NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Virginia Baptist Sharon Pumpelly, who with her husband, Larry, spent 25 years as an International Mission Board missionary in Uganda and Kenya, has been named lead consultant for True Love Waits International's expansion in Africa, LifeWay president and CEO…
SBC appoints strategy coordinator for churches’ ‘ex-gay’ ministries
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention has commissioned a Texas pastor to become its “national strategist for gender issues” — a position designed to promote “ex-gay” ministries to SBC congregations. Bob Stith, who said God convicted him more…
SPECIAL REPORT: Broken Trust—ANALYSIS: What to do if a minister is accused of sexual misconduct
Most pastors and staff members are aware that ministry sometimes puts them in unique circumstances with all kinds of people. Most also are aware that a rumor of wrongdoing often is enough to end an otherwise fruitful ministry. For this…
Election of Romanian Baptist may signal unity
CLUJ, Romania (ABP)—In a move signaling a renewed interest in partnering with the European Baptist Federation, Romanian Baptists have elected Otniel Bunaciu as their president. The May 18 decision of the 34th congress of the Baptist Union of Romania was…
SBC messengers pass motion, resolution on clergy sex-abuse
SAN ANTONIO — On June 1, the Baptist General Convention of Texas posted online the names of eight convicted sex offenders who worked as ministers in convention-affiliated churches. The list is the latest development in a heated discussion within Southern…
Fifty years later, General Assembly honors Langford
RICHMOND — On Sunday, June 3, Henry Victor Langford, 88, received a resolution of praise and approval from the General Assembly at the Hermitage United Methodist Home in north Richmond, where he lives. After passionately endorsing the Supreme Court's 1954…
Christianity Today chooses top books
(RNS)—Christianity Today magazine has chosen its top books for 2007, awarding honors in 10 categories for work of interest to evangelical Christians. Ten winners of the Christianity Today Book Award 2007 were chosen in the following categories: • Apologetics/Evangelism: The…
Missional gathering at SBC event contemplates global movement
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — A global church planting movement could begin in five to 10 years, Pastor Bob Roberts told a small but passionate gathering of missional leaders who met prior to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. Meeting late…
SBC messengers re-elect Page, choose Richards over Rogers
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — Although the Southern Baptists re-elected as their president a pastor supported by denominational reformers, they defeated the reformers' candidate for first vice president. Messengers at the denomination's annual meeting re-elected South Carolina pastor Frank Page June…
Ruth Graham, wife of evangelist Billy Graham, close to death
RALEIGH, N.C. (ABP) — Ruth Graham, the wife of evangelist Billy Graham, went into a coma early June 13 and is close to death, a family spokesperson said. According to a statement released by Larry Ross, Graham's spokesman, Ruth Graham…
Bush greeted with standing ovation, thanks Southern Baptists at annual event
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — Judging by his reception at the annual Southern Baptist Convention meeting, President Bush's popularity remains strong among Southern Baptists, whom he thanked for their support June 13. Bush was greeted with a standing ovation of sustained…
SBC messengers raise questions about IMB finances, trustees
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin presented an upbeat report June 12 to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, but he was unable to escape concerns from messengers at the San Antonio, Texas, meeting. A concern…