WASHINGTON (ABP) — While senators waxed eloquent on many of their pet issues during the opening day of confirmation hearings for President Bush's nominee to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court, one hit the primary issue on…
Fellowship relief efforts in Sri Lanka meet needs for housing, clean water
PALAI, Sri Lanka (ABP) — By restoring the water supply to a boys' orphanage in Sri Lanka — a project that took just three hours and about $30 — the orphanage now can house more boys, many of whom lost…
Samford trustees elect Westmoreland as school’s 18th president
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) – Samford University's board of trustees unanimously elected Andrew Westmoreland Samford's 18th president Jan. 10. Currently president of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark., which he has led since 1998, Westmoreland will replace Thomas Corts, who retires…
Senators grill Alito on abortion, privacy on second hearing day
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito artfully dodged specifics in answering senators' repeated questions about his views on abortion rights, government spying and other controversies Jan. 10. Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee had their first opportunity to…
Ethics pioneer Foy Valentine dies suddenly in Dallas
Editor's note: This article updates and corrects the one issued Sat., Jan. 7. DALLAS (ABP) — Pioneer Baptist ethicist Foy Valentine died suddenly Jan. 7 of an apparent heart attack, family members said. He was 82. A native Texan and…
SBC Executive Committee member arrested in gay prostitution sting
OKLAHOMA CITY (ABP) — A Southern Baptist Convention leader was arrested Jan. 3 in Oklahoma City for offering to have sex with a male undercover police officer. Police arrested Lonnie Latham, pastor of South Tulsa Baptist Church in Tulsa, Okla.,…
Florida Supreme Court overturns statewide voucher program
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (ABP) — The Florida Supreme Court overturned that state's school-voucher program Jan. 5, saying it violates the Florida Constitution. But the court's decision did not address whether state money for parochial schools violates Florida's religious-freedom laws. Lower state…
Financial strides let Georgetown overcome SACS probation
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (ABP) — One year after being placed on probation by its accrediting association, Georgetown College has been “given a clean bill of health,” according to college president Bill Crouch. Georgetown was placed on probation in December 2004 by…
Wildfire destroys Texas church; Baptists deliver aid to victims
KOKOMO, Texas (ABP) — Wildfires sweeping across North Texas burned down Kokomo Baptist Church Dec. 31. While members of the church were preventing wildfires from destroying homes in their community, a fire turned their church into a “pile of rubble,”…