When the members of the Virginia Senate rose to their feet and applauded earlier this year to honor Debi Goforth as Virginia's teacher of the year, the elementary school librarian's thoughts turned to a small pouch she had been carrying…
Messy dispute in Calif. association likely to be aired at SBC meeting
WATSONVILLE, Calif. (ABP) — All Mike Stewart was trying to do, he says, was prevent an unethical, non-denominational pastor from “stealing” a tiny, struggling Southern Baptist church — and its $3 million property. What the director of missions of a…
Wisconsin man uses mouse, morals in attempt to revive 2D animation
POLK, Wis. (ABP) — Tom Hignite has a mission: To save two-dimensional movie animation from possible demise. And with help from some ex-Disney and Warner Brothers animators, he thinks he can do it. Hignite, a homebuilder by trade, has created…
Roy Moore goes down to defeat as rival wins GOP nomination
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (ABP) — In what may be the final act of the drama that has been Roy Moore's political life, the so-called “Ten Commandments Judge” went down to resounding defeat June 6 in his race for Alabama's Republican gubernatorial…
Senate again votes down marriage amendment
WASHINGTON (ABP) — For the second time in as many election years, the Senate has killed a proposal to amend the Constitution to deny marriage to same-sex couples. That won't stop the House from taking up the same proposal, though,…
As Senate again takes up marriage, religious leaders differ over ban
WASHINGTON (ABP) — As the Senate again geared up for an election-year vote on a gay-marriage ban June 5, religious leaders both praised and condemned President Bush for his renewed support. Bush, responding to pressure from conservative leaders who questioned…
Virginia Beach pastor Burris to be nominated for SBC 1st VP
GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — Kelly Burris, pastor of Kempsville Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, Va., has announced he will accept a nomination for first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention. According to Baptist Press, Terry Fox will nominate Burris…
UPDATE: Third SBC presidential candidate announced; two more to run for VP spot
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — A Tennessee pastor will join what already promises to be a contentious election for the presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention when the denomination holds its annual meeting June 13-14 in Greensboro, N.C. Jerry Sutton, the…
Court says prison program violates First Amendment
DES MOINES, Iowa (ABP) — In what could be a major setback for government's ability to fund religious charities, a federal judge has ruled against an Iowa program designed to rehabilitate prisoners through Christianity. U.S. District Judge Robert Pratt of…
Church founded by Lottie Moon leaves small temple for new building
PINGDU, CHINA (ABP) — A vibrant congregation founded by Lottie Moon, the famous missionary to China, has moved out of the crumbling temple it used as a meeting place, thanks to a church located thousands of miles away. The partnership…
Third SBC presidential candidate, another 1st VP may be nominated
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Jerry Sutton, the pastor of Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn., may accept a nomination for president of the Southern Baptist Convention, according to his assistant. “Some people have asked him to, and he has…
Controversies born from blogs promise stormiest SBC since 1991
GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) – Blogs have already revolutionized secular politics, and whether a subset of them have revolutionized Baptist politics will be seen at the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting June 13-14 in North Carolina. The meeting, in Greensboro, will…