Wm. Fletcher Allen, editor of Tennessee Baptists’ Baptist and Reflector from 1987-98, died of cancer Feb. 27 at the age of 78.

Southern Baptists must be gripped anew by the lostness of the world, repent of their self-centeredness and focus their local churches on taking the Gospel to those who have yet to hear, the chairman of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Great Commission Resurgence Task Force said Feb. 22.

Southern Baptists are moving quickly to assess relief needs in the aftermath of an 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Chile at 3:34 a.m. Saturday, killing at least 120 people, collapsing buildings and setting off a tsunami.

Ellen Udovich, Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D)’s missionary for disaster relief, lay mobilization and senior adults, said her phone rings throughout the day with calls from BCM/D churches anxious to go to Haiti to help the victims of the massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Jan 12. Though well meaning, Udovich said now is the time for praying and giving, but not quite the time to go, with the exception of medical teams which are currently on the ground.

“If I hear one more well-rested, highly credentialed, self-helped, live-your-life-perfectly-like-me type tell me how to improve my life, I think I’m going to cry…” And so begins “Stories of Hope for the Sleep Deprived” by Tasha Levert, a pastor’s wife, mom, licensed counselor and sought-after women’s ministry speaker.

Nine-year-old Daniel Jones was born with kidney disease and the family knew in time, he would need a transplant. That time came two years ago. Following an operation, little Daniel began dialysis. His mother, Deana, said her son stopped eating and his growth began to slow down. Daniel was placed on a transplant list while the family anxiously waited.