Good News for Today

 Episode 540

Sports betting and moral dilemmas; Immigration reform, Ways to grow as a disciple of Jesus

Pastors face a hard push against the culture as sports betting is at an all time high days before the kickoff of the NFL’s top showcase. While an immigration reform bill appears to dead in Congress, the ERLC believes reform must happen soon. Chuck Lawless provides tips to grow as a follower of Jesus.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Pastors oppose sports betting

ERLC Explainer on border security

International Mission Board

7 ways to grow as a disciple of Jesus

Transcript

With the Super Bowl this weekend, don’t expect many pastors to place a bet on Kansas City or San Francisco to win the game, but a few may have more than a rooting interest riding on the game.

Despite its legalization across many states, U.S. Protestant pastors remain opposed to sports gambling, but they’re not doing much about it, according to a Lifeway Research study. Few pastors (13 percent) favor legalizing sports betting nationwide and most (55 percent) say the practice is morally wrong.

A majority of pastors (55 percent) believe betting on sports is morally wrong, including 33 percent who strongly agree. Around a third (35 percent) disagree, while 10 percent aren’t sure.

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While the immigration bill in Congress seems to be stalled, there are principles the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission believe must be addressed.

 Episode 539

Mayflower Church meeting at FBC Midland, Texas, Local churches essential for missions, Tips on defeating anger

Thanks to God’s faithfulness, the generosity of donors and the hard work of partners, there’s a new ultrasound machine in New Mexico. This one is in the Legacy Pregnancy Resource Center in Hobbes, New Mexico. The day after Alli McCarty graduated college, she went on her first mission trip. She wasn’t a believer yet, but a few weeks after that life-changing experience, she put her faith in Christ. A desire for missions was ignited. And, in Acts 3 a man asked Peter and John for money. The giving of alms to the poor was a regular expression of faithfulness and worship to God.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Mayflower Church meeting in Texas

Local churches essential for missions

International Mission Board

Tips for battling anger

Transcript

A persecuted church from China now worships in the facilities of First Baptist Church in Midland, Texas.

Pastor Pan Yongguang (Yawn-Guan) and members of the Shenzhen Holy Reformed Church – nicknamed the “Mayflower Church” for their pursuit of religious freedom – relocated to the Permian Basin about a month ago.

On Feb. 4, they met the first time for worship and fellowship in the youth center at First Baptist Church. The Midland congregation is making its facilities available to the Mayflower Church three times a week.

“It’s a real blessing for us,” Pastor Darin Wood of First Baptist Church said. “Our church has a heart for missions. … This is a further reflection of that.”

The Mayflower Church fled persecution and harassment in China more than three years ago. After being denied asylum in South Korea, they relocated to Thailand on tourist visas before being forced to leave the country.

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Missionaries can’t get to the mission field without churches, and churches enable missionaries to remain in the places God called them to serve. Churches also play a crucial role in raising up a new generation of missionaries.

Jeff Ginn, vice president of mobilization for the IMB, said the role and goal of the mobilization department is to encourage and equip more churches and Christians to engage in the missionary task.

“Mobilization seeks to awaken the church to pray more, to give more, to go more, and to send more,” Ginn said. “We’re resolved to address the world’s greatest problem.” Which they believe is lostness.

Ginn believes Romans 15:24 is a crucial verse understanding and application of church mobilization. In the verse, Paul tells the church in Rome, a church he hadn’t visited yet, “I hope to see you on my way to Spain and have you help me get there.”

He says, “That text is so precious because it points to the local church and its importance in the mission. Three words come to mind from it that relate to mobilization from the IMB’s perspective: heading, hope and help, hope, heading, and help.”

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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...

 Episode 538

Ultrasound Machine in New Mexico, Serving With Boldness & Jesus Meets Our Deepest Needs

Thanks to God’s faithfulness, the generosity of donors and the hard work of partners, there’s a new ultrasound machine in New Mexico. This one is in the Legacy Pregnancy Resource Center in Hobbes, New Mexico. The day after Alli McCarty graduated college, she went on her first mission trip. She wasn’t a believer yet, but a few weeks after that life-changing experience, she put her faith in Christ. A desire for missions was ignited. And, in Acts 3 a man asked Peter and John for money. The giving of alms to the poor was a regular expression of faithfulness and worship to God.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Psalm 139, BGCT place ultrasound machine in New Mexico pregnancy center

Serve with boldness is theme of IMB’s Sending Celebration for new missionaries

International Mission Board

Bible Study: Jesus meets our deepest needs

Transcript

Thanks to God’s faithfulness, the generosity of donors and the hard work of partners, there’s a new ultrasound machine in New Mexico. This one is in the Legacy Pregnancy Resource Center in Hobbes, New Mexico.

Janet Waldrop, executive director of the Center, said the placement of the machine on Jan. 23 was an example of God’s providence.

