FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) — A Baptist Church that since last summer had flown the Israeli flag to show support for Israel fell victim to criminal activity July 17 when the star in the center of the flag was burned…
Baptists, other Christian leaders push for reform in farm bill
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Baptists and other Christian groups are asking Congress to seize an opportunity to reform the way the government relates to farmers — for the sake of the poor in the United States and around the globe, they…
Corrections
In the July 3 story “Using Scriptures as guide, man searches for oil in Israel,” please replace paragraph five with the following: “[Israel] currently uses domestic gas deposits from off-shoring drilling and also depends on foreign oil, importing barrels from…
Baptists workers in Macau content with supportive ministry role
ATLANTA (ABP) — Larry and Sarah Ballew compare their work in Macau, China to the bamboo scaffolding around a new building. It's an appropriate metaphor for Macau, an old city being transformed by new hotels and casinos. With more than…
Baptist deacon who ministered to ex-cons in Houston murdered
HOUSTON (ABP) — Willie Scott, a Baptist deacon who turned his experiences as a crack addict and convict into tools for his ministry, was shot and killed July 10 at his clothing and shoe business in Houston. Police are still…
Protestants react to Vatican statement that Catholics are ‘only true church’
DALLAS (ABP) — The document issued July 10 by the Vatican was meant to clarify its doctrine of the church. But nearly a week later, its timing and language still leaves some Protestants and Catholics feeling confused or angry. Much…
Bluefield College says goodbye to interim president
BLUEFIELD — Bluefield College bid farewell to interim president Charles Warren during a formal reception on campus, June 22. With just days remaining in the interim leader's temporary tenure with the school, the BC family took time to recognize the…
Hindu clergyman makes history in Senate, but faces disruption
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A history-making prayer offered by a Hindu leader to open the Senate's July 12 session was reportedly interrupted by a group of Christian protesters. Three observers in the Senate visitors' gallery reportedly attempted to shout down the…
Anti-Muslim bias skyrocketed in U.S.
WASHINGTON (ABP)—Complaints of anti-Muslim bias in the United States shot up by 25 percent in 2006 as compared to the previous year, according to a survey by an Islamic group. The annual report of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, titled…
News About Virginia Baptists and their ministries for July 12, 2007
STAFF CHANGES • Hilton Jeffreys, to Bethel Church, Salem, as pastor, effective July 22. • Jared Neal, to Airlee Court Church, Roanoke, as pastor. • Roger Collier, to Harmony Grove Church, Topping, as pastor. • Dwight Hargrove, to Zion Hill…
Complaints of church politicking up in 2006
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Complaints about improper politicking by tax-exempt organizations went up 43 percent in the 2006 elections compared to 2004, according to a report by the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS was asked to investigate 237 cases involving churches and other…
U.S. Hispanic believers prefer ‘Spirit-filled’ worship in Spanish
WASHINGTON (ABP)—His-panic believers in the United States prefer “Spirit-filled religious expression” and gravitate toward a “distinctively ethnic” worship experience, opting to go to church with other Hispanics and speak Spanish when they get there, according to a recent report by…