WASHINGTON (ABP) — The White House has said President Bush will announce his nominee to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor at 9 p.m. Eastern time July 19, and speculation is swirling around Washington circles that a relative…
Rare conservative-liberal alliance urges reconsideration of Patriot Act
WASHINGTON – (ABP) If some of the Patriot Act's provisions aren't allowed to expire, groups like pro-life demonstrators, defenders of traditional marriage and evangelicals who disagree with the administration's foreign policy might find themselves under investigation as terrorists, members of…
Baylor regents reaffirm long-range plan, Baptist heritage during retreat
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Baylor University regents concluded a three-day summer retreat by reaffirming Baylor 2012 — the long-range plan designed to make Baylor one of the top schools of its kind in the nation — and the university's commitment…
Poverty initiative gives hope to declining Arkansas town
HELENA, Ark. (ABP) — Downtown Helena has all the buildings to prove it was once a vibrant economic center, booming with restaurants, a movie theater and other small businesses. But 50 years has changed a lot. Now, there's only one…
N.C. committee rejects trustees with ties to Alliance of Baptists
ASHEBORO, N.C. (ABP) — Nominees to leadership positions in the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina were rejected because they are members of churches affiliated with the Alliance of Baptists. Using such “unpublished criteria” to exclude people from leadership is…
Conservatives plan second ‘Justice Sunday’ telecast
WASHINGTON (ABP) — As Chief Justice William Rehnquist put to rest rampant rumors he would retire from the Supreme Court, religious conservatives announced plans to ratchet up the culture-war rhetoric over the replacement for another retiring justice. After a week…
Next North Carolina leader expected to be conservative
CARY, N.C. (ABP) — A prominent North Carolina pastor says he expects a conservative to be the next executive director of the Baptist state convention. Greg Mathis, well-known conservative and pastor of Mud Creek Baptist Church in Hendersonville, said he…
Echo conference lets students wrestle with questions of ministry ‘calling’
WINGATE, N.C. (ABP) — On Thursday night, 29 high-school students gathered around a tree, holding hands and praying — with no adults in sight. It was the next to the last night of Echo, an event for students who feel…
Prominent K.C. church faces lawsuit alleging sexual assault by pastor’s son
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (ABP) — One of the Missouri Baptist Convention's largest congregations has been sued by a former intern, claiming the pastor's son — who was then the church's single-adult minister — sexually assaulted and impregnated her. The accused, Mark…