JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) — Two more Baptist megachurches are venturing into mostly uncharted waters — replacing legendary preachers — where success has proven rare. Jerry Vines announced May 1 he will retire next February as pastor of the 28,000-member First…
Provost Frank Bonner elected president of Gardner-Webb
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (ABP) — Frank Bonner, provost of Gardner-Webb University, was elected president of the Baptist-affiliated school May 1. Bonner, 57, provost and senior vice president of the North Carolina school since 1992, was elected unanimously in a called…
Panel to study religious discrimination by evangelicals at Air Force Academy
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A top Pentagon official has ordered the appointment of a special task force to investigate “lingering allegations” about religious discrimination at the Air Force Academy toward cadets who are not evangelical Christians. A May 3 press release…
Stalling of nominees not targeting ‘people of faith,’ Bush says
WASHINGTON (ABP) — In a rare prime-time news conference April 28, President Bush disagreed with the rhetoric of some religious conservatives who have accused Senate Democrats of blocking judicial nominees who are “people of faith.” Speaking to journalists in the…
Regents name law professor as interim Baylor president
WACO, Texas (ABP) — Baylor University regents elected law professor Bill Underwood interim president unanimously on a first ballot, said newly re-elected chairman Will Davis of Austin, who predicted the university could have a permanent president by Sept. 1. The…
New WMUV assistant executive director encourages laypeople to minister
Laura McDaniel has never waited for permission to carry out ministry. The Lynchburg woman learned that lesson while serving the local church. “If God calls you to ministry, why wait to be trained?” she asked. “If we all waited for…
SBC may get out of radio ministry after 64 years, NAMB says
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (ABP) — The Southern Baptist Convention may end 64 years of radio ministry, according to its North American Mission Board. The board has laid off the two remaining members of its radio production staff as of the end…
Gore, conservatives trade barbs over judicial nominations
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Prominent progressives — including former Vice President Al Gore — and conservatives traded barbs and polls April 27 in the contentious debate over judicial nominations. Gore, speaking to the liberal MoveOn.org political action committee in Washington, used…
Alabama billboard points patrons of topless dance club to church
ATHENS, Ala. (ABP) — If you want to find Lindsay Lane Baptist Church in Athens, head past Jimmy's Lounge and turn right. Jimmy's is a topless dance club in Madison, Ala. Everyone who works at, frequents or merely drives by…