The yellow line which runs down the middle of State Street in Bristol is the boundary between Virginia and Tennessee. The street itself has had a renaissance with attractive plantings and interesting shops and restaurants now occupying formerly empty buildings….
Baptists minister to war victims in Sri Lanka
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Sri Lanka’s government has declared victory in its 26-year civil war, but a resulting humanitarian crisis is far from over. Leaders of Sri Lankan Baptist Sangamaya (Union) handed out water, milk, footwear and other supplies to about…
VIRGINIA BRIEFS
Ministry assistants at conference. The Baptist Ministry Assistants of Virginia attended the National Association of Southern Baptist Secretaries Conference at Ridgecrest Conference Center April 22-25, held to observe the 25th anniversary of the national association. The theme was “Great is…
India’s elections praised by Christians
NEW DELHI (BP) — Hindu nationalists, who had exercised their clout against India's Christians and Muslims until the centrist Congress Party’s revival in elections five years ago, find themselves further marginalized after this year’s national and state elections. In voting…
Virginia Baptists’ Historical Society celebrates diversity
RICHMOND — Diversity is not a recent phenomenon, according to the Virginia Baptist Historical Society. Choosing “The Swirling Center: Prospect for Diversity in the Church” as the theme for its annual meeting, the gathering attracted nearly a hundred members and…
BAPTIST BRIEFS
IMB cuts back missionary appointments. In response to reduced giving during the current economic downturn, trustees of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board approved suspending new appointments to the International Service Corps and Masters programs and reduce the number of…
Q & A on American Baptist diversity with Samuel Chetti
Samuel Chetti PASADENA, Calif. (ABP) — Samuel Chetti is the executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Los Angeles and Congregations of the Southwest and Hawaii — the most diverse region in the nation’s most diverse mainline Protestant denomination….
News analysis: American Baptists celebrate, struggle with diversity
PASADENA, Calif. (ABP) — The makeup of the American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse in American Christianity — ethnically, regionally and ideologically. Gathering for their ABC biennial meeting June 25-28 in a region that embodies that diversity,…
Baptist paper issues apology to Okla. gov
OKLAHOMA CITY (ABP) — A Baptist newspaper in Oklahoma has apologized for publishing a graphic illustration digitally edited to make it appear a controversial proclamation declaring America a Christian nation was endorsed by the state's Baptist governor. The Baptist Messenger,…
Baptist newspaper apologizes for misusing governor’s signature
OKLAHOMA CITY (ABP) — A Baptist newspaper in Oklahoma has apologized for publishing a graphic illustration digitally edited to make it appear a controversial proclamation declaring America a Christian nation was endorsed by the state's Baptist governor. The Baptist Messenger,…
Foundation website seeks to bridge religion and science
WASHINGTON — A year after stepping down as director of the Human Genome Project, Francis Collins is embarking on a new venture — one that may be even harder than deciphering DNA. Collin’s new BioLogos Foundation aims to be a…
IRS should review Liberty University’s tax-exempt status, says watchdog group
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A church-state watchdog group says the IRS should review Liberty University's tax-exempt status for its decision to revoke recognition of its Democratic Party student club. University officials ordered the student group May 15 to cease using the…