a tremendous task.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:21:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Let-the-fire-fall-said-N-C-Baptist-president?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3b6efb23-58ac-4bf6-aee7-501767e0925b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[S.C. Baptists approve GCR Task Force report]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[COLUMBIA, S.C. (BP) &ndash; Messengers to the 191st annual meeting of the South Carolina Baptist Convention overwhelmingly approved the report of the state convention&rsquo;s Great Commission Resurgence Task Force Nov. 15.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:17:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/S-C-Baptists-approve-GCR-Task-Force-report?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c7d3d603-d903-4212-a8bb-0812f688824b</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Elliff inaugurated, 1.5M hear gospel, IMB-church pilot launched]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[RICHMOND, Va. (BP) &ndash; Eight months after unanimously electing Tom Elliff as &ldquo;God&rsquo;s man&rdquo; to lead Southern Baptists&rsquo; global missions efforts, IMB trustees officially inaugurated him as the mission board&rsquo;s 11th leader.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:02:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Elliff-inaugurated-1-5M-hear-gospel-IMB-church-pil?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">92562a69-87d4-48e9-9710-133c37df1b90</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC name change opposed by Tenn. Baptists]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (BP) &ndash; Messengers to the Tennessee Baptist Convention&rsquo;s annual meeting adopted a resolution opposing a name change for the Southern Baptist Convention. The resolution passed by a show of hands vote during the closing session of the state convention&rsquo;s Nov. 15-16 sessions at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tenn.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:59:37 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/SBC-name-change-opposed-by-Tenn-Baptists?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">231a941f-b7f4-4a1f-9e00-830f2d891d60</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Tom Elliff inaugurated as IMB president, ‘bondservant’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[RICHMOND, Va. &ndash; A few days before Tom Elliff&rsquo;s inauguration as the 11th leader of IMB (the International Mission Board), three bite-size packages of Butterfinger chocolate appear on a table at the entrance of his office.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:39:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Tom-Elliff-inaugurated-as-IMB-president-bondservan?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">64f47f3f-816d-4d95-a3f4-ff699c5b94d1</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Report: Jailed Iran pastor facing abuse, torture]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[TURKEY &ndash; The mistreatment of a pastor in Iran awaiting a decision on his death sentence for refusing to recant his faith amounts to physical and psychological torture, a source close to the pastor's family said.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:35:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Report-Jailed-Iran-pastor-facing-abuse-torture?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">dd989702-7c87-446c-a8eb-7f95553c3ac2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Study: Gays can change sexual orientation]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A major seven-year study published in a mainstream journal is challenging the secular notion that gays and lesbians cannot change their sexual orientation. The longitudinal study followed 61 subjects for between six and seven years and found that 23 percent of them reported successful conversion to heterosexual orientation and function and another 30 percent reported stable behavioral chastity with a significant dis-identification with gay orientation.<br />]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:29:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Study-Gays-can-change-sexual-orientation?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1565f419-0535-4050-9039-de6e2bbe2649</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[UPDATED STORY: N.C. Baptists back marriage, gambling resolutions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messengers to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) learned how they can be &quot;All In&quot; with missions mobilization during a shortened two-day format Nov. 7-8 in Greensboro. Messengers approved a $33.5-million budget and various resolutions &ndash; two of which targeted gambling and marriage. They also heard a report related to the social use of alcohol and affirmed a recommendation involving the BF&amp;M.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:02:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/UPDATED-STORY-N-C-Baptists-back-marriage-gambling?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8f7ff1da-4218-4a7f-a670-089524e77ecd</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Q&A: Songwriting duo shares why hymns matter]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[NASHVILLE, Tenn. &ndash; The word &ldquo;hymn&rdquo; usually doesn&rsquo;t lead to thoughts of &ldquo;modern,&rdquo; but modern hymnwriters Keith and Kristyn Getty are trying to change that. That doesn&rsquo;t mean they want churches to stop singing the old hymns &ndash; just the opposite &ndash; but they do want churches to see that modern songs can have a similar lyrical depth.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:53:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Q-A-Songwriting-duo-shares-why-hymns-matter?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">2f60d52d-2e0b-44f8-afc7-87ce575b7c2e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Scroll fragments to be featured at 2011 SBL]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[FORT WORTH, Texas &ndash; Old Testament scholars will present their research on Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary&rsquo;s Dead Sea Scroll fragments during the 2011 meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) in San Francisco, Nov. 19-22.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:39:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Scroll-fragments-to-be-featured-at-2011-SBL?