Dianna L. Cagle/Biblical Recorder

WAXHAW, N.C. (BP) -- A worship service at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Waxhaw, N.C., ended abruptly Sunday morning May 24 after a disturbance by a neighbor led to a police-involved shooting. Pastor Rich Myers said the church bears "no ill will" toward its neighbor.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (BP) -- Because of a trip to East Africa eight years ago and a life of twists and turns, Wesley Wallis believes God has equipped his family to start an orphanage in Kenya. "God has prepared me," said the pastor of Walstone Memorial Baptist Church in Fayetteville, N.C. "God has prepared my wife." Wallis told the Biblical Recorder his previous roles -- as a chaplain for Raleigh Rescue Mission, correctional officer in multiple prisons and pastor in Freewill ...

NEWTON, N.C. (BP) -- A group of pro-life advocates in North Carolina believes God can end the abortion industry, and they are working with people across the state to make it happen. "We really can do something about it," said Josh Kappes, director of city development at Love Life, a non-profit that leads people to pray and rally near abortion clinics in three regions of North Carolina. "It's our modern-day slavery." Kappes, who is also pastor of biblical counseling at Vertical Life Church, a Southern Baptist congregation in Newton, networks with pastors and local church leaders, recruiting believers to gather for one-hour prayer journey meetings to explain the ministry of Love Life. The outreach initially focused on Charlotte, but recently expanded to include other areas.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (BP) -- William "Bill" L. Bennett Sr., founder of Mentoring Men for the Master (M3), died Thursday (Jan. 11) in Wilmington, N.C. He was 93. Many Christian leaders shaped by Bennett's passion for mentoring -- as a pastor and seminary professor -- recounted his influence in their lives. "His contribution in Kingdom advance will not stop even though God has chosen to call Bill Bennett to glory," Milton A. Hollifield Jr., executive director-treasurer of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, told the Biblical Recorder, the convention's newsjournal.

RIDGECREST, N.C. (BP) -- "You, like Paul, found many ways to stay in place." Drew Carson*, a leader with the International Mission Board, told emeritus Southern Baptist missionaries, who recorded a total of 25,297 years of service during their careers, that the New Testament apostle "could have left … but he chose to stay the course," as recorded in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9. "Your ministry of staying the course has also helped the IMB stay the course," Carson said.

ARCHDALE, N.C. (BP) -- Triad Cowboy Church attracts people from its community and beyond by hosting a professional rodeo each year. Roping calves and riding bulls aren't generally associated with most congregations, but this church places a high priority on offering a free event to the cowboy community. "It's just a good, clean, multi-hour event that a family can go to," said pastor Doug Davis of Triad Cowboy Church (TCC) in Archdale, N.C. "We provide everything. Rodeo is something people are attracted to."

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (BP) -- Kenneth Ridings, 78, a longtime professor and past president of Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute (now college), died March 5. "Throughout his ministry, Dr. Kenneth Ridings was a living legend among Baptist preachers," David Horton, current president of Fruitland in Hendersonville, N.C., said. Fruitland is a ministry of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.

REIDSVILLE, N.C. (BP) -- For the Elliott family, a legacy of ministry and missions lives on in their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

CARY, N.C. (BP) -- Because the number of people who have a basic understanding of the Bible "is shrinking in America," Jerry McCorkle said he began to explore a new way to share the Christian faith with all people.