CHICAGO (RNS) — Willow Creek Community Church, the suburban Chicago megachurch that has become a model for some of the nation's largest churches, started more than a quarter-century ago by asking the question: Why don't people go to church? Now,…
Religion writers name evangelicals in election as last year’s top story
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The nation's religion writers considered political grappling of evangelicals for a GOP presidential candidate the top religion story of 2007. Members of the Religion Newswriters Association named their Top 10 list of religion stories for the year….
Virginia Baptist woman donates RV to VBMB’s disaster relief ministry
RICHMOND — While John McCracken prepared his will, he told his wife, Dorothy, “If you can sell the RV, fine. If not, give it to the Baptists.” After John went to be with the Lord two years ago, Dorothy half-heartedly…
New Baptist Covenant, Huckabee rank as top stories in ’07, journalists say
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The biggest news story among Baptists in 2007 was about an event that has not even happened yet — the announcement of an unprecedented meeting of Baptists from across North America — according to an informal survey…
Petersburg Sunday school class brings home soldier from abroad, to delight of wife and kids
PETERSBURG — Most Baptist churches discourage deceit, but Immanuel Baptist Church in Petersburg celebrated subterfuge on Sunday, Dec. 13, when it brought one of its members home from Germany to surprise his wife and family. Photo by Kimberly Carter Alicia…
Students in Southwest Virginia find ministry on campuses
GATE CITY — Look up “emerging leader” in your Virginia Baptist Kingdom Advance Unabridged Dictionary and you will find pictures of Mark Estepp and Jessica Roloff. Both are students at the University of Virginia's College at Wise and are active…
New registration process for 21-C to provide ministry profile
RICHMOND — Online registration holds many benefits for meeting planners and attendees — it's easy and efficient for both parties and it has the ability to gather information that benefits both. So it is with this year's registration for 21-C…
Register to include focus on hymns
RICHMOND — The forthcoming issue of the Virginia Baptist Register includes the address delivered by Milburn Price at a music convocation sponsored by the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies and held last May. Price, the recently retired dean of…
EDITORIAL: To release the oppressed
Can Christians close their eyes to the needs of others and still claim to be fully devoted followers of Jesus? Can Christians observe the strong inflicting pain on the weak and not feel the pain themselves? Can they remain only…
Kenyans hunger for ‘normal life’
NAIROBI, Kenya (BP) — Suitcase in one hand and daughter's hand in another, the young couple picks their way through a charred landscape that just yesterday was a thriving used-clothing market. They slow their pace so the 4-year-old can see…
SECOND OPINION: Tips for successful tax filing
According to some estimates, two out of five Americans procrastinate when it comes to filing their tax returns. But experts agree that early preparation for the upcoming tax season is best. Here are some tips to aid in preparing 2007…
Violence leads to arson massacre in Kenya church
WASHINGTON (ABP) — At least 30 people burned to death in a church in Kenya Jan. 1 after an election dispute touched off ethnic strife, according to multiple news reports. The dead, who had been barricaded inside the church, were…