ARKADELPHIA, Ark. (ABP) — Ouachita Baptist University trustees, meeting in executive session March 9, urged the OBU administration to explore the feasibility of launching a graduate program in theology. The action came in the form of a resolution by a…
Tennessee couple encourages others while battling cancer
JACKSON, Tenn. (ABP) — When Eric and Sharon Langshur's son, Matthew, was born five years ago with a congenital heart defect, they created a simple web site to provide updates, a message board, and a photo gallery for friends and…
Alabama fires suspects stay in jail, face arson and burglary charges
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — The three men charged in the string of 10 church fires in rural Alabama will not seek release on bond from their federal charges, their lawyers said. Matthew Lee Cloyd, 20; Benjamin Moseley, 19; and Russell…
Diverse groups urge administration to intervene in Afghan man’s case
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The plight of an Afghan man who could face the death penalty for converting from Islam to Christianity has united a broad array of religious, human-rights and advocacy groups that often find themselves ideologically opposed to each…
North Carolina CBF approves budget, elects new leaders
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (ABP) — In its 13th General Assembly, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina reelected Don Horton, a layman from Zebulon Baptist Church, as moderator. Gail Coulter, pastor of Providence Baptist Church in Hendersonville, became moderator-elect. “It was…
IMB won’t remove blogging trustee but prohibits dissent in future actions
TAMPA, Fla. (ABP) — Trustees of the International Mission Board decided not to seek the removal of one of their own for criticizing trustee actions, but they adopted new guidelines to prohibit and punish such criticism in the future. After…
Satellite images renew interest in search for Noah’s ark
DALLAS (ABP) — Recently released satellite images of an unknown formation or object on Mt. Ararat in Turkey have added fuel to archeologists' ongoing quest to find Noah's ark. The “new and significant development,” an image from a QuickBird satellite,…
More Baptist churches looking to Lent for community, confession, cadence
DALLAS (ABP) — For Mike Clingenpeel and Ray Vickrey, Easter doesn't mean much without about 40 days of reflection and repentance before it. Though the two men pastor churches in different states — Clingenpeel at River Road Church, Baptist in…
Ordination variations: Some wonder is it baptistic? Is it biblical?
(ABP) — Renowned 19th century British preacher C. H. Spurgeon rejected the practice. Baptist statesman George Truett surrendered to it only at his church's insistence. Christian ethicist T. B. Maston accepted it as a deacon but not as a minister….
Cincinnati leaders change direction on homosexuality discrimination
CINCINNATI (ABP) — Thirteen years after Cincinnati passed the nation's only law banning protection of sexual minorities, its City Council voted overwhelmingly March 15 to reverse the law's effect. The Cincinnati City Council voted 8-1 March 15 to amend the…
House passes resolution condemning Russian religious-freedom violations
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly March 15 to call on Russian officials to work more diligently to protect religious freedom across their nation. The resolution, passed 411-1, expressed the sense of the House that “the Russian…
Body of slain Christian peace activist returned to United States for burial
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The body of a slain Christian peace activist, presumably executed by those who abducted him and his three colleagues, returned to his native United States March 13 in preparation for burial. The body of Tom Fox, 54,…