WASHINGTON (RNS) — Bill Gaither may not be an A-list celebrity in some circles, but over a half century he has sold 20 million recordings and 20 million DVDs — more than any other gospel performer. And his impact exceeds…
NPR comments force out NAE’s Cizik
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Backlash over comments about gay rights on a public-radio broadcast has apparently cost a prominent National Association of Evangelicals lobbyist his job. Richard Cizik resigned Dec. 10 as the NAE's vice president for governmental affairs, according to…
BOOK REVIEW: In Search of a Confident Faith: Overcoming Barriers to Trusting God, By J.P. Mor
This is an excellent book, written by two college professors, but it doesn't have the feel of one written by scholars. While their research and scholarship are evident, the book is neither difficult to read nor dry. One of the…
President Bush discusses faith in TV interview
WASHINGTON (ABP) — In a television interview broadcast Dec. 8, President Bush said he doesn't know if God wanted him to be president, doubts the Bible is literally true, agrees you can believe in God and evolution simultaneously and believes…
News about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for Dec. 18, 2008
CHURCH NEWS • The Christmas story comes to life at Bethlehem Village, sponsored by churches in the Afton, Waynesboro and Charlottesville area. Located on the grounds of Hebron Church, Afton, the village will be open Dec. 19 to 23 from…
Kentucky Baptist paper names journalist as editor
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — Kentucky Baptists have tapped veteran denominational journalist Todd Deaton to become the next editor of their historic newspaper, the Western Recorder. Deaton, 45, has been managing editor of the Baptist Courier, newspaper of the South Carolina…
Unto us a child is born
The crowd waited patiently at the international arrivals gate, holding signs and posters, whispering to each other and frequently shifting left or right like a giant caterpillar. A group of 50, young and old, were eagerly awaiting their first glimpse…
Family completed through foster-to-adopt program
SAN ANTONIO — Timothy and Karen LeRoy of San Antonio realized fairly quickly after having difficulty getting pregnant that God was leading them away from infertility treatments and instead toward adoption. And the LeRoys' long journey to parenthood ended in…
Adoption and the Church
Pastor W.C. Martin heard God's commandment loud and clear. If God had adopted us into his heavenly family, why shouldn't we emulate him through adoption on earth? “God is the one who started adoptions,” he said. “Jesus went out of…
Parents of adopted child seek to help him learn his blended heritage
ROUND ROCK, Texas — A family's heritage can be a great source of pride — something parents carefully pass down to children so they know and embrace their culture. But adoptive parents of children with mixed ethic heritage face special…
Merton’s legacy looms large 40 years after his death
TRAPPIST, Ky. (RNS) — This month, many contemplative Christians — including an ever-growing number of evangelicals — are remembering the life of Trappist monk Thomas Merton, who died 40 years ago in a freak accident. Merton, who influenced generations of…
Adoption services offered by Virginia Baptists’ HopeTree
SALEM — Virginia Baptists' HopeTree Family Services is one of several agencies that provide adoptive home studies and supervisory visits. HopeTree is licensed to accept children from their birth parents with the purpose of agency adoption. Adoption Services also facilitates…