When Dustin Wahl enrolled at Liberty University in fall 2014, he never imagined he one day would lead a group to bring reform to Liberty. Nor did he think he would be advocating for future students not to attend his…
Dallas police shootings were a turning point for Black trauma surgeon
Brian Williams’ entire life changed in the summer of 2016 as a trauma surgeon working in Dallas. That was the night five Dallas police officers were gunned down amid a peaceful protest of police killings of Black men nationwide. The…
Civil Rights leader John Perkins is a Black history legend
Some Americans may not know the name of John Perkins. He is not only a Civil Rights legend but also a longstanding public servant to the city of Jackson, Miss. Even at age 93, Perkins continues to live the message…
Staff member fired from Fuller Seminary explains why she couldn’t sign the statement of faith anymore
Ruth Schmidt considered herself a loyal member of the team at Fuller Seminary — until she was dismissed because she refused to re-sign the school’s statement of faith, which prohibits affirmation of same-sex marriage. When she came to Fuller in…
From a church stairwell to the national stage, Kings Return redefines harmony
When the acapella quartet Kings Return started in 2016, it was to help one of its members fulfill a requirement to graduate from Dallas Baptist University. Today, the group is nationally known and just completed a Christmas tour. As Gabe…
The church can win against poverty
As my family and I began our short trip to Nashville, Tenn., from Atlanta for the Christmas break, my wife’s work phone began to ring nonstop. My wife works for a nonprofit organization that ministers to and aims to restore…
Black church still needed as much as in MLK’s day, youth leader says
Bianca Howard grew up in the Black church and believes it has a continued role in American faith and culture. On this anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther King Jr., she finds his legacy an encouragement for the Black…
More Baptist leaders cite pattern of bullying from Ezell and NAMB
Bobby Gilstrap seemed to model what Southern Baptists would want in a denominational leader. Educated at two Southern Baptist Convention seminaries, he served as a pastor, then served 10 years as an associational director of missions in Michigan, where he…
Mercer University sets records for enrollment growth and ethnic diversity
As universities nationwide seek to diversify their student bodies — sometimes against the backdrop of political mandates not to talk about diversity and equity — one Baptist school in the Deep South continues to succeed year after year. Fall enrollment…