WASHINGTON (ABP) — In Hurricane Katrina's aftermath, President Bush may be able to push through Congress a pet project that they have stymied for four years now — a wide-ranging federal school voucher program. Just a day after Bush presented…
Houston churches step up to meet needs of Katrina evacuees
HOUSTON (ABP) — Monica Villacres and her 11-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, made it safely through Hurricane Katrina at their house in New Orleans. But two days later when the water was rising, there was no power and they had no way…
Tennessee leaders reject Belmont plan to add non-Baptists to trustee board
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (ABP) — Tennessee Baptist leaders Sept. 13 rejected a proposal from Belmont University to allow up to 40 percent of the Nashville school's trustees to be non-Baptists. Currently all trustees must be members of churches affiliated with the…
House adds sexual orientation to hate-crimes protections
WASHINGTON (ABP) — In a surprise move while most of the political world's attention was focused elsewhere, the House of Representatives voted Sept. 14 to add sexual orientation to federal hate-crimes protections. On a 223-199 vote, the chamber added the…
Group revises Bible curriculum following national controversy
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A group that encourages teaching the Bible as history and literature in the public schools has revised its curriculum, incorporating many of the changes recommended by an organization it characterized as “anti-religion extremists.” In late August, the…
Texas association helps evacuees find home away from home
DALLAS (ABP) — Murray Broden and Benny Hand are getting used to running out of time. The two men held out in their New Orleans homes as long as they could until the flood waters after Hurricane Katrina made the…
Largest-ever Baptist relief effort shifts gear for long term
ALEXANDRIA, La. (ABP) — The scene is like a war room. Charts cover the walls. A frazzled worker holds a desk phone to one ear and a cell phone to the other. Individuals rush about distributing information and asking questions….
New Orleans couple weds in shelter that became home after Katrina
SAN ANTONIO (ABP) — Inspired by the Christian faith of those who cared for them, a couple who fled New Orleans got married Sept. 10 in the shelter that has become their home since Hurricane Katrina. Barry McBride and Samantha…
Study says Protestant churches rapidly adopting technology
VENTURA, Calif. (ABP) — Although the church is frequently viewed as behind the times, a new study shows Protestant congregations are quickly embracing new technologies. The Barna Group survey shows that, since 2000, many congregations across regional, denominational and sociological…