DALLAS (ABP) — Whatever the outcome, the 2007 presidential race in the Baptist General Convention of Texas will be historic: Texas Baptists will either elect their first female president or choose their first president in more than 20 years not…
Norman Wiggins, president of Campbell University for 36 years, dead at 83
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (ABP) — Norman Wiggins, president of Campbell University for 36 years before his retirement, died Aug. 1 at 83. Wiggins, Campbell's chancellor after his retirement in 2003, led Campbell to become the second largest private university in North…
Opinion: Christian discipleship created in our own image
Some time back I happened across a human-interest story in the “religion” section of an out-of-town newspaper. It was the headline, “For some youths, one church isn't enough,” that caught my eye. The story focused on a teenager, Emily, who…
Rising evangelical star Jason Christy leaves trail of fraud, associates say
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (ABP) — When young, charismatic Christian publisher Jason Christy was tapped two years ago to lead the powerful Christian Coalition, the group's leaders praised him for his ability “to inspire and encourage people of faith to action.” But…
Christian themes in Potter books make good evangelism tools, some say
DALLAS (ABP) — J.K. Rowling isn't likely to repeat John Lennon's mistake. She probably won't compare the record-setting popularity of her Harry Potter books to that of Jesus Christ, but the global reach of the title character's adventures is undeniable….
2nd Korean Christian hostage killed; Taliban set new exchange deadline
KABUL (ABP) — A second Christian hostage from South Korea has been killed by Taliban fighters, the Associated Press reported July 31. Twenty-one of the 23 South Koreans abducted July 19 remain hostages after police found the body of Shim…
House passes agriculture bill without reform amendment
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Despite pleas from a wide coalition of religious, free-trade and anti-hunger groups, the House passed a massive agriculture bill July 27 with only a handful of reforms. The chamber approved the 2007 Farm Bill on a mostly…
Breakaway agencies could amend charters, Mo. convention concedes
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — The Missouri Baptist Convention's Executive Board has abandoned its contention that trustees of five institutions acted illegally when they changed their charters to elect their own board members. Convention lawyers agreed at a July 18…
Turkish voters give mandate to moderate Islamist party
ISTANBUL (ABP) — Despite the fears of the nation's secular elite, Turkish voters kept a moderate Islamist party in power after parliamentary elections July 22. The Justice and Development Party, known by its Turkish initials as AKP, received about 47…
Christian hostages in Afghanistan wait as Korean official tries to win release
KABUL, Afghanistan (ABP) — A senior official from South Korea traveled to Afghanistan July 26 to try to save 22 Korean Christians taken hostage by Taliban fighters. The kidnappers killed the group's leader, 42-year-old Bae Hyung-kyu, July 25. The group,…
Broad left-right coalition faces stiff opposition to Farm Bill reform
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Justice for poor farmers and support for free trade are motivating a broad coalition of liberal, moderate and conservative groups to urge changes to an agriculture bill the House is considering. But the legislation affects much more…
Baylor gets $4M estate gift to benefit religion department
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Baylor University announced June 20 an approximately $4 million gift from the estate of Allene Hubler, which will establish an endowed chair, an endowed professorship and an endowed scholarship in Baylor's religion department. Hubler's gift will…