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">306a476c-b9eb-4a24-9151-1df0caf68106</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[BSC exec: ‘There is much we can accomplish together’ ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[God is providing an &ldquo;open door&rdquo; for reaching the world with the gospel, and North Carolina Baptists have a tremendous opportunity to make an eternal impact, said Milton A. Hollifield Jr., executive director-treasurer of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC), during his challenge at the Convention&rsquo;s annual meeting Nov. 7-8.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:30:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/BSC-exec-There-is-much-we-can-accomplish-together?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e2f77989-de3c-468c-97be-38c9415779f3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Campbell bans student after lockdown]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>A former Campbell University freshman faces felony possession of stolen weapons charges after a standoff in Buies Creek. Jared Dale Knight, 24, had bail set at $400,000 in a Harnett County courtroom Nov. 10. He was involved in a standoff with county deputies on the north side of campus for about four hours Nov. 9.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:04:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Campbell-bans-student-after-lockdown?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7694ea15-a305-4aa3-adfa-bc87c922bcc5</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Panel shares about making a global impact in North America]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Jan Vezikov and his family emigrated from Estonia to Rhode Island in 1989. A few years later his father planted a church in Rhode Island. Not long after that, Vezikov&rsquo;s father began driving once a week to Boston to lead a Bible study because he also felt a burden for the people of Boston. &ldquo;He prayed for a church planter,&rdquo; Vezikov said.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:33:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Panel-shares-about-making-a-global-impact-in-North?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0dfdaa5b-f97f-4a4e-9705-322264895588</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[SBC chaplain demonstrates Christ’s peace in war zone]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (BP) &ndash; U. S. Air Force Chaplain (Capt.) Kevin Humphrey&rsquo;s last quarterly report to the North American Mission Board&rsquo;s (NAMB) chaplaincy group in Alpharetta, Ga., reads like the script of a Hollywood blockbuster.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:24:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/SBC-chaplain-demonstrates-Christ-s-peace-in-war-zo?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4b8ba5c9-ea70-4729-aa10-e3562b50232c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Army chaplain’s hero is wife ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[LIHUE, Hawaii (BP) &ndash; Talk to Army Chaplain (Col.) Brent Causey long enough and you&rsquo;ll learn his ultimate hero is not Gen. David Petraeus, retired commander of forces in Afghanistan, now CIA director and his boss for three years as they both served in the war-torn country &ndash; although Causey brims with admiration and respect for the four-star general.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:15:09 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Army-chaplain-s-hero-is-wife?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">893fffe1-843c-4fda-a7f4-02c022dc3bc2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Senate committee votes to repeal marriage act]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[WASHINGTON (BP) &ndash; A Democratic-controlled Senate committee passed a bill Nov. 10 that would overturn the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), marking the first time that a committee in either chamber of Congress had acted to reverse the 1996 law that gives states the ability to make their own marriage laws.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:05:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Senate-committee-votes-to-repeal-marriage-act?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a0441095-f9cb-4f1e-8adb-2df3f2c62357</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Convention agencies report on God's faithfulness]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Kourri, 16, came to live at the Baptist Children&rsquo;s Homes of North Carolina (BCH) about two years ago. Her family had recently lost everything they owned because of Hurricane Katrina. Kourri&rsquo;s troubled family background only added to her struggles.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:12:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Convention-agencies-report-on-God-s-faithfulness?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">91ff9d89-7d02-4963-b08b-a098e5260605</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[GCP breakfast highlights partnership opportunities ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[In late August, as the east coast watched to see where Hurricane Irene would strike, Dickie Spargo had his eyes set on something very different. Spargo was preparing to leave that same week for a vision trip to New York City, and although the storm caused the trip to end early, experiences from those three days sent Spargo on a whirlwind of change.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:05:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/GCP-breakfast-highlights-partnership-opportunities?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1d160b14-fec0-488c-8ad4-a129e3c31394</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Pastors encouraged to maintain integrity, balance]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>Day two of the North Carolina Baptist Pastor&rsquo;s Conference Nov. 7 featured powerful sermons and exhortations from God&rsquo;s Word. Clayton King, founder and president of Crossroads Worldwide, used 1 Kings 19 to illustrate how pastors can navigate both the highs and lows in pastoral ministry.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:01:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Pastors-encouraged-to-maintain-integrity-balance?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5dd7c3b5-b521-4814-ade2-45953cd9a6d7</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Miss. Personhood amendment defeated]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[JACKSON, Miss. &ndash; On Nov. 8 Mississippi voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have defined human life as beginning at conception, capping a campaign that had divided the pro-life community and delivering a blow to the nationwide personhood movement.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:56:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Miss-Personhood-amendment-defeated?