WACO, Texas (ABP) — Jarrell McCracken, who founded one of the world's largest Christian entertainment companies, died Nov. 7. He was 79. The Baylor University graduate founded Word Inc. in 1951 in Waco, Texas. The company became prominent in the…
Israel claims artifacts found date to first Jewish temple
JERUSALEM (RNS) — Israeli archaeologists who have been inspecting maintenance work done by Muslims on the Temple Mount have discovered what they believe are artifacts dating back to the time of the first Jewish temple. Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities…
Thank goodness
Thank goodness for Michael Cox's theological musings presented in his Oct. 18 article “Imprecatory Prayer: Is Invoking a Curse a Valid Part of Prayer?” Cox suggests the Bible, as the “word of God,” encourages Christians “to invoke a curse or…
Falwell’s church continues fast-paced growth
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Thomas Road Baptist Church, the Virginia megachurch founded by the late Jerry Falwell, had the largest numeric growth recorded in a new list of the nation's fastest-growing churches. Outreach magazine reported the church in Lynchburg, Va., saw an increase…
Praise for Huckabee
Thank you for the article about Mike Huckabee in the October 25 issue of the Religious Herald. While serving eight years as minister of music at First Baptist Church, Hope, Arkansas, it was my pleasure to work closely with Mike…
From one generation to the next: WMUV holds annual meeting
More than 1,100 women gathered at Eagle Eyrie last weekend for Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia's annual meeting — continuing a decades-long tradition of inspiring the next generation to a commitment to missions. Because the conference center cannot accommodate so…
Americans don’t want religious pitches from presidential candidates, poll says
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Even though thousands of evangelicals flocked to Washington for the recent Values Voter Summit, more than two-thirds of Americans think presidential candidates should not use their religious beliefs to sway voters, a new poll shows. The poll, conducted by…
SECOND OPINON: Protecting the poor from payday lending
The postcard seemed harmless. The little cartoon money man with a dollar sign magic wand promised a “pay day advance” (up to $500) interest free. First-time customers only. But what would that card mean in the hands of an elderly…
Kathryn Eckler named outstanding GA for 2007
EAGLE EYRIE — Girls in Action (GAs) is a mission-education organization for girls in grades 1-6. Every year Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia receives nominations for an outstanding GA, a girl in grades 4-6 who exhibits a missions lifestyle. Jim…
FAITH DIGEST
Evangelicals advocate for Dalits. The National Association of Evangelicals has called on the U.S. government to take action to reduce persecution of the Dalits, the “untouchable” residents of South Asia. Board members of the evangelical association acknowledged their previous inattention…
VIRGINIA BRIEFS
LELAND INAUGURATION: Mark Olson (right) was inaugurated as second president of the John Leland Center for Theological Studies in September. Mel Harris (left), president of Leland's board of trustees, reads the letter of charge to Olson. John Upton was the…
WMUV approves resolution, adopts bylaw change
EAGLE EYRIE — Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia expressed appreciation to its former executive director and adopted a bylaw change during its annual meeting last weekend. The following resolution was adopted unanimously: Earlene Jessee retired from Woman's Missionary Union of…