WASHINGTON (ABP) — Four leaders of national Baptist, Jewish and interfaith organizations sent a letter to Rep. Allen West to raise concerns about comments he made about a Muslim colleague. Brent Walker of the Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty…
Gay-affirming group picks exec
KENSINGTON, Md. (ABP) — A 20-year-old network of gay-affirming Baptist churches has chosen a new leader. Robin Lunn Robin Lunn, a church development coach and consultant and former pastor of churches in New Hampshire and Vermont, has been named executive…
Author pens sign-language novel
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (ABP) — Baptist author George Joslin of Springfield, Mo., has produced what may be the first American Sign Language-only novel. Titled A Deaf Man's Gospel, the novel is only available in American Sign Language (ASL) on DVD, rather…
At National Prayer Breakfast, Obama discusses personal Christian faith
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…
At prayer breakfast, Obama discusses personal faith
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,…
HERITAGE: Climbing mountains
She called herself “a plain Jane.” She insisted — rightly and proudly so — that she was a housewife. True enough, she was devoted to her husband, “Greg,” and to her three sons — Harry, Gene and Joel. She did…
VITAL SIGNS: Asleep at church
A couple of years ago, we tried something radical on Wednesday evenings at our church. Over the course of five weeks, we had prayer meeting. This was not simply the hospital list prayer meeting — this was honest prayer. One…