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3bca3afd-b0ef-4ef3-9287-6a4e58a4f15d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Colo. Baptists to spend more on church planting]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[DENVER &ndash; The Colorado Baptist General Convention (CBGC) focused on unreached people groups, church planting and a desire to move toward a 50/50 split of Cooperative Program receipts during its 56th annual meeting in Denver.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:20:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Colo-Baptists-to-spend-more-on-church-planting?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">573375ec-2f89-42a1-ab3d-70aa04a548c2</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Polls: Minn., N.C. marriage amends. enjoy lead]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[ST. PAUL, Minn. &ndash; A proposed Minnesota constitutional amendment defining marriage between a man and a woman has a lead heading into the 2012 election, according to a new poll. The Star Tribune survey of 807 adults shows that by a margin of 48&ndash;41 percent, voters favor &ldquo;amending the Minnesota constitution to allow marriage only between a man and a woman.&rdquo;]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:48:03 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Polls-Minn-N-C-marriage-amends-enjoy-lead?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d7c48aa2-1ed3-44ed-a424-c1b1095155d6</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[1,600 Billy Graham messages now online]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[CHARLOTTE &ndash; More than 1,600 of Billy Graham&rsquo;s sermons dating back to 1949 are now available in audio format online.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:45:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/1-600-Billy-Graham-messages-now-online?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ad4b7e01-fc04-4225-a8ab-c182dcbdc731</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Va. Baptists (SBCV) open new mission center]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[GLEN ALLEN, Va. &ndash; The Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia (SBCV) have celebrated their 15th anniversary by dedicating the state convention&rsquo;s new mission center building.<br />]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:38:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Va-Baptists-(SBCV)-open-new-mission-center?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f13aa2ee-8df7-4ab7-b4f2-26e5a6615512</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Ind. Baptists elect Cecil Seagle as new exec]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[MONTICELLO, Ind. &ndash; The State Convention of Baptists in Indiana (SCBI) marked two key events in less than a month &ndash; convening their 53rd annual meeting and welcoming Cecil Seagle as the SCBI&rsquo;s sixth executive director.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:15:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Ind-Baptists-elect-Cecil-Seagle-as-new-exec?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ba6672b6-fc49-4685-b527-eceed27a3b2c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Officers unopposed; messengers OK marriage, gambling resolutions]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>Messengers to the 181st annual meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC)&nbsp;approved two resolutions and elected three unopposed pastors to office Nov. 8.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:35:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Officers-unopposed;-messengers-OK-marriage-gamblin?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4a27455f-d9c6-4e8c-8867-307876e58467</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Find it Here focuses on being witnesses ]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Their faces flashed on the screen one after another. The faces kept coming and coming as Chuck Register, executive leader for church planting and missions development, shared about Find it Here 2012: Expanding the Kingdom during the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) annual meeting in Greensboro.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:03:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Find-it-Here-focuses-on-being-witnesses?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">382fcb2f-751c-43fe-84cb-488333200fd3</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Carson, Mathis kick off 2011 pastor’s conference]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[From the first sermon to the last, the North Carolina Baptist Pastor&rsquo;s Conference held true to its purpose of focusing on God&rsquo;s Word. The conference featured some of the best Bible expositors in North Carolina and across the United States, and each help expound on the theme: &ldquo;Sustained by His Powerful Word: Hear it. Live it. Proclaim it,&rdquo; based on Hebrews 1:3a.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:29:52 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Carson-Mathis-kick-off-2011-pastor-s-conference?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1af101c5-01ba-48d5-949a-7498a0e8443f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Japan quake survivors learn to laugh again]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[A hush falls across the room when the odd-looking Americans arrive. The Japanese discreetly check out the bright red hair. They whisper about the oversized clothes in primary colors. They touch their own noses, mentally comparing to the round red ones of their visitors.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:13:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Japan-quake-survivors-learn-to-laugh-again?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">def43e2c-708e-4cd4-9e48-2667b9a2bbbc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Crosses on public land caught in judicial ‘mess’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[WASHINGTON &ndash; The U.S. Supreme Court&rsquo;s refusal to halt the removal of memorial crosses across Utah&rsquo;s highways could impact religious symbols in other westerns states and even nationwide, social conservative groups are warning.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:08:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Crosses-on-public-land-caught-in-judicial-mess?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ad36fdd2-6846-4300-8c33-42f72dec6bfc</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Executive Committee hears financial, committee reports]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Executive Committee (EC) of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) met today in conjunction with the 2011 BSC annual meeting in Greensboro.