RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — The drive to weave ties among local churches is housed deep in the Baptist DNA. It's an instinct almost as visceral as another, often competing, Baptist characteristic — a fierce independence of thought and practice. For…
Networks: New label or new way for Baptist churches to relate?
DALLAS (ABP) — Some associations of churches now call themselves “networks.” And their directors of missions insist it's more than just a trendy change in terminology. As missions director for a West Texas area that included both the Midland and…
European conservatives: Preserving traditional marriage best for society
WARSAW, Poland (ABP) — Healthy traditional marriages inevitably create healthy societies, psychologist Patrick Fagen told a global gathering of social conservatives May 12, and European Christians must model that enterprise for their continent. Fagen, who spoke on the second day…
Giuliani tries to explain views on abortion, gays at HBU
HOUSTON (ABP) — In a highly publicized May 11 speech at a Texas Baptist college, the current front-runner among potential Republican presidential nominees attempted to explain his views on abortion rights and other controversial social issues. But the moderately pro-choice,…
Trial date set in first of five Missouri Baptist lawsuits
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — A Missouri judge has set a date for the first jury trial in the cases of five statewide Baptist institutions embroiled in an ongoing legal battle with the Missouri Baptist Convention. Jury selection in the…
As storm-struck Kansans recover, Ottawa University sends help
GREENSBURG, Kan. (ABP) — As Baptists in Greensburg, Kan., reeled from the loss of their church building — and virtually their entire town — a nearby Baptist college sent some of its top students to help with the recovery effort….
Controversial gathering aims to focus Europeans on ‘pro-family’ politics
WARSAW (ABP) — When Ellen Sauerbrey, the United States' assistant secretary of state for population, addressed a European conference on families May 11, she felt the need to defend her appearance there. In her May 11 opening speech at the…
‘KidsHeart’ draws spring breakers to serve in Rio Grande Valley
ATLANTA (ABP) — When many kids were spending their spring break on the beach, more than 300 served others in one of the nation's poorest areas through a joint Cooperative Baptist Fellowship-Texas Baptist program. This year, hundreds of students worked…
Controversial IMB policies on baptism, ‘prayer language’ softened slightly
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (ABP) — Controversial policies for missionaries on baptism and speaking in tongues were slightly softened — but not revoked — by trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board May 8. The trustees, meeting in Kansas…
Evangelicals, other Christians unite to push immigration reform
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A broad variety of evangelicals and other Christian groups and leaders launched a new campaign May 7 to get Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform. With a Washington press conference and ads in two major Capitol Hill…
Missionaries return to Tanzania after surviving brutal attack there
MOSHI, Tanzania (ABP) — Two Southern Baptist missionaries are on their way back to Tanzania, where they were attacked with machetes and shot during a vicious robbery in the East African country. Carl and Kay Garvin, Southern Baptist missionaries who…
Baptist Assembly in Great Britain takes action on migrants, trafficking
BRIGHTON, England (ABP) — Baptists in Great Britain are calling on their government and churches to do more for migrant workers and to oppose human trafficking around the world. The resolution came at the May 4-7 Baptist Assembly in Brighton,…