Though he lived in England two centuries ago, the life and work of William Wilberforce remain important examples for modern-day evangelicals, according to the lead historical consultant for a feature film chronicling the famous abolitionist's life. Kevin Belmonte, a leading…
Missionary visits red-light district in Prague to pray with prostitutes
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Lauran Bethell likes dark streets and late nights. She loves prostitutes. She is a self-described “missionary who hangs out in red-light districts.” Bethell, who works with International Ministries of the American Baptist Churches USA, spoke Feb….
WMUV leader reports focus on panel’s proposals
Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia is focusing on a series of recommendations provided by an ad hoc committee in December, according to a statement released this week by Laura McDaniel, interim executive director of WMUV. The board of trustees of…
Thousands were expected to sing Amazing Grace
Tens of thousands of voices from churches around the globe were expected to take a public stand Sunday, Feb. 18, against modern-day slavery by singing the hymn Amazing Grace. More than 2,500 churches from a range of denominations had committed…
Experts: More danger than meets eye in upcoming Supreme Court case
WASHINGTON (ABP) — There's more at risk for the separation of church and state than meets the eye in an upcoming Supreme Court case, a panel of legal experts agreed Feb. 21. The experts previewed oral arguments in Hein v….
Local missions gain prominence as Baptist churches join blitz
Operation Inasmuch, the one-day missions blitz organization that started at a Baptist church in Fayetteville, N.C., became a national ministry Jan. 30. David Crocker, who was pastor of Fayetteville's Snyder Memorial Baptist Church when Operation Inasmuch was born, is the…
Definition of ‘evangelical’ up for debate in theology
One out of every four adults who call themselves “evangelical” is not a “born-again” Christian, according to a recent report from the Barna Group. And that's just the beginning of the confusion surrounding the term “evangelical.” For instance, some political…
Touring children’s choir gives hope for Africa’s impoverished children
ABILENE, Texas (ABP) — Like most boys his age, 8-year-old David dreams about what he'll be when he grows up. This week, he wants to be an air-traffic controller. A year ago, he probably never dreamed he'd be in the…
FIRST PERSON: Insights gleaned from a pastor search committee
Chamberlayne Baptist Church in Richmond recently called Mark White as pastor after a nearly two-year pastoral transition and pastor search process. Based on White's positive experience with the pastor search committee and the process of his being called to serve…
Clinton to speak as part of Ouachita inauguration
Former President Bill Clinton will lecture at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark., as part of a weeklong inaugural celebration for the school's 15th president, Rex Horne Jr., Clinton's former pastor. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Ouachita graduate and…
Gonzales’ SBC announcement riles some in religious-freedom field
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ Feb. 20 announcement to Southern Baptist Convention leaders about a new Justice Department focus on religious freedom garnered some praise — and significant criticism — from other Christian leaders. Gonzales announced the launch…
BTSR launches placement service
Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond has launched LeaderConnect, a web-based internet reference and referral service provided at no charge to the users. The new resource, which started Feb. 12, draws on the resources of a Lilly Endowment funded grant and…