JUNE 2009 | Vol. 27, No. 6 | baptiststoday.org $3.95 ‘‘MMoorree tthhaann aa rraammpp’’ CChhuurrcchh lleeaaddeerrss ffooccuuss oonn ffuullll aacccceessss ppaaggee 55 Patrick Henry Hughes emphasizes abilities page 4 JUNE 2009 | Vol. 27, No. 6 John D. Pierce Executive Editor Baptists Today serves churches by providing a reliable source of [email protected] Jackie B. Riley unrestricted news coverage, thoughtful analysis and inspiring Managing Editor features focusing on issues of importance to Baptist Christians. [email protected] An autonomous national Keithen M. Tucker Baptist news journal Development and Marketing Director [email protected] Tony W. Cartledge P E R S P E C T I V E Contributing Editor [email protected] > Southern Baptists and eventual evangelism..............................7 Street 8 Bruce T. Gourley By John Pierce Online Editor Questions [email protected] > Talking points for a difficult issue ............................................24 Vickie Frayne By Bob Setzer Jr. ‘What makes Baptists Art Director different?’ Jannie T. Lister Connie Pursiful > Yearning on the everlasting arms ............................................25 Office Assistant Office Assistant By Tom Ehrich By A. Roy Medley Lauryn C. Dant Circulation Assistant > Billy Graham’s words to remember..........................................26 Walker Knight Jack U. Harwell By Jack U. Harwell Publisher Emeritus Editor Emeritus Board of Directors > King David: warts and all ..........................................................34 Gary F. Eubanks, Marietta, Ga. (chairman) By Tony W. Cartledge Kelly L. Belcher, Spartanburg, S.C. (vice chair) Z. Allen Abbott, Peachtree City, Ga. Jimmy R. Allen, Big Canoe, Ga. I N T H E N E W S Nannette Avery, Signal Mountain, Tenn. Ann T. Beane, Richmond, Va. > Dunn receives ‘merit badge for stubborness’ ........................11 Thomas E. Boland, Alpharetta, Ga. Huey Bridgman, Columbus, Ga. Robert Cates, Rome, Ga. > Missouri court affirms Windermere’s independence ..............12 Anthony D. Clevenger, Pensacola, Fla. Kenny Crump, Ruston, La. > Angelou, Carter urge Baptist unity, shared ministry ..............13 David Currie, San Angelo, Texas James M. Dunn, Winston-Salem, N.C. > Poll: Americans hold ‘nuanced’ views on homosexuality ......14 James L. Evans, Auburn, Ala. W.M. Gilbert Jr., Lavonia, Ga. > Study: Religiously unaffiliated open to faith ................................14 R. Kirby Godsey, Macon, Ga. Sara Spivey, Mandy Curlee and pre- William B. Greenhaw, Macon, Ga. > Southern Seminary closing School of Church Music ............15 school director Carol Brown are part Leslie D. Hill, Lexington, Ky. Jimmy Little, Hartselle, Ala. of a growing ministry at Highland > Advocates say new stem cell guidelines are sensible ............16 Michael M. Massar, Tyler, Texas Hills Baptist Church in Macon, Ga., to J. Thomas McAfee, Macon, Ga. William T. Neal, Stone Mountain, Ga. > Church leaders react to evangelicals’ embrace of torture ......27 include persons with special needs. Ella Wall Prichard, Corpus Christi, Texas Michael G. Queen, Wilmington, N.C. > Henry Crouch: news journal helps preserve freedom ............28 Related stories on pages 4 and 5. Mary Etta Sanders, Dalton, Ga. Macon Sheppard, Folly Beach, S.C. > National Day of Prayer gets political makeover ......................29 Walter B. Shurden, Macon, Ga. Charlotte Cook Smith, Raleigh, N.C. David M. Smith, Houston, Texas > Alliance launches new initiatives, honors leader ....................31 Leo Thorne, Valley Forge, Pa. Sarah Timmerman, Cairo, Ga. > Balmer says Religious Right ‘mortally wounded’ ....................33 Clement H. White, St. Petersburg, Fla. Advocates Mary Jayne Allen, Chattanooga, Tenn. F E AT U R E S Randy L. Hyde, Little Rock, Ark. Sherry McGlaughlin, Liberty, Mo. David Woody, Daniel Island, S.C. > Stan Hastey reflects on 20 years with the Alliance ................30 Baptists Today (ISSN 1072-7787) By Tony W. Cartledge is published monthly by: Baptists Today > Dave Ramsey calls for spending discipline, ............................38 P.O. Box 6318 debt-free living Macon, GA 31208-6318 Geneticist Francis Collins on the To subscribe or place > Some long-gone preachers still preaching on air waves........39 compatibility of faith and science. an advertisement, By Adelle M. Banks call 478-301-5655 or By Daniel Burke toll-free 1-877-752-5658. Page 32 Subscription rates: 1 year, $20 2 years, $35 I N E V E R Y I S S U E 1 year groups of 25 or more, $15 1 year Canada, $35 1 year foreign, $50 Quotation Remarks 6 Resource Page 22 Periodical postage paid at Macon, Ga. 31208 Editorial 7 Classifieds 23 POSTMASTER: Media Shelf 17 In the Know 23 Send address corrections to: Baptists Today P.O. Box 6318 Back-row Birdie 18 Reblog 37 Macon, GA 31208-6318 Formations Commentary 19 © 2009 Baptists Today. All rights reserved. June 2009 • Baptists