For nearly 180 years, across five generations, the Religious Herald has arrived uninterrupted in the homes of the Ryland family of Virginia. Samuel Peachey Ryland subscribed when the first issue of the Herald came off the press in January 1828….
Virginia Interfaith Center purchases new headquarters
RICHMOND — The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy has purchased a building in the historic Richmond area of Shockoe Bottom to be used as its new statewide headquarters. The 19th century building, on Franklin Street next to the Richmond…
A devastating 1969 hurricane spawned Virginia Baptists’ far-reaching disaster relief ministry
During the night of Aug. 19-20, 1969, the remnants of Hurricane Camille inundated parts of southwest Virginia's Nelson County, producing devastating floods and mudslides. For Virginia Baptists' disaster relief ministry — and for key leaders of the ministry such as…
John Leland Center, Hampton University reach agreement on undergraduate degrees
ARLINGTON (ABP) — A Virginia Baptist seminary and a historically African-American college in the state have reached a unique degree-granting agreement for undergraduate students. The John Leland Center for Theological Studies, based in Arlington, and Hampton University in Hampton reached…
Alabama Baptists, in quiet meeting, adopt record $44.6 million budget
MOBILE, Ala. (ABP) — Messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention's annual meeting Nov. 13-14 quietly adopted a record budget and re-elected their officers. Members of the state's largest religious group also moved forward with work toward a future relocation…
Pat Robertson endorses Giuliani despite views
VIRGINIA BEACH (ABP) — The founder of the Christian Coalition has endorsed a Republican presidential candidate known for his support of abortion rights and gay rights. In a Nov. 7 press conference, television evangelist Pat Robertson announced he is supporting…
Evangelical scholars discuss justification by faith, may change doctrinal statement
SAN DIEGO (ABP) – As hundreds of scholars, pastors and theologians gathered Nov. 14 for the opening day of the 59th annual conference of the Evangelical Theological Society, a question loomed over their heads: How narrowly to define who qualifies…
The story behind 670
RICHMOND — During this week's annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, there will be an emphasis on reaching the estimated 4.5 million people in Virginia who may not have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Borrowing the “H.O.W.”…
N.C. Baptists cut WMU funding, loosen ties with colleges, take stand on gays
GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — Messengers changed the face of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, loosening ties to its five colleges and retirement home, cutting funding to its women's auxiliary, and expelling a church that accepts gays in leadership…
Associations work with VBMB to evangelize Central Virginia
BOWLING GREEN — The Hermon Baptist Association has partnered with the Dover and Fredericksburg Baptist association, the Virginia Baptist Mission Board and local churches to start a new congregation called Living Proof. The new church held its first service at…
Moderates, conservatives each get mixed bag during Tenn. convention
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (ABP) – Neither an organized conservative group nor a coalition of moderates and unaligned conservatives were the clear-cut winners during the Tennessee Baptist Convention annual meeting, held Nov. 13-14 in Kingsport, Tenn. Messengers elected presidential and vice presidential…
How’s it going in Blacksburg?
BLACKSBURG — In the months since April 16, we have heard the question many times, “How's it going in Blacksburg?” As we remember our friend Brian Bluhm and the others who lost their lives that day, the answer of how…