Drive-by Funeral Shooting, New IMB Hispanic Mobilizer & Helping Disabled Kids in Worship

New Season Church Senior Pastor Dwayne Lewis was inviting mourners to follow Jesus at the funeral of Terriana Johnson when the gun battle began Nov. 26.

The 200 or so mourners were largely unchurched, Lewis told Baptist Press Nov. 28, but they called on the name of the Lord in the melee.

Lewis didn’t yet know the origin of the shots.

Most of the 200 people attending the funeral were teenagers through young adults in their 30s.

The pastor said the church is still trying to care for the grieving family and those affected by the shooting.
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The International Mission Board announces Annel Robayna as the new Hispanic church mobilization strategist, serving with the mobilization department. In the role, Robayna will work with 3,390 Hispanic congregations across the Southern Baptist Convention to mobilize pastors and church members to reach the nations with the Gospel.

Robayna, who is Venezuelan, grew up exposed to missions and evangelism because of his parents who were volunteer missionaries in their local church, church planters in Venezuela and sometimes translators for mission teams from the United States.
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Good News for Today is sponsored by The Voice of the Martyrs

Good News for Today is made possible through our friends at The Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission — no matter the cost. Find out more and sign up for their free monthly magazine at vom.org/goodnews.
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Lighting that’s too dark or too bright, lots of people coming in at the same time to find seats (many of them shaking hands or hugging), and music and voices from the stage can all be overwhelming to kids with sensory sensitivities and disabilities such as autism.

In a piece for Lifeway, Sandra Peoples says she’s firsthand the needs of children with a disability as she has cared for her own son.

She says there are some things churches can do to help special needs children and their families in the local church.

First, give students opportunities to acclimate to the worship service setting when it’s less overwhelming

Second, offer buddy bags and noise-reducing headphones in the lobby

Third, help church members understand the opportunities they have to show grace and support

Read the full piece and sign up for our daily emails at Baptist Press.com.