MCKINNEY, Texas (ABP) — Before Alex Camacho felt God's call to ministry, he planned to become a lawyer. Now he combines his passion for God, law and the Hispanic community into his roles as director of Immigration Services — a…
Austin woman believes citizens can shape immigration policy
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Carmelita Hernandez believes one person can make a difference, even when it comes to big issues like shaping United States immigration policy. And a new law proposed by the Bush administration may offer proof. Hernandez, a…
Congress expected to address ‘broken’ immigration system
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…
Conservative Episcopalians support church breakaway bill in Virginia
Conservative Episcopalians have come out in support of a proposed Virginia law that would allow them to leave the denomination and take their church property with them. The proposed law, if passed, would allow churches in the country's largest Episcopal…
Appalachian ministry to shift headquarters to Kentucky
By Trennis Henderson Appalachian Regional Ministry, a ministry partnership involving 10 state conventions, including the Baptist General Association of Virginia, will shift its headquarters from West Virginia to Kentucky, effective April 1. Bill Barker, ARM's director since 2001, will continue…
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…