The center is the latest recipient of an ultrasound machine from the Psalm 139 project.

Because of the restrictions on abortion in Texas, Waldrop said the center frequently gets calls and visits from women coming from cities like Dallas, Fort Worth or even Houston, in addition to their New Mexico clients. Legacy has seen an increase in client appointments over the last several months.

The Baptist General Convention of Texas also worked to get the machine in place.

Legacy plans to put the ultrasound into action as soon as training is complete.

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The day after Alli McCarty graduated college, she went on her first mission trip. She wasn’t a believer yet, but a few weeks after that life-changing experience, she put her faith in Christ. A desire for missions was ignited.

Alli says that time spent on mission was instrumental in bringing her to Christ.

There was just something about “seeing true Christians living out authentic faith on the mission field.” “Going overseas to serve was something that shaped me, grew me and taught me the urgency of needing to share Christ,” Alli said.

Alli is now living in Hungary, learning the language, and preparing to reach students through teaching business skills in a collegiate setting. She’s been on the field for a couple years, and she’s seeing God’s plan come to fruition. The war in Ukraine has fostered her love of refugees. As Ukrainian refugees have found a safe haven in Hungary, she’s found herself spending half her day learning Hungarian and the other half serving those displaced. Alli is thankful for the way God shaped her in between her calling and her c...

 Episode 537

Religious Freedom Summit, New Ministers’ Tax Guide & Preparing Your Church For A Recession

Religious freedom impacts economic prosperity and political rights, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Jan. 31 in his keynote address at the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington. GuideStone Financial Resources has released its most popular annual publication, the 2024 Ministers’ Tax Guide for 2023 Returns prepared by Richard Hammar, available now for GuideStone members. In the Baptist Press Toolbox, Kenneth Priest and Richard Baker write, “A recession is coming.”

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Religious freedom impacts economic prosperity, political rights, Johnson says

GuideStone announces release of its Ministers’ Tax Guide

International Mission Board

Preparing your church for a recession

Transcript

Religious freedom impacts economic prosperity and political rights, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Jan. 31 in his keynote address at the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington.

“Economic prosperity grows when people are allowed to follow their faith, and freedom flourishes where freedom is allowed,” Johnson said. “When religious freedom is taken away from the people, political freedom soon follows.”

Johnson spoke in the final plenary of the two-day summit that, in its fourth year, convened a diverse segment of religious freedom advocates and leaders from the U.S. and abroad.

He decried atrocities and violations of religious freedom particularly in North Korea, Myanmar, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Cuba and China, citing the persecution of Uyghur Muslims, Buddhists, Fulan Gong, Catholics, Protestants and others. He advocated for Jewish individuals globally who are suffering spikes in persecution since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
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GuideStone Financial Resources has released its most popular annual publication, the 2024 Ministers’ Tax Guide for 2023 Returns prepared by Richard Hammar, available now for GuideStone members at GuideStone.org/TaxGuide. The tax guide includes tax highlights for 2023 along with step-by-step filing instructions for ministers’ personal taxes and comprehensive examples and sample forms.

Additionally, GuideStone ministry partners and church administrators have access to the annual Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches.This publication is included in the full tax guide or as a separate electronic copy.
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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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In the...

 Episode 536

Congress Holding Social Media Executives Responsible, Most Evangelicals Chose Christ In Childhood & Regular Biblical Intake Makes A Difference

Congress is holding social media executives responsible for actions they say turn a blind eye to human trafficking and look for ways to attract children to the social media platforms. Most adult evangelicals were saved in childhood with several factors influencing their decisions, according to newly released findings from Infinity Concepts and Grey Matter Research and Consulting. And, David Chancey encourages believers to “Find a place that is your place for a quiet time with God. Just you, your Bible, and God.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Social media leaders receive heavy criticism over child exploitation in congressional testimony

Most evangelicals chose Christ during childhood, new study finds

International Mission Board

Regular Biblical intake makes a big difference in our lives

Transcript

Congress is holding social media executives responsible for actions they say turn a blind eye to human trafficking and look for ways to attract children to the social media platforms.

Wednesday’s heated exchange in a Senate hearing included Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg.

As the forum ended Zuckerburg apologized to a room filled with concerned parents and vowed his company would work to bring reform.
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Most adult evangelicals were saved in childhood with several factors influencing their decisions, according to newly released findings from Infinity Concepts and Grey Matter Research and Consulting.

More than 90 percent of the 59 million adult evangelicals in the U.S. each said several factors motivated them to accept Christ as Savior, the study found, with parents, churches, other family members, individual Bible reading and pastors ranking highest.

A total of 72 percent of adult evangelicals were saved before 18, and only 4 percent of respondents said they chose Christ in the four years preceding the study.

The age of belief and the factors influencing belief are valuable insights in designing evangelism strategies, researchers said.

