CLYDE, N.C. (ABP) — Economic life is never easy in western North Carolina’s mountains and 70 percent of the poor are locked into “generational poverty” that holds them back like the concrete anchors on their mobile homes. At least the…
National Cathedral damaged in quake
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The earthquake that rumbled up the East Coast from Virginia on Aug. 23 “significantly damaged” the central tower of Washington National Cathedral, shaking carved stone finials from atop the iconic church. The quake also left cracks in…
Voice injury forces pastor to take medical leave
GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) – A prominent North Carolina Baptist pastor surprised his congregation recently by announcing he is stepping down for medical reasons due to voice injury. Ken Massey Ken Massey, pastor of First Baptist Church of Greensboro, N.C., said…
Baptist leaders urge Naga reconciliation
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) – Five Baptist leaders have signed letters to officials of various political factions urging renewed commitment to reconciliation in the northeast Indian state of Nagaland. Letters dated Aug. 4 cited a July BWA resolution BWA endorsing…
SBC leader says much at stake in debate over Adam and Eve
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) – A Southern Baptist seminary president says debate among evangelicals over whether Adam and Eve were real people is not just about different interpretations of a few verses in Genesis but rather a matter of “gospel urgency.”…
New monastics practice Jesus’ hospitality and find stability
DURHAM, N.C. (ABP) — A radical encounter with a homeless beggar huddled in the shadow of power confronted Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove with the Matthew 25 claims of Jesus and a realization he could never change the world being “president for Jesus.”…
Fulbright to retire from WMU-NC
RALEIGN, N.C. (ABP) – Ruby Fulbright, executive director/treasurer of Woman’s Missionary Union of North Carolina, since May 1, 2002, will retire Dec. 31. Ruby Fulbright Fulbright, who led the organization to make a dramatic break from the Baptist State Convention…
Central Seminary prepares students for urban ministry
SHAWNEE, Kan. (ABP) — Community development, strategic coalitions and sensitivity to others are keys in Central Baptist Theological Seminary's approach to prepare students for urban ministry. The seminary offers a master of arts degree in missional church studies, post-master of…
Ruby Fulbright to retire from North Carolina Woman’s Missionary Union
RALEIGN, N.C. (ABP) — Ruby Fulbright, executive director/treasurer of Woman’s Missionary Union of North Carolina, since May 1, 2002, will retire Dec. 31. Fulbright, who led the organization to make a dramatic break from the Baptist State Convention of…
New monastics practice Jesus’ hospitality and find stability
DURHAM, N.C. (ABP) — A radical encounter with a homeless beggar huddled in the shadow of power confronted Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove with the Matthew 25 claims of Jesus and a realization he could never change the world being “president for Jesus.”…
New Bible translation seeks common ground
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) – About the same time the Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution denouncing one new Bible translation, another rolled off the presses that is being billed as “built on common ground.” The Common English Bible debuted in…
ABP to honor Bob Stephenson with Founders Award
NORMAN, Okla. (ABP) — For his presence at so many hopeful beginnings and persistence in the midst of difficult stretches, Associated Baptist Press is honoring Oklahoman Bob Stephenson with its Founders Award. Bob Stephenson Stephenson, 83, a retired geologist and…