By Robert Dilday Central Virginia pastor Nancy Stanton McDaniel, who currently serves as the Baptist General Association of Virginia’s first vice president, will be nominated in November as BGAV president, it was confirmed Oct. 20. If elected, McDaniel, pastor of…
Refugee crisis spurs Baptist assistance
By Eron Henry and Robert Dilday Baptists are ratcheting up their assistance to the growing refugee crisis in Europe, as increasing numbers of migrants are fleeing war and economic dislocation for safer havens. European leaders are struggling to develop a…
Racially diverse nation isn’t mirrored in most religious groups
By Robert Dilday The American Baptist Churches U.S.A. ranks in the top 10 of the most racially diverse religious groups in the United States, according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center. But with 73 percent of its…
Rwandan peacemaker given human rights award
By Robert Dilday The son of Rwandan refugees who became a catalyst for peace and reconciliation among ethnic rivalries in his east African nation was recognized July 23 for his vision of “the church as a home of peace.” Corneille…
Developing ‘transcongregational’ mindset could be BWA’s gift to Baptists, says Upton
By Robert Dilday The Baptist World Alliance may be the best opportunity Baptists have to embrace a “transcongregational” mindset which balances their historic adherence to congregational autonomy while avoiding the isolation of local church independence. That’s the assessment of outgoing…
New BWA president aims to be transformative agent
By Robert Dilday Living in apartheid-era South Africa, Paul Msiza found both his race and his religion objects of scorn. The country’s legal and social systems discriminated against blacks, while the close association between the nation’s state church and those…
South African culture featured in BWA congress opening
By Robert Dilday A celebration of South African culture — and the country’s remarkable transformation into “the rainbow nation” — highlighted the opening session of the Baptist World Congress July 22 in a colorful display of music and dance. The…
Second African since 1905 takes helm of global Baptist group
By Robert Dilday As the Baptist World Alliance prepared July 22 to convene its first world congress in Africa, the global organization also transitioned to new leadership with a South African pastor taking the helm as president — only the second…
Memorial service for ‘Baptist folk hero’ portrays passionate life
By Robert Dilday Laughter, not tears, prevailed at a memorial service July 18 for fiery religious liberty advocate James Dunn, who died two weeks ago at 83. A packed sanctuary at Knollwood Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. — the congregation…
James Dunn, robust advocate for religious liberty, dies July 4
By Robert Dilday James M. Dunn, one of Baptists’ most well-known advocates for religious liberty and separation of church and state, died July 4 a few weeks after his 83rd birthday in Winston-Salem, N.C. During his nearly two decades as…
50 years on, Baptist leaders say voting rights are jeopardized
By Robert Dilday Leaders of the Progressive National Baptist Convention Inc. gathered on Capitol Hill June 25 to advocate for stronger voting rights protection, urging legislators to adopt two bills currently winding their way through Congress. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary…
Confronted with shocking violence, pastors struggle for the right words
By Robert Dilday In Baptist pulpits across the country last Sunday, pastors recast previously written sermons to grapple with the killing just days before of nine black members of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., by a white…