They say they were not discouraged by the low percentage of evangelicals saved in the four years preceding the study, as 16 million respondents were saved in adulthood.
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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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David Chancey encourages believers to “Find a place that is your place for a quiet time with God. Just you, your Bible, and Go...

 Episode 536

Church In Gaza Hit Hard In War, ERLC Pushing Against Assisted Death & A Message Of Hope

A church building built in Gaza in 1954 has been heavily damaged in the Israel-Hamas War, former pastor Hanna Massad told Baptist Press. The Gaza Baptist Church is the only Baptist church in Gaza. Despite it being legal in 10 states and Washington DC, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is still pushing back against doctor-assisted suicide and euthanasia. And, Texas pastor Danny Forshee knows people need hope.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Lone Baptist church in Gaza hard hit in war, future uncertain

International Mission Board

FIRST-PERSON: A message of hope

Transcript

A church building built in Gaza in 1954 has been heavily damaged in the Israel-Hamas War, former pastor Hanna Massad told Baptist Press. The Gaza Baptist Church is the only Baptist church in Gaza.

Send Relief continues to provide humanitarian aid to Israel-Hamas War refugees, said Jason Cox, vice president of Send Relief International.

As the war speeds into its fifth month, the Hamas-run Palestinian Health Ministry (PHM) reported more than 26,000 deaths in Gaza through mid-January. More than 64,400 have been injured, thousands more missing and presumed dead, the PHM has reported. About 240 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Israel’s ground offensive, Israel’s military has reported.
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Despite it being legal in 10 states and Washington DC, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is still pushing back against doctor-assisted suicide and euthanasia.

The group believes the practices contradict Biblical teaching and the Hippocratic Oath to preserve life made by doctors.

ERLC leaders says education is key as they communicate with legislators on state and federal levels.

They believe pain and suffering are not cause for death, as bad as they may be, and that families should turn to hospice and palliative care options when loved ones need compassionate care.
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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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Texas pastor Danny Forshee knows people need hope.

In the Baptist Press Toolbox he writes, “the Lexham Bible Dictionary says, “The word (for hope) appears in the New Testament only as a verb or noun, never as an adverb or adjective. That is likely because the emphasis is not on the subjective states of mind we have when we say ‘hopefully’ or ‘hopeful.’ Rather, hope in the New Testament has an objective focus.”

Here is my definition of hope: the confident assurance that all will be well because God is with us. The key to living in hope is we must believe. Ephesians 1:19 states, “And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mi...

 Episode 534

Ohio Overrides Veto Of Transgender Bill, Dislike of Organized Religion & Regular Biblical Intake Can Make A Difference

Ohio Overrides Veto Of Transgender Bill, Dislike of Organized Religion & Regular Biblical Intake Can Make A Difference

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Ohio legislature overrides governor’s veto of transgender bill

Dislike of organized religion, maltreatment cited by many ‘Nones,’ Pew finds

International Mission Board

Regular Biblical intake makes a big difference in our lives

Transcript

Ohio Overrides Veto Of Transgender Bill, Dislike of Organized Religion & Regular Biblical Intake Can Make A Difference

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 Episode 533

Religious Donors Keep Giving Amid Inflation, Preparing For An Election Year & Praying For The Lost Before It’s Too Late

More than 8 in 10 (81 percent) faith-based givers who donated money in 2023 gave funds to houses of worship, and 60 percent gave $1,000 or more, according to “Giving in Faith: Exploring Key Trends in Religious Giving,” a joint 2024 report from Givelify, a mobile and online app, and Indiana University’s Lake Institute on Faith & Giving. Dan Darling from the Land Center at Southwestern Seminary believes God’s people should Honor those who are in public office, even when we disagree. And, in the Baptist Press Toolbox, Kie Bowman talks about the straight-line principle of prayer.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Religious donors keep giving to houses of worship and beyond amid inflation

How Pastors Can Prepare Their People for an Election Year

International Mission Board

Praying for the lost before it’s too late

Transcript

More than 8 in 10 (81 percent) faith-based givers who donated money in 2023 gave funds to houses of worship, and 60 percent gave $1,000 or more, according to “Giving in Faith: Exploring Key Trends in Religious Giving,” a joint 2024 report from Givelify, a mobile and online app, and Indiana University’s Lake Institute on Faith & Giving.

Most religious donors (81 percent) gave the same amount of money (or more) to their congregations in 2023 as in 2022.

Despite higher prices for groceries, housing and other regular expenses, the amount of giving to houses of worship remained stable, with an average gift amount of $125, the same figure as in the joint 2022 report.
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Dan Darling from the Land Center at Southwestern Seminary believes God’s people should Honor those who are in public office, even when we disagree.

