Walter Parrish III takes over Jan. 1 as general secretary of the Progressive National Baptist Convention. MONTCLAIR, N.J. (ABP) — A New Jersey pastor who formerly worked for American Baptist Churches USA has been chosen to lead one of…
Virginia youth minister faces additional charges
YORK (ABP) — A Southern Baptist youth pastor arrested Aug. 13 on sex charges involving a teenage girl now faces more than 30 additional charges involving a second teenager. Police originally charged Jack Duffer, 40, youth minister at Seaford Baptist…
Black Baptist group elects new leader
MONTCLAIR, N.J. (ABP) — A New Jersey pastor who formerly worked for American Baptist Churches USA has been chosen to lead one of America's largest black Baptist denominations. Walter Parrish III, senior pastor of Union Baptist Church in Montclair, N.J.,…
Texas governor signs landmark human-trafficking legislation
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Texas has become the first state in the nation to provide assistance to domestic human trafficking victims with a landmark law that Gov. Rick Perry (R) signed into law Aug. 20. Among the groups that helped…
Baylor, Buckner partnership plants seeds of hope in Kenya
Rose Wasilwa, regional director in Kitale for Buckner Kenya; Neal Knighton of Buckner International; and Katy Reynolds participate in the dedication of the Reynolds Center in Kitale, Kenya (Buckner photo). KITALE, Kenya (ABP) — One family’s desire to honor its…
Lutherans open door to gay clergy, agree to disagree on sexuality
MINNEAPOLIS (ABP) — Delegates to the national assembly of America’s largest Lutheran denomination voted by a wide margin Aug. 21 to open the door to allowing clergy in committed same-sex relationships to serve openly. The vote came just two days…
Baptist schools ranked in U.S. News and World Report
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP)–Forty-two member institutions of the International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities have been listed in the 2009 rankings of America's Best Colleges by U.S. News and World Report and Forbes.com. U.S. News and World Report, which began…
Former pastor, sons charged with Ponzi scheme
SULLIVAN, Ind. (ABP) — A former preacher and his three sons are behind bars and charged with stealing millions of dollars from Christians led to believe their investments were being used to build churches. Vaughn Reeves, 65, and sons Chip,…
EDITORIAL: Another sad time for NAMB
It is a sad time in the history of the North American Mission Board. I should say it’s another sad time. Following the forced resignation of Bob Reccord as NAMB president in 2006, the organization needed someone to bring all…
HERITAGE: ‘Our Family’
Uncle Vivian was our family’s historian. He was my great-grandfather’s half-brother. As a boy, I heard him say that “our family” escaped persecution in England and lived for awhile in Amsterdam. He was referring to the branch of our family…
OUT LOUD
“I have been defending religious freedom for 22 years and I’ve never had to defend somebody who has been charged criminally with praying.” MATTHEW STAVER The founder of Liberty Counsel was referring to his defense of a Florida public school…
Lutherans open door to gay clergy, agree to disagree on sexuality
MINNEAPOLIS (ABP) — Delegates to the national assembly of America’s largest Lutheran denomination voted by a wide margin Aug. 21 to open the door to allowing clergy in committed same-sex relationships to serve openly. The vote came just two days…