BGCT asked to focus on
church health in future
___By Ken Camp
___Texas Baptist Communications
___DALLAS--Church health will become a priority for the Baptist General Convention of Texas staff if the convention's Executive Board approves recommendations of a task force that has completed a 10-month study of the subject.
___The BGCT Administrative Committee will recommend a proposal that Executive Director Charles Wade appoint a five- to seven-member team to develop a comprehensive strategy through which the Executive Board staff can help churches achieve and maintain congregational health.
___The Executive Board will consider the findings and recommendations of the 20-member task force, chaired by BGCT Associate Executive Director Dick Maples, at its Feb. 22 meeting in Dallas.
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Lifeway trustees affirm 15-year plan
to 'revitalize' Ridgecrest & Glorieta
___NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--A 15-year plan to revitalize the facilities of Southern Baptist conference centers at Glorieta, N.M., and Ridgecrest, N.C., has been affirmed by trustees of LifeWay Christian Resources, which owns the centers.
___Meeting in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 7-8, trustees received a report citing the condition of facilities, the ministry of the conference centers and projections for the future based on independent market research.
___The report said current conditions at the centers do not represent the quality and standards needed to serve effectively. No new accommodations have been constructed at either conference center in 27 years, the report noted, and deferred maintenance has left deteriorated facilities and some less-than-suitable environments.
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Christians in Chechnya
persevere despite persecution
___By Tobin Perry
___SBC International Mission Board
___LARNACA, Cyprus (BP)--Alexis Sitnikov had already been kidnapped twice, and his ribs had been broken. He had a clear shot at a visa to the United States, thousands of miles from those tormenting him. But with all its dangers and faults, Grozny, Chechnya, still was home. And he could never leave the Baptist church he served as pastor.
___When his friend Ivan Ivanovich encouraged him to leave, Sitnikov refused. He wanted to stay and build up the church in Grozny. "I will stay here and work for the Lord's glory," Sitnikov told his friend.
___"He is a very committed Christian," said Ivanovich, one of the Grozny church's leaders, whose job is similar to minister of missions in an American church.
___In October 1998, Sitnikov was kidnapped again. Now, more than a year after his abduction, his church family still prays for him regularly, even through the chances of his being alive seem to be diminishing.
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