It's already Lent and so far we've had a relatively snow-free winter here in Hanover County, Va. While the schools provided the kids with a couple of delayed openings and at least one “just in case” closing, there hasn't really…
Controversial Soledad cross remains after Calif. court declines appeal
SAN DIEGO (ABP) — Supporters of a controversial cross on government land in San Diego won the latest round in a lengthy war over the monument Feb. 21. The California Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of a lower…
Former Southern Baptist history group to join American Baptists at Mercer
ATLANTA (ABP) — In a move that will put an American Baptist history collection and a formerly Southern Baptist history group under the same roof, the Baptist History and Heritage Society announced Feb. 23 that it will relocate to Mercer…
Another Baptist minister arrested, charged with child sex exploitation
CAMDEN, S.C. (ABP) — Another Southern Baptist minister has been arrested on child sex-abuse charges, this time for sending pornographic photos of himself to what he thought was a 14-year-old girl. Kevin Ogle, 42, pastor of Northgate Colonial Baptist Church…
Correction
In the story Feb. 22 story “Experts: More danger than meets eye in upcoming Supreme Court case,” please replace the 20th paragraph with the following: While the government is not arguing that the Flast expansion be overturned, Bull's friend-of-the-court brief…
Gonzales touts religious-freedom plan to SBC; others question Bush record
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Attorney General Alberto Gonzales chose the Feb. 20 Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee meeting to announce a new Justice Department focus on religious freedom. But some Christian leaders questioned the move, as well as the Bush…
Opinion: For next generation of Christian activists, evangelism is not enough
Inside the minds and hearts of today's college students, we can see a glimpse of the how the next generation views our task of Christian engagement with culture. Here at Union University where I teach, most of our students flow…
‘Clash of civilizations’ view of Islam, Christianity simplistic, expert says
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — The characterization of Muslim and Christian conflict as a “clash of civilizations” only prolongs problems and encourages dangerous forms of fundamentalism, one prominent scholar told listeners at an ethics conference Feb. 19. Charles Kimball, who has…
Hunger, poverty can be diminished by political action, charity head says
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — The movement to eradicate hunger and extreme poverty for millions of people around the world is not a lost cause, says the president of Bread for the World. In fact, despite the population explosion, the number…
Missionary visits red-light district in Prague to pray with prostitutes
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Lauran Bethell likes dark streets and late nights. She loves prostitutes. She is a self-described “missionary who hangs out in red-light districts.” Bethell, who works with International Ministries of the American Baptist Churches USA, spoke Feb….
Experts: More danger than meets eye in upcoming Supreme Court case
WASHINGTON (ABP) — There's more at risk for the separation of church and state than meets the eye in an upcoming Supreme Court case, a panel of legal experts agreed Feb. 21. The experts previewed oral arguments in Hein v….
Touring children’s choir gives hope for Africa’s impoverished children
ABILENE, Texas (ABP) — Like most boys his age, 8-year-old David dreams about what he'll be when he grows up. This week, he wants to be an air-traffic controller. A year ago, he probably never dreamed he'd be in the…