WASHINGTON (ABP) — A new survey shows that, even as Americans have become more accepting of non-traditional family structures, their view of the ideal family has remained the same — a heterosexual couple, married for life, with children. The survey,…
Missouri Baptists will vote again on local-church loyalty to SBC
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (ABP) — No congregation could be a Missouri Baptist Convention church without cooperating with the Southern Baptist Convention, if a constitution amendment is passed next week. Requiring a church to cooperate with the national convention would be a…
Senate panel avoids cuts in food-stamp program
WASHINGTON (ABP) — After pleading from prominent Baptists and other religious leaders, a Senate panel has declined to recommend major cuts in a federal program that subsidizes grocery purchases for the needy. On an 11-9 vote Oct. 19, the Senate…
Support for Baylor’s interim president fuels speculation about permanent job
WACO, Texas — (ABP) Baylor University's interim president is impressing enough people that he still might emerge as a candidate for the permanent presidency — despite the fact he withdrew his name from consideration last month. Interim Bill Underwood, a…
Record 7.3 million meals provided to victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita
An all-time record has been reached-more than 7.3 million meals prepared to date for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita under the Southern Baptists' mammoth disaster relief effort across the Gulf Coast. Previously, the most meals prepared in a Southern…
Baptist Center sponsors first youth essay contest
Virginia Baptist youth are invited to enter a new essay contest sponsored by the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies. The first “Roots & Wings: Young Scholars Essay Contest” carries a missions theme as 11th and 12th grade students learn…
Meet Maxine Bersch, Virginia Baptist author
By Jim White Like a beguiling butterfly, 80-something year-young Maxine (Mackie) Bersch demonstrated her story-telling expertise by flitting from scene to scene, keeping me on the edge of my seat as she told her own story. Born in Clay County,…
Heritage Seekers releases new issue
William Carey, the first modern missionary, is featured in the new issue of Heritage Seekers, the magazine for children and families published by the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies. Emily Ray, a children's worker and writer in Richmond, is…
Children’s ministry certification drawing Virginia Baptists
Sixteen persons gathered Sept. 29 to begin the second in a five-course certification in children's ministry offered by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. Of the 16 participants, eight were new to the certification process. Of the 10 persons who completed…
Wiccan leader loses appeal in Va. civic prayer case
The Supreme Court has turned away a Wiccan who sought to deliver prayers at Chesterfield County board meetings on an equal basis with Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders. Cynthia Simpson, a practitioner of the neo-pagan religion, had appealed a decision…
Correction
The nominee to represent the Central Virginia Baptist Association on the Virginia Baptist Mission Board was incorrectly printed last week. The correct name is Mike Critzer of Bybee's Road Baptist Church in Troy.
Disaster relief work in Pakistan signals expanded horizons for Virginia Baptists
In the wake of Virginia Baptists' wide-ranging disaster relief ministry to victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Virginia Baptists are poised to expand their disaster relief horizons through a wider partnership with Baptist World Aid, the relief arm of the…