(RNS) — Bob Gersztyn owned a fine collection of 300 rock ‘n’ roll albums in 1971, the year he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Among them were some choice 1960s vinyl from Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles,…
British faith groups reclaim St. George as symbol of inclusivity, not symbol of hatred
British faith groups reclaim St. George as symbol of inclusivity, not symbol of hatred Bob Allen (ABP) — The Baptist Union of Great Britain joined other faith groups in a letter reclaiming St. George’s Day, celebrated April 23, from right-wing…
SBC’s Richard Land to lead Charlotte seminary after retiring as ERLC head
CHARLOTTE (ABP) — Richard Land, who last year announced plans to retire in October after 25 years as president of the Southern Baptist Convention Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, has been named president of Southern Evangelical Seminary, a non-denominational school…
‘God’s Smart Aleck’ is rising Hollywood star
(ABP) — Nowadays, comedian Michael Joiner is billed as “God’s Smart Aleck” to gently remind audiences that his clean humor comes from a Christian perspective. But there was a time when the Indiana native, raised a Baptist, was anything but…
NEW British faith groups reclaim St. George as symbol of inclusivity, not symbol of hatred
British faith groups reclaim St. George as symbol of inclusivity, not symbol of hatred Bob Allen (ABP) — The Baptist Union of Great Britain joined other faith groups in a letter reclaiming St. George’s Day, celebrated April 23, from right-wing…
Taking Jesus’ words to heart, church sends volunteers across Radford in acts of service
RADFORD, Va. — The patrons of a Radford laundromat thought the seven women wearing red T-shirts and handing out quarters Saturday, April 20, were pranksters or a crew from a reality television show, but they soon learned that they were…
Former ‘Jesus freak’ traces evolution of Christian rock
(RNS) — Bob Gersztyn owned a fine collection of 300 rock ‘n’ roll albums in 1971, the year he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. Among them were some choice 1960s vinyl from Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles,…
Modern hymn writers revive a lost musical art, with success
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — Most songwriters in Nashville want to get their songs on the radio. Keith and Kristyn Getty hope their songs end up in dusty old hymnbooks. The Gettys, originally from Belfast, Ireland, hope to revive the art…
British faith groups reclaim St. George as symbol of inclusivity
(ABP) — The Baptist Union of Great Britain joined other faith groups in a letter reclaiming St. George’s Day, celebrated April 23, from right-wing group’s using England’s patron saint to promote Islamophobia and hatred. “We want to promote a new,…
New Cooperative Baptist Fellowship executive shares vision on five-city tour of Virginia
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship executive coordinator Suzii Paynter kicked-off a five-city tour April 20-25 of CBF churches in Virginia. First Baptist Church in Richmond hosted a gathering Saturday evening, April 20, for local pastors and supporters. Paynter shared with the group…
Navigating church conflict is focus of conference
The Virginia Network of Interim Ministers will sponsor a conference May 3 on conflict transformation in local congregations. “Navigating the Storms of Church Conflict” will be held in English Hall at Eagle Eyrie from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. just…
Chase City church pilots service project for Virginia’s Concord Baptist Association
CHASE CITY, Va. — Twelve different service projects were conducted in and around Chase City April 13 as 55 volunteers from Concord Baptist Church there piloted an Operation Inasmuch project for the Concord Baptist Association. Chase City congregants launch balloons…