CAIRO (RNS) — From her home, Samia Ramsis holds a key chain bearing the face of the Virgin Mary as visitors outside come to look upon the spot where Egypt’s Coptic Christians believe Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus found…
Gaza Baptist Church ‘functioning’ but ‘restricted’
SANTA ANA, Calif. (ABP) — The last remaining evangelical church in Gaza is functioning but in danger of dying, famed Bible smuggler Brother Andrew said after a recent visit to Gaza Baptist Church. “Christians in the west are surprised to…
At 200, missionary movement ponders the future
SALEM, Mass. (RNS) — When America’s first ordained missionaries sailed to India 200 years ago, they kicked off a movement to spread the faith and created America’s most potent export: Christianity. That’s the message that will reverberate across nine Judson…
Missionaries heading from East to West
Western Christians often think in terms of West-to-East movement when missionaries are sent to other countries. But more and more frequently, evangelicals are coming from the East to evangelize the West. According to Dale Irwin of New York Theological Seminary…
Baptist agencies don’t recruit nationals for U.S.service
RICHMOND, Va. — Baptist missionary-sending agencies currently do not actively seek missionaries from other countries to minister to unreached or least-reached people groups in the United States, nor or they likely to do so. When the Southern Baptist Convention authorized…
HeraldBeat
Transitions ON THE MOVE Greg Webber, serving as pastor of Bowling Green (Va.) Baptist Church. [Correction from last issue]. Dennis Foust, to St. John’s Baptist Church, Charlotte, N.C., as senior minister. Kevin Moore, to First Baptist Church, Spring Hope, N.C.,…
OPINION: Cultivating 21st century Baptist identity
It was a desk. I found it one day while digging through a forgotten back closet at the small church I was serving in Midtown Atlanta. It was covered in a layer of dust, paint splatter and rat droppings. Lying…
Catholic bishop criticized for Hitler comment
HARRISBURG, Pa. (RNS) — The bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa., is being criticized for saying Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini would love the country’s public school system because it teaches all children one set of beliefs….
Americans intrigued but wary still of Mormon beliefs
(RNS) — When Mormons call themselves “a peculiar people,” they mean it in the biblical sense — set aside by God, chosen. But many Americans call them peculiar in Webster’s way — strange, odd. Now Mormons, followers of the Church…
Court says student’s faith may have led to expulsion
(RNS) — A counseling student who declined to advise a gay client might have been expelled from her university because of her faith, a federal appeals court ruled on Jan. 27. Citing her evangelical Christian religion, Julea Ward disagreed with…
Richmond girl recognized for exuberance in missions
RICHMOND, Va. — Missions is part of Hannah Craft’s spiritual DNA, say those who know the 12-year-old well. A member of North Run Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., Craft has always shown enthusiasm for learning about and doing missions, says…
At 200, missionary movement ponders the future
SALEM, Mass. (RNS) — When America’s first ordained missionaries sailed from here to India 200 years ago, they kicked off a movement to spread the faith and created America’s most potent export: Christianity. That’s the message that will reverberate across…