(ABP) — America’s rural churches were built upon and grew from a strong sense of community. Although many of rural congregations are in decline now, that community reliance may be the key to spiritual renewal and to thriving ministry. Some…
Baptist leaders hail Nagaland peace pact
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — Baptist leaders hailed a pledge by top leaders of Nagaland's three rival political factions to cease hostilities that have for decades beset the heavily Baptist state in northeastern India. John Sundquist, retired director of International…
Chaplain: Executed woman was true to faith until end
JARRATT, Va. (ABP) — For Lynn Litchfield, the former chaplain at Virginia’s Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women, the past few weeks have been a heartbreaking build-up to the execution of Teresa Lewis. On Sept. 23, Lewis became the first woman…
World leaders cite progress, challenges at UN poverty summit
NEW YORK (ABP) — World leaders voiced deep concern about the impact of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression on international anti-poverty goals at a three-day summit at the United Nations Sept. 20-22. An outcome document for the…
Texas religious leaders denounce Islamic-bias-in-textbooks resolution
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — A group of Texas clergy, including some Baptist pastors, is speaking out against a proposed resolution that a state governing board may use to embroil itself yet again in the nation’s culture wars – this time…
SBC president calls for ‘radical reprioritization’ of mission spending
New SBC President Bryant Wright says it is time for the convention to reprioritize its mission spending. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The new president of the Southern Baptist Convention called for a "radical reprioritization" of spending in remarks to convention…
SBC Executive Committee deals with budget shortfall
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Even before considering a recommendation by the Southern Baptist Convention that it reduce its budget by nearly a third to channel more money to international missions, the SBC Executive Committee is facing a cash shortfall fueled…
SBC president calls for ‘radical reprioritization’ of mission spending
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The new president of the Southern Baptist Convention called for a "radical reprioritization" of spending in remarks to convention leaders Sept. 21. In his first remarks to the SBC Executive Committee, Bryant Wright, pastor of Johnson…
SBC Executive Committee deals with budget shortfall
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Even before considering a recommendation by the Southern Baptist Convention that it reduce its budget by nearly a third to channel more money to international missions, the SBC Executive Committee is facing a cash shortfall fueled…
Texas religious leaders denounce Islamic-bias-in-textbooks resolution
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — A group of Texas clergy, including some Baptist pastors, is speaking out against a proposed resolution that a state governing board may use to embroil itself yet again in the nation’s culture wars – this time…
Texas Baptists Committed leader says group has moved to ‘next level’
DALLAS (ABP) — A recent e-mail appeal from six former Baptist General Convention of Texas presidents encouraging attendance at the state convention’s annual meeting in McAllen and an announcement regarding a new blog devoted to historic Baptist principles marked the…
Central Seminary addresses needs of Burmese refugee church leaders
SHAWNEE, Kan. (ABP) – As refugees from Myanmar’s military government pour into the United States and fan out across the country to resettle, a Baptist seminary is working to provide for one of their many needs: ministry training for leaders of…