HOUSTON (ABP) — After a three-year search, First Baptist Church of Houston, one of the largest congregations in the country, elected a 33-year-old college minister as pastor. Gregg Matte, who leads a ministry to students at Texas A&M University, was…
Study suggests evangelical opposition to gays doesn’t extend to amendment
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A landmark study of American evangelical Christians released April 13 determined, among several noteworthy findings, that evangelicals oppose gay marriage but are lukewarm in their support for a constitutional amendment to ban it. The survey of more…
Southwestern elects trustees as deans, plans to open undergraduate college
FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) — Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary trustees have elected two of their own board members as deans and agreed to create an undergraduate college on the Fort Worth campus. During their April 6 meeting, trustees elected their…
Judge won’t amend lawsuit against Missouri agencies
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (ABP) — A Missouri judge, who recently dismissed a lawsuit against five Missouri Baptist agencies, won't allow the plaintiffs to amend the suit. Judge Thomas Brown, who ruled March 11 that the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board…
U.S. behind only China, Iran in executions, report says
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The United States ranks third, behind only China and Iran, in reported executions, according to a new report by a human-rights group that opposes the death penalty. Amnesty International's annual report on the death penalty, released April…
Health-care group expands missions partnership with CBF
PINE MOUNTAIN, Ga. (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Baptist Medical/Dental Fellowship will expand their partnership to provide health-care ministries in the United States and overseas. An agreement signed April 2 during the BMDF annual meeting includes establishing medical/dental…
N.C. attorney general rejects complaint about ousted church
RALEIGH, N.C. (ABP) — The attorney general of North Carolina has told a Baptist pastor that his complaint against the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina appears to be a private matter. Gene Scarborough, pastor of North Rocky Mount Baptist…
Campbell University inaugurates Wallace as fourth president
BUIES CREEK, N.C. (ABP) — Jerry Wallace was inaugurated April 2 as the fourth president in the 117-year history of Campbell University, which is affiliated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. Wallace was elected last year to succeed…
George Beverly Shea, 95, still relishes role as set-up man for Billy Graham
(ABP) — George Beverly Shea often wished he could preach like his father and grandfather, but he seemed to lack the “gift.” Even so, when he was on staff at the Moody Bible Institute's flagship radio station in Chicago, a…
Christians must consider many issues in presidential election, scholars say
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The 2004 presidential campaign has begun in earnest but, for Christian voters, deciding between the two major candidates may not be as black and white as campaign ads make it out to be. A significant majority of…
Stricter textbook policy proposed for Louisiana College
PINEVILLE, La. (ABP) — Louisiana College trustees, whose December decision to screen all classroom materials was criticized as a violation of academic freedom, will consider an even stricter textbook policy when they meet later this month. Conservative trustee Leon Hyatt…
Deadly Mexico flooding prompts Baptist response
DALLAS (ABP) — Flash floods swallowed parts of Piedras Negras, Mexico, April 4, prompting Texas Baptists to send blankets, clothes, food and drinking water. According to reports, more than 50 people have been confirmed dead and another 100 are missing….