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…
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…
Trust level in religion at near-record low
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Americans trust the military and the police significantly more than the church and organized religion, a new Gallup Poll reveals. Only 46 percent of respondents said they had either a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in…
FAITH DIGEST
Polluted lower Jordan River an endangered site. The lower portion of the Jordan River is so polluted, the World Monuments Fund has designated it an “Endangered Cultural Heritage Site.” The international body for the protection of monuments recently placed the…
Future of missions: What about career missionaries?
As churches and individual Christians demand more hands-on, practical connection to missions, some Baptists are questioning whether a missions-by-proxy approach—churches supporting professional career missionaries sent by large denominational agencies— has a future. Count Ken Hall, president of Buckner International, among…
Future of Missions: Technology changes the way missionaries work
NEW YORK (ABP)—Most Baptist missions leaders agree technology has changed the face of missions. What they don't agree on is what it has changed the most. Some claim centralized integration of information has radically reshaped the mission process. Others think…
Virginia Mission Board tests disaster relief center operations
RICHMOND — The Virginia Baptist Mission Board's revamped disaster relief command center was tested during a simulation June 27—and leaders say they were pleased with the results. Historically, off-site coordination for VBMB disaster relief operations has been done by two…