Episode 287
Awareness Amid Fentanyl Epidemic, Racial Reconciliation & NOBTS’ Abide Conference
A Google search for “fentanyl overdose” reveals recent stories of the deaths of three middle-aged Texans, a teen in California and a toddler in South Carolina. Although pastors are doing more to encourage racial reconciliation and churchgoers say their church is doing enough to be ethnically diverse, nearly half of churchgoers say their church needs to become more ethnically diverse. And, the voices of 1,200 women from 15 states and 250 churches – a sold-out crowd – filled the chapel at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as they gathered to praise, learn and fellowship at the Abide Women’s Conference, Feb. 3-4.
Transcript
A Google search for “fentanyl overdose” reveals recent stories of the deaths of three middle-aged Texans, a teen in California and a toddler in South Carolina.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 times more powerful than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine. Overdoses have become commonplace around the country.
Troy Young, church outreach coordinator for Isaiah House, an evangelical drug addiction treatment facility in Harrodsburg, Ky said they helped more than 3,400 people overcome addiction in their facilities last year.
He said the need for treatment continues to climb as fentanyl addiction grows.
Young believes recovery starts with a relationship with Jesus Christ, and he says they work to help their clients find a “recovery friendly” church as they battle addiction.
===
Although pastors are doing more to encourage racial reconciliation and churchgoers say their church is doing enough to be ethnically diverse, nearly half of churchgoers say their church needs to become more ethnically diverse.
In a survey of American churchgoers, 49 percent say their church needs to become more ethnically diverse, including 18 percent who strongly agree. At the same time, nearly 7 in 10 say their church is doing enough to be ethnically diverse (69 percent).
Age seems to be a factor in a person’s perception of ethnic diversity in the church. The youngest adult churchgoers – those age 18-34 (63 percent) and 35-49 (63 percent) – are more likely than those 50-64 (46 percent) and over 65 (33 percent) to agree their church needs to become more ethnically diverse.
===
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.
===
The voices of 1,200 women from 15 states and 250 churches – a sold-out crowd – filled the chapel at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as they gathered to praise, learn and fellowship at the Abide Women’s Conference, Feb. 3-4.
Kelly Minter, Lifeway author, Bible teacher, and podcaster, headlined the third annual event that came days before the launch of her latest book, the 90-day devotional “The Blessed Life.”
In one of her plenary addresses, Minter drew from Matthew 6 to remind listeners that in order to reach “the last, the least and the lost,” believers must treasure God’s kingdom over earthly possessions.
Read the full piece and sign up for our daily emails at Baptist Press.com.
Related Episodes
Graduate Sunday an opportunity for launch; Anonymous prayer warrior led Steve Gaines mom to Christ; Creating missions opportunities in the local church
Four weeks after they became trapped in Port-au-Prince, two staff members of Louisiana Reach Haiti (LRH) have made it safely to the ministry’s Children’s Village in Cap Haitien. Now that wildfires are under control in the northern panhandle of Texas, what about the cattle? Texas is home to some 11 million head of cattle, more than 85% located in the Panhandle, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture. And, in our Toolbox, scholar Malcolm Yarnell gives us seven reasons the resurrection brings joy to Christians. Here are three of them.
Send Network trains 200 church planters; Pastor released then reimprisoned in Myanmar; Maintaining your witness in an election year
Four weeks after they became trapped in Port-au-Prince, two staff members of Louisiana Reach Haiti (LRH) have made it safely to the ministry’s Children’s Village in Cap Haitien. Now that wildfires are under control in the northern panhandle of Texas, what about the cattle? Texas is home to some 11 million head of cattle, more than 85% located in the Panhandle, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture. And, in our Toolbox, scholar Malcolm Yarnell gives us seven reasons the resurrection brings joy to Christians. Here are three of them.
Evangelical leaders speak into Israel, Ukraine aid packages; Title IX changes will kill women’s sports, experts say; Tips on sharing your faith
Four weeks after they became trapped in Port-au-Prince, two staff members of Louisiana Reach Haiti (LRH) have made it safely to the ministry’s Children’s Village in Cap Haitien. Now that wildfires are under control in the northern panhandle of Texas, what about the cattle? Texas is home to some 11 million head of cattle, more than 85% located in the Panhandle, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture. And, in our Toolbox, scholar Malcolm Yarnell gives us seven reasons the resurrection brings joy to Christians. Here are three of them.
0 Comments