ARKADELPHIA, Ark. (ABP) — Longtime Ouachita Baptist University philosophy professor Raymond Coppenger died Nov. 24 following a bout with pneumonia, according to the Arkadelphia, Ark., school. He turned 100 in September. Raymond Coppenger Coppenger joined the Ouachita faculty in 1954….
Baptist state conventions feeling effects of economy
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Feeling the effects of a bad economy, several Southern Baptist Convention-affiliated state and regional conventions reduced budgets in annual meetings, held in recent weeks across the nation. The Baptist General Convention of Texas, which includes 4,500…
California pastor drops death wish against Obama; calls for treason trial
BUENA PARK, Calif. (RNS) — Pastor Wiley Drake, the Southern Baptist minister who has publicly prayed for the death of President Obama, has changed his mind — but only because he wants to see the president live long enough to…
Real-life mom talks about portrayal in just-released film, “The Blind Side”
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — In the new movie The Blind Side, Sandra Bullock plays real-life Memphis mother Leigh Ann Tuohy, a woman whose family is turned upside down when she spots Michael Oher — a young boy who has left…
Bucking national trend, Virginia Baptists increase 2010 budget
Outgoing BGAV president Jeff Bloomer leads messengers in voting during the annual meeting. FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (ABP) — Despite a shaky economy, Virginia Baptists in their recent annual meeting adopted a 2010 budget of $14 million — about 1.4 percent larger…
For one Texas woman, love for teaching kindergartners lasts 60 years
DALLAS (ABP) — Some things have changed a bit since 1949 at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas. Then, the church met in a house. Today, its 9,000 members fill a mammoth sanctuary in multiple worship services. One thing hasn’t…
Ending hunger statewide by 2015 is subject of Baylor summit
Participants sign a poster as part of the Baylor Hunger Summit (Baylor photo) WACO, Texas (ABP) — Federal, state and local leaders met at a Baptist college Nov. 19 to begin a discussion that they hope will lead to actions…
HERITAGE: Thanksgiving at Farmington
There have been many Thanksgiving days and other times of solemn and joyful gatherings at the old plantation known as Farmington in rural King and Queen County about 50 miles north of Richmond. The family will return for Thanksgiving 2009….
OUT LOUD
“Obviously the severing of relationship after so many years is unfortunate and gives the world-at-large another reason to conclude that Baptists care more about putting people out than gathering them in.” Julie Pennington-Russell The senior pastor of First Baptist Church…
Church management guidebook released at annual meeting
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Nearly 150 people received copies of the newly-published Church Management Guidebook at a Nov. 17 luncheon hosted by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s support services team. The luncheon was held during the annual meeting of the Baptist…
Camp Piankatank dedicates three new lodges to enhance retreat setting
HARTFIELD, Va. — Camp Piankatank celebrated the construction of three new lodges with a dedication service and open house on Nov 15. The new structures differ substantially from their predecessors in their larger sizes and in their increased functionality. Planners…
Virginia Baptists increase 2010 budget, celebrate mission at meeting
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Despite a shaky economy, Virginia Baptists acknowledged their “God-sized” mission task Nov. 18 and adopted a 2010 budget of $14 million, about 1.4 percent larger than 2009’s budget, which is expected to see a shortfall. Next year’s…