AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Expect to see change in United States immigration policy during this congressional session, said Baptist activist Suzii Paynter. “Our system is very broken, and the president has made it a priority” to fix the situation, said…
House panel OKs faith-based bill as another lawsuit is filed
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Even as a House panel passed a bill Feb. 17 that would allow religious groups receiving federal funds for job training to discriminate in employment decisions, two civil-rights groups filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania challenging the constitutionality…
N.Y. judge says state constitution requires marriage for gays
NEW YORK (ABP) — A state judge has ordered New York City officials to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples on an equal basis with heterosexual couples. On Feb. 4, New York Supreme Court Justice Doris Ling-Cohan said a law…
Bush asks for deep social-service cuts, which some say hurt nation’s families
WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Bush is proposing a $2.57 trillion federal budget for fiscal year 2006 that would substantially cut or eliminate many domestic social programs while creating or boosting funding for a handful of others that would be open…
Rising costs prompt NAMB to cut medical benefits for future retirees
ATLANTA (ABP) — The North American Mission Board has eliminated some benefits for retiring employees in order to cut costs, prompting some of the SBC agency's 1,100 insured employees and missionaries to retire sooner than planned rather than lose the…
Gregory named to part-time position at Georgetown College in Kentucky
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (ABP) — Joel Gregory, former pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, has been named a distinguished fellow at Georgetown College in Kentucky. In that part-time consulting role, Gregory will visit the campus several times a year and…
Jimmy Draper sets retirement date, LifeWay names search committee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Making good on a promise made a year ago, Jimmy Draper, president of Lifeway Christian Resources for 14 years, announced his retirement Feb. 7, to take effect next February. Trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention's publishing…
Virginia Baptists’ response so far
• An assessment team delivered $4,000 in Virginia Baptist gifts to place 10 children immediately in the Precious Children's Home for one year. • A Crisis Care team is being recruited and will visit the affected areas and provide the…
How can you help? Mission Board leaders cite opportunities to assist victims of
Virginia Baptists have a variety of opportunities to offer relief to victims of the tsunami in southern Asia, say leaders of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. Many of them are in support of Virginia Baptists' developing relationship with the India…
Bush touts BWAid during prayer breakfast
President Bush praised the relief arm of the Baptist World Alliance and other religious groups as exemplifying a faith-based spirit of generosity during the National Prayer Breakfast Feb. 3. Speaking to thousands of influential participants-members of Congress, diplomats, foreign politicians…
CBF redeploys personnel following tsunami
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is redeploying some of its missions personnel to address tsunami relief needs. Many missionaries of the Fellowship have relief-related skills to handle water purification and agricultural needs, medical needs, and the logistical needs of organizing volunteers…
Baptists among Time’s ‘25 most influential’
At least seven Baptists are among Time magazine's list of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America. The magazine devotes the cover of its Feb. 7 issue to the subject of evangelical Protestants in America and their influence over politics…