Baptist Briefs
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Baptist work grows overseas. Southern Baptist missionaries and their overseas partners baptized 363,703 new Christian believers last year, according to data released by the SBC International Mission Board. That's almost 1,000 baptisms per day worldwide. The baptism total topped 1998's record mark by 4.3 percent. The other key categories of total churches, new churches, mission "preaching points" and church membership also reached record highs. Total Baptist churches affiliated with IMB work climbed to 52,186, a 10.5 percent increase. Total church membership jumped 9.5 percent to more than 4.9 million. IMB missionaries and their partners started 4,748 churches, an 11.7 percent increase over 1998's record.
___ China teachers sought. The SBC International Mission Board seeks hundreds of Christian teachers to staff English teaching programs in China this summer. China Encounter, which will last from July 12 to Aug. 12, is designed for teachers who are not able to commit an entire summer. The cost is $1,500 plus international airfare. For information on this option, call (800) 999-3113 and push 8. The second option begins June 17 and concludes Aug. 15. It costs $3,780, all expenses included. For more information, call (800) 809-4637.
___ Volunteers sought for Asia. At least 1,300 Southern Baptist volunteers are needed for two nationwide evangelistic campaigns planned in Japan and South Korea later this year. Baptist leaders in Japan seek 300 volunteers to help with crusades in at least 30 key churches June 21-July 3. Baptists in South Korea are calling for 1,000 volunteers to join them in leading revivals in 100 churches Nov. 1-14. Trip costs are $2,875 for Japan and $2,850 for South Korea. Pastors and laypeople of all ages are needed for both projects. For information or to sign up for either project, call Dub Jackson at (915) 698-8480 or e-mail him at whdubjackson@compuserve.com.
___ Reccord defends Chicago plans. Southern Baptists' focused efforts to share the gospel in Chicago are intended for everyone who will hear it--not any particular religious groups, North American Mission Board President Bob Reccord said on a national radio talk show Jan. 7. "We have only one group that we want to focus on, and that's anybody that hasn't had ... the opportunity to respond to the claims of Jesus Christ," Reccord said on "That's the Law," a program on legal issues and Christianity on the VCY America radio network, based in Milwaukee.
___ Button leaves IMB. David Button, vice president for public relations and development with the SBC's International Mission Board, has resigned to pursue business opportunities in Texas. He joined the IMB staff five years ago. Wendy Norvelle, associate vice president for public relations, was named acting vice president for the office.
___ SBC day camp registration open. Children attending the Southern Baptist Convention day camp in Orlando, Fla., June 13-14 will explore the theme "Kidz 2000--Celebrate" through field trips, missionary testimonies, games, Bible studies and other activities. The camp is held each year during the SBC annual meeting for children who will have completed grades one through six. Registration is open to the first 200 children by contacting Duane Ortego at (770) 704-0267 or via e-mail at dpaco@juno.com.
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