For several months a recruiter had been building a relationship with a likely volunteer, speaking persuasively about a career in the army. He had spoken of the war and the need for recruits. Mostly, however, he had emphasized the retirement…
150 Bluefield students make professions of faith
BLUEFIELD, VA. — Bluefield College students were invited to trade in their hurt for healing during the school’s 19th Annual Duremdes Christian Emphasis Week, Sept. 29-Oct. 1, featuring the ministry of evangelist Tony Nolan and professions of faith from more…
From the Eastern Shore to Cumberland Gap
STAFF CHANGES • Terry Spencer, to Calvary Church, Newport News, as pastor. • Gregory L. Soult, to Mentow Church, Huddleston, as full-time pastor, effective Nov. 14. ‘NEW’ CONGREGATION: Following several years of working together in combined ministries, the congregations of…
Yorktown pastor named director of missions for Peninsula Association
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Chuck Harrison, pastor of Crossroads Community Church in Yorktown, Va., has been elected director of missions for Virginia’s Peninsula Baptist Association, effective Dec. 1. The Peninsula Association, which partners with the Baptist General Association of Virginia,…
Four Baptists arrested in Azerbaijan during raid on worship service
OSLO, Norway (ABP) — Four Baptists in Azerbaijan received five-day jail sentences Oct. 31 after a police raid on a harvest festival in a private home, according to an international news service that specializes in religious freedom. Forum 18, a…
Russian leaders decry arson attacks on Baptist, Orthodox churches
KARACHAYEVO-CHERKESSIA, Russia (ABP) — Political and religious leaders in Russia's mainly Muslim North Caucasus denounced arson attacks on two Russian Orthodox churches and one Baptist church overnight on Nov. 1. An Orthodox church in the village of Ordzhonikidzevsky in the…
Iraqi Baptist pastor says Baghdad’s Christians living in fear after attack
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — A Baptist pastor in Baghdad told a European Baptist leader that Christians there are living in fear following an Oct. 31 attack on a Catholic church in Iraq's capital that left more than 50 dead….
Church implodes buildings to make way for $115 million project
DALLAS (ABP) — One of Southern Baptists’ most historic and prominent congregations has officially embarked — with four simultaneous Oct. 30 building implosions — on what it is calling the biggest church renovation-and-expansion project in modern history. Four buildings are…
Land criticizes Obama’s reference to political ‘enemies’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention's top spokesman for moral concerns added his voice to a chorus of conservative bloggers and commentators criticizing President Obama for telling Hispanic voters to "punish your enemies" by getting out to vote….
Church implodes buildings to make way for $130 million project
DALLAS (ABP) — One of Southern Baptists’ most historic and prominent congregations has officially embarked — with four simultaneous Oct. 30 building implosions — on what it is calling the biggest church renovation-and-expansion project in modern history. An architect’s rendering…
At 60, Texas CLC still providing witness to broader culture
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Born with “a dream and an ache in the heart” 60 years ago, the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission has challenged and helped shape the Lone Star State — and Baptists all over the nation — ever…
‘Unchurched’ studies seek to understand why people leave
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Seeking to develop strategies to prevent formerly active members from leaving through the so-called “back door,” LifeWay Research has conducted surveys to better understand why people leave. “I think we have a lot of strategies for…