DALLAS — International Mission Board trustees elected as president of the missions agency Tom Elliff — a 67-year-old longtime Oklahoma pastor, one-time missionary and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention. And despite his age, Elliff insists he has "no…
Baptist leader says 3/11 will be Japan’s 9/11
ATLANTA (ABP) — A Japanese Baptist leader predicted the March 11 earthquake and tsunami disaster would leave its mark on Japan the same way that America was changed after the terrorist attacks on 9/11. "3/11 will be etched on our…
States caught in crossfire over guns in churches
The way Jonathan Wilkins sees it, members of his Baptist church in Thomaston, Ga., should have the right to carry guns into worship services to protect the congregation. Wilkins’ Baptist Tabernacle and a Georgia gun-rights association are challenging a new…
Virginia Baptist Foundation awards grants to ministries
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Baptist Foundation has awarded grants totaling $20,000 to four Virginia Baptist ministry partners, according to Ronald C. Hall, president and CEO of the Foundation. “This ministry is made possible through the Christian stewardship of others,”…
WMUV, Bluefield training transformational leaders
BLUEFIELD, Va. — Both Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia and Bluefield College are committed to training leaders who can transform their communities, say spokespersons for the organizations. While working in South Africa, Sara Hubble helped find families for abandoned babies….
Panamanian woman plants new congregation
PEDASI, Panama — When Cristina Sosa de Hopkins closed her medical practice in Costa Rica and moved to Panama, the last thing on her mind was starting a church. She was more concerned that her license to practice medicine earned…
D.C. convention delays vote on exec
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Executive Board members of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention delayed a vote on affirming the nomination of executive director candidate Ricky Creech March 14 because several of them had not received adequate information prior to the…
Baptist peace mediator in Nicaragua dies
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) — Gustavo Parajón, a medical doctor and pastor who was a leading voice for peace and justice ministry in Nicaragua for more than 40 years, died unexpectedly at his home Sunday, March 13. Gustavo Parajón He was…
Partnership is mission strategy key, team leader says
LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. (ABP) — Gary Snowden's heart is never too far from missions and the impact a group of committed believers can have. Both his jobs bring him face to face with needs and remind him Christians must be…
Rob Bell discusses themes in new book
NEW YORK (ABP) — On the eve of the release of his controversial book on hell, Rob Bell sat on stage March 14 opposite Newsweek editor Lisa Miller under a wood-etching that read, "The Place Where People Meet to Seek…
HERITAGE: Wheeling and dealing
Hunter Riggins is forever engaged, quite literally, in wheeling and dealing. He is one of America’s leading automobile dealers; and across the years he has honed and refined the skills of relationship building, customer satisfaction and sealing the deal. And…
VITAL SIGNS: Disagreeing agreeably
After one particularly frustrating performance by his Green Bay Packers, legendary Coach Vince Lombardi called his team together. He was determined to get them refocused on the things that made for winning. As they knelt before the coach, he held…