Monday, February 12, 2018

• David Platt to transition out of IMB presidency

  by David Roach, posted Monday, February 12, 2018 (one year ago)

  

  IMB photo

  RICHMOND, Va. (BP) -- David Platt has announced plans to transition out of his role as president of the International Mission Board but will continue to serve until a new president is selected.

  Platt told trustees, missionaries and staff today (Feb. 12) that during his nearly four-year tenure at the IMB, he has been "burdened to continue preaching and leading in the local church," which led to assuming a teaching pastor role at McLean Bible Church in Northern Virginia, alongside his leadership of the IMB. Read More

• Skater Maame Biney: First U.S. black woman in her sport

  by Tim Ellsworth, posted Monday, February 12, 2018 (one year ago)

  

  USAToday.com screen capture

  GANGNEUNG, South Korea (BP) -- It's hard to watch Maame Biney compete and not smile. After all she's smiling, so it's easy just to join in.

  Biney, the 18-year-old U.S. short-track speed skater, is making her Olympic debut this year in South Korea, and she couldn't be more thrilled. She's the first black woman from the United States ever to compete in an Olympic speed skating event.

  

  Photo by David McIntrye/Genesis Photo Agency

  "The smile on my face doesn't mean my life is perfect," Biney says on her Instagram profile. "It means I appreciate what I have and what God has blessed me with."

  Biney, who was born in Ghana, moved to the United States at age 5 to live with her father in Reston, Va. Kweku Biney saw a sign advertising skating lessons one day and, on a whim asked his daughter if she wanted to try it.

  She was an instant success. The coach told her father that Biney was too fast to be a figure skater and suggested speed skating instead. Read More

• Five-time Olympian Clark embraces mentor role

  by Tim Ellsworth, posted Monday, February 12, 2018 (one year ago)

  

  Photo by David McIntyre/Genesis Photos

  PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (BP) -- Kelly Clark remembers every detail about the day that changed her life when she was a 14-year-old high school freshman.

  She had recorded the snowboarding competition during the Olympics in Nagano, Japan. It was the first year for snowboarding to be an Olympic event. After school, she took the VHS tape and watched.

  "That was the moment for me where I said, 'This is what I want to do with my life,'" Clark said. "I'm grateful to still get to be chasing that dream down." Read More

• FEMA funds for disaster-stricken churches now law

  by Tom Strode, posted Monday, February 12, 2018 (one year ago)

  

  Wikimedia Commons graphic.

  WASHINGTON (BP) -- Churches and other houses of worship now have the assurance of federal law that they may receive disaster relief funds.

  Congress approved Feb. 9 as part of the latest budget bill a measure making houses of worship eligible for public assistance money for the restoration of damaged buildings and other purposes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the aftermath of such disasters as hurricanes and tornadoes. President Trump signed the legislation into law the same day. Read More

• Years, months & seconds formed their family of 6

  by Emily Howsden/Oklahoma Baptist Messenger, posted Monday, February 12, 2018 (one year ago)

  

  Photo submitted

  DEL CITY, Okla. (BP) -- Within the past five years, Jared and Kelly Lee went from beginning to pray about adoption to having a full house of four children.

  The Lees always had a heart for adoption. Jared was adopted and Kelly came from a large family where her relationships with her siblings helped shape who she is today. So the Lees began not only praying about adoption, but adopting a sibling group.

  "We had not yet been able to start a family of our own, and we both felt God's ... Read More

• MOVIES: Samson, the first superhero

  by Phil Boatwright, posted Monday, February 12, 2018 (one year ago)

  In the new film "Samson," Phil Boatwright is reminded that chastisement and consequences for sin cannot be escaped. "But then, neither can our God's merciful tenderness." Read More