MEMPHIS, Tenn. (ABP) — Fitness can, literally, be a life-and-death issue for people in underprivileged communities. So a Christian medical ministry in one of the nation’s poorest big cities is preaching the gospel of fitness through local churches. Minister and…
South Africa to host continent’s first Baptist World Congress in 2015
HONOLULU (ABP) — For the first time, the Baptist World Congress will be held in Africa in 2015, according to a July 27 announcement from Baptist World Alliance General Secretary Neville Callam. Speaking on the eve of the 20th Baptist…
Catholics in Nagaland claiming persecution at hands of Baptists
ANATANGRE, India (ABP) — Baptists in the Indian state of Nagaland are defending themselves against charges of anti-Catholic bigotry after villagers tore down a Catholic church because the town allows only churches of the Baptist denomination. The controversy has generated…
Christians demand apology for anti-women teaching
ORLANDO, Fla. (ABP) — A group of women and men calling themselves the Freedom for Christian Women Coalition has demanded an apology for religious teaching they say is harmful to women. Shirley Taylor, founder of Baptist Women for Equality, presented the…
Jimmy Carter credits Jimmy Allen for election
Jimmy Allen responds at an event introducing a new book about his life and career. JASPER, Ga. (ABP) — Jimmy Carter said July 23 he doubts he would have been elected 39th president of the United States without the aid…
Bluefield College names football coach
BLUEFIELD, Va. — Bluefield College president David Olive announced in a press conference July 23 that Mike Gravier has been named to resurrect Bluefield’s football program after a 69-year absence. Gravier, a Michigan native, coached on the high school level…
Progressive North Carolina church welcomes far-right protest group
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) — A prominent North Carolina congregation long known for its progressive stances welcomed a group of anti-gay, anti-abortion, anti-Islam protesters to its worship service July 18 — even as a nearby conservative church shunned the group. An…
Rick Warren hospitalized with eye injury
(Editor's note: The version of this story originally published July 22 incorrectly stated Warren had reported his condition via Twitter on July 20. The fourth paragraph has been corrected to note that Warren tweeted the news July 22.) LAKE FOREST,…
Columbaria bring members of church family home for final rest
DALLAS (ABP) — With the decline in church-based cemeteries, many churches became disconnected from death in the last century — but some congregations are seeking to correct that problem. Pastor George Mason (center) leads the dedication service for the columbarium…
‘PandaMonium’ VBS theme draws complaints because of word’s genesis
LOVELAND, Colo. (ABP) — An interdenominational Christian publisher has decided to change the title of its 2011 Vacation Bible School curriculum from "PandaMonium" after customer complaints that the word it plays upon literally refers to hell. Group Publishing officials announced…
From the Eastern Shore to Cumberland Gap
STAFF CHANGES • Brent Kimlick, to Franklin Church, Franklin, as pastor, effective in September. • Clarke Hawkins, to Hillcrest Church, Mechanicsville, as pastor. • Lee Cooper, to Hunting Creek Church, Nathalie, as pastor. • Tom Stocks, to Buena Vista Church,…
James River churches collaborate to feed the hungry
Volunteers from James River Baptist Association package meals to be shipped to the Ivory Coast to feed hungry children. DILLWYN, Va. — James River Baptist Association recently sponsored a Stop Hunger Now campaign to feed hungry people around the world….