FALLS CHURCH, Va. — First Baptist Church of Baghdad, Iraq, was damaged by an explosion Jan. 26 less than a half mile from the church building, according to the Baptist World Alliance. The incident occurred when a suicide bomber drove…
Virginia church makes Galveston more livable in hurricane’s wake
GALVESTON, Texas — A team of Virginia college students used their winter break to make a couple of Galveston homes a bit more livable. Virginia Baptist students made this house in Galveston a bit more livable. More than a year…
Swiss aren’t only ones who resist mosque construction
WASHINGTON (RNS) — When Switzerland recently voted to ban construction of minaret towers at mosques, some observers interpreted it as an expression of European xenophobia that never would find a home in multicultural America. But to say it couldn’t happen…
Puglisi unexpectedly steps down as VI president; board of trustees announces personnel reductions
BRISTOL, Va. — In a move that appeared sudden to outsiders, on Jan. 25 trustees of Virginia Intermont College called for president Michael J. Puglisi to step down. And in what college administrators and trustees said was unrelated to the…
“Developing an Enduring Ministry” for pastors and church financial leaders
RICHMOND, Va. — The Office of Stewardship Development at the Virginia Baptist Mission Board is sponsoring “Developing an Enduring Ministry,” March 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Virginia Baptist Resource Center. The conference is designed around the…
From the Eastern Shore to Cumberland Gap
STAFF CHANGES • Paul Robert “Trey” Gilliam III, to Mulberry Grove Church, Buckingham, as pastor. • Bob Thurman, to Kearfott Memorial Church, Martinsville, as pastor. • Hoyle Bowman, to Fairystone Church, Stuart, as interim pastor. • Patrick Collins, to Story…
Virginia Baptists offered tangible opportunities to assist Haiti victims
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Baptists will have at least two opportunities in February to provide hands-on assistance to the victims of Haiti’s devastating earthquake. The Virginia Baptist Mission Board is coordinating the packaging of more than 140,000 meals for Haitians…
Heavenly songs drive home gospel message
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — While working on songs for a new album, most songwriters don’t read the book of Revelation over and over again for inspiration. But that’s exactly what singer/songwriter Phil Wickham did to prepare for the release of his…
Israel’s Messianic Jews wary of stepped-up persecution
ARIEL, West Bank (RNS) — After their teenage son was nearly killed by a bomb disguised as a holiday gift basket, few people were as eager for Ya’acov Teitel to see justice as Leah and David Ortiz. Teitel, an Orthodox…