ATLANTA — Despite the charge that William Paul Young is attempting to undermine orthodox Christianity, the author of The Shack was invited by Catalyst organizers to be interviewed during the conference. The book is No. 1 on the New York…
Does event evangelism still work?
Some observers of church life insist the day of event evangelism has passed. They point to one-on-one evangelism as the only effective way to reach non-Christians today. But does that mean event evangelism is dead? Some evangelists are stepping forward…
Bloomer, others to be BGAV officer nominees
William “Jeff” Bloomer, current first vice president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, will be nominated for president when the BGAV meets Nov. 11-12 in Roanoke. Bloomer, one of three nominees voted at the fall meeting of Virginia Baptists…
College students reach out globally through Virginia Baptists’ GO teams
GO (Global Outreach) Teams are short-term summer mission immersion projects for college students from across the state. Sponsored by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board and Baptist Collegiate Ministries, these international mission teams also develop leadership skills and build community through…
Lakewood marks 30
RICHMOND — Lakewood Manor Baptist Retirement Community, operated by Virginia Baptist Homes, will celebrate its 30 year anniversary on Oct. 21. The Richmond Baptist Association's dream in 1963 of having a Richmond retirement community has served thousands of residents over…
Virginia Intermont College moves toward its religious roots
BRISTOL — Robert Rainwater, dean of religious life at Virginia Intermont College, will never forget May of 2007. On the 16th day of that month he fell 14 feet from a ladder while doing home repairs and fractured his back….
Baptist Heritage Day celebrated at Bluefield College for ninth year
BLUEFIELD — Bluefield College celebrated its history Oct. 8 with an annual Baptist Heritage Day ceremony on campus, featuring a keynote address from an authority on Baptist life, Joseph T. Lewis, president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia. For…
EDITORIAL: A little child shall lead them
When I attended the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta with more than a hundred other Virginia Baptists, I expected a blessing. The impressive speaker lineup and the nationally-known leadership lecturers and authors promised sure-fire challenges and insightful messages. What I wasn't…
Baptist history archives gathered under one roof
ATLANTA (ABP) — Scholars and history buffs who want to learn more about Baptist history now can do so in one place. The American Baptist Historical Society dedicated the Samuel Colgate Historical Library and Archives on Mercer University's Atlanta campus…
Being himself
When he retires in October, Larry Holland will have completed over 41 years as pastor of Franklin Heights Baptist Church in Rocky Mount. He could joke that it would be impossible to tell his age simply based upon his four…
Connecticut high court approves gay marriage
Connecticut became the third state to allow same-sex marriage after its Supreme Court ruled Oct. 10 that it is unconstitutional to deny the legal benefits of marriage to gay and lesbian couples. The 4-3 decision outraged conservative groups, who are…
SECOND OPINION: No-name Christians
Acts 11:19-26, the story of the church at Antioch, touches me at the deepest level. This passage teaches about nameless individuals who went to Antioch to share the story of Jesus. As a result of their work and that of…