“I think it’s kind of stupid for them to kick me out of school for a nose piercing. It’s in the First Amendment for me to have freedom of religion.” Ariana Iacono The Clayton, N.C., teenager, whose family belongs to…
International Mission Board appoints 51 workers
TAMPA, Fla. (BP) — Six men with ski masks and machine guns stood between James Roberts and the security of a warm bed. He knew there was a possibility of facing something like this when he picked post-war Kosovo for…
Poll: U.S. personal religiosity stable, influence declines
WASHINGTON (ABP) – A new Gallup poll shows that, while personal measures of religious sentiment have remained fairly high among Americans, their membership in houses of worship continues a long decline and they increasingly believe that religion is losing influence…
FAITH DIGEST
Americans cite negatives of Christianity. When asked about Christianity’s recent contributions to society, Americans cited more negatives than benefits, according to a recent survey. The negative contribution cited most was hatred or violence in the name of Jesus, according to…
20-somethings make ‘cents’ of stewardship
RICHMOND, Va. — For its second year in a row, 20Cents is bringing fun, food, fellowship and finances together on Saturday, Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Cool Spring Baptist Church in Mechanicsville. The conference is led…
Divide over Islam dominated religious-freedom news in 2010
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Judging from end-of-year assessments published in the last few days, there seems fairly universal agreement among close observers of faith and public life that the biggest religion story of 2010 in this country was also the biggest…
Indian Baptist educator breaks stained-glass ceiling
AIZAWL, India (ABP) — A Baptist leader and educator is poised to break barriers as the first woman ordained as a pastor by a Christian denomination in her northeast Indian state. The Telegraph of Calcutta reported that leaders in the…
Baptists debate social drinking
CARROLLTON, Ga. (ABP) — Two decades after declaring victory in the war over biblical inerrancy, Southern Baptists are battling about booze. Seeking to remain relevant in today's culture, many Baptists have abandoned former taboos against social activities like dancing and…
Bluefield College completes third semester of China exchange
BLUEFIELD, Va. — Bluefield College began its third semester of academic, cultural and student exchange with China this fall. Four students and one professor from the Jiangsu Institute of Education in Nanjing, China, spent part of the fall semester on…
Bluefield College named ‘Five Star Institution’ for 2009-2010 by NAIA
BLUEFIELD, Va. — Bluefield College has been named a “Five Star Institution” for its exemplary character and service by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). As part of its Champions of Character program, the NAIA, which boasts a proud…
United Kingdom’s ‘Fresh Expressions’ may assist Virginia Baptists
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — About 35 persons representing several denominations gathered at Columbia Baptist Church Dec. 2-3 to hear Anglican Bishop Graham Cray describe Fresh Expressions. In addition to Baptists from Virginia and Maryland, leaders from Methodist, Episcopal and Nazarene…
Lawson Pankey, longtime Virginia Baptist Mission Board staffer, dies
RICHMOND, Va. — Lawson Pankey, who for 25 years was a key figure on the staff of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, died Dec. 12. He was 85 years of age. Pankey joined the staff of what was then the…