DALLAS (ABP) — Dallas-based Buckner Children and Family Services announced Nov. 21 it will affiliate starting Jan. 1 with Dillon International, Inc., a Christian non-profit agency in Tulsa, Okla., that specializes in international adoption services. Leaders said the arrangement, which…
Religious leaders protest violence against Christians in India
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Two Baptists were among 24 prominent Christian leaders in the United States who recently signed an open letter to President Bush calling for action against anti-Christian violence in India. Daniel Vestal of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and…
Alleged church-offering thief helps nab himself with visitor card
LAKELAND, Fla. (ABP) — In the annals of petty crime, it may not be the stupidest theft ever. But it’s probably close. Sheriff’s deputies in Lakeland, Fla., tracked down a man charged with stealing the Nov. 16 offering from a…
Shooting on Ouachita campus ends with no injuries, suspects in custody
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. (ABP) — A shooting incident the afternoon of Nov. 19 on the perimeter of the Ouachita Baptist University campus didn’t involve any students and ended with no injuries and three suspects quickly arrested, according to authorities. The alleged…
EDITORIAL: Pewboy grapples with a hard faith
As Pewboy drove home from Roanoke where he had attended the annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia his stomach was in knots. Noting his apprehension, his confidante, spiritual advisor and sounding board, Altarego, materialized in the passenger's…
Return to Chester
Last week's column told about my character portrayal of William E. Hatcher, the noted old-time preacher, when he recently had a return engagement in Baltimore where he served as a pastor in the 1860s. This week's column tells about a…
FAITHSHAPERS: Teaching baptism
Because of its symbolic nature, baptism is very hard to explain to children. They often see baptism as some sort of magical event that draws their attention and activates their powerful need for inclusion. It is the duty of the…
Who is my neighbor?
ROANOKE — The Baptist General Association of Virginia, acknowledging an uncertain economic environment, approved a reduced budget for 2009 during a quiet annual meeting that drew about 1,250 people. At the Nov. 11-12 meeting, messengers also elected a retired public…
Spirit-filled churches
In the Nov. 6 edition of the Religious Herald, an article attributed to ABP, written by Bob Allen, was entitled “Trinity debate trickles down to gender roles.” One paragraph reads, “In a June sermon .. Bruce Ware, professor of Christian…
A good time to be Virginia Baptist, says outgoing president Lewis
ROANOKE — Joe Lewis, who presided at last week's meeting as he concluded his year as BGAV president, opened the sessions by calling messengers to “celebrate the family called Virginia Baptists and celebrate the response to the invitation of God,…
Out Loud
“I'm like, OK, God, if there is an open door for me somewhere — this is what I always pray — I'm like, don't let me miss the open door. Show me where the open door is. … And if…
Rethink the concept of neighbor, says Campolo
Before Christians can carry out the Great Commission, they need to carry out the Great Commandment — to love your neighbor as yourself, evangelist Tony Campolo told Virginia Baptists last week. Interpreting the theme “Who Is My Neighbor?” in three…