PLANO, Texas (ABP) — In the meeting hall of a suburban Dallas church recently, Persian praise songs resonated as about 150 worshipers raised their hands and opened their hearts. They rejoiced in the way God’s Spirit is moving among Iranians,…
Federal judge: N.C. county council’s sectarian prayers unconstitutional
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (ABP) — A federal judge is recommending that a North Carolina county be ordered to stop allowing sectarian prayers at meetings of its board of commissioners. Stephen Corts Trevor Sharpe, a magistrate judge for the U.S. Court for…
Texas Baptists provide solace in wake of Fort Hood massacre
FORT HOOD, Texas (ABP) — In the wake of the Fort Hood tragedy, Texas Baptists are helping people find comfort in Christ. Four chaplains endorsed by Texas Baptists are ministering directly to victims of the Nov. 5 shooting at the…
Don’t blame Islam for Fort Hood killings, Baptist leader says
NORMAN, Okla. (ABP) — At least one Baptist leader cautioned against attempts to blame the Nov. 5 Fort Hood massacre on the accused assailant's Islamic faith. Bruce Prescott Bruce Prescott, executive director of Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists, said Nov. 8 that…
Church collects toys for flood victims
PORTSMOUTH — Rob Edwards, pastor of Cradock Baptist in Portsmouth, admits a recent mission project that resulted in the collection of over 750 stuffed animals began in an unconventional way — only possible by today’s technology. Children from Cradock Baptist…
Evangelicals look at future
SOUTH HAMILTON, Mass. (RNS) — Repentant for having spent a generation bowing at the altars of church growth and political power, concerned evangelicals gathered recently to search the soul of their movement and find a new way forward. That evangelicals,…
From the Eastern Shore to Cumberland Gap
STAFF CHANGES • Dennis Martin, to New Hope Church, Locust Grove, as pastor. • Vernon Gilmer Jr., to Amelia Church, Amelia Courthouse, as pastor. • Don Reid, to Mechanicsville Church, Gordonsville, as pastor. MISSION MOMENT: A mission team from Millfield…
Muddy Creek celebrates 235 years
POWHATAN — Long before Facebook and the internet, electricity and televisions, and tractors and cars stood a small country church in Powhatan County. Founded before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Muddy Creek Baptist Church is known as one…
EDITORIAL: Guns and good news
It comes as no surprise that there are many ways to share our faith. Recently, however, I witnessed two extremes. On Thursday of last week, I received an email containing a link to a Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary chapel service….
BTSR celebrates first homecoming
RICHMOND — Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond celebrated its first homecoming on Oct. 16-17. Students mingle in Virginia Hall during homecoming activities at BTSR. Alumni from the classes of 1994 through 2009, current students, faculty and staff gathered to renew…
International adoptions not always easy, says Virginia couple
International adoptions are full of joys and pitfalls. Virginians Robert and Pat Saunders, who adopted two children from Russia, didn’t find the road easy. (See story in the Religious Herald, Feb. 8, 2007.) Their experience parallels Brenda’s in several ways….
Leland sets enrollment record
FALLS CHURCH — The John Leland Center for Theological Studies has set a record enrollment for the fall semester. Led by an increase in master’s degree students and a record number of diploma students, Leland set an all-time enrollment record…