Three SBC churches receive EPA award. Three Southern Baptist churches were honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the Energy Star Congregation Award. First Baptist Church in Dallas, First Baptist Church in Springdale, Ark., and Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Fla., each earned recognition for their efforts at reducing energy consumption. Gary James, energy education manager at First Baptist in Dallas, reported the church was spending close to $1.4 million for utilities before its energy conservation program began. In just the first 10 months of the program, the church saved about $400,000. Energy Star said the savings of nearly 6.5 million kilowatt hours per year at First Baptist in Dallas represents a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the electricity use of nearly 648 homes.
Mississippi Baptists adopt reduced budget. Facing the realities of the ongoing economic decline, messengers to the 174th annual meeting of the Mississippi Baptist Convention approved without dissent a $34 million budget for 2010 for the ministries of the state convention board, 2.42 percent less than the 2009 budget. All areas of the budget proportionately reflect decreases, including no salary increases for state convention staff. Gary Richardson, pastor of North Oxford Baptist Church in Oxford, Miss., was elected president. Richardson succeeds Mickey Dalrymple, pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Columbus, who completed his second one-year term as president. Rickey Blythe, pastor of First Baptist Church in New Albany, was elected first vice president, having served previously as second vice president, and Paul Crowley, pastor of Woolmarket Baptist Church in Biloxi, was elected second vice president.
New Mexico Baptists retire debt. New Mexico Baptists celebrated the retirement of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico’s indebtedness when they gathered at Glorieta Conference Center near Santa Fe for the state convention’s 98th annual meeting. Messengers and guests gathered in Holcomb Auditorium for the burning of the note the convention has carried on its building in Albuquerque since 2001. The debt was retired seven years before it was due to be paid in full. President Bruce Kirby, pastor at First Baptist Church in Raton; First Vice President Garland Moore, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Milan, and Second Vice President Gavin Vaughan II, pastor of Hermosa Drive Baptist Church, Artesia, all were re-elected.
Ridgecrest reunion slated. A reunion of all former Ridgecrest Conference Center staff will be held Aug. 12-14, 2010, at the Asheville, N.C., retreat center. For reservations, call (800) 588-7222.
Kentucky Baptists OK task force. Messengers approved the formation of a Great Commission Task Force during the Kentucky Baptist Convention's annual meeting. They also elected Bowling Green evangelist Don Mathis as president; adopted a $23.5 million budget; considered a bylaw change to reduce the size of the KBC mission board; and adopted a constitutional amendment that further defines what constitutes a "cooperating church."
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