Religion Today Summaries - September 8, 2005

Dallas Theological Seminary Offers FREE Tuition for Hurricane Victims From Theology Schools in Mississippi and New Orleans
www.alarryross.com 

Dallas Theological Seminary is reaching out to help students from two schools devastated by Hurricane Katrina. DTS President Dr. Mark Bailey says the school will provide free tuition to students from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. “In the spirit of Christian love and fellowship, Dallas Theological Seminary is extending an offer to students at these two schools to study tuition-free at our Dallas campus for the Fall 2005 semester,” Dr. Bailey said. “We are opening our hearts and our seminary to these students because it helps advance the mission of all  of our schools, because we can  do it, and because it is the right  thing to do.” All Dallas Seminary students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends are being asked to do what they can to help these fellow students from sister seminaries.  Besides needing to accommodate late entrants into classes, the seminary may be called on to help provide or line up housing, food, and other physical necessities. For additional information please call Giles Hudson at 972-267-1111 x223.

Zondervan To Host 2006 National Pastors Convention
Religion News Service

Zondervan announced it will take the lead role in managing and running the 2006 National Pastors Convention (NPC). Zondervan previously served as the convention’s primary sponsor and is taking over for Youth Specialties. The sixth annual NPC—presented in partnership with Leadership Journal and InterVarsity Press—will be held in San Diego on Feb. 22-25, 2006 at the Town and Country Resort & Convention Center. The 2006 convention will feature such prominent speakers as John Ortberg, Dallas Willard, Anne Graham Lotz and Will Willimon. Longtime convention emcee Tic Long will continue as host of NPC, as will comedian Bob Stromberg. The goal of the NPC is to create an event where pastors from all denominations across the world can nourish their souls and engage their minds through a schedule of dynamic speakers, seminars, and workshops, as well as have ample time for meaningful conversation with other pastors. Zondervan’s plans to sponsor and organize the National Pastors Convention in 2006 and beyond is part of its ongoing commitment to embrace, encourage and equip pastors throughout the world. For more information on NPC, visit www.nationalpastorsconvention.com

World Vision Assists Hurricane Katrina Evacuees
World Vision

While World Vision has already provided several truckloads of relief supplies to survivors in the Gulf Coast, the need is still great. As part of the body of Christ, World Vision is joining hands with local churches to meet the needs of children and families. Your prayers, and your support, are crucial right now. In the areas devastated by the hurricane, the pain is intense — but hope is present wherever we look. As we meet with families that have survived the hurricane, we are hearing amazing stories of survival, as well as gratitude for the generosity of people like you. To provide emergency supplies and long-term care for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, or to find out the latest on World Vision's response to Hurricane Katrina go to: www.worldvision.org. World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization known worldwide for moving quickly and efficiently when disaster strikes. Motivated by faith in Jesus, they serve the poor — regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity, or gender — as a demonstration of God's unconditional love for all people.

Adopt A Church & Houses Of Hope Begin Online Registration
Tim Yarbrough, Baptist Press

Southern Baptist churches and individuals may now register online at www.namb.net to assist Katrina victims through the Adopt a Church and Houses of Hope initiatives. Announced by North American Mission Board President Robert E. (Bob) Reccord, the initiatives are designed to help damaged Southern Baptist churches recover and offer assistance to people displaced by the hurricane that devastated parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Hundreds of Southern Baptist churches were damaged or destroyed by the hurricane, according to initial estimates. The Adopt a Church initiative suggests that partnering churches assist affected churches by sending missions and construction teams to help in recovery and rebuilding, provide care packages, take up a special offering, offer training teams to encourage and strengthen staff leadership skills, and assist pastors by replacing ministry libraries lost or damaged. A commitment of 12 to 24 months is requested or however long it takes for the affected church to get back on its feet. Information requested to register for Adopt a Church includes contact information, size of church and state convention. Information needed to register for Houses of Hope includes contact information, church information, specific skills or resources, number of people who can be accommodated, languages spoken and availability of transportation. (www.namb.net)