In increasing number of Christians are responding to global issues, noting biblical calls for such action. They commonly cite Luke 4:18-19 — when Jesus announced the inauguration of his public ministry by quoting an Old Testament passage about good news…
Field personnel provide medical care to Bedouins
ATLANTA — When Tim Myrick walked to the hospital each morning, he said a short prayer — “Lord let me represent Jesus as clearly as possible.” The hospital, located in the desert of northern Jordan, serves tuberculosis patients from all…
Caring for the poor: Whose job is it — church or state?
Care for people Jesus called “the least of these” requires response from both congregations and government, according to specialists who focus on ministry to the poor and on church/ state relations. As participants in both church and state, Christians should…
Gaza church continues witness despite persecution
JERUSALEM — An anonymous Baptist source in Jerusalem pleads with Baptists across the world to pray fervently for the pastor and members of the Gaza Baptist Church. Hanna Masaad, the church's pastor, will outline the persecutions the church has endured…
Virginia Baptist 2007 contributions exceed budget by almost $250,000
RICHMOND — Virginia Baptists surpassed their 2007 budget goal by almost $250,000, a finance officer announced last week. Churches affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia gave a total of $14,442,553, almost a 2 percent increase over the $14.2…
Ministries continue in Kenya as violence and tensions remain
NAIROBI, Kenya (ABP) — In spite of a wave of violence that has swept through Kenya over the last few weeks, Baptist groups are proceeding cautiously as they go back to work in the chaotic nation. Classes began as scheduled…
Plenary details released for New Baptist Covenant
ATLANTA — Organizers of the Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant scheduled for Jan. 30 through Feb. 1, 2008, in Atlanta, have released a detailed schedule of the plenary sessions and the speakers. The session at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan….
Obama again refutes Muslim rumors
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Churchgoing Congregationalist Barack Obama is being forced once again to explain that he is not secretly a Muslim bent on furthering an international Islamic conspiracy by winning the presidency. Jewish and other religious leaders have joined him…
In S.C., Nevada contests, Huckabee fails to maintain evangelical edge
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee's support among evangelicals failed to garner a win for him in the Jan. 19 GOP primary in South Carolina. The Baptist minister and former Arkansas governor lost that race — the primary…
The Luke 4 mandate: Christians answer call to social action
DALLAS (ABP) — For some Christians, listening to the news is like hearing a prayer list. More than 2 million people displaced in Sudan. More than 1.5 million Iraqi children left homeless. Residents of Louisiana still rebuilding two years after…
Caring for the poor: Whose job is it — church or state?
DALLAS (ABP) — Care for people Jesus called “the least of these” requires response from both congregations and government, according to specialists who focus on ministry to the poor and on church-state relations. As participants in both church and state,…
Baptist man from Oklahoma works in Darfur, other global hot spots
BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (ABP) — On day 27 of a 40-day fast in a cabin in Michigan, God called Kevin Turner to ministry — specifically in war zones, disaster areas and places where Christians are persecuted. Since then, he's had quite…