WASHINGTON (ABP) – Former Sen. Mark Hatfield -– an Oregon Republican whose Baptist faith helped shape his political views during nearly half a century in public office -– died Aug. 7 after several years of declining health. Mark Hatfield A…
New president believes in strong role for women’s college
RALEIGH, N.C. (ABP) — Two weeks after Jo Allen took office as the eighth president of Meredith College, the shrinking pool of women’s colleges blew drier as Peace College across town decided to admit males to stem its enrollment drop….
Abuse confession raises questions of cover-up by Baptist mega-church
PLANO, Texas (ABP) – A Southern Baptist mega-church held up as an example for taking a hard line three years ago against a staff member arrested for soliciting sex from a police officer posing as a 13-year-old girl now stands…
‘Send Me, O Lord, Send Me’ author Ross Coggins dies
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (ABP) – Ross Coggins, a missionary and denominational worker before switching careers to U.S. foreign aid, died Aug. 1 at his home in Annapolis, Md., after an illness. Ross Coggins Coggins, 83, was a graduate of Baylor University…
Pastor doesn’t want to perform weddings until all can wed
RALEIGH, N.C. (ABP) – A lesbian Baptist pastor told her congregation July 24 that she doesn’t want to perform any more weddings until her state legalizes gay marriage. Nancy Petty Nancy Petty, pastor of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh,…
Court strikes down school board’s prayer policy
PHILADELPHIA (ABP) – A federal appeals court ruled Aug. 5 that a Delaware school board’s practice of opening meetings with prayer is unconstitutional. Reversing a lower-court judgment, the United States 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Indian River School…
Video explores hidden tragedy behind Katrina
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) – A new Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America documentary not only highlights unmet needs nearly six years after Hurricane Katrina, but also exposes social problems that existed before the storm that have hampered recovery efforts in…
Assn. ousts church with woman pastor
MOUNT AIRY, N.C. (ABP) — Surry Baptist Association in North Carolina expelled Flat Rock Baptist Church in Mount Airy from membership July 26, two weeks after their new female pastor started at the church. The association of 65 churches…
Evangelicals counter ‘Circle of Protection’
WASHINGTON (ABP) – About 100 conservative Christians signed a letter sent to President Obama Aug. 3 contesting a coalition led by Jim Wallis of Sojourners urging government leaders not to balance the budget on the backs of the poor. Obama…