Today | 3 F E A T U R E STORY AND PHOTO BY JOHN PIERCE No time for pity Patrick Henry Hughes puts an emphasis on ability TONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. — A full-time student and Spanish major, “One of my big motivations Patrick Henry takes classes three days a week comes from the artist Ray in the fall — to match up with band S Charles,” said 21-year-old Patrick rehearsals — and two days a week in the Henry Hughes before performing a closing spring. Early mornings are for piano practice. concert for the Development Disabilities His dad once dreamed of having a son Ministries (DDM) conference titled who would be a star on a college football “Opening New Worlds” at Smoke Rise field. In a much different way than he imag- Baptist Church east of Atlanta in mid-April. ined, that dream has come true. Charles, the legendary pianist and singer who died in 2004, had to overcome many Reaching potential obstacles — poverty, grief, racism and blind- Patrick Henry has no time or place for self- ness — to achieve musical success. It is a pity. There is too much to accomplish. message that young Hughes both grasps and “Right now my life’s calling is to finish carries on. school and graduate, and also to continue to “Like everyone, there are days when I pass on my message to millions of people don’t want to go to classes or to marching who might need to hear it,” he said. band rehearsals or do that one particular And what is that message? homework assignment, but I always look at “My main message that I pass along is Ray Charles and realize how he had obstacles interested in the full inclusion of all persons that it doesn’t matter what kind of problems to conquer as well — especially when his in the life of the church — regardless of you might face on a day-to-day basis — it fame was starting to spread,” the University physical and mental challenges — paid might be that one little obstacle in front of of Louisville junior told Baptists Today. “I tribute to his motivator. you that makes you think, ‘I’m not going to realize that what he went through makes my He put sunglasses over his nonfunction- be able to conquer that’ — but if you set daily challenges no big deal whatsoever.” ing glass eyes and swayed a bit in his your mind to achieve a goal, you can do it.” Hughes was born without eyes and the wheelchair. Then in a strong, soulful voice he His new book, I Am Potential, carries ability to walk. So what is this talk about belted out “Georgia on my Mind” and that message as well. And he encourages marching band? “America the Beautiful.” church leaders to not underestimate the That’s what he thought when the band While the late musician Ray Charles contributions of those who face different director at U. of L. suggested he participate. motivates Patrick Henry Hughes, the gifted challenges than most other persons. But with Patrick Henry playing the trumpet young performer is quick to identify his “I would like to say to church leaders to and his faithful dad, Patrick, pushing the father, Patrick, as his hero. Rightly so. stay open even though people might have a chair, that’s exactly what he does. The elder Patrick works third shift for ‘different ability,’ as I like to call it,” said UPS in Louisville in order to be with Patrick Patrick Henry. “They can still be able to pass Daily routines Henry for his daily activities of school and along God’s message to others.” The oldest of three sons, Patrick Henry band practice — where dad has to learn all of Like most young adults, Patrick Henry is began picking out tunes on a piano before his the marching routines. The two often travel considering several good options for his first birthday. At age two, he was taking together as well. future. He might seek a career as a musician requests for songs like “Twinkle, Twinkle, “We are blessed to get a lot of requests or possibly work as an American diplomat in Little Star.” [to speak and perform] and we try to do as a Spanish-speaking country. But one other Family video clips — shown during a many as we can,” said Patrick Henry. possibility stays on his mind. stirring six-minute feature on ESPN — verify Balancing travel with school is not too “I’d really like to become the host of a his early talent. Today Patrick Henry is an difficult, he added. Plus, Patrick Henry is popular game show,” he said with a big accomplished pianist and singer who per- well known on campus, his dad noted, and smile. He even has a title, concept and tune forms a wide range of music from classical to the professors seem eager to assist. for the show called “The Check’s in the country. “We alert the professors when I’m going Mail.” But his first and final songs in this to be gone — and ask about what I’m going to Before long, we all might check our local concert for caregivers and church leaders have to do to catch up,” said Patrick Henry.