Teaching at William Carey University this spring has entailed commuting the 95 miles to Hattiesburg on Highway 49 South each week. This prominent highway that runs diagonally across Mississippi from Memphis to the Gulf Coast, is the primary thoroughfare for getting from Jackson to points southeast. I well remember the trek years ago when my family would visit relatives in that part of the state or take an occasional vacation to Gulfport and Biloxi. Hattiesburg, a little more than halfway to the coast, is the location of the University of Southern Mississippi and the largest metropolis south of Jackson.

The highway is punctuated with familiar towns and dated landmarks as well as a ubiquitous chain of flea markets and produce …

It has been a delightful experience to re-connect with William Carey University and friends in South Mississippi through teaching a missions course on Tuesday nights this spring. Founded in 1906 as Mississippi Women’s College, it became co-educational in 1954 as did Blue Mountain, Mississippi Baptist’s other women’s college in North Mississippi. Women’s College kept its initials in adopting the name William Carey as well as intentionally reflecting its strong commitment to missions.

Although a liberal arts university with diverse programs, WCU has always had a reputation for ministerial training and missions involvement. Over the years it has attracted large numbers of missionary kids and international students. It is one of the few Baptist Colleges that offers a broad curriculum in …

What a week! The blessings of celebrating our Lord’s death and resurrection just kept building in emotional worship experiences through the weekend. Maybe its a matter of slowing down and refraining from personal travel and speaking to fully participate in passion week programs, but it also has something to do with the focused way our church, Morrison Heights, gives emphasis to this appropriate seasonal emphasis.

Led by worship pastor, Rob Thomas, and powerful biblical messages by our pastor, Greg Belser, the emphasis began with stirring Easter musical presentations on Wednesday. I don’t think I have ever experienced such emotions as stimulated by our Maundy service on Thursday. A combination of music, drama, and the Lord’s Supper made the congregation …

It has been encouraging to see more and more churches become involved in missions. The trend of short-term volunteer teams going overseas has escalated in the last 30 years with tens of thousands from our churches taking vacation time, raising funds and cashing in savings to go on a mission trip. Obviously, this mobilized resource is supplementing the witness of over-extended missionaries, encouraging national churches and making a difference in the lives of those who go.

However, what is left behind when the project is over? What difference does a mission partnership make to the kingdom? Do we feel good and come home with personal gratification because we have sacrificed to make the trip and done something good? Or is …

Although I am often perceived as a compulsively organized person, my life has never been one characterized by a “normal routine.” With all the travel, meetings, administration, writing, speaking, public relations events, church and family, it would be impossible to describe a typical day or week at any point over the last 40 years. I have been multi-tasking all my life and taking on responsibilities to the extent that the last bit of margin is squeezed out of the work schedule. I am a slave to calendar commitments and the “to-do” list.

However, a commitment to teach in several forums this semester has required me to stay at home. Set class schedules each week eliminate the usual flexibility to do …

Jesus had a remarkable way of teaching and getting His point across. Sometimes it was  “in your face” confrontation, especially when it came to His intolerance of the pious, hypocritical religious leaders. He seldom gravitated to vague theological homilies though His listeners had difficulty grasping His references to His relationship with the Father. His remarkable way of telling stories and practical illustrations made applications with which the people could readily identify.

Often He told the story, but left His listeners to figure out the point He was making. Such is a brief account of two brothers in Matthew 21:28-31. “But what do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘My son, go, work …

We have always had a tendency to fill our schedule with planned commitments which tend to diminish flexibility and eliminate the margin needed for spontaneous activities. This is especially true in teaching four college classes each week and the preparation needed for each one. However, the last couple of weeks have been enhanced by several unexpected events and visits.

Recently when we arrived for checking in at the Jackson airport to fly to Richmond we discovered a large Acteens group of girls from First Baptist Church Jackson leaving for a spring mission trip to Paris. Knowing some of the leaders, we were given the spontaneous opportunity to encourage the girls, assure their parents and pray for the group, most of …

The meaning of “missions,” as with many other topics is contingent on how one chooses to define it. Most Christians would acknowledge being an advocate and supporter of missions. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 is as well known as any verse of Scripture next to John 3:16. But it is interesting how this activity of the church is perceived and practiced.

The issue has been confused even further by the recent emergence of the popular term “missional.” What does it mean to be missional? Obviously it means different things to different people. To most it seems to categorize those things a church may do outside its own programs which serve and minister to its own members. We would readily …

The biblically allotted three score and ten years was finally attained last weekend, and I am now living in the bonus! The inevitable accumulation of years have been edging toward this decadal milestone. An age once considered ancient, I find that 70 is a liberating time of enjoying life more than ever with freedom to do what I choose (with more than a little advice and influence from an ever-present, loving spouse). God continues to bless us with health, energy and vision and is providing unlimited opportunities to fulfill our mission calling.

Most of the Rankin clan gathered to celebrate my big birthday with my twin sister, Jean. We have come a long way since this photo taken when we …

“I have seen the affliction of My people and…am aware of their sufferings. So I have come down to deliver them….Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh so that you may bring my people out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:7-10)

It is impossible to watch newscasts and read daily events without being impressed that we live in a world of suffering and oppression. Rioting and massive killing by the government in Syria and by insurgents in Afghanistan and Iraq, human trafficking in India and victims of natural disasters that seem to occur with increasing frequency alert us to constant human tragedy. We continue to hear of Muslims and Christians slaughtering each other in Nigeria, AIDS continuing to decimate …