ATLANTA (ABP) — Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Executive Coordinator Daniel Vestal has announced that he will retire effective June 30, 2012. “Fifteen years ago I sensed a calling of the Spirit to become coordinator of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship,” Vestal told the…
Single adults represent tremendous mission field
LIBERTY, Mo. (ABP) — A hidden mission field exists — one that encompasses more people than live in many small countries. And it could be just outside the walls of any given church. Single adults make up more than 40…
Singles ministry tough, but vital
RALEIGH, N.C. (ABP) — Greg Belcher understands why many churches avoid keeping or starting a ministry specifically to "single adults." It's tough. A large part of the difficulty in singles ministry is the huge umbrella the term covers. "Singles" are…
Single but not alone
GEORGETOWN, Texas (ABP) — "Why aren't you married yet?" "When are you going to settle down?" "Why can't a pretty girl (or handsome guy) like you find a husband (or wife)?" Singles sometimes hear these questions from well-meaning friends or…
Baptists among religious leaders in event to mourn victims of 9/11
WASHINGTON (ABP) – Prominent religious leaders of various faiths joined Sept. 8 in Washington to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Baptist Joint Committee Executive Director Brent Walker, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Executive Coordinator Daniel…
Former music minister charged with sex crimes
CLINTON, Miss. (ABP) – A former Southern Baptist music minister who recently confessed to past “sexual indiscretions” with younger males was arrested Sept. 7 on seven charges of gratification of lust. Police in Clinton and Jackson, Miss., allege that John…
CBF-sponsored sexuality conference taking shape
ATLANTA (ABP) – Plans are taking shape for a [Baptist] Conference on Sexuality and Covenant co-sponsored by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Mercer University’s Center for Theology and Public Life scheduled April 19-21, 2012, at First Baptist Church in Decatur,…
Texas Baptists support firefighters battling wildfires
DALLAS (ABP) – State officials have enlisted Baptist volunteers to support the efforts of workers battling Texas wildfires that have caused four deaths and destroyed more than 1,000 homes. Texas Baptist Men was asked to cook 5,000 meals per day…
T, Kathie Thomas leaving Oklahoma CBF
NORMAN, Okla. (ABP) – Nearly 20 years after their appointment as the first missionary couple of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, T and Kathie Thomas are returning to France, where they formerly worked as longtime Southern Baptist missionaries. T Thomas If his visa…