WASHINGTON (RNS)—President Obama spoke at length Feb. 3 about the daily contours of his Christian faith, brushing off the skeptics who question the authenticity of his beliefs. “My Christian faith … has been a sustaining force for me over these…
Top 100 churches in per capita gifts to Cooperative Missions listed
The top 100 Baptist General Association of Virginia churches in per capita gifts to Cooperative Missions in 2010 have been announced. In order to appear on the list, the church must have both contributed to Cooperative Missions in 2010 and…
Top 100 churches in Virginia gifts to Cooperative Missions listed
The top 100 Baptist General Association of Virginia churches in total gifts to the Virginia portion of Cooperative Missions in 2010 have been announced. In order to appear on the list, the church must have both contributed to Cooperative Missions…
Virginia House passes prayer amendment
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — The Virginia House of Delegates passed an amendment to the state constitution Feb. 1 which supporters said would ensure the right to pray on public property, including public schools. The amendment, adopted 61-33 in the Republican-dominated House,…
Wayland graduate forms bonds in the Balkans
PLAINVIEW—Melanie Vasquez faced a big dilemma in December. She was set to leave the Balkans and return home to Hobbs, N.M., and Plainview, where she attended Wayland Baptist University. She graduated in May 2010 and continued helping with student ministry…
Ten Commandments new addition to church property
HARRISBURG, Ill. (ABP) — A Baptist pastor in southern Illinois believes before heads of local government can be expected to support posting the Ten Commandments on taxpayer property the churches should be posting them on their own lands. Leroy Hicks,…
From the Eastern Shore to Cumberland Gap
STAFF CHANGES • Archie S. “Chip” Corbin, to Round Hill Church, Round Hill, as pastor. • James McAlister, to Gravel Hill Church, Buffalo Junction, as pastor. • Tom Childrey, to Bethesda Church, Boydton, as pastor. • Ed Stansfield, to Derbyshire…
ASK THE ARCHITECT: Master plan criteria, part 2
Let’s look at more of those specific site-planning influences that your architect considers when developing a master plan. Last month we touched upon mission and program, demographics, zoning, context and future re-sale considerations. The list gets longer! • Vehicular access….
Virginia Baptist Mission Board launches newly-designed web site
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Baptist Mission Board launched a newly-designed website in January, offering a fresh look and additional resources. By visiting www.vbmb.org (the same URL as the previous version), users have access to a tremendous amount of current,…
Youths dedicate their lives during Bluefield College’s ‘Winter Blast’
BLUEFIELD, Va. — Three hundred forty-seven youth from 15 different churches across Virginia and Ohio, along with another 200 friends from the local community, took part in Bluefield College’s extreme sport and worship weekend, Winter Blast, Jan. 15-16. As designed,…
Rabbis petition Fox News to end Holocaust language
(RNS) — Hundreds of American rabbis used Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27 to push media mogul Rupert Murdoch to “sanction” Glenn Beck and other Fox News personalities on the use of Nazi and Holocaust references. The “Sanction Glenn Beck”…
Cash-strapped cities look to churches for tax monies
When a community needs to rebuild crumbling roads, should houses of worship pay fees for the number of times their congregants drive on them? That’s the question behind a recent suit filed by churches in the small city of Mission,…