Cutting the dedication ribbon are (from left) Stephen Richerson, president and executive director of HopeTree Family Services; Thor, a resident; George Fletcher, chair of HopeTree's board of trustees; Shaleigh, a resident; and Tommy Barber, education director of HopeTree Academy. (Photos…
Depression cited in North Carolina pastor’s self-inflicted death
HICKORY, N.C. (ABP) — Baptists in North Carolina reacted with shock to the apparent suicide Sept. 27 of a well-liked pastor active in denominational life. Sandy Ridge Baptist Church leaders said Pastor David Treadway, a member of the Baptist State…
Offering students more than one road to success
SALEM — HopeTree Family Services’ on-campus school has been renamed and housed in a new 32,000-square-foot facility. HopeTree Academy — formerly the Gus Mitchell School — educates students in grades 6-12 whose emotional or educational needs require an alternative setting…
Virginia Baptist relief for flood victims on hold as assessments continue
RICHMOND, Va. — Plans to send Virginia Baptist disaster relief teams to Georgia in the wake of devastating floods have been put on hold while assessment of needs continues, a leader in the effort said Sept. 28. Terry Raines, disaster…
Intersection of literature and theology is focus of lecture series
RICHMOND, Va. — A university professor who has spent his academic career exploring relationships between Western literature and Christian theology will be the guest speaker at an annual lecture series hosted by Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. Ralph C. Wood,…
Bluefield students combine academic studies with Christian service
BLUEFIELD — Students eager to combine their passion for Christian service with their academic disciplines found an opportunity on a recent medical mission trip sponsored by Bluefield College. Five students joined two professors and campus minister David Taylor in performing …
Students combine academic studies, Christian service
BLUEFIELD — Students eager to combine their passion for Christian service with their academic disciplines found an opportunity on a recent medical mission trip sponsored by Bluefield College. Five students joined two professors and campus minister David Taylor in performing …
Faith leaders urge G-20 summit to remember the poor
Religious leaders, including CBF Global Missions Coordinator Rob Nash, fourth from right, process to a meeting with members of the U.S. delegation to the G-20 Summit Pittsburgh, Pa. PITTSBURGH (ABP) — Faith leaders including the missions coordinator of the Cooperative…
Barna survey: Women pastors gaining ground in United States
VENTURA, Calif. (ABP) — The percentage of churches in the United States employing a woman as senior pastor has doubled during the past decade, according to a new survey by the Barna Group. The evangelical pollster said one church in…
Joan Friesen to lead ABC of Greater Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (ABP) — Joan Friesen has been elected to serve as the next executive minister for the American Baptist Churches of Greater Indianapolis, according to the American Baptist News Service. The group of about 30 congregations in the Indianapolis metropolitan area is…
Court voids $5 million judgment against Westboro Baptist Church
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — A federal appeals court has thrown out a $5 million judgment against members of a controversial Baptist church who picketed the funeral of a Marine killed in Iraq with inflammatory signs including "Thank God for Dead…
Virginia Baptists deploying teams to assist victims of Georgia floods
The business district of Douglasville, Ga., was under water Sept. 22. RICHMOND — Virginia Baptists’ disaster relief ministry is gearing up to assist victims of “epic” floods in Georgia that killed at least 10 people the week of Sept. 20….