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…
Young preachers flock to Louisville for preaching festival
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — "How shall they hear without a preacher?" the apostle Paul asked in Romans 10:14. For Dwight Moody, head of the Academy of Preachers, the question is as valid today as ever. Moody, former dean of the…
Trial under way for former Baptist preacher charged with murder
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Jury selection got under way Jan. 12 in a murder trial of a former Baptist minister accused of killing his wife. Matt Baker, as he appeared in his booking photo last March. Matt Baker, 38, a…
Document offers guidelines for religion in the public square
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A diverse group of religious and secular leaders unveiled a joint statement Jan. 12 aimed at advancing public understanding about legal rights and limitations on religious expression in the public square. Led by Wake Forest University Divinity…
Study says larger churches hit harder by economy
VENTURA, Calif. (ABP) — The economic recession has hit larger churches harder than it has smaller ones, according to a new survey by the Barna Group. Percentage-wise, churches with fewer than 100 members lost more of their income than churches…
‘The Book of Eli’ casts Bible as a major theme
MALIBU, Calif. (ABP) — The Bible plays a starring role in "The Book of Eli," a post-apocalyptic action film starring Denzel Washington that opens in theaters Jan. 15. Washington, a two-time Academy Award winner widely known in Hollywood for his…
Hollywood’s ‘The Book of Eli’ casts Bible, Christian character as central
MALIBU, Calif. (ABP) — The Bible plays a starring role in "The Book of Eli," a post-apocalyptic action film starring Denzel Washington that opens in theaters Jan. 15. Washington, a two-time Academy Award winner widely known in Hollywood for his…
Watchdogs: Persecution of Christians in N. Korea likely to worsen in 2010
ORPINGTON, England (ABP) — Persecution of Christians is set to worsen in North Korea, the world's worst trouble spot for Christians, in 2010, according to a group that tracks the status of Christians globally. Release International, an England-based charity that…
REVIEW: ‘The Book of Eli’ casts Bible as a major theme
MALIBU, Calif. (ABP) — The Bible plays a starring role in "The Book of Eli," a post-apocalyptic action film starring Denzel Washington that opened in theaters Jan. 15. Washington, a two-time Academy Award winner widely known in Hollywood for his…
Bible is major theme in new film
MALIBU, Calif. (ABP) — The Bible plays a starring role in "The Book of Eli," a post-apocalyptic action film starring Denzel Washington that opened in theaters Jan. 15. Washington, a two-time Academy Award winner widely known in Hollywood for his…
For a decade, U.S. Baptist volunteers have warmed Moldovan orphans
Volunteers give the children bananas as a parting gift at each facility. HOUSTON (ABP) — For a decade, volunteers from throughout the United States have spent their Christmas vacations in Eastern Europe making the harsh winter a little warmer for…
Scholar: Bush faith-based push failed to boost churches’ social-service role
DURHAM, N.C. (ABP) — Eight years of President George W. Bush's faith-based agenda to increase religion's role in providing social services had little impact on day-to-day ministries of local congregations, according to a scholar at Duke Divinity School. Mark Chaves,…