MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Little white headphones that began, about five years ago, revolutionizing the way Americans listen to music may also revolutionize the way they learn about God. Hundreds of churches and other Christian institutions are using podcasts or other easily downloadable…
Beale Memorial donates tractor to mission in Ghana
TAPPAHANNOCK—Last Monday a new Massey-Ferguson tractor began a journey from the church yard of Beale Memorial Baptist to Ghana in West Africa. In January, pastor David Donahue and several church members plan to rendezvous with the tractor and trek north…
Four prisoners amnestied, one to be deported?
Four of six religious prisoners of conscience in Turkmenistan have been amnestied, but the fate of two others is still unclear. The country of 5 million people — 87 percent of whom are Muslim — borders Iran and Afghanistan to…
A man and his vision
Henry Keeling Ellyson became possessed with a vision. It is the mark of any effective leader that a vision is forthcoming and that it is articulated. Ellyson was the executive leader of Virginia Baptists. His actual title was corresponding secretary….
SECOND OPINION: Muslim world: Hard ground, harvest field
In an Islamic country known for violent persecution of Christians, a local believer named Samuel (name changed for security reasons) hands out evangelistic tracts and films every day. One day, Samuel spotted a conservative Muslim man on a street corner…
Young people see Christians as judgmental, study shows
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Young people have graded Christianity, and so far, the report card doesn't look good. Majorities of American young people describe modern-day Christianity as judgmental, hypocritical and anti-homosexual. What's more, many Christians don't even want to call themselves “Christian” because…
OUTLOUD
“As a Christian I am completely opposed to the doctrines of Mormonism. But I'm not voting for a preacher. I'm voting for a president. It boils down to who can best represent conservative American beliefs, not religious beliefs. … This…
SECOND OPINION: Authentic evangelism, virtual or otherwise
The X-Box game Halo 3 was released recently and it is huge, with more than $300 million in sales in the first two weeks; it is expected to generate more than $1 billion in revenue. Within the Christian world, however,…
Stumbling blocks
Some time back, I read about stumbling blocks and little ones and being thrown into Hell with a millstone around my neck, and got very frightened. So I cried out to God, to explain to me what a stumbling block…
EDITORIAL: Aunt Ida sees red at Brown’s grocery
Dear Jimmy, Well, let me tell you, I'm still fairly fumin' from a chance meetin' with Doris Morris at the sweet tater bin at Brown's grocery store in town. You may not know Doris, since she and her husband are…
SECOND OPINION: What divides us is as important as what unites us
The recent media firestorm over Ann Coulter's comments on whether or not the Jewish people require “perfection” follows the predictable pattern. Like Captain Renault in the movie Casablanca, the hosts of various news programs professed themselves “shocked, shocked” to discover…
Huckabee has unique line on résumé: Baptist pastor
WASHINGTON — Years after he left the pulpit of Beech Street First Baptist Church in Texarkana, Ark., then-Gov. Mike Huckabee would pick up the phone with a pastoral touch. “He found out when my mom and dad died,” recalled Roger…