IRVING, Texas (ABP) — A refrain of freedom echoed through a Mainstream Baptist Network convocation in suburban Dallas Feb. 23-24. About 80 participants from across the South gathered for the sixth-annual event. During the session, seven speakers addressed the theme…
Texas lawsuit, drug company decision slow push for mandatory HPV vaccine
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Advocates for mandating a vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer for teenage girls have received two new setbacks, with a lawsuit against the first state to make the regimen mandatory and an announcement that the pharmaceutical…
Opinion: The freedom of fasting
It's already Lent and so far we've had a relatively snow-free winter here in Hanover County, Va. While the schools provided the kids with a couple of delayed openings and at least one “just in case” closing, there hasn't really…
Controversial Soledad cross remains after Calif. court declines appeal
SAN DIEGO (ABP) — Supporters of a controversial cross on government land in San Diego won the latest round in a lengthy war over the monument Feb. 21. The California Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of a lower…
Former Southern Baptist history group to join American Baptists at Mercer
ATLANTA (ABP) — In a move that will put an American Baptist history collection and a formerly Southern Baptist history group under the same roof, the Baptist History and Heritage Society announced Feb. 23 that it will relocate to Mercer…
Another Baptist minister arrested, charged with child sex exploitation
CAMDEN, S.C. (ABP) — Another Southern Baptist minister has been arrested on child sex-abuse charges, this time for sending pornographic photos of himself to what he thought was a 14-year-old girl. Kevin Ogle, 42, pastor of Northgate Colonial Baptist Church…
Correction
In the story Feb. 22 story “Experts: More danger than meets eye in upcoming Supreme Court case,” please replace the 20th paragraph with the following: While the government is not arguing that the Flast expansion be overturned, Bull's friend-of-the-court brief…
Christians, others use film Amazing Grace to spotlight modern-day slave trade
Nearly 200 years after William Wilberforce brought an end to England's slave trade, a wide audience will have a chance to see his story told on film. But the producers of Amazing Grace—and a wide coalition of Christian and other…
Hunger, poverty can be diminished by political action, charity head says
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — The movement to eradicate hunger and extreme poverty for millions of people around the world is not a lost cause, says the president of Bread for the World. In fact, despite the population explosion, the number…
William Wilbeforce’s life is a model for modern Christians, says historian
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…