By BNG staff The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has received a $1 million grant as part of Lilly Endowment’s National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders. The grant will allow the CBF to develop financial literacy programs for congregations…
An open letter to Carson-Newman University
By Travis Cooper and Jared Champion Dear President O’Brien, We write to you regarding Carson-Newman University’s decision to seek and accept a waiver to the provisions of Title IX. In a moment when division and hate abound, we were heartbroken…
Spiritual Treasures: An ancient-modern church in a foreign land
The landmarks in Georgia are their historic houses of worship. Traveling east, west, north or south in the country — which is a little smaller than the state of South Carolina — one finds highways littered with signs indicating the…
How toasts around the table bring surprising blessings among foreigners
That which we give makes us richer, that which is hoarded is lost. ~Shota Rustaveli, 12th Century Georgian poet Boredom was on the faces of the university students as they, their professor, a pastor and I waited in the stuffy…
Joining Muslim and Christian hearts and hands
“Tell me,” she asked, “what is the essence of your religion?” “Loving God and loving one another, “ I replied. “And we demonstrate our love for God and neighbor by working to assure dignity, equality, freedom and justice for all,”…
Learning to pray from our Muslim sisters
“Do you think its is difficult to pray five times a day,” Jilda asked? “Yes. I think it is difficult,” was my answer. “It is not difficult,” she responded. “I love God. It is not hard.” Each visit with Jilda…
A parting gift: Rejection from the church
It was my fifth visit to St. George Cathedral at the Alaverdi Monastery. Positioned on the picturesque Alazani River valley of Kakheti, surrounded by vineyards against the backdrop of the snow-capped Caucasus Mountains, the cathedral beckoned me to return. Along…
BNG dinner to feature authors of new book about Ebola experience
By BNG staff The co-authors of a new book about the United States’ first Ebola victim and the saga that drew the world’s attention will be featured speakers at the annual Friends of Baptist News Global Dinner on June 18…
What were people reading in 2014?
By BNG staff 1. Probation terms altered to permit sex offender pastor to minister to childrenA Florida judge changed terms of probation for Darrell Gilyard, a pastor who returned to the pulpit after serving a prison term child sex abuse,…