770 Volunteers For Augusta Serve Tour, White Powder Scare At Mike Johnson’s Church & Signs of Spiritual Neuropathy

While Augusta, Georgia may be known as the home of the PGA Masters tournament…it like most cities…has great needs.

Last week more than 750 believers from 65 churches gathered to meet some of those needs.

The activities ranged from revitalizing community spaces and parks to organizing food drives, underscoring Serve Tour’s commitment to serving immediate needs and fostering long-term community development.

Send Relief President Bryant Wright in the event’s opening ceremony. “Together with local churches, we’re addressing immediate needs and laying the groundwork for lasting change in these communities.”

In addition to physical projects, the Serve Tour placed a significant emphasis on addressing food insecurity, a pressing issue in many Augusta neighborhoods. Teams assembled and distributed hundreds of food packages to families, offering sustenance and a connection to local churches.

Local leaders and churches supported the volunteers’ efforts, guiding the projects to ensure that the work aligned with the community’s needs and aspirations.
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An envelope with a suspicious white powder on it found at the Louisiana church membership of U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed no toxicity in field tests, the FBI said Feb. 19.

Cypress Church in Benton received the letter containing the substance, sparking an investigation by the FBI, and other federal, state and local authorities. Officials evacuated the church and a Louisiana Hazmat unit investigated. No injuries were reported.

As Feb. 19 was a federal holiday, it’s not clear how or when the letter was actually delivered to the church. Neither did authorities reveal whether the letter was addressed to a specific individual.

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Every day, hundreds of thousands of people die without the hope of Jesus. Your faithful prayers will make a difference. That’s why the IMB created a free 18-month calendar, called “Impacting Lostness Through Prayer”. It provides guidance, reminders and encouragement as you pray for individuals and communities who have yet to hear the gospel. Learn more about this free resource at IMB.org/prayercalendar.
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Theologian Chuck Lawless is experiencing neuropathy in his feet – that’s a tingling sensation that eventually leads to numbness. He said the disorder has led to him to think about what he calls spiritual neuropathy – a spiritual numbness of sorts. He shares some indicators in the Baptist Press Toolbox.

1. I still feel the power of conviction, but I fear I’ve grown desensitized to the consequence of sin. I know better, but it’s easy to become hardened over your own sin and ignore any potential repercussions of ongoing disobedience.

2. I still know my responsibility to minister to the hurting around me, but I’ve become numb to others around me. Sometimes that’s because the needs are overwhelming, but sometimes it’s also because some “needy” folks test the system. Either way, numbness sets in.

3. I know I should be with the Lord—and I even make plans to do so—but I no longer have a longing to spend time with Him. Yes, I know spiritual disciplines are important. But, no, my heart doesn’t always burn for Him like it should.
You can read his full list in the toolbox at BaptistPress.com.