The population of the United States soared past 300 million in October, with no signs of declining anytime soon. Only two other countries contain more than 300 million people: China and India, with more than 1 billion each. Like those…
Virginians help dreams come true in African ministry
Nineteen volunteers from Community Heights Baptist Church of Cedar Bluff, Va., went to Kyela, Tanzania, for two weeks in July. Hundreds of churches take mission trips—what makes this one different is that it began 15 years ago. Pastor Allen Jessee…
UPDATE: Probe finds Texas church-starters got up to $1.3 million for bogus churches
DALLAS (ABP) — A five-month investigation uncovered evidence Baptist General Convention of Texas church-starting funds were misused between 1999 and 2005 in the Rio Grande Valley. At a called meeting of the BGCT Executive Board Oct. 31, investigators reported they…
Breakout sessions at BGAV to focus on RASNet
Five breakout sessions at this year's annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia will focus on the Ray and Ann Spence Network for Congregational Leadership, RASNet's director Bob Dale told Paige Peak, communications officer for the Virginia Baptist…
Pastor named in Rio Grande probe can’t substantiate lavish lifestyle
DALLAS (ABP) — Otto Arango's lavish lifestyle — living in an expensive home in an exclusive neighborhood and driving luxury cars — raised questions among some pastors in the Rio Grande Valley about the sources of his income. Their suspicions…
Evangelical Forum to hold 5th annual meeting
The Evangelical Forum will host its fifth annual meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Green Run Baptist Church in Virginia Beach. The meeting is being held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia….
N.M. Baptists report record numbers, new translations at annual convention
CLOVIS, N.M. (ABP) — Perhaps more people attended the annual meeting of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico this year than any year since it was founded 94 years ago. The 2006 convention was the first since New Mexico Baptists…
New issue of Heritage Seekers is released
Sam Houston and Texas Baptists are featured in the new issue of Heritage Seekers, the magazine for children and families published by the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies. The theme of this issue is on the spirit of individualism,…
BGCT leaders respond to evidence of mismanagement of funds
DALLAS (ABP) — An investigation that uncovered evidence of mismanagement and misuse of Texas Baptist church-starting funds in the Rio Grande Valley presents major challenges for the Baptist General Convention of Texas — and especially Executive Director Charles Wade, some…
N.J. court gives gays marriage rights, but not claim to name
The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled Oct. 25 that the state's constitution requires that marriage rights be available to same-sex couples on an equal basis with heterosexuals. But the court left state legislators to decide whether to refer to the…
Arkansans approve task force report, potential Baptist building move
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (ABP) — Messengers to the 153rd annual meeting of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention approved a ministry task force report that includes recommendations to regionalize Executive Board ministries, increase the percentage of Cooperative Program funds forwarded to…
Questions and answers on N.J. gay marriage decision
Q: What did the New Jersey Supreme Court rule? A: The majority said that while there is no “fundamental right to same sex-marriage” in New Jersey, it is unconstitutional to deny gay couples the same rights as married couples. Q:…