ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is redeploying some of its missions personnel to address tsunami relief needs. Many missionaries of the Atlanta-based Fellowship have relief-related skills to handle water purification and agricultural needs, medical needs, and the logistical…
Time magazine names several Baptists among ’25 most influential evangelicals’
WASHINGTON (ABP) — At least seven Baptists are among Time magazine's list of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America. The magazine devotes the cover of its Feb. 7 issue to the subject of evangelical Protestants in America and their…
California Baptists assist victims of floods, mudslides
LOS ANGELES (ABP) — California Baptist disaster-relief teams were busy in January aiding flood and mudslide victims after three back-to-back rainstorms soaked normally dry Southern California. For more than a week, a disaster-relief crew worked out of a kitchen site…
Baptist family describes life as undocumented aliens
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Ernesto serves as a deacon at a Hispanic Baptist church in Austin. His wife, Maria, works in various ministries at the church. And like 1.1 million other people in Texas and more than 9.3 million in…
To churches, immigration is about more than policy
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Immigration is not just a