Associated Baptist Press, an independent news agency based in Jacksonville, Fla., has begun publishing a free weekly news summary for use by churches and other organizations.
ABP Headlines includes abbreviated versions of the organization's latest news stories, along with occasional commentaries and reviews.
Headlines is published as a two-page newsletter in PDF format, in color and black-and-white, which can be easily duplicated and distributed. It is posted on ABP's website and distributed by email every Wednesday morning so churches can distribute it during their mid-week or Sunday activities.
“All ABP articles are already available on our website, ABPNews.com, but not everyone is going to use the Internet regularly to get their news,” said Greg Warner, executive editor. “ABP Headlines is intended as a quick and inexpensive way to inform Baptists about the events and trends that shape their faith and their world.”
Associated Baptist Press, begun in 1990, is an autonomous, national news organization that publishes 600 news and feature articles a year, primarily for use by more than 100 secular and Baptist newspapers. Warner said use of ABP's website has “grown tremendously” in recent years, attracting about 22,000 monthly visitors and more than 1 million hits per month.
Virginia Baptists provide financial support for ABP through the Baptist General Association of Virginia's world mission 2 track in the annual budget. Fiscal 2005's allocation is approximately $46,000.
In addition, Virginia Baptists nominate one person to serve on ABP's board of directors. Currently that is Robert Dilday, interim editor of the Herald. Also on ABP's board of directors is Mike Clingenpeel, pastor of River Road Church, Baptist, in Richmond.
Associated Baptist Press