GuideStone Funds Investment, Sending Celebration Connects Churches & Empowered for Kingdom Work

GuideStone Funds, the nation’s largest faith-based mutual fund family, today introduced two new impact funds: the Impact Equity Fund and the Impact Bond Fund.

The funds will offer investors a diverse, returns-oriented portfolio based on the biblical values of the sanctity of life, stewardship of God’s creation, and human dignity and advancement.
The Impact Equity Fund is composed of equities of global companies exhibiting strong growth characteristics, and the Impact Bond Fund is composed of a sector-diversified array of high-quality bonds.
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It was an emotional night for Coats Baptist Church from Coats, N.C. Fifty church members barely held back whoops of joy as “their” missionaries took the stage at the Feb. 1 International Mission Board’s Sending Celebration near Richmond, Va. Moments later, they silently wiped tears as they gathered around Bradley and Ember Wilkie to pray.

The Wilkies were part of 46 IMB missionaries unanimously appointed by the board of trustees on Feb. 1.

Chuck Pourciau, trustee chairman and lead pastor of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport, La., urged the new missionaries at the Sending Celebration not to get caught up in having a perfect personality profile or excellence of speech. He warned there will be tough days on the field, even times when they might doubt their abilities and training.

The next Sending Celebration will take place in June at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in New Orleans.
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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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A Lifeway Bible study at Baptist Press says, “The books of Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther all contain stories of God’s people in exile. After generations neglected God and His instructions, the Lord did exactly what He said He would do. He replaced the blessings of His covenant with curses through exile in Babylon.”

It goes on to say, “We can’t dismiss the real-time and real-world benefits of a protected space on earth, but neither should we overplay its significance. Ultimate protection comes from the all-powerful God who cares for His people, guides them in His ways, and leads them home to eternal protection in heaven.”

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