He points to what the Bible says in 1 Peter 2:17. Darling writes, “In his first letter, the apostle Peter urges the church to fear God and honor the king (1 Peter 2:17). This is the same king who would eventually send Peter to his death for the crime of preaching the gospel. Peter, given an opportunity, would certainly not have voted for Nero, but here he is urging Christians to give honor to the one whom God has allowed in power.

We can and should oppose wicked rulers. We should exercise our right to vote for the best possible leaders. Yet, we are compelled to honor those in authority, even those with whom we disagree. The ability to do this will mark us as different from the world. This is especially important in an election season.”
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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

 Episode 532

Helping Ukraine Meet Mental Health Needs, Brothers Row To Raise Money For Send Relief & Shadow Christians

Believers from across the world continue to help Ukraine meet mental health needs exacerbated by Russia’s latest war on the country, a conflict nearing its second anniversary. When Timothy Hamilton texted his brothers a link to the World’s Toughest Row endurance race with the suggestion that they should participate together, not all his brothers were easily convinced. And, when you encounter the word “shadow,” what images and thoughts cross your mind? Tales have probably conditioned us to think of lurking dangers and the need for heightened awareness.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Southern Baptist helps Ukraine meet rising mental health care needs

Brothers row across Atlantic for 37 Days to raise money for Send Relief

International Mission Board

Bible Study: Spiritually gifted for vital work

Transcript

Believers from across the world continue to help Ukraine meet mental health needs exacerbated by Russia’s latest war on the country, a conflict nearing its second anniversary.

Sandy Fields, a licensed professional counselor and mental health services provider (LPC-MHSP) in Nashville, Tenn., is among many who have helped Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary (UBTS) in Lviv train laypersons to serve as trauma helpers at 17 humanitarian WeCare centers across Ukraine.

More than 10,000 Ukrainian civilians had been killed in the war through November of 2023, the United Nations reported. And while Ukraine has not released a number of military deaths, the country’s former prosecutor general, Yuriy Lutsenko, told ABC News Jan. 9 that around 30,000 Ukrainian troops were being killed or badly wounded per month. He estimated the toll to date as 500,000 killed or wounded.
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When Timothy Hamilton texted his brothers a link to the World’s Toughest Row endurance race with the suggestion that they should participate together, not all his brothers were easily convinced.

Three years later, on Jan. 19, 2024, Hamilton, his brothers Trent and Thomas, and their nephew Ben Clark were the third team to cross the finish line after 37 days of rowing in a 30-foot-long boat across the Atlantic, raising thousands of dollars for Send Relief’s work among Afghan refugees.

After some initial back-and-forth, the four Hamilton brothers – Troy, Trent, Tim and Thomas – committed to undertaking the 3,000-mile journey primarily to strengthen their brotherly bond. Because both Troy and Trent had spent time in Afghanistan, a cause near to the family’s hearts is providing help and hope to Afghan refugees. It did not take them long to identify Send Relief as the nonprofit they wanted to support in this work.

During their row, the brothers faced intense weather, 20-foot waves, ...

 Episode 531

Woman Conceived In Rape Thankful For Life, Christian Couple Beaten In India & Praying An Uncomplicated Prayer

Chrystal York was 13 when she learned she was conceived after her mother was raped by a man whose advances she rejected. A mob of 300 people beat and threatened to kill a Christian couple at a police station in Karnataka State, India, after the wife was falsely accused of forced conversion, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said Jan. 23. And, as an evangelistic pastor, Charles H. Spurgeon felt a passion and sensed an urgency for the salvation of the lost in his city.

Host

Brandon Porter

Resources

Woman conceived in rape thankful for life, restoration found in Christ

Christian couple beaten by mob during questioning at police station in India

International Mission Board

Transcript

Chrystal York was 13 when she learned she was conceived after her mother was raped by a man whose advances she rejected.

York’s biological father played keyboard and sang in a band that was playing at her 18-year-old mother’s place of work. He wanted to go out on a date; she wasn’t interested. He held a knife to her throat.

And when she asked why her mother chose life for her — even when people told her she had every right to abort her unborn child because of the circumstances of her conception — she said, “You were innocent.”

You can read the full story about the York family and their life and faith at Baptist Press.
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A mob of 300 people beat and threatened to kill a Christian couple at a police station in Karnataka State, India, after the wife was falsely accused of forced conversion, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said Jan. 23.

Religious conversions are criminalized in Karnataka and 11 other states in the majority Hindu country, punishable by years-long prison sentences and monetary fines.

Spiking persecution of Christians in India has led the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) and other groups to urge the U.S. State Department to designate India a County of Particular Concern (CPC) for systematic, ongoing and egregious religious liberty violations.
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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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As an evangelistic pastor, Charles H. Spurgeon felt a passion and sensed an urgency for the salvation of the lost in his city. As a result, he once said, “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for.”

The need for intercessory prayer is obvious. Today, we live in the age of the “nones” wh...