BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Samford University basketball player Jim Griffin was found dead in his dorm room Sept. 8. School officials believe he died in his sleep from an undetectable heart condition, but results from an autopsy won’t be available…
Judge sets court date in ‘birther’ case filed by Wiley Drake
BUENA PARK, Calif. (ABP) — The so-called “Birthers” claimed a small victory Sept. 8 when a federal judge set a tentative trial date of Jan. 26, 2010, for a lawsuit claiming that President Obama is constitutionally ineligible for his office….
Judge clears National Baptist Convention presidential vote
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A judge in Washington ruled Sept. 9 that the election of a new president of the nation's largest black Baptist convention could go forward as scheduled on Sept. 10. One of two candidates vying for the post,…
Who are the hungry? Putting a face to people in need
PLANO, Texas (ABP) — Millions of the nation’s most vulnerable lie in bed each night struggling to win a seemingly hopeless battle — the rumbling sound of their empty stomachs drowning out any word of hope. But Christians nationwide involved…
Pastor accuses school district of duplicity in banning Obama speech
ARLINGTON, Texas (ABP) — A prominent black Southern Baptist pastor says a Texas school district should explain why it did not allow President Obama's Sept. 8 speech on education to be shown live in classrooms, but is planning later in…
Heeding the call: Historic church finds new energy in missions commitment
FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABP) — When churches fall on hard economic times, some congregations reduce the amount they give to missions. A Kentucky Baptist pastor believes they should do the opposite. “I think churches are in a survival mentality right now,…
Heeding the call: Baptist college grad launches development non-profit
PLAINVIEW, Texas (ABP) — A “light-bulb” moment on his second trip to Kenya helped clarify Micah Evans’ call to mission service. “We were building a wall for a church there and using the indigenous stone to the area,” said Evans,…
Heeding the call: Missional church reaches out through health care
Mission Frankfort Clinic director Pat Hinson (right) goes over charts with Benjamin Huneycutt, volunteer doctor, at the start of a shift. FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABP) — The Mission Frankfort Clinic is a godsend for an average of 40 to 50 uninsured…
Heeding the call: Churches taking ownership of Great Commission
First Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, is working closely with several churches in the southern Mexico states of Chiapas, Oaxaca and Tabasco. These children are from Chiapas and their fellowship, El Buen Samaritano, is currently in construction of a new…
Episcopal bishop defends ‘heresy’ remarks
NEW YORK (ABP) — The presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church USA is defending a widely criticized sermon she preached at the group's recent general convention in which she labeled propositional Christianity a heresy. In an Aug. 27 column in…
Plano church giving hope to children through children
PLANO—First Baptist Church aims to give hope to children and through children. With its current campaign, it’s doing both. Children of the church filled Texas-sized banks with coins for the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger to feed hungry children…
Shoes for Orphan Souls collects 2 millionth pair of shoes
DALLAS (ABP) — Buckner International’s Shoes for Orphan Souls ministry has collected its 2 millionth pair of shoes for needy children and families in the United States and around the world. The long-anticipated milestone came during the 10th anniversary of…