LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABP) — Franklin Owen, executive secretary of the Kentucky Baptist Convention from 1972-1983, died Aug. 30 in Lexington, Ky. He was 93. A longtime Kentucky Baptist pastor and denominational leader, Owen was lauded by peers as a man…
Virginia churches help with Caribbean VBS this summer
When Hurricane Ivan pummeled the island of Grenada on Sept. 7, 2004, with winds gusting to 145 mph, 89 per cent of the homes of the 100,000 residents were severely damaged. Thirty percent (10,000 homes) were completely destroyed. In addition,…
Dorothy Hall: 48 years of of Missions Connection
Her knitting needles clicking away, Dorothy Hall of Jarrett, worked diligently on little baby caps and blankets as part of her participation in Missions Connection 2006. For 48 years, Hall and various members of her family have been making the…
WMUV committee solicits comments
Margaret Wayland, chair of the ad hoc committee for Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia, has invited Virginia Baptists who wish to provide information to them to send it in writing to Margaret Wayland, Ad Hoc Committee, WMU of Virginia, P.O….
BTSR’s School of Christian ministry to offer online courses
The School of Christian ministry at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond will offer two four-week online courses, Sept. 11-Oct. 8. “Baptist Identity” provides an overview of Baptist heritage and how it influences current church ministry. Participants study Baptist origins, developments…
Petersburg Baptist Association to celebrate century of ministry
Petersburg Baptist Association, which includes 57 churches in Southside and Tidewater Virginia, celebrates its centennial this year. The celebration will be held on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. at West End Baptist Church, Boydton Plank Road, U. S. 1,…
Moms to pray on ‘First Day’
Moms in Touch International is organizing its first “First Day,” an opportunity for mothers to gather for prayer for their children on the first day of school in Chesterfield County. The mothers will meet in three locations on Tuesday, Sept….
Sunday school summit planned
The Baptist General Association of Virginia's Sunday School Summit, set for Sept. 15-16 at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center, will be a little different this year. In addition to the always practical age-group workshops, the Summit will offer pastors, staff…
BTSR’s Graves to retire in 2007 citing health reasons
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) –Thomas Graves, president of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond since 1991, has announced plans to retire next year. Citing health reasons, Graves, 58, will step down July 1, 2007. He announced his plans during a special called…
McKissic responds to Patterson’s criticism of statement on tongues in chapel sermon
ARLINGTON, Texas (ABP) — One of Southern Baptists' most prominent African-American leaders responded Aug. 30 to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's rationale for partially censoring a chapel sermon he preached there a day before. In an open letter, Dwight McKissic told…
Donations to non-hurricane charities strong despite record Katrina giving
NEW ORLEANS (ABP) — Despite expectations to the contrary, donations to many charities not related to Hurricane Katrina held steady or increased last year, according to reports from Charity Navigator, a nonprofit watchdog group that monitors the financial health of…
Inexperienced charities complicated post-Katrina relief, watchdog says
NEW ORLEANS (ABP) — Although Hurricane Katrina inspired an unprecedented relief response, some of the groups who answered the call were inexperienced and ineffective, according to a charity watchdog group. The deluge of new and inexperienced charities that responded to…