<br />]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 02:40:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Executive-Committee-hears-financial-committee-repo?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0605522c-6ef3-4ced-80ac-641ee25a5998</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Maplewood Baptist member awarded Bronze Star]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>There are people like Gene Dinkins in every Baptist church in North Carolina. He&rsquo;s the older gentleman who always sits as close to the back row as he can get, not because it&rsquo;s the cool place to be but instead so he and his wife can get in and out of the sanctuary a little easier.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:45:37 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Maplewood-Baptist-member-awarded-Bronze-Star?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c5cacbff-8ff2-488e-964b-9a7de5f1848c</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Concord church ministers to veterans, ‘touches lives’]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[As American troops wind down their presence in Iraq and return home in  the coming months, many soldiers may struggle to restart their lives  back in the United States. Some may show up at the front doors of  churches looking for help.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:33:12 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Concord-church-ministers-to-veterans-touches-lives?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">20e5743d-7335-4976-8f56-488f8cec14b4</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Interested in old BR issues? Find them online]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[For people who&rsquo;ve grown tired of traveling to a library to flip through heavy bound volumes of material or read microfilm to finish their research on North Carolina Baptist history, many of the older issues of the <em>Biblical Recorder</em> now can be found online with the simple click of a button.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:07:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Interested-in-old-BR-issues-Find-them-online?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0f0f6063-4b06-42ad-9484-05a814f99a7e</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[BCNY reduces budget, approves task force]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Messengers to the annual meeting of the Baptist Convention of New York (BCNY) adopted a pared-down 2012 budget, though it increases contributions to national and international mission causes, and approved a motion to establish a &ldquo;Vision Task Force&rdquo; charged with strengthening the BCNY and maximizing its support for church and associations.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:02:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/BCNY-reduces-budget-approves-task-force?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">80e32a33-866d-4bbf-b73b-bc2dba41bc63</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Mo. Baptists welcome Yeats as exec]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (BP) &ndash; Messengers to the 177th annual meeting of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) &nbsp;installed a new executive director, approved a $14.5 million budget and passed resolutions praising the Missouri General Assembly for passing several pro-life, pro-family bills in 2011.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:58:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Mo-Baptists-welcome-Yeats-as-exec?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">657b88bf-bfcc-4734-b875-275659006888</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.C. churches find ways to give to Lottie Moon]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>Of the 18 N.C. Baptist churches among the 200 top Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (LMCO) givers of 2010, the smallest has an average attendance of 310 people on Sunday morning. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s important for the whole church to catch the vision,&rdquo; said Keith Whitener, senior pastor of Idlewild Baptist Church in Matthews.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:56:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/N-C-churches-find-ways-to-give-to-Lottie-Moon?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">467b2f81-090f-41e1-9693-165a33c2f18f</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Two months later, Irene recovery efforts ongoing]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[<div>Two months after Hurricane Irene pounded the East Coast, residents on North Carolina&rsquo;s Outer Banks are still working hard to get life back to normal. &ldquo;The rebuilding process will speed up now that the highway is open. But it&rsquo;s not an overnight thing,&rdquo; said Russ Howard, pastor of Cape Hatteras Baptist Church.</div>]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:49:57 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Two-months-later-Irene-recovery-efforts-ongoing?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fe83cedd-31f1-47fa-a3e0-fa0785bc5486</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[A simple shoe box changes Izabella’s life forever]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Anytime Izabella saw a crowd running she started running, too, as fast as she could, even if she didn&rsquo;t know why the crowd was racing to the grocery store. &ldquo;We knew that whatever was on the new shipment we didn&rsquo;t have at home. So we were taught to run. My brother and I got a place in line and then my parents caught up with us, bringing the money,&rdquo; she said.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:43:18 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/A-simple-shoe-box-changes-Izabella-s-life-forever?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">78c3b7aa-da7b-4ea2-a05c-20f74963825d</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[Enrollment up at Baptist colleges]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[All five of the colleges and universities with ties to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina listed enrollment increases for fall. Below is a breakdown of enrollment figures and information from each institution.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:27:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link><![CDATA[http://www.brnow.org/News/November-2011/Enrollment-up-at-Baptist-colleges?feed=blogs]]></link>     	
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5c86dc44-5389-43fa-8824-994145bade22</guid>
  <title><![CDATA[N.M. Baptists focus on holiness, Glorieta’s future]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[FARMINGTON, N.M. &ndash; New Mexico Baptists were urged repeate