NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — The Southern Baptist Convention reported a 2.2 percent increase in baptisms in 2009, stemming a four-year decline, but membership in the denomination fell and the sagging economy led to a drop in missions giving, according to…
From the Eastern Shore to Cumberland Gap
STAFF CHANGES • David B. Cromer, to Emmaus Church, Poquoson, as pastor. • David Simpson, to Fine Creek Church, Powhatan, as pastor. • Randy Allensworth, resigning as pastor of Salem Church, Fredericksburg, after 17 years of service. MISSION MOMENT: Fourteen…
Former Baptist camp director charged with abuse found dead
HERTFORD, N.C. (ABP) — A former director of a North Carolina Baptist camp awaiting trial on six child-sex charges was found dead of an apparent suicide May 24. Stephen Carter A newspaper in Hertford, N.C., quoted the sheriff of Perquimans…
Passport vice president nominated as CBF moderator-elect
ATLANTA (ABP) — Colleen Burroughs, vice president of the Passport youth camping ministry she started with her husband in 1993, will be nominated as moderator-elect of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, the Atlanta-based CBF announced May 24. If elected, she would…
Board distances BGCT from gay-affirming Dallas church
DALLAS — The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board voted May 25 to refuse any financial contributions from a North Dallas church that has ordained as deacons practicing homosexuals, and the board asked the church to stop identifying itself…
Virginia Baptists seeking partnerships with Chilean churches after quake
IPAS, Chile (ABP) — More than two months after a massive earthquake rocked Chile, rains have begun and winter soon will arrive, leaving a group of Baptist pastors bracing for the cold in small tents that have become their impromptu…
Virginia Baptists launch long-term recovery plan for Haitian victims
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Baptists are moving forward with a “holistic and comprehensive” long-term recovery plan to assist Haitians still suffering from a devastating earthquake on Jan. 12. An architect’s rendering of the Baptist Children Complex. Partnering with three other…
CrossRoads Conference Center celebrates 25 years of ministry
LOWESVILLE, Va. — More than 250 Virginia Baptists gathered at CrossRoads Camp and Conference Center on Saturday, May 22, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the camp’s founding. Nestled in the mountains bordering the George Washington National Forest, CrossRoads is…
Book draws on music of U2 to call for Christian unity
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — A new book written by a Baptist professor applies theological themes found in the music of the Irish rock band U2 to the quest for Christian unity. In Ecumenism Means You Too — pun intended —…
In new book, Baptist prof draws on U2’s music to call for Christian unity
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — A new book written by a Baptist professor applies theological themes found in the music of the Irish rock band U2 to the quest for Christian unity. Steven Harmon In Ecumenism Means You Too — pun…
Book draws on music of U2 to call for Christian unity
No caption submitted BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — A new book written by a Baptist professor applies theological themes found in the music of the Irish rock band U2 to the quest for Christian unity. In Ecumenism Means You Too —…
Texas board gives final approval to controversial textbook standards
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Despite vocal protests, the Texas State Board of Education voted May 21 to approve social-studies-curriculum standards that urge high-school students to examine church-state separation critically — a move that may affect textbooks nationwide. A motion to…