The 2014 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting begins today

 SBC

The 2014 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Annual Meeting begins today in Baltimore, Maryland. This year's theme is "Show Us Your Glory."

Fresh off the heels of the Southern Baptist Pastors' Conference, the two-day event is a chance to hear spiritual leaders speak, and worship with people from across the country. The conference is also being live streamed on SBC's website.

Activities during the Annual Meeting include the Clear Creek Baptist Bible College Reception, a panel discussion hosted by the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, and ministry by the Filipino Southern Baptist Fellowship of North America.

For young Christians, the Meeting offers the Children in Action Missions Camp, whose theme is "Go Tell It." The program encourages children in grades one through six to have holy boldness when discussing Christ.

"Children attending the Children in Action Missions Camp will learn that they can know God and have a relationship with Him," Cindy Bradley, Children in Action Missions Camp coordinator, said in a statement.

"In addition to Bible studies, children will visit with missionaries representing both the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board."

Speakers at the event include North American Mission Board Midwest Region Vice President Gary Frost, Green Acres Baptist Church Pastor David Dykes, First Baptist Church Pastor John Meador, and LifeWay Christian Resources President and CEO Thom Rainer.

SBC will also elect a new president at the meeting, as Pastor Fred Luter's two-year term has come to an end. In an interview published last week, Pastor Luter—the first African-American SBC president—gave advice to the yet unnamed president-elect.

"If at all possible, make a commitment to preach in your pulpit on Sunday mornings," he told Baptist Press.

"Your church members will understand your being gone during the week however they want to hear their pastor on Sunday mornings."

The SBC Annual Meeting 2014 is June 10-11 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

News
MP calls for emergency meeting to end case against suspended Christian nurse
MP calls for emergency meeting to end case against suspended Christian nurse

Shadow equalities minister, Claire Coutinho MP, has called for an end to the case against Christian nurse Jennifer Melle, who is facing disciplinary proceedings for misgendering a convicted paedophile.

Hundreds of churches in Germany being targeted with vandalism and theft
Hundreds of churches in Germany being targeted with vandalism and theft

The cost of the damage to both churches and chapels runs into hundreds of thousands of euros.

Nigerian authorities secure release of 100 kidnapped Catholic school children
Nigerian authorities secure release of 100 kidnapped Catholic school children

The fate of more than 160 other students and staff members abducted in the same attack remains unknown.

EU urged to combat violations of religious freedom in South Asia
EU urged to combat violations of religious freedom in South Asia

Citing a dramatic escalation of targeted attacks against Christians and other minorities in their countries, human rights advocates from South Asia called for stronger EU engagement on freedom of religion or belief at a conference in Brussels on December 4.