Pictured are (left to right) Pastor Paul Lee, Rose Spradlin, Nellie Walters, Anna Lee, Anne Potts, Evelyn Wolcson, Brittany Csaky, Amy Kennedy and Martha Alvis. RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Boyles Group at Lyndale Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., and…
Youth at Smithfield church package 30,000 meals for Haitian relief
Students with some of the meals packaged. SMITHFIELD, Va. — Smithfield Baptist Church in Smithfield, Va., hosted a Stop Hunger Now event March 12-14 in conjunction with a youth missions emphasis, Youth Missions Coming Alive. Students and adults from churches…
OUT LOUD
“The church in the United States can offer a message of hope and reconciliation to a nation that is deeply divided by politlcal and cultural differences. Too often, however, we have reflected the political divisions of our culture rather than…
Conservative Baptist activist Nancy Schaefer dead in apparent murder
CLARKESVILLE, Ga. (ABP) — Nancy Schaefer, a conservative Christian activist and former two-term state senator in Georgia, was found dead with her husband March 26 in their north Georgia home in what is being described as a murder-suicide. Nancy Schaefer…
Virginia Woman’s Missionary Union helps launch the first WMU of India
RICHMOND, Va. — Since its beginning in 1872, Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia has had a heart for those who needed to hear the gospel of Christ. But last month WMUV attained a new level of global partnership when it…
A Time to Laugh: Humor an important spiritual practice, theologian says
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (ABP) — Humor doesn’t show up on most lists of spiritual gifts, practices or disciplines. But theologian Richard Olson thinks it should. “Humor is a very important spiritual practice, especially for those under stress and turmoil,” he…
A Time to Laugh: Grieving comic says faith, hope and laughter abide
SHREVEPORT, La. (ABP)—Jinny Henson began doing stand-up comedy when she was a student at Baylor University. While working on a master’s degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, she began touring nationwide. Jinny Henson entertains at Gateway Church in South Lake,…
A Time to Laugh: What is the role of laughter for Christians?
(ABP) — “For every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven … a time to weep and a time to laugh,” according to the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. What is the role of…
Expert: Churches might come out of recession with clearer fiscal focus
WINCHESTER, Va. (ABP) — Tough economic times may actually result in stronger, healthier and smarter churches and Christian ministries, according to Dan Busby, president of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. In times of economic stress, contributors prioritize giving. So,…
A Time to Laugh: Was Jesus a jokester?
(ABP) — The story goes that Jesus and Satan had argued for days about who was more tech-savvy, and God grew sick of the bickering. He told them he would judge a two-hour task set. They e-mailed, e-mailed with attachments,…
A Time to Laugh: Baptist humorist says to paint a picture with words
SAN ANGELO, Texas (ABP) — The secret to being humorous is the same as most things in life, Bill Thorn believes — take what God has entrusted to you, work hard to polish it and be the individual you were…
Christian leaders from left, right call for civility amid poisoned discourse
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Even as Democratic members of Congress report death threats over their votes in favor of health-care reform and a prominent conservative broadcaster continues his attacks on a left-leaning evangelical leader for advocating social justice, a group of…