ATLANTA (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board will reorganize over the next year to focus more on local churches’ involvement in missions and provide flexibility to reach people groups across geographical lines. At their Sept. 8-10 meeting…
Survey: Megachurches more intimate, believers less gullible than stereotypes
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A new survey by Baylor University researchers suggests that megachurches are more intimate, believers less gullible and atheism less prevalent than popular stereotypes would suggest. Results of the 2008 Baylor Religion Survey were released in a Sept….
‘Red-letter’ Christians can transcend partisan politics, Campolo insists
WACO, Texas (ABP) — “Red-letter” Christians committed to taking Christ’s teachings seriously have the potential to transform society in a way that moves beyond partisan politics, author and educator Tony Campolo told a recent ethics conference at Baylor University’s George…
UVA’s Cedric Peerman challenges youth to be champions
HALIFAX — Cedric Peerman is a name University of Virginia football fans will instantly recognize. He has been one of the bright spots in the Cavalier's current season, and before he was sidelined with an injury last year, he led…
Stanford leaves BWA to focus on pastoral work
WASHINGTON — Alan Stanford, director of mission advancement for the Baptist World Alliance, has left the position to fulfill a desire to return to full-time pastoral work. Stanford is pastor of First Baptist Church of Clarendon in Arlington. Stanford, who…
‘Who’s My Neighbor?’ is theme for BGAV’s Connect2008
RICHMOND — Connect:2008, the 185th annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, will be held in Roanoke Nov. 11-12 at the Roanoke Civic Center and the Hotel Roanoke & Convention Center. The theme for Connect:2008 is “Who's My…
China visit opens dialog on religious freedom
ATLANTA — Dialogue and increased understanding were the results of the first leg of a 10-day, two-city tour by a delegation of Chinese religious leaders and their American counterparts that began in Atlanta Sept. 5. The delegation included the leaders…
EDITORIAL: Aunt Ida visits Bluebell Baptist
Dear Jimmy, I can tell I'm slowin' down ‘cause my mind is laggin' behind the calendar by several months. It seems like it ought to be about May with the summer comin' on instead of the middle of September with…
FIRST HAND: Up close and personal in China
Even before the Beijing Olympics captured the world's attention in early August, some Virginia Baptists were experiencing China “up close and personal.” In early July, Lorrie Brooks of Westhampton Baptist Church in Richmond and Amy Abshire a recent graduate of…
SECOND OPINION: Forgiving without forgetting
As we stood on the roof of his new six-story apartment building in Greenwich Village, my oldest son pointed south and asked, “Could we have seen the World Trade Center from here?” “Yes,” I replied. At 110 stories, the twin…
ERLC urges U.S. action on Orissa violence
WASHINGTON (BP) — The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has called on President Bush and congressional leaders to intervene to bring an end to anti-Christian violence in the Indian state of Orissa. The request for action by the…
Hostess with the mostest
Eva Vest Easley of Bluefield was the hostess with the mostest. In her stately stone house, which guests aptly called “The Easley Mansion,” she and her husband, Tyler, entertained a parade of Baptist ministers, missionaries, denominational leaders, agency and institution…