The first-ever field organizer for the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty has been charged with organizing opposition to Christian nationalism in Texas. A native of Dallas-Fort Worth where she is now based, Lisa Jacob said she was drawn to…
As Trump stokes more fear, immigration advocates plead with Biden administration not to succumb
Human rights advocates are pleading with the Biden administration to take legal action to block new Texas laws designed to counter illegal border crossings and to give state law enforcement officers the right to arrest undocumented immigrants. Gov. Greg Abbott…
The root of the problem? Christian nationalism, panelists say
Christian nationalism is the root of the racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia gripping the nation, said Teresa Hord Owens, president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). “I’m very concerned as a Christian leader about its resurgence. It’s the same Christian…
Kyle Reese and Joy Carol extol the blessings of interfaith relationships
Kyle Reese believes he is a better Baptist and pastor because of the years he has spent cultivating interfaith relationships. “Interfaith makes me a better practitioner of the Christian faith because I have engaged with people from other faith communities…
Most Americans believe democracy is at risk in 2024 — but for different reasons
Election-related pessimism, paranoia and predictions of political violence are among the key findings of the 14th annual American Values survey, author and pollster Robert P. Jones said. “One of the things we’re finding is that the political temperature in America…
Testimony of exonerees is best way to sway opinion on death penalty
Death row exonerees represent some of the most powerful arguments against capital punishment, especially for legislators and others who have no idea how the U.S. death penalty system works, Death Row survivor Herman Lindsey said. “You’re able to reach people…
Evangelical Immigration Table urges Congress to consider what Jesus would do
Congress must include legal protections for asylum seekers and unaccompanied migrant children in any border-security legislation under consideration, a coalition of Christian organizations said in a letter to federal legislators. The Evangelical Immigration Table urged Congress “to consider these two…
CBF North Carolina launches Church Sustainability Initiative
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina in January will launch a pilot program to help congregations determine the health and direction of their churches. The Church Sustainability Initiative will include learning cohorts to walk participating churches through a process…
Fundamentalism is a mindset more than a theology, David French says
Christian fundamentalists are drawn to Donald Trump’s MAGA movement by a shared commitment to “certainty, ferocity and loyalty,” New York Times columnist David French said. “There isn’t one fundamentalist theology, but there is a fundamentalist mindset, and that fundamentalist mindset…
Attempted ‘border security’ amendment would have been fatal, immigration advocates say
The border security amendment U.S. Senate Republicans tried to attach to a foreign aid bill would have been lethal to migrants seeking asylum in the U.S., said Marisa Limón Garza, executive director of the Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center in…
Virginia church fulfills the Great Commission and the Great Commandment by building a playground
A new playground in downtown Vinton, Va., has been transformative for local children and for the Baptist congregation that helped build it. “For me and for church leadership, we really did see this as an extension of the Great Commission,”…
Florida’s Latino community prefers Biden over DeSantis but Trump over Biden
Most Hispanics in Florida would vote for Joe Biden over Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 election but would switch to Donald Trump if he ends up as the Republican presidential candidate, according to a new survey by Unidos US….