By Kristen Fogg In our wealthy American society the words “back to school” refer to a time of consumerism at its finest. Parents shell out hundreds of dollars buying their children new clothes, new shoes, new backpacks, new notebooks, new…
Eminent Baptist theologian Stanley Grenz dead at 55
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (ABP) — One of the world's best-known Baptist theologians died suddenly and unexpectedly March 12. Stanley Grenz, a professor at the evangelical Carey Theological College in Vancouver, died shortly after experiencing a “massive brain hemorrhage,” according to…
Top 100 churches in total Virginia Cooperative Program gifts
First Baptist Church in Alexandria led churches affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia last year in contributions to the Virginia portion of the Cooperative Program. Rounding out the top 10 churches in total Virginia CP gifts were Beulah…
Baptist Center for Ethics director Parham diagnosed with acute leukemia
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The head of a moderate Baptist ethics and educational agency has been diagnosed with acute leukemia. Robert Parham, founding executive director of the Baptist Center for Ethics, has been diagnosed with acute leukemia, according to a…
Georgia church votes to join BGAV
First Baptist Church of Rome, Ga., voted March 13 to join the Baptist General Association of Virginia. The church had earlier announced it was considering the move, which was endorsed by 95 percent of the congregational vote. The action followed…
Georgia church votes to affiliate with Virginia convention
ROME, Ga. (ABP) — A Georgia church has voted to leave its state convention and affiliate with another statewide body more in line with its theological stance — but headquartered nearly 600 miles away. On March 13, First Baptist Church…
Pitching in
Volunteer labor is making a reality out of a dream long held by Baptists in Southside Virginia to build a home for adults with developmental disabilities. Now the Virginia Baptist Children's Home and Family Services facility is well on its…
Fuller still seeking reinstatement at Habitat; forms parallel organization
AMERICUS, Ga. (ABP) – The Jan. 31 decision by the executive committee of Habitat for Humanity International to dismiss founding president Millard Fuller was affirmed by the housing ministry's full board March 8. But Fuller and many longtime supporters are…
Baptist World Alliance will vote to accept Virginia, Texas conventions
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — The Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Baptist General Convention of Texas will be recommended for full membership in the Baptist World Alliance, the group's membership committee reported March 9. British Baptist Alistair Brown,…
Words from the past: Like all state conventions, the BGAV is autonomous
Membership in the Baptist World Alliance is contingent on member bodies not being an integral part of any other Baptist denomination in their countries. That requirement posed no problem for Virginia in its quest to join the BWA even as…
BWA will vote on Virginia, Texas membership
By Robert Marus The Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Baptist General Convention of Texas will be recommended for full membership in the Baptist World Alliance, the group's membership committee reported March 9. British Baptist Alistair Brown, who sits…
Gay pride week clouds ties between Virginia Baptists, Averett
Ties between the Baptist General Association of Virginia and Averett University, already strained from a dispute last year over homosexuality, suffered another setback when one of the school's student organizations hosted a gay pride week on campus Feb. 21-26. The…