RICHMOND, Va. — When Tiffany Robertson spent several weeks in 2005 leading English conversational classes for middle school teachers in Qingyang, a city in north central China, she never expected to see her pupils again once she returned to the…
Baptist World Alliance leader calls for ‘peaceful’ steps to end Egypt protests
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — The top executive of the Baptist World Alliance called on the Egyptian government Feb. 4 to take “necessary, peaceful” steps to resolve almost two weeks of anti-government rallies in cities across the nation and for protesters…
At National Prayer Breakfast, Obama discusses personal Christian faith
WASHINGTON (RNS) — President Obama spoke at length Feb. 3 about the daily contours of his Christian faith, brushing off the skeptics who question the authenticity of his beliefs. “My Christian faith … has been a sustaining force for me…
Top 100 churches in per capita gifts to Cooperative Missions listed
The top 100 Baptist General Association of Virginia churches in per capita gifts to Cooperative Missions in 2010 have been announced. In order to appear on the list, the church must have both contributed to Cooperative Missions in 2010 and…
Top 100 churches in Virginia gifts to Cooperative Missions listed
The top 100 Baptist General Association of Virginia churches in total gifts to the Virginia portion of Cooperative Missions in 2010 have been announced. In order to appear on the list, the church must have both contributed to Cooperative Missions…
Southern Baptist leader resigns coalition supporting mosques
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — Richard Land, head of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, has resigned from a new interfaith coalition, saying some fellow Southern Baptists felt it was inappropriate for him to support the building of…
HERITAGE: Climbing mountains
She called herself “a plain Jane.” She insisted — rightly and proudly so — that she was a housewife. True enough, she was devoted to her husband, “Greg,” and to her three sons — Harry, Gene and Joel. She did…
VITAL SIGNS: Asleep at church
A couple of years ago, we tried something radical on Wednesday evenings at our church. Over the course of five weeks, we had prayer meeting. This was not simply the hospital list prayer meeting — this was honest prayer. One…
OUT LOUD
“I also would have steered clear of politics. I’m grateful for the opportunities God gave me to minister to people in high places; people in power have spiritual and personal needs like everyone else, and often they have no one…
Innkeepers found guilty for turning away gay couple
LONDON (RNS) — Two Christian innkeepers have been convicted of sexual discrimination for refusing to allow a gay couple to share a double room at their hotel in Cornwall, England. Peter and Hazelmary Bull also were ordered by the Bristol…
INTERVIEW: Evangelists’ son reflects on culture and Christians
When Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker’s PTL ministry and Heritage USA theme park crashed and burned in the 1980s, their son Jay was sent into a dizzying downward spiral of drugs, alcohol and running from God. Now the pastor of…
Va. House of Delegates passes prayer amendment to state constitution
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia House of Delegates passed an amendment to the state constitution Feb. 1 which supporters said would ensure the right to pray on public property, including public schools. The amendment, adopted 61-33 in the Republican-dominated House,…