WACO, Texas (ABP) — God identifies with the poor and the powerless, and Christians encounter Christ when they serve the weakest of the world's citizens, Daniel Vestal recently told a group of social-work students at Baylor University. “Concern for the…
Crowded SBC presidential field grows by 2: Avery Willis, Johnny Hunt
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (ABP) — A crowded field of hopefuls for the Southern Baptist Convention presidency appears to be developing, with two high-profile candidates set to join three already-announced nominees. Retired SBC International Mission Board executive Avery Willis and Atlanta-area pastor…
Half of SBC churches could die before 2030, president predicts
CARY, N.C. (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention is rapidly dying, and resistance to change could kill over half of the denomination's churches by 2030, the outgoing SBC president said May 1. Unless something is done to reverse the downward…
Half of SBC churches could die before 2030, president predicts
CARY, N.C. (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention is rapidly dying, and resistance to change could kill over half of the denomination's churches by 2030, the outgoing SBC president said May 1. Unless something is done to reverse the downward…
Upcoming ‘Manifesto’ rebukes evangelicals for becoming pawns
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Several prominent conservative Christian leaders, in a joint statement to be unveiled May 7, are rebuking their fellow American evangelicals for allowing secular politics to co-opt their faith. “An Evangelical Manifesto,” set to be released at a…
Grassley targets ministries’ alleged abuse of tax laws
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Sen. Chuck Grassley insists he’s not trying to impose his Baptist theology on Pentecostal and Charismatic ministries; he simply wants them to obey the tax laws. The Iowa Republican has drawn fire for using his position as…
Southside Association plans special day for church planter
Virginia Baptist minister Juan Carlos Gascon has faced many challenges with faith and gratitude. He now faces perhaps the greatest challenge imaginable. On March 11, Gascon, Hispanic church planter for the Southside Baptist Association, and his son, Jonathan, were in…
SBC annual meeting to focus on mission
INDIANAPOLIS (BP) — Fulfilling the mission Christ gave his followers — bringing lost souls into God's Kingdom — will be the focus of the 151st session of the Southern Baptist Convention when it convenes June 10-11 at the Indiana Convention…
Retirement seminars to help answer questions for ministers
RICHMOND — Church employees within 10 years of retirement begin confronting such questions as: • What should I do now to make sure I'm financially ready when I retire? • How much retirement income will I need? • What retirement…
CBF general assembly to gather in Memphis
ATLANTA — The 18th annual Cooperative Baptist Fellowship general assembly meets June 19-20 in Memphis, Tenn., where thousands of Fellowship Baptists are expected to gather for worship, annual business, fellowship and discussion on various social and religious issues. “The General…
EDITORIAL: Aunt Ida has the Bible Blues
Dear Jimmy, I guess bein' a retired farmer is a lot like bein' a retired preacher. You just can't seem to quit. It gets in your blood. Ya might even say it's a callin', farmin' is. Why, ever seed planted…
Credit union to support ABC workers, Thai villages
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (ABP) — The ministry of two American Baptist Churches missionaries to underdeveloped Thai villages will be undergirded with a $232,500 gift from Christian Community Credit Union. According to the American Baptist News Service, the nationwide Christian banking…