JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — Regaining control is the heart of the Missouri Baptist Convention’s ongoing legal action against three formerly affiliated institutions. If control cannot be restored, then the convention would like its “stuff” returned, a judge learned May…
Grand jury hears evidence in Texas church-arson cases
Jason Bourque TYLER, Texas (ABP) — A grand jury began hearing testimony May 13 in the case of two men suspected of burning down 10 churches in East Texas in January and February, a television station in Tyler, Texas, reported….
American Baptist leaders support immigration reform
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (ABP) — More than two dozen national and regional leaders of American Baptist Churches USA signed a letter supporting immigration reform that reflects "mercy and justice rooted in God's love." "We do not claim any superior understanding…
Former youth pastor sentenced to 17 years for abuse
YORK, Va. (ABP) — A former youth pastor at a Southern Baptist church in Virginia has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for sexually assaulting two teenage girls. Jack Duffer Jeremy Duffer — known as "Pastor Jack" to youth…
American Baptist leaders support immigration reform
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (ABP) — More than two dozen national and regional leaders of American Baptist Churches USA signed a letter supporting immigration reform that reflects "mercy and justice rooted in God's love." "We do not claim any superior understanding…
Louisiana House passes bill allowing guns in church
BATON ROUGE, La. (ABP) — Reversing an earlier vote, Louisiana's House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly May 12 in favor of a bill that would allow concealed handguns to be carried inside houses of worship. State Rep. Henry Burns The bill's…
Religious leaders decry proposed Texas textbook standards
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Two Baptist ministers joined about two dozen other religious leaders in a May 12 press conference at the Texas Capitol to decry school textbook standards they say would weaken instruction about religious liberty and the separation…
Religious leaders speak out against new Texas textbook standards
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Two Baptist ministers joined about two dozen other religious leaders in a May 12 press conference at the Texas Capitol to decry school textbook standards they say would weaken instruction about religious liberty and the separation…
White churches can learn from blacks
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (ABP) — After resigning abruptly in 1992 from one of the largest and influential churches in the nation, First Baptist Church in Dallas, and going through a divorce within two years, Joel Gregory's ministry appeared to be…
Gregory, Crouch say white churches have a lot to learn from black ones
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (ABP) — After resigning abruptly in 1992 from one of the largest and influential churches in the nation, First Baptist Church in Dallas, and going through a divorce within two years, Joel Gregory's ministry appeared to be…
Leaders ascend to Eagle Eyrie for gathering, orientation
LYNCHBURG, Va. — The Leadership Gathering Weekend at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center drew 489 church leaders from across the state to attend workshops provided by such nationally-known personalities as Reggie McNeal and Frank Page. Reggie McNeal speaks to participants at…
Midwestern Seminary launches online master’s degree in theology
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is launching a new online master of arts in theological studies degree, following trustee approval and a recommendation from a focus visit team from the Higher Learning Commission, which is Midwestern’s regional…