Studies point to a dangerous trend toward problem gambling among 14- to 21-year-olds who face a dizzying array of enticing gambling options, all with big potential payoffs. Experts are alarmed about early-age gambling because they believe adolescents are more likely…
Russian Baptists meet nationally, despite opposition
MOSCOW — Despite local government's opposition and harassment, the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists (RUECB) completed its third biannual, national congress on schedule on Aug. 4, at a camp near the village of Rumyantsevo west of Moscow. “It was a…
BTSR announces School of Christian Ministry courses
RICHMOND — Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond's School of Christian Ministry has announced several upcoming continuing education opportunities. A contemplative retreat in preparation for the season of Advent, “Listening for God in our Lives,” will be held Oct. 13-16 at…
BWA births divisions for justice; scholars spotlight ecology, diversity
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Concern for freedom and justice were on the minds of participants at two recent international Baptist meetings in Prague, Czech Republic. Participants at meetings related to the Baptist World Alliance's annual gathering created a new office for…
12-year-old Virginia Baptist girl starts web site for ‘girls like her’
MECHANICSVILLE — Not many business owners can boast about being featured in a cable television show on CNBC with Donny Deutsch. But 12-year-old Taylor Ramirez can. At least she could if she were inclined to boast. On Aug. 21, Taylor…
Several dead in India after Hindu-Christian clashes
FALLS CHURCH (ABP) — At least six people have died in clashes between Christians and Hindus in the Indian state of Orissa, Reuters reported Aug. 27. However, accounts coming into the Baptist World Alliance claim the death toll in ongoing…
Virginia Baptists on alert
The Virginia Baptist Mission Board's disaster relief ministries are on alert for potential tropical storms, says Terry Raines, the board's disaster relief coordinator. Tropical Storm Gustav is expected to return to hurricane status and make landfall somewhere on the Gulf…
The first 75 days
WOODSTOCK, Ga. (BP) — In his first 75 days as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Johnny Hunt has met with more than 500 Southern Baptist leaders, discussing ways to tackle challenges facing the SBC — issues such as baptism-less…
EDITORIAL: The fires of persecution
Iindex.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=133). Survivors watched helplessly from a distance as their homes and churches burned. The most recent attacks were in reaction to the murders by suspected Maoists of a Hindu Leader Laxmananda Saraswati and four of his disciples on Aug. 21….
Homeschooling a constitutional right, say some
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Until recently, more than 8 in 10 Americans were at odds with a California appeals court that ruled in February that “parents do not have a constitutional right to homeschool their children,” according to just-released data from…
SECOND OPINION: The futile search for Graham’s successor
Having spent his life in the limelight, Billy Graham now lives at his mountain retreat in relative seclusion, while down below there is a clamor to crown his successor. (By the way, I should say at the outset, this is…
Upraised hands
I have become that older woman standing up front with raised hands during prayer. I met her during the Pastors Conference at Huguenot Road Baptist Church at the Baptist General Association of Virginia meeting in 1999. She was then about…