By Jeff Brumley Nine dead, 18 injured, 170 arrested — and a sullied reputation for motorcyclists everywhere. At least that’s how some have interpreted the May 17 shootout between motorcycle gangs in Waco, Texas. But Baptists who love riding say they…
Army of aid mobilizes as storms, flooding pound Texas, Oklahoma
By Jeff Brumley Folks in the Southwest have just about had it with the weather during the past month. Oklahoma and Texas in particular seemed to have been singled out for meteorological abuse in the form of tornados, hail storms…
Ohio bull-riding leads to 300 baptisms — and prompts questions about church as entertainment
By Jeff Brumley Pastor Lawrence Bishop II generated about 300 baptisms and an internet sensation last week by riding — and getting bucked off — a large bull inside his jam-packed Solid Rock Church in Monroe, Ohio, last week. The stunt by…
Memorial Day can evoke painful memories for military chaplains, former Navy officer says
By Jeff Brumley Gerry Hutchinson attended a Memorial Day ceremony with state officials in Georgia last week, leaving him free to enjoy the holiday weekend with family. But Hutchinson, who oversees chaplains and pastoral counselors for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship,…
2 Baptist churches use shared roots to grow covenant of action in Macon, Ga.
By Jeff Brumley Two Baptist churches that began as one in pre-Civil War Georgia and eventually split — enslaved people to one congregation, slaveholders to the other — are reviving their relationship by cooperating in worship, fellowship and ministry. Channeling that unity-through-service…
CBF’s Porter gives peek at new global missions process
By Jeff Brumley Steven Porter has made it clear since he was named head of global missions for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship that the organization must overhaul the structure and operation of its domestic and overseas missions efforts. Now, a…
Hinson-Merton friendship continues impact on Baptist spirituality
By Carrie McGuffin and Jeff Brumley The late Catholic monk, author and interfaith pioneer Thomas Merton is far more than a distant historical figure because the body of his work can actually improve the spirituality of Baptists even today, Baptist…
At 25, CBF Florida thanks God — and Hurricane Andrew — for missions focus
By Jeff Brumley A lot of names are cropping up as the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida spends 2015 celebrating its 25th anniversary. They include Pat and Carolyn Anderson, the first and second coordinators of the organization formed in 1990. They…
Bigger class, new journalism component defines 2015 Mercer On Mission
By Jeff Brumley Mercer University said it will send forth this year its largest Mercer On Mission cohort in the program’s eight-year history. Launched in 2007, Mercer On Mission blends study abroad with research and service. Participants experience a combination…