Army outreach sees 150 saved, Morocco earthquake update, digital outreach

Chaplain (CPT) Logan Lair recently baptized more than 150 U.S. Army soldiers as a part of summer chapel services during basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

Lair told Baptist Press 84 new trainees were baptized in July, and 73 in August.
He said Fort Leonard Wood typically experiences a “summer surge” of initial entry trainees beginning in June because of soldiers enlisting after high school graduation. The high-pressure environment often prompts spiritual conversations.

Two chapel services and various Bible studies are offered on Sundays, in addition to spiritual guidance and counseling services available through several Protestant chaplains working at Fort Leonard Wood.

Officials say complete villages were destroy across Morocco because of an earthquake and the following aftershocks this past weekend. Government officials say more than 2,900 people have been killed due to the devastating quake.

Countries from around the world are stepping in to provide assistance as thousands are still missing.

SendRelief President Bryant Wright is calling on believers to pray for those grieving and those have lost so much because of the earthquake.

You can learn more and how you can help at SendRelief.org.

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.

Ever feel like you’re held captive by your phone or tablet? If you have teenagers, you know it can seem near impossible to get them to look away.

Church leader Chuck Lawless has great concerns about how the use of digital media and communication will affect the next generation and that includes leaders inside the church.

In the Baptist Press Toolbox, Lawless share his concerns.

1. That they will learn the hard way the value of words. We probably all learned this lesson the hard way, but it’s just easier to say harsh or impure things via the Internet before you’ve thought about what you said. And, the words we put on the Internet seldom go away; they can haunt us for years.
2. That they will waste a lot of time in ministry. For example, writing emails and then following up to clarify misunderstandings take a lot longer than a simple phone conversation would require. Moreover, the Internet simply beckons us to “come and search” when we have other things we must do.
3. That they won’t know how to listen to people. It’s tough to know how to listen well when your entire life pattern has been to check your phone continually even while you’re having a conversation with somebody.

You can read the full piece and learn more about our daily emails at Baptist Press.com.

Learn more about our weekly emails full of stories and resources on discipleship, missions, leadership and public policy at our website. They’re available now and free of charge. Find more stories at Baptist Press.com.