Conservative Christian “pro-family” groups affiliated with Focus on the Family are adding state legal groups to their arsenal so they can combat old legislation they say violates their values and freedoms. Focus on the Family began creating a network of…
Rwandan government closes thousands of prayer houses
The Rwandan government has once again begun enforcing inspection of prayer houses and has closed 70% of those it inspected. In a statement on its website, the Rwanda Governance Board stated: “RGB organizes frequent discussions and consultative meetings with church…
‘We know the difference between American Christianity and Jesus,’ Humphries says
Christianity for many Native Americans conjures memories of stolen land, oppressive boarding schools and the forced sterilization of women, Mariah Humphries said in the opening address at Fellowship Southwest’s Compassion and Justice Conference. “This is what Christianity represents for Native…
In new voucher scheme, Ohio funds construction at private Christian schools
Like several states, Ohio offers residents vouchers to attend private religious schools, a program it launched in 1997. But this year, the state made history by offering grants directly to religious schools for renovating and constructing buildings, so they can…
Fighting hunger is a core gospel idea, Everett says
Combating hunger isn’t optional for Christians who take the Bible and Jesus seriously, Jeremy Everett told participants in Fellowship Southwest’s Compassion and Justice Conference. Scripture makes clear the imperative to share Christ’s heart for those struggling with food insecurity and…
No settlement reached between Johnny Hunt and SBC
An attempt to mediate the legal dispute between Johnny Hunt and the Southern Baptist Convention has failed, according to court filings. Meeting last Tuesday in Nashville, trustees of the SBC Executive Committee reportedly approved some framework for a possible settlement…
Look past fear and scarcity to embrace migrants, Carvalhaes urges
Bringing compassion and mercy to migrants means looking past the fear, resentment and scarcity mentality conservatives are bringing to the immigration debate, Cláudio Carvalhaes said during Fellowship Southwest’s Compassion and Justice Conference. “It means to continue to live with those…
‘If we weren’t powerful, they wouldn’t try to stop us,” Justin Jones says
Pro-democracy activists should have as much if not more confidence in the potential of their movement as authoritarian white supremacists do, Tennessee Rep. Justin Jones said during Fellowship Southwest’s Compassion and Justice Conference. “If we were not powerful, if our…
Mark Robinson’s porn site scandal complicates his ‘pro-family’ campaign
Conservative Christian activists have embraced Mark Robinson, the controversial North Carolina lieutenant governor. The Family Research Council has praised Robinson as “a man revered by parents everywhere.” Churches throughout North Carolina have opened their pulpits to him and his fire-breathing…
Faith leaders call those Springfield lies ‘un-Christian’
Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance’s continued push of a narrative about Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, has some Christian immigration advocates concerned about the anti-immigrant posture behind it, saying it is divisive and un-Christian. Vance doubled down this week…
How a Georgia camp went from revival to castaway in five years
Ten days after the Georgia Baptist Mission Board announced the closing of its discipleship-focused camp in Middle Georgia, an agreement appears to allow the facility to remain open under the Friends of Kaleo. The Georgia Baptist Mission Board posted a…
Yo-Yoing of U.S. immigration policy is bad for the world, experts warn
Gridlock on effective immigration reforms will continue until politicians set aside partisan differences to focus on the systemic drivers of global migration, said David Cronin, a senior policy and legislative specialist with Catholic Relief Services. Domestic advocacy groups, migrants, refugees,…