Messengers to the Blue Ridge Baptist Association celebrated a century-and-a-half of ministry as they gathered Oct. 23 at Fairystone Baptist Church. Many came dressed in period attire as they looked back in time to celebrate their most significant accomplishments. Guest…
Virginia churches asked to partner after Ike
BEAUMONT, Texas — New Beginnings Church is hoping it can live up to its name, and Virginia Baptists have been invited to help it do so. Hurricane Ike scattered the congregation, sending members evacuating to safer ground. The storm pulled…
Special events at the annual BGAV meeting in Roanoke
• African American Fellowship Dinner: Nov. 10, 5-7 p.m., Flat Rock Grille, Valley View Mall, 5033 Valley View Blvd. Contact: Wayne Faison. • Bivocational Pastors and Staff Luncheon: Nov. 11, 12 noon-1:45 p.m., Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre (2nd floor, back…
EDITORIAL: The gifts of the Spirit
As you have seen, the theme of this issue is the “Holy Spirit.” I first began to think seriously about the Holy Spirit during my childhood. The female relatives on my mother's side became Pentecostals after Mom left home to…
SECOND OPINION: Where in the world are you?
A GPS makes it possible to always know where you've been, where you are and where you're headed — sort of the past, present and future of your life from a visual and geographic perspective. You never have to be…
OUT LOUD
“My goal is not to make laws Christian but to make government as small as possible so you can be as biblically Christian as you so choose.” Meghan Allen The Liberty University student, who hopes to become a lawyer, was…
RIGHT OR WRONG?
In a recent sermon, our pastor said, “Our evangelism must be ethical.” What does that mean? Your pastor's sermon made two important observations. First, Christians must realize we face a culture that is wary and unresponsive to slick salesmanship and…
U.S. blessed by God but ‘off track’ in foreign policy, Americans believe
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A new study described as the first of its kind suggests Americans believe the United States is both especially blessed by God and especially responsible to use its power wisely. Echoing the results of another recent poll,…
FCC bans some wireless microphones
WASHINGTON (BP) — After his church invested $250,000 in wireless technology, Chris Hinkle of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas is concerned by the federal government's Aug. 21 vote to ban wireless microphones in the 700 megahertz band. “There are 75…
GuideStone Services adds property & casualty insurance
DALLAS (BP) — This fall, many Southern Baptist churches and ministries will have access to property and casualty insurance and risk management services from GuideStone Agency Services. The GuideStone Property & Casualty (P&C) Program will gradually roll out regionally over…
Fighting in Congo creates humanitarian crisis
NEW YORK (ABP) — Escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is creating a “humanitarian crisis of catastrophic dimensions,” the head of the United Nations said Oct. 29. U.N. Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon called attention to the flare-up, which…
Missionaries rejuvenate barn in Andean village
EDITOR'S NOTE: This year's Week of Prayer for International Missions, Nov. 30-Dec. 7, focuses on missionaries who serve in South America as well as churches partnering with them, exemplifying the global outreach supported by Southern Baptists' gifts to the Lottie…