WASHINGTON (ABP) — Executive Board members of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention delayed a vote on affirming the nomination of executive director candidate Ricky Creech March 14 because several of them had not received adequate information prior to the…
Baptist peace mediator in Nicaragua dies
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) — Gustavo Parajón, a medical doctor and pastor who was a leading voice for peace and justice ministry in Nicaragua for more than 40 years, died unexpectedly at his home Sunday, March 13. Gustavo Parajón He was…
Partnership is mission strategy key, team leader says
LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. (ABP) — Gary Snowden's heart is never too far from missions and the impact a group of committed believers can have. Both his jobs bring him face to face with needs and remind him Christians must be…
Rob Bell discusses themes in new book
NEW YORK (ABP) — On the eve of the release of his controversial book on hell, Rob Bell sat on stage March 14 opposite Newsweek editor Lisa Miller under a wood-etching that read, "The Place Where People Meet to Seek…
SBC leader fears Japan quake will cause fallout for nukes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention's top public policy official predicted Japan's nuclear plant crisis would prompt calls to halt the expansion of nuclear power in the United States. Richard Land "That would be a tragedy," the head…
Poverty simulations have long history
ATLANTA (ABP) — Dragging middle class folks out of the classroom or out of their comfortable homes for a brief immersion experience into poverty is not something new. Larry McSwain, who popularized poverty plunges while teaching at Southern Seminary, now…
Poverty simulation begs middle class questions
ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (ABP) — Tensed like a hungry cat watching a mouse emerge from a hole in the floor I watched the string of numbers on my lottery ticket as Anna Anderson read aloud numbers on the ticket she…
Debriefing a poverty simulation
ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (ABP) — After spending 24 hours among the poor and homeless in a "poverty plunge" in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., participants were tired, some were grieved but all felt the calm satisfaction of having done something that will…
Plunge soaks participants in ways of poverty
ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (ABP) — Nine participants in a "poverty plunge" stuffed their fears into a drawer with their personal identities and immersed themselves for 24 hours into the unfamiliar and frightening world of the poor and homeless March 4-5…
BWAid head Paul Montacute plans to retire
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — Paul Montacute, director of the Baptist World Alliance's relief-and-recovery arm BWAid, will retire in July 2012, the BWA executive committee learned in meetings March 7-9. Paul Montacute BWA leaders are expected next March to elect…
Some foreign aid helps, other kinds do more harm than good, experts assert
(ABP) — Even though the Green Bay Packers won this year’s Super Bowl 31-25, up to 100,000 individuals in developing countries are wearing new T-shirts erroneously labeling the losing Pittsburgh Steelers as NFL champions. Children and adults in Zambia receive…
D.C. Baptists to vote on new exec
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A former director of missions in Alabama is being nominated as executive director of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention. If elected by the convention's board March 15, Ricky Creech, 47, would succeed Jeffrey Haggray, who resigned…