WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Bush observed the National Day of Prayer May 5 by acknowledging American leaders' history of relying on prayer — and doing so to an audience that exemplified the United States' very modern religious diversity. Speaking to…
Study shows Senate OK’d pro-life, religious judges
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A study of Senate records shows many of President Bush's judicial nominees who are religious and hold pro-life views have been approved by senators — including Democrats. Many religious conservatives recently accused Senate Democrats of blocking Bush's…
‘Megapulpits’ in Jacksonville, Orlando face transitions where others struggle
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) — Two more Baptist megachurches are venturing into mostly uncharted waters — replacing legendary preachers — where success has proven rare. Jerry Vines announced May 1 he will retire next February as pastor of the 28,000-member First…
Provost Frank Bonner elected president of Gardner-Webb
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (ABP) — Frank Bonner, provost of Gardner-Webb University, was elected president of the Baptist-affiliated school May 1. Bonner, 57, provost and senior vice president of the North Carolina school since 1992, was elected unanimously in a called…
Panel to study religious discrimination by evangelicals at Air Force Academy
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A top Pentagon official has ordered the appointment of a special task force to investigate “lingering allegations” about religious discrimination at the Air Force Academy toward cadets who are not evangelical Christians. A May 3 press release…
Stalling of nominees not targeting ‘people of faith,’ Bush says
WASHINGTON (ABP) — In a rare prime-time news conference April 28, President Bush disagreed with the rhetoric of some religious conservatives who have accused Senate Democrats of blocking judicial nominees who are “people of faith.” Speaking to journalists in the…
Regents name law professor as interim Baylor president
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Baylor University regents elected law professor Bill Underwood interim president unanimously on a first ballot, said newly re-elected chairman Will Davis of Austin, who predicted the university could have a permanent president by Sept. 1. The…
Homosexual support group denied recognition at Mars Hill
A group that supports greater acceptance of homosexuals lost its bid for recognition as an official campus organization at Mars Hill College April 14, the Biblical Recorder has reported. The Student Government Association of the school, which is affiliated with…
Virginia Baptists to send children’s ministry teams to India
Virginia Baptists plan to send two children's ministry teams to India in June as a part of the India tsunami response project. Indian Baptists have asked for a team to distribute uniforms and school supplies purchased by Virginia Baptists through…
First Hand: Helping Virginia Baptists age with significance
By Debbie Perkins It is a fact of life. Each of us is aging. In fact, many are being given the gift of time. The average life expectancy of 47 years in 1900 has increased to 76.4 years in 2005….
Mission Board names Alexander to statewide collegiate position
Greg Alexander has been named to a key collegiate ministry position at the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. Alexander, who has been director of Baptist collegiate ministry for the Illinois Baptist State Association since 1996, will become collegiate and young adult…
New WMUV assistant executive director encourages laypeople to minister
Laura McDaniel has never waited for permission to carry out ministry. The Lynchburg woman learned that lesson while serving the local church. “If God calls you to ministry, why wait to be trained?” she asked. “If we all waited for…