NEW YORK (ABP) — A state legislative committee has effectively blocked the reinstatement of New York's death-penalty law. A committee of the New York State Assembly killed legislation April 12 that would have reinstated the state's capital-punishment statute. The law…
Sri Lanka asks Baptist agency to mold foster-care program
DALLAS (ABP) — The government of Sri Lanka has invited a Texas Baptist agency to shape the country's first child protective services program, with the man who got the group involved in January's tsunami-relief efforts taking the lead. David Beckett,…
Connecticut, Maryland legislators pass domestic-partner bills
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Legislators in Connecticut and Maryland have passed bills providing state protection for relationships between domestic partners, including same-sex relationships. On April 6, the Connecticut Senate voted 27-9 for a bill that would create civil unions — legal…
Letter for April 7, 2005
Thanks to Virginia Baptists I want to make Virginia Baptists aware of a very important ministry being provided that is often unnoticed: Ministry to ministers and their families when the go through either forced termination or being driven to find…
Virginia Baptists’ response to tsunami relief in India
Contributions from Virginia Baptists for the Indian relief project through March 31 with the following designations: • Southern Baptist Convention (IMB): $96,197 • Baptist World Alliance (BWAid): $39,261 • Cooperative Baptist Fellowship: $77,444 • Virginia Baptist Mission Board: $226,275 –…
WMU of Virginia to have booth at Women’s Show
Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia will once more have a booth at the Southern Women's Show, to be held this year April 15-17 at the Richmond Raceway Complex in Richmond. WMUV has had a booth at the show for more…
VBMB launches certification program
Virginia Baptists have launched a new certification in children's ministry, in response to the growing trend that church staff, especially children's ministers, come from within the congregation. Eleven children's ministers/leaders from across Virginia already have committed to an intense program…
Church & People News for April 7, 2005
Staff Changes Jerry M. Bailey, to James Square Church, Lawrenceville, as pastor. James McLendon, to Ocean View Church, Norfolk, as senior pastor, effective April 17. Joseph McKissick, resigning as pastor of Trinity Church, Martinsville. Lynn Blue, to Poplar Springs Church,…
Orthodox Jews angered at Israeli court’s ruling
Orthodox Jews in Israel and abroad have reacted angrily to the High Court's decision March 31 to grant citizenship to some non-Orthodox converts who studied to be Jews in Israel. The ruling was issued in response to a petition filed…
New fundamentalist group isn’t an alternative to the BWA
By Greg Warner Fundamentalist Baptists in February formed a new international organization they hope will include Southern Baptists, who last year withdrew from the Baptist World Alliance, an international fellowship Southern Baptist Convention leaders maligned as too 'liberal.” But the…
Virginia Baptists, Averett University agree to sever 145-year relationship
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Virginia Baptists have approved a joint statement developed with leaders of Averett University that will end their 145-year-old ties to the school. The Virginia Baptist Mission Board adopted the statement during its spring meeting April 6….
Anti-conversion bill in Sri Lanka could restrict liberty, relief work
The Sri Lankan government appears poised to vote on anti-conversion legislation in April, according to a number of media reports. If approved, the vote would cap a three-year effort by Buddhist leaders to stem the tide of rural Buddhists turning…