Every year this time as the temperatures begin to climb, it’s on our minds. Summer. Students are counting the days until the school year ends. Adults are longing for a much-needed break from the everyday grind. Families begin to look…
Bluefield College to compete in Mid-South Conference
BLUEFIELD, VA. — Bluefield College has announced it is joining the Mid-South Conference, a Division 1 member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The college has been a member of the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The Mid-South Conference offers 18…
Virginia Baptists responding to earthquake, tsunami in Japan
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Baptists have begun collecting financial contributions to assist victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last week. “Virginia Baptists grieve with the people of Japan as the effects of the massive earthquake and subsequent…
1982 Virginia Baptist ministry team continues to produce results
When John Upton and other Virginia Baptists travelled to Panama to celebrate the signing of a five-year ministry partnership agreement, little did they understand the significance of one official greeting they received. Although other Panamanian Baptists had also welcomed Virginia…
Creative ministry takes on a life of its own among Panamanian Baptists
LA CHORRERA, Panama — When church leaders plan a meeting, there are always some “clowns” who show up. Usually leaders just hope they don’t all show up at once and dominate the meeting. But that’s exactly what Panamanian Baptists are…
SBC leader fears Japan quake will cause fallout for nukes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention's top public policy official predicted Japan's nuclear plant crisis would prompt calls to halt the expansion of nuclear power in the United States. Richard Land "That would be a tragedy," the head…
Poverty simulations have long history
ATLANTA (ABP) — Dragging middle class folks out of the classroom or out of their comfortable homes for a brief immersion experience into poverty is not something new. Larry McSwain, who popularized poverty plunges while teaching at Southern Seminary, now…
Poverty simulation begs middle class questions
ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (ABP) — Tensed like a hungry cat watching a mouse emerge from a hole in the floor I watched the string of numbers on my lottery ticket as Anna Anderson read aloud numbers on the ticket she…
Debriefing a poverty simulation
ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (ABP) — After spending 24 hours among the poor and homeless in a "poverty plunge" in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., participants were tired, some were grieved but all felt the calm satisfaction of having done something that will…
Plunge soaks participants in ways of poverty
ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (ABP) — Nine participants in a "poverty plunge" stuffed their fears into a drawer with their personal identities and immersed themselves for 24 hours into the unfamiliar and frightening world of the poor and homeless March 4-5…
BWAid head Paul Montacute plans to retire
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — Paul Montacute, director of the Baptist World Alliance's relief-and-recovery arm BWAid, will retire in July 2012, the BWA executive committee learned in meetings March 7-9. Paul Montacute BWA leaders are expected next March to elect…
Some foreign aid helps, other kinds do more harm than good, experts assert
(ABP) — Even though the Green Bay Packers won this year’s Super Bowl 31-25, up to 100,000 individuals in developing countries are wearing new T-shirts erroneously labeling the losing Pittsburgh Steelers as NFL champions. Children and adults in Zambia receive…