DANDRIDGE, Tenn. — Roy A. Dobyns, the eighth president of Bluefield College, died Nov. 12 in a Dandridge, Tenn., nursing home. He was 82. Roy Dobyns Dobyns was president of the Baptist-affiliated school from 1989 until he retired in 1996,…
Virginia Baptist ministries looking at largely unchanged funding levels in BGAV’s 2014 budget
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Baptist ministries next year will be funded essentially at 2013 levels following adoption of a $12,214,00 budget by the Baptist General Association of Virginia Nov. 13. The 2014 budget, approved at the BGAV’s annual meeting without…
Don’t adopt proposed prayer amendment, BGAV tells General Assembly in resolution
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — An amendment to the Virginia constitution aimed at permitting prayer in public schools and government meetings should be rejected by the state’s General Assembly, according to Virginia’s oldest Baptist network of churches. A resolution adopted during the…
BGAV elects Blacksburg pastor as president, names Waynesboro pastor and former banker as treasurer
In an uncontested vote Nov. 13, Blacksburg, Va., pastor Tommy McDearis was elected president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia in an annual meeting which also featured the election of Waynesboro, Va., pastor David Washburn as treasurer of the…
Virginia Baptists adopt far-reaching governance proposal for likely implementation in 2015
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — The Baptist General Association of Virginia adopted a far-reaching governance proposal Nov. 13 which leaders said would position the network of 1,400 churches to more effectively meet the challenges of the 21st century while maintaining broad representation…
Virginia Baptists allocate $20,000 to assist victims in Philippines displaced by devastating typhoon
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Baptists have allocated $20,000 to assist victims in the Philippines of one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded. The storm displaced more than 800,000 people and left more than 2 million in need of food…
Church and people news
STAFF CHANGES Clarence “Whitey” Davis, to Sharon Church, Rice, as interim pastor. Tom Cribb, to Oakland Church, Roanoke, as interim pastor. RETIREMENT Al Peverall has announced plans to retire as pastor of Jackson Memorial Church, Chesapeake, effective Jan. 1. He…
OPINION: A Christian film critic’s conundrum
I was once reprimanded by a reader for suggesting Casablanca as a video alternative because the Humphrey Bogart character owned a bar. I remember my consternation over the fact that this man had dismissed this classic romantic adventure that salutes…
LETTERS: Not the way of Christ
The guest editorial “Kill or be killed” by David Gushee left me wondering — what was the point that Dr. Gushee was trying to make? Was he saying that we have crossed some line where it is now legitimate to do…