DALLAS (ABP) — Charles Wade, who led the Baptist General Convention of Texas through major changes in its governance and a reorganization of its staff, has announced plans to retire as executive director Jan. 31, 2008. Wade told BGCT employees…
Arson culprits sentenced to prison, restitution for Alabama church fires
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — Three former college students convicted of setting fire to nine Baptist churches in rural Alabama were sentenced to prison April 9. They must also pay millions in restitution and perform community service for their crime. Matthew…
Clippard, embattled Missouri Baptist exec, fired in closed-door session
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — David Clippard, embattled executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention, was fired April 10 by the convention's Executive Board. Following a second closed-door meeting about Clippard's leadership within six months, Executive Board members voted 44-7…
GOP presidential race again features faith, but new dynamics
WASHINGTON (ABP) — With Democratic front-runners talking openly about evangelical-style conversion experiences and Republicans lamenting that none of their top-tier candidates are bona fide social conservatives, experts say the 2008 presidential campaign may rewrite political playbooks on the role of…
Prominent professor accused of fraudulently investing millions
COLUMBIA, S.C. (ABP) – An economics professor at a South Carolina Baptist university was charged with fraud April 5, after federal authorities discovered $134 million missing from investment funds he managed. The academic has since claimed amnesia and reportedly checked…
OPINION: Iraq deadline debate proves morally difficult to resolve
The Democratic-led Congress and the Bush White House may be heading toward a train wreck over recently passed legislation setting a goal of withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq by March 2008. This was entirely predictable, but as the impasse deepens,…
Newlyweds trade rural Kentucky for adventurous life in New Orleans
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — James Welch and Amy Bradley-Welch are quite the adventurous couple. Newlyweds, they graduated in 2006 from a small, rural Baptist college and immediately headed to the raucous, easy-living city on the bayou: New Orleans. Now the Campbellsville…
Critical need
Those who know John Chandler admire his creativity and general situational savvy. He is well-read and communicates effectively and enthusiastically. It came as no particular surprise to anyone that upon Bob Dale's retirement Chandler was tapped to lead the Ray…
Top 100 Virginia churches in total Cooperative Missions gifts
First Baptist Church in Alexandria led churches affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia last year in contributions to the Cooperative Missions. Rounding out the top 10 churches in total CP gifts were Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond,…
Virginia Baptist agency changes name to HopeTree
Virginia Baptist Children's Home & Family Services, a 117-year-old agency based in Salem and affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia, has adopted a new name. VBCH&FS, which operates more than a dozen group homes for adults with special…
Top 100 Virginia churches in Virginia portion of CM gifts
First Baptist Church in Alexandria led churches affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia last year in contributions to the Virginia portion of the Cooperative Program. Rounding out the top 10 churches in total CM gifts were Bon Air…
Latino Network sponsors trip
The Latino Network of Virginia Baptists will sponsor up to 10 Latino youth from Virginia to attend the 2008 Baptist Youth World Conference in Leipzig, Germany, to be held July 30-Aug. 3 The conference will involve youth in fellowship, worship,…