By Jeff Brumley Melissa Browning’s Facebook page tells the story. More specifically, it tells Kelly Gissendaner’s story. Post after post describes the life and death of the Georgia inmate executed by lethal injection last week. “The amazing grace of Kelly…
Ministers, reporter see how grace and forgiveness trump tragedy
By Jeff Brumley A thousand things raced through Pastor Kevin Glenn’s mind the Sunday morning his Las Cruces, N.M., church was struck with an explosive device as worship was set to begin. Worshipers had to be kept calm, law enforcement…
Miami ministry celebrates 20 years — and expansion of impact through merger
By Jeff Brumley Martin Villa, a 21-year-old film major, devoted a recent weeknight, as he does on many weeknights, helping children with their math and reading homework at a faith-based after-school program in West Homestead, Fla. He worked patiently and…
Church adds a little beer to Bible to soften Baptist reputation
By Jeff Brumley As a pastor, Susan Sparks has been intent on findings ways church members can get to know each other outside of Sunday worship services. As a moderate Baptist, she’s been intent on modeling the kinder, gentler side…
Logsdon professor to lead global interfaith group
By Jeff Brumley Cooperative Baptist Fellowship leader Suzii Paynter describes Rob Sellers as a superb scholar dedicated to interfaith work. Roy Medley of the American Baptist Churches USA and the National Council of Churches lauds Sellers’ skill at building bridges…
Pope Francis inspired ministers who work with marginalized
By Jeff Brumley Pope Francis’ historic visit to the United States energized immigration activists in a speech to Congress and gave hope to prison inmates in Philadelphia. But even before arriving on U.S. soil on Sept. 22, the pontiff also…
Pope invokes MLK, a Baptist, as a Christian life to emulate
By Jeff Brumley Baptist scholar Steven Harmon was struck by something in Pope Francis’ address to Congress today that hasn’t gotten a lot of attention: its ecumenical message. The pontiff cited Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton and Martin Luther King Jr….
Hope blooms in the Arkansas Delta, thanks to ministry team
Twenty-year-old Ira Nealy is from an economically distressed, high-crime community in the Arkansas Delta. Plenty of men his age in his hometown of Helena, Ark., don’t have bright futures. But such statistics don’t define Ira Nealy — thanks, he says,…
Baptists excited and hopeful about papal visit
By Jeff Brumley Think Catholics are pumped about Pope Francis’ U.S. visit this week? Turns out some Baptists are pretty excited, too. And those who aren’t, probably should be for a number of reasons, said Curtis Freeman. One reason is…