NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — A May 4 vote to oust 71 dissident members of Nashville, Tenn., megachurch Two Rivers Baptist Church failed by four votes — less than half a percent. The 71 members are plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed…
Christ identifies with poor, Vestal tells Baylor students
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…
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…
Expelled
I was disappointed that your April 17 issue contained a large ad for the movie Expelled. Although it is not improper to accept such advertising, I would like to inform your readers that many careful analyses have shown this presentation…
Bluefield students examine Holocaust
BLUEFIELD — Bluefield College involved its students, faculty and staff, other scholars and the community at-large in a powerful and serious look back at one of the most significant events in world history — the Holocaust — during a month-long…
OUT LOUD
“I guess my cousin Barack has sat through some mighty riveting sermons over the years. If he gets elected, you're not going to want to miss those Washington prayer breakfasts.” Vice President Dick Cheney The vice president was speaking at…
Rival Missouri groups agree to committee
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — Seven members of rival conservative groups in the Missouri Baptist Convention will go to mediation in an effort to bring about peace within the battle-torn statewide group. The MBC Executive Board voted on April 15…
Building relationships
Sutton Wirt, the oldest son of the pastor, stuck his head into the sanctuary of Burkeville Baptist Church and exclaimed: “There's more people in there than I've ever seen at church.” He was referring to the gathering of two congregations,…
Sudanese Baptists reunite after years-long division fueled by nation’s deadly civil war
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — After years of division precipitated by one of history's deadliest civil wars, Sudanese Baptists have finally — like their nation — reunited. The reunification of the Sudan Interior Church North and the Sudan Interior Church…
Chaplain launches ‘adopt a terrorist’ prayer campaign
WASHINGTON (RNS) — An Army Reserve chaplain has decided to do his individual part in the war on terror. He co-founded an Internet ministry to pray for terrorists. “Adopt a Terrorist for Prayer” was launched in March and features a…
Obama’s former pastor gives first TV interview
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Pastor Jeremiah Wright, who became a household name recently after video snippets of his sermons created a stir on the Internet and a headache for his most famous parishioner, is defending himself in an interview that was…