MONTREAT, N.C. (ABP) — Ruth Graham, the wife of evangelist Billy Graham, died June 14 at her home at Little Piney Cove in Montreat, N.C. She was 87. An author, philanthropist, Congressional Gold Medal winner and mother of five, Graham…
Mark Olson named president of Washington-area seminary
ARLINGTON, Va. (ABP) — Trustees of the John Leland Center for Theological Studies have named Mark Olson, former pastor of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church in Fayetteville, N.C., as the second president of the Virginia school. Olson, who was unanimously elected,…
Southern Baptists doubt human cause, government solution to global warming
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention rejected scientific claims that humans are to blame for global warming and dismissed the governmental efforts to reverse it. Messengers to the annual SBC meeting also stood by their resolution committee's decision…
Definition of Cooperative Program sparks SBC messenger debate
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — A proposal to define what constitutes Cooperative Program giving sparked lengthy debate during the opening session of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, including a charge that the measure “goes against historical Baptist polity.” The recommendation…
SBC appoints strategy coordinator for churches’ ‘ex-gay’ ministries
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention has commissioned a Texas pastor to become its “national strategist for gender issues” — a position designed to promote “ex-gay” ministries to SBC congregations. Bob Stith, who said God convicted him more…
SBC messengers pass motion, resolution on clergy sex-abuse
SAN ANTONIO — On June 1, the Baptist General Convention of Texas posted online the names of eight convicted sex offenders who worked as ministers in convention-affiliated churches. The list is the latest development in a heated discussion within Southern…
Radical Islam, radical atheism threaten America, Colson tells pastors
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — The United States faces twin dangers of radical Islam and radical atheism, Chuck Colson, the former Watergate-conspirator who founded Prison Fellowship Ministries, told pastors at the Southern Baptist Convention. “No time in history have we looked…
Radical Islam, radical atheism threaten America, Colson tells pastors
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — The United States faces twin dangers of radical Islam and radical atheism, Chuck Colson, the former Watergate-conspirator who founded Prison Fellowship Ministries, told pastors at the Southern Baptist Convention. “No time in history have we looked…
Missional gathering at SBC event contemplates global movement
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — A global church planting movement could begin in five to 10 years, Pastor Bob Roberts told a small but passionate gathering of missional leaders who met prior to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. Meeting late…
Ruth Graham, wife of evangelist Billy Graham, close to death
RALEIGH, N.C. (ABP) — Ruth Graham, the wife of evangelist Billy Graham, went into a coma early June 13 and is close to death, a family spokesperson said. According to a statement released by Larry Ross, Graham's spokesman, Ruth Graham…
Bush greeted with standing ovation, thanks Southern Baptists at annual event
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — Judging by his reception at the annual Southern Baptist Convention meeting, President Bush's popularity remains strong among Southern Baptists, whom he thanked for their support June 13. Bush was greeted with a standing ovation of sustained…
SBC messengers raise questions about IMB finances, trustees
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin presented an upbeat report June 12 to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, but he was unable to escape concerns from messengers at the San Antonio, Texas, meeting. A concern…