NEW YORK - The Southern Baptists' plan to impact cities made the front page of the The New York Times recently, which highlighted church plants such as The Four One One Church in Midtown Manhattan. There, Scott Rourk shares Christ's love in the entertainment district of the city.
"To the thousands of out-of-work actors milling through Backstage magazine's annual tradeshow in a Times Square hotel last November, Scott Rourk offered a little uplift," the Times reported.
"We are a spiritual group, reaching out to artists and actors in New York, to help people in practical ways," Rourk said. He handed out 10-minute prepaid phone cards with the label 'the 411' and a phone number.
"We help you find meaning in life when the auditions aren't coming and the bills are," he said.
Challenges facing Southern Baptists in New York include the predominant secular culture and some hostility from other faith groups.
New York is the eighth city since 2000 to be a focus of a concentrated effort by the Southern Baptists.
