TEMPLE, Texas (ABP) — In the days following the Jan. 19 fire that destroyed the historic sanctuary of First Baptist Church in Temple, Texas, many things are still uncertain. But members insist some things are rock-solid sure — God is…
Mother says she forgives her daughter’s killer
WACO, Texas (ABP) — The mother-in-law of a former Baptist preacher convicted of murder said she and her husband forgive him for killing their daughter because "love trumps evil" in their Christian faith. "You have to spend many years in…
Mother says she forgives former pastor who killed her daughter
WACO, Texas (ABP) — The mother-in-law of a former Baptist preacher convicted of murder said she and her husband forgive him for killing their daughter because "love trumps evil" in their Christian faith. Kari Baker's 2006 death was originally ruled…
Israel’s Messianic Jews wary of stepped-up persecution
ARIEL, West Bank (RNS) — After their teenage son was nearly killed by a bomb disguised as a holiday gift basket, few people were as eager for Ya’acov Teitel to see justice as Leah and David Ortiz. Teitel, an Orthodox…
RIGHT OR WRONG? Learning about mission from immigrants
I tell our Sunday school class the stream of immigrants pouring into our city represents more of an opportunity than a challenge. What can we learn from them about doing mission with more integrity? The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) instructs…
Footloose Christian colleges get into the swing of things
JACKSON, Tenn. (RNS) — Classes are completed for the day. Meetings and work are winding down, and Facebook can provide a study break for only so long. So, what’s a restless Christian college student to do? For undergrads at Union…
HERITAGE: Smiling faces
I needed to be at Antioch Baptist Church in Orange County at 9:30 on a Sunday morning in August of last year. Shortcut directions routed me through the backdoor. From I-95 I took the Thornburg exit and headed west through rural…
SECOND OPINION: Pastors need pastors, too
When I left seminary, I was just dying to get into a pastorate so I could try out all the good ideas that had been germinating through all those hours and hours of sitting in a seminary classroom. I believe…
OUT LOUD
“Christianity is a religion for sinners. It doesn’t encourage you to sin; it encourages you not to. But it provides a way of forgiveness and redemption. That’s what Tiger Woods, like many sinners, needs.” Brit Hume The Fox News analyst,…
Church partners with VBMB to open counseling center in southwest Va.
BOONES MILL, Va. — When Darrell Hunley became the pastor of Gethsemane Baptist Church in Boones Mill, his background caused him to be sensitive to the emotional, as well as spiritual, needs of the surrounding county. Hunley, who is board…
Statement is first-ever consensus on religious expression and law
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A diverse group of leaders who often find themselves on opposite sides of the contentious battles at the intersection of church and state joined forces Jan. 12 to unveil an unprecedented consensus statement aimed at advancing public understanding…
Is there common ground on abortion? Both sides say, probably not
WASHINGTON (RNS) — On the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, anti-abortion activists prepare for the annual March for Life and their counterparts plan religious services to pray for the safety of abortion providers. But, 37 years after the…