WOODBRIDGE — Virginia Baptists' annual 21-C conference, held Feb. 15-16 at First Baptist Church, Woodbridge, challenged participants to embrace a new vision for reaching the lost in Virginia. “21-C has become synonymous with Kingdom vision, Kingdom innovation, and Kingdom courage,”…
Abstinence pact means AIDS relief bill back on track
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A bill that would more than triple the amount of money the United States spends combating the AIDS pandemic got a boost Feb. 27 with a compromise over abstinence-focused prevention efforts and abortion. House leaders and White…
Bluefield College launches emergency notification system
BLUEFIELD — In a proactive, innovative move to enhance its crisis communication with students, Bluefield College launched a wireless emergency notification system, RamAlert, which will dramatically strengthen its ability to communicate with the campus community during times of crisis. Crafted…
Senate bars abortion funds on reservations
WASHINGTON (BP) — The U.S. Senate voted Feb. 26 to prohibit federal funding for abortion as part of an Indian health care bill. Senators approved the amendment 52-42. The Senate approved the overall bill, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act,…
Liberty University to plant 500 new churches
LYNCHBURG (BP) — Leaders at Liberty University have a vision to help plant some 500 new churches during the next five years, evidencing its commitment with a three-day church planting conference. During chapel services attended by 5,000-plus Liberty students during…
In Jena, revival overpowers racial tensions
JENA, La. (BP) — Last Sept. 20, more than 20,000 people from across the nation gathered in small Jena, La., to protest an outbreak of racial tensions at the local high school, exposing old feelings of racism and hate. Celebrities…
Virginia Supreme Court to hear Virginia Baptist Homes case
CULPEPER — The Supreme Court of Virginia will hear the appeal of Virginia Baptist Homes in its case related to the suit brought against it by Botetourt County for the payment of property taxes on The Glebe, the Homes' newest…
SBC president asks for help for Union
JACKSON, Tenn. (BP) — Southern Baptist Convention President Frank Page called for Southern Baptist churches to give generously to Union University as the campus seeks to recover from more than $40 million in damages sustained in a Feb. 5 tornado….
EDITORIAL: Aunt Ida sets them straight
Dear Jimmy, I've given away so many pieces of my mind your Uncle Orley is certain I must be empty-headed by now. But I just can't help it. Just last Sunday after church we went with a few other folks…
FIRST-PERSON: Moving beyond Feb. 5
JACKSON, Tenn. (BP) — C.S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain says that God often uses the experiences of suffering as a megaphone to awaken us. Suffering and pain, Lewis said, are often the essential means by which God brings…
Wellsprings of centrist evangelicalism
Discussion of the concept of an emerging evangelical center (or some other label for an alternative to the Christian Right) has taken off in recent months — indeed, in recent weeks. Hardly a day goes by without some news article…
FIRST HAND: Persecution continues in India’s Orissa state
Loving greetings in the name of Jesus Christ from the Kandhamal, Orissa, where your brethren are undergoing much persecution and need your prayer and encouragement. The effected brethren are still in fear and despair in their own villages. Several of…