Archive - Grace Thornton
Coalition tries to ‘dry up’ bingo
More than 300 charities have received permits for bingo in Walker County since 2007, a fact that makes Bucky Rizzo shake his head. “It’s not that we think some aren’t charities — we know some aren’t charities,” said Rizzo, chairman of the Walker County Political Accountability Coalition, explaining that many of the “charities” aren’t qualified and are committing fraud. more »
By Grace Thornton - Apr 17, 2009
Topic: Family, Addictions, Gambling
Alabama church’s efforts help halt liquor store
Bryan Easley said the Lord allowed a little birdie to come to his church recently — a little birdie that told him and the rest of East Memorial Baptist Church, Prattville, that a liquor store was going to be built on their street. more »
By Grace Thornton - Apr 16, 2009 - (1)
Topic: Family, Addictions, , Citizenship, Legislation
Fathers pass down life lessons through gardening
Lots of people cry around onions, but for Steve Tierce, it’s okra — okra gets him a little choked up.
Okra and squash. And tomatoes. And eggplant. more »
By Grace Thornton - Jun 29, 2008
Topic: Family, Parenting, Fathers
Religious freedom varies in different parts of China; churches reach out accordingly
To take a single picture of the church in China would be tough — in fact, it would be nearly impossible.
Why? “This place is huge,” says Jamie Tatum, a Southern Baptist representative in the region, and the face of the church is as varied as the nation is big, she explains. more »
By Grace Thornton - Jun 27, 2008
Topic: Faith, Ministry, Citizenship, Religious Liberty
Hope after prostitution, addiction
No one knows what darkness feels like quite like Janet Gillispie does.
Sometimes it’s the recklessness of selling yourself to a stranger for $5, shame of being raped or fear of having a gun pressed to your head. more »
By Grace Thornton - Jun 17, 2008 - (2)
Topic: Faith, Family, Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Addictions, Substance Abuse, Sexual Purity, Citizenship, Human Rights
‘Heartbreak’ shift a daily reality for gambling facilities nationwide
The dazzling lights of nine casinos flood miles of farmland in the Mississippi Delta, blasting across the region as if they had more to compete with than a few catfish ponds and cotton fields. more »
By Grace Thornton - May 19, 2008 - (2)
Topic: Family, Addictions, Gambling, Citizenship,
Widening the Web world
Move over, YouTube.
Alabama Baptists have video cameras. And they’re using them.
Now they have a safe place to share their videos online, thanks to Bill Nix, CEO and president of Axletree Media. more »
By Grace Thornton - Dec 14, 2007
Topic: Faith, Ministry, Family, Pop Culture
Hate crimes legislation addressed in resolution
A resolution urging Congress to delete hate crimes legislation from the current defense bill passed with the full support of Alabama Baptist messengers attending the state convention annual meeting in Mobile Nov. more »
By Grace Thornton - Nov 27, 2007 - (2)
Topic: Family, Abuse, Child Abuse, Addictions, Gambling, Substance Abuse, Sexual Purity, Homosexuality, Citizenship, Legislation
Running: spiritual training, Paul-style
Christina Dortch loves to run. It’s good stress relief from her graduate school classes, not to mention good exercise.
But she would be lying if she said it was easy to get up and run each morning. more »
By Grace Thornton - Oct 26, 2007
Rubber meets the road: State Baptist churches use running as avenue for ministry
Richie Bruce doesn’t have to look far to see the difference his church’s latest ministry has made on him.
Bruce, a member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Vestavia Hills, in Birmingham Baptist Association, has lost about 40 pounds since Pastor Danny Wood challenged the church to start running at the first of the year. more »
By Grace Thornton - Oct 26, 2007