ATLANTA (ABP) — As a children's minister many years ago, Julie Rowan felt stuck in a rut. Now Rowan, a chaplain in the military, rarely stays in one place. And that's just how she likes it. “When you go into…
Leaders of ’40s youth revivals gather to reminisce, kindle new ‘fires’
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Participants in revivals that began at Baylor University and spread across the nation six decades ago looked back in gratitude and forward with expectation as they gathered on the campus where it all began. Scores of…
Opinion: Pluralism as idolatry
The widely publicized case of military Chaplain Lt. Gordon James Klingenschmitt awaits appeal. Klingenschmitt, a priest with the Evangelical Episcopal Church, prayed in the name of Jesus while wearing his uniform at a White House ceremony organized to protest the…
Special-needs ministry helps churches understand, utilize select members
MOUNT LEBANON, Texas (ABP) — Larry William's fourth birthday celebration was short-lived. He couldn't walk or talk like other kids. Soon, tests revealed a mental retardation that would lead Larry to a vegetative state by the time he turned 21….
Midwestern wins bidding war for Spurgeon book collection
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (ABP) — Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary recently won a bid to house the Charles H. Spurgeon Collection, a library featuring the works of notable Christian writers and personal essays that belonged to the legendary 19th-century preacher himself….
Christians gather for prayer against new coal-fired plants in Texas
DALLAS (ABP) — Texas Christians — by reputation a determined, opinionated and politically powerful bunch — recently held another statewide prayer day. This time, though, it wasn't about abortion or gay marriage. It was about coal. On Oct. 19, a…
Pastor who lost job for convictions gives $250,000 to help ministers
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — At 88 years old, Henry Langford has enjoyed a life of diverse occupations — rural pastor, substance abuse counselor and tree farmer. He may be best remembered, however, as a Baptist preacher who spoke against racism…
American Baptists may sell historic ‘Holy Doughnut,’ Pa. headquarters
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (ABP) — Leaders of the American Baptist Churches USA will consider selling the facility jokingly known to some of the denomination's faithful as the “Holy Doughnut” — ABC's headquarters building near Philadelphia. In its Nov. 14-15 meeting,…
Central American Parliament honors missionary-pastor in Nicaragua
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (ABP) — Representatives of the Central American Parliament recently awarded a medal to Baptist World Alliance vice president Gustavo Parajón to honor his work for peace during the 1979 war between Nicaragua's revolutionary government and Contra guerrillas. A…
Kingdom Advance 2.0
I sat in the modest home of an elder member of my church. There was a tear in his eye as he spoke. “Pastor, I don't want our church to die. Nobody in our congregation wants to see that church…
Aunt Ida and the church parsonage
Dear Jimmy, Well, since your Uncle Orley and the vet are out in the back pasture helpin' a contrary calf come into the world, and since my suggestions on the matter seem not to be highly prized, I thought I'd…
It’s always homecoming in Orange
Orange is one of the prettiest small towns in Central Virginia; and in the middle of its commercial district, there is a red-brick Gothic building which houses the Baptists. With its tower the Orange Baptist Church sits like a sentinel,…