VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (ABP) — The American Baptist Historical Society, which claims the largest collection of Baptist resources in the world, is moving to the heart of the Deep South — Atlanta. The collection will have a new home on…
Making a difference: Churches mentor via Big Brothers Big Sisters program
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — A Birmingham chapter of the national Big Brothers Big Sisters program is using a new, faith-based approach to matching adults with children in need of mentors. The initiative, called Faithful Friends, is unique to the agency…
Missouri Baptist executive targeted in Sept. 22 closed-door meeting
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — The conservatives who control the Missouri Baptist Convention are divided over the leadership of their executive director, David Clippard, who could face a vote of dismissal tomorrow (Sept. 22). A closed-door meeting of the board…
William Carey University president Larry Kennedy succumbs to ALS
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (ABP) — Larry Kennedy, the president of William Carey University, died Sept. 21. He was 64. The president of the Baptist-affiliated school since 1998, Kennedy died from complications with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease. He had…
Alliance directors approve next step in Cuba fine, new staffing plan
SILVER SPRING, Md. (ABP) — Directors of the Alliance of Baptists have authorized the next step in appealing a proposed $34,000 fine for alleged violations of the federal government's economic embargo on Cuba. Meeting in suburban Washington Sept. 14-16, the…
SBC Exec. Committee approves fiscal-responsibility amendment
NASHVILLE (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee approved Sept. 19 an amendment to convention documents that urges SBC leaders toward greater financial responsibility. Southern Baptist messengers will hear the recommendation at the June 2007 annual meeting in San…
Rotary-CBF partnership in La. town gets $500,000 from Bush-Clinton fund
ATLANTA (ABP) — The Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund has given a $500,000 grant for the hurricane-damaged community of Lacombe, La., where the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and an Arkansas Rotary Club are working together. Already CBF and Rotary volunteers have restored more…
Many American teens lose faith in early adulthood, study says
DALLAS (ABP) — Six out of 10 teens involved in a church will probably not continue their spiritual commitment into early adulthood, according to a Sept. 11 study by the Barna Group. The study, conducted from 2001 to 2006, shows…
NASCAR great Shepherd finds ‘victory in Jesus’
CONOVER, N.C. (ABP) — At 64 years old, and without a major sponsor, Morgan Shepherd is the oldest active driver on the NASCAR's Nextel circuit. While most of his contemporaries have long since left the track, he recently qualified for…
Impact of Thai coup unclear for Baptist mission work
(ABP) — Representatives from three Baptist agencies declined to speculate what long-range impact a coup in Thailand could have on missions in the region, but they confirmed the safety of all field personnel in the country. Spokesmen for the Southern…
Baptist leaders propose nixing Arkansas newspaper board
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (ABP) — Arkansas Baptist leaders will try to turn control of the Arkansas Baptist News over to the state convention staff, replacing the independent board that currently governs the newspaper. A task force, appointed last year by…
Page warns SBC leaders ‘be relevant, avoid arrogance, overcome factions’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — New Southern Baptist Convention president Frank Page warned his fellow SBC leaders Sept. 18 that the denomination must retain its relevancy in a rapidly changing world. “I thank God that the [SBC's] battle for [biblical] inerrancy…