DALLAS (ABP) — Rick Warren, heralded as “America's new people's pastor,” will speak Oct. 29 at the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting. David Coffey, president of the Baptist World Alliance, will also speak at the meeting in Amarillo,…
Falwell’s son Jonathan takes helm of late father’s Va. megachurch
LYNCHBURG, Va. (ABP) — Jonathan Falwell, son of the late Jerry Falwell, will become pastor of the 24,000-member church his dad founded more than 50 years ago. Members of Thomas Road Baptist Church elected Jonathan Falwell, 40, in a unanimous…
In unique event, Democratic hopefuls respond to queries on faith, poverty
WASHINGTON (ABP) — On national television June 4, John Edwards admitted that he sins every day, Barack Obama said there's “a biblical injunction” to give prisoners the tools they need to rehabilitate themselves, and Hillary Clinton said the support of…
Religion, social issues again prominent in GOP debate
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Evolution, abortion rights and other issues important to religious conservatives reared their heads once again in the third debate between Republican presidential hopefuls June 5. Following a question that made headlines at the first GOP debate a…
Texas Baptists answer critics, post list of clergy sex-abusers
DALLAS (ABP) — The Baptist General Convention of Texas has made public a list of registered sex-offenders currently or previously on staff at affiliated churches. The decision is significant in light of a spate of Baptist clergy-sex-abuse cases and increased…
OPINION: Christian principles for immigration reform
I have become persuaded that immigration reform is one of the most important moral and policy issues facing Christians and the nation today. And there is landmark legislation on the table — the bipartisan comprehensive immigration bill, supported by the…
Faith and hip-hop culture combine in Baptist beach ministry
GALVESTON, Texas (ABP) — Wearing the signature red bandana of the Bloods gang, Marcus jumped from his Mustang convertible, popped open the trunk and pulled out an AK-47. His friends shouted, “Shoot ‘em! Shoot ‘em!” The potentially deadly face-off had…
Missionary to Spain, conservative leader from Texas face off for SBC first VP
TYLER, Texas (ABP) — David Rogers, a Southern Baptist missionary in Spain who also is the son of legendary preacher Adrian Rogers, will be nominated for first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention June 12. If elected, he will…
Election of Romanian Baptist president heralded by some as step toward 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…
Study: Half of SBC pastors believe in ‘prayer languages’
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Half of the senior pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention believe some people are granted a special, spiritual language for prayer, a recent survey has found. The findings, from LifeWay Christian Resources, come in the midst…
Three former presidents attend dedication of Billy Graham Library
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) — Three former presidents and a crowd of 1,500 gathered May 31 to dedicate the $27 million library and history complex created to honor Billy Graham, the most famous evangelist in the world. Former President George H.W….
Ronald Edwards, president of African-American group, dies
DALLAS (ABP) — Ronald Edwards, president of the African-American Fellowship of Texas and pastor of Minnehulla Baptist Church in Goliad, Texas, died May 31. Under Edwards' leadership, Minnehulla Baptist Church was known as a one of the leading missions churches…