WACO, Texas (ABP) — The stereotypical images of “liberals” and “evangelicals” create a distorted picture of what issues are important to each group and how each will vote in November, according to new research. A recent survey by researchers at…
Survey: Moms fed up with sexy dolls, wish for wholesome alternatives
DALLAS (ABP) — Moms across America are fed up with overly sexy dolls, according to a Sept. 25 report from Synovate, a market-research firm. The study, which surveyed 1,010 mothers with daughters 4 to 9 years old, found that 85…
Belief in Halloween spooks, paranormal, said to be spreading among Americans
DALLAS (ABP) — With Halloween fast approaching, adults across the nation are loading up on candy and decorations, planning to hunker down for a night of trick-or-treaters, parties and hi-jinx. But how many of them actually believe in the ghosts…
Buckner ‘Comes Home’ to Tennessee
UNEDITED NEWS RELEASE — KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Buckner Children and Family Services, a 127-year-old Dallas-based social services ministry, has announced it will return to its founder's roots through a new partnership with First Baptist Church, Knoxville. The church-based community ministry…
Ala. church ejected from association for hiring female associate pastor
MOBILE, Ala. (ABP) — An Alabama Baptist church has been ejected from its local association for hiring a female associate pastor — which may be a first of sorts. The Mobile Baptist Association voted Oct. 19 to withdraw fellowship from…
Chaplains use Humvees, dreams to minister to patients in need
ATLANTA (ABP) — As a children's minister many years ago, Julie Rowan felt stuck in a rut. Now Rowan, a chaplain in the military, rarely stays in one place. And that's just how she likes it. “When you go into…
Leaders of ’40s youth revivals gather to reminisce, kindle new ‘fires’
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Participants in revivals that began at Baylor University and spread across the nation six decades ago looked back in gratitude and forward with expectation as they gathered on the campus where it all began. Scores of…
Opinion: Pluralism as idolatry
The widely publicized case of military Chaplain Lt. Gordon James Klingenschmitt awaits appeal. Klingenschmitt, a priest with the Evangelical Episcopal Church, prayed in the name of Jesus while wearing his uniform at a White House ceremony organized to protest the…
Christians gather for prayer against new coal-fired plants in Texas
DALLAS (ABP) — Texas Christians — by reputation a determined, opinionated and politically powerful bunch — recently held another statewide prayer day. This time, though, it wasn't about abortion or gay marriage. It was about coal. On Oct. 19, a…
Pastor who lost job for convictions gives $250,000 to help ministers
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — At 88 years old, Henry Langford has enjoyed a life of diverse occupations — rural pastor, substance abuse counselor and tree farmer. He may be best remembered, however, as a Baptist preacher who spoke against racism…
American Baptists may sell historic ‘Holy Doughnut,’ Pa. headquarters
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (ABP) — Leaders of the American Baptist Churches USA will consider selling the facility jokingly known to some of the denomination's faithful as the “Holy Doughnut” — ABC's headquarters building near Philadelphia. In its Nov. 14-15 meeting,…
Special-needs ministry helps churches understand, utilize select members
MOUNT LEBANON, Texas (ABP) — Larry William's fourth birthday celebration was short-lived. He couldn't walk or talk like other kids. Soon, tests revealed a mental retardation that would lead Larry to a vegetative state by the time he turned 21….