SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (ABP) — Baptist author George Joslin of Springfield, Mo., has produced what may be the first American Sign Language-only novel. Titled A Deaf Man's Gospel, the novel is only available in American Sign Language (ASL) on DVD, rather…
Virginia House passes prayer amendment
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — The Virginia House of Delegates passed an amendment to the state constitution Feb. 1 which supporters said would ensure the right to pray on public property, including public schools. The amendment, adopted 61-33 in the Republican-dominated House,…
Wayland graduate forms bonds in the Balkans
PLAINVIEW—Melanie Vasquez faced a big dilemma in December. She was set to leave the Balkans and return home to Hobbs, N.M., and Plainview, where she attended Wayland Baptist University. She graduated in May 2010 and continued helping with student ministry…
Ten Commandments new addition to church property
HARRISBURG, Ill. (ABP) — A Baptist pastor in southern Illinois believes before heads of local government can be expected to support posting the Ten Commandments on taxpayer property the churches should be posting them on their own lands. Leroy Hicks,…
Kentucky Baptists cut jobs, freeze salaries
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — The Kentucky Baptist Convention announced job cuts Jan. 31 intended to free up more money for national and international ministries of the Southern Baptist Convention. Five full-time jobs and 19 part-time jobs are being eliminated. Employees…
Clergy abuse cases move through legal system
BENTON, Ark. (ABP) — A music minister convicted of molesting young boys at a Southern Baptist church in Arkansas got a parole hearing two years into a 10-year prison sentence, while a British Baptist minister jailed in Virginia for similar…
Morris Ashcraft, longtime Baptist educator, dies
EVANSTON, Ill. (ABP) — Morris Ashcraft, a longtime seminary professor and administrator who after retiring helped establish a free-standing seminary for moderates disenfranchised by the "conservative resurgence" in the Southern Baptist Convention, died Jan. 29 after a long illness. He…
CBF announces layoffs
ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship announced deep staff cuts Jan. 28, citing lingering financial woes. According to a news release, 13 positions have been eliminated and one reclassified. Two of the jobs will move to contract positions. The…
Virginians, Panamanians launch partnership
PANAMA CITY, Panama (ABP) — Twenty-five Virginia Baptists traveled to Panama Jan. 26 for the annual meeting of the Panama Baptist Convention and to sign documents establishing a five-year partnership between that body and the Baptist General Association of Virginia….
BGCT displays historic pulpit
DALLAS (ABP) — The Texas Baptist Historical Collection is displaying iconic preacher George Whitefield’s elevated pulpit, one of the top five artifacts of American Christianity and a key tool that helped unite the colonies as well as lay the foundation…
Texas Baptist Men executive director announces retirement
DALLAS—After seven years as Texas Baptist Men executive director and more than four decades holding various leadership posts in the missions organization, Leo Smith has announced plans to retire effective Feb. 28. Smith, 72, has informed members of the TBM…
What makes ministry to older adults more effective?
IRONTON, Mo. (ABP) — Ministry to older adults must take many forms, depending upon the make-up of the group a church is trying to reach. As the U.S. population ages, congregations will have even more opportunities to engage older adults….