BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) — A Birmingham chapter of the national Big Brothers Big Sisters program is using a new, faith-based approach to matching adults with children in need of mentors. The initiative, called Faithful Friends, is unique to the agency…
Missouri Baptist executive targeted in Sept. 22 closed-door meeting
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — The conservatives who control the Missouri Baptist Convention are divided over the leadership of their executive director, David Clippard, who could face a vote of dismissal tomorrow (Sept. 22). A closed-door meeting of the board…
William Carey University president Larry Kennedy succumbs to ALS
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (ABP) — Larry Kennedy, the president of William Carey University, died Sept. 21. He was 64. The president of the Baptist-affiliated school since 1998, Kennedy died from complications with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease. He had…
Christians from Muslim backgrounds find joy in togetherness
A total of 251 persons registered for the conference, 97 of which had been Muslims before converting to Christianity. Others were seekers or were Christian Background Believers who attended in a supportive role. One Jewish Background Believer also attended. Three…
Alliance directors approve next step in Cuba fine, new staffing plan
SILVER SPRING, Md. (ABP) — Directors of the Alliance of Baptists have authorized the next step in appealing a proposed $34,000 fine for alleged violations of the federal government's economic embargo on Cuba. Meeting in suburban Washington Sept. 14-16, the…
Fredericksburg Church gets grant for missional ministry
With a history of doing missions work both in its hometown and around the world, Fredericksburg Baptist had a commitment to helping others. But Jeanne Anderson, minister with adults and missions, said when the congregation conducted the “It's Time” study,…
SBC Exec. Committee approves fiscal-responsibility amendment
NASHVILLE (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee approved Sept. 19 an amendment to convention documents that urges SBC leaders toward greater financial responsibility. Southern Baptist messengers will hear the recommendation at the June 2007 annual meeting in San…
Editors invited to tour Jordan
Offering to bear the full expense of the trip and arranging every detail of the 10-day event, the Tourism Board hopes to encourage American Christian tourists to consider Jordan a travel destination. To the surprise of the editors who had…
Rotary-CBF partnership in La. town gets $500,000 from Bush-Clinton fund
ATLANTA (ABP) — The Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund has given a $500,000 grant for the hurricane-damaged community of Lacombe, La., where the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and an Arkansas Rotary Club are working together. Already CBF and Rotary volunteers have restored more…
Mission Board’s Bob Dale announces plans to retire
He made the announcement Sept. 12 at a meeting of the Mission Board's executive committee. Dale will continue to serve quarter-time as special assistant to the executive director for leadership development. “I've been blessed to serve the Virginia Baptist family,”…
Many American teens lose faith in early adulthood, study says
DALLAS (ABP) — Six out of 10 teens involved in a church will probably not continue their spiritual commitment into early adulthood, according to a Sept. 11 study by the Barna Group. The study, conducted from 2001 to 2006, shows…
Virginia chaplain reprimanded by Navy for disobeying commander’s order
A military jury in Norfolk recommended Sept. 14 that Lt. Gordon Klingenschmitt be docked $250 a month in pay for the next year and sent a letter of reprimand. The day before, they convicted him of violating a superior officer's…