WACO—The Baptist Studies Center for Research at Baylor University, approved by the Baylor board of regents at their February meeting, will preserve the 400-year global heritage of Baptists through a virtual depository of important Baptist documents, photographs, books and other…
At prayer breakfast, Obama discusses personal faith
WASHINGTON (RNS)—President Obama spoke at length Feb. 3 about the daily contours of his Christian faith, brushing off the skeptics who question the authenticity of his beliefs. “My Christian faith … has been a sustaining force for me over these…
Board approves BGCT executive director search committee
DALLAS— The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board unanimously approved a 15-person committee to find the convention’s next executive director. Voting electronically, board members Dec. 17 approved the 15 people nominated by the chair and vice chair of the…
Executive director search committee nominated
DALLAS—Elected leaders of the Baptist General Convention and the BGCT Executive Board on Dec. 14 nominated 15 people to serve on a committee to recommend a new executive director for the convention. The chair and vice chairper of the executive board…
250 Baptist churches destroyed by Chile quake, says Baptist World Alliance
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — About 250 Baptist churches in Chile were destroyed in the powerful earthquake that shook the country Feb. 27, according to the Baptist World Alliance. The congregations are affiliated with the Union of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Chile,…
Relief launched for quake in Chile described as ‘without parallel’
CONCEPCION, Chile – Southern Baptists have released $50,000 for immediate relief needs in Chile, where the death toll has climbed past 700 in an earthquake disaster described by the country’s president as “without parallel in Chile's history.” A Southern Baptist…
SBC leader apologizes for Nazi analogy regarding Obama plan
NEW YORK (ABP) — The head of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission has apologized for comparing Democratic health-care proposals to policies of Nazi Germany. ERLC President Richard Land reportedly told a Christian Coalition of Florida banquet…
Baptists appeal for aid after typhoon hits Southeast Asia
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — Baptists in the Philippines are appealing to the global Baptist community for donations as they gear up for relief efforts in the wake of a Sept. 26 typhoon that has killed 300 people there and…
Houston-area pastor announces hunger strike for immigration reform
PASADENA—A Baptist pastor plans to launch a public weeklong hunger strike in front of Houston’s municipal headquarters to call for immigration reform. Julio Barquero, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Esperanza in Pasadena, will eat no solid food and drink only water…
West Lynchburg church prepares more than 2,600 meals
LYNCHBURG — A missions team from West Lynchburg Baptist Church in Lynchburg recently prepared 2,622 meals — in a little over an hour and a half. It’s the second time in the past six months that members have collected money…
SBC president calls for ‘Great Commission Resurgence’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — A declaration released by Southern Baptist Convention president Johnny Hunt calling for a “Great Commission Resurgence” among Southern Baptists has drawn more than 700 signatures since it was posted on the Internet April 27. Jim Law,…
Bluefield trustees consider new academic programs
BLUEFIELD – Trustees of Bluefield College explored new academic programs and were updated on the school’s new strategic plan during their annual spring meeting, April 17-18. During their two-day meeting, trustees approved a teacher licensure curriculum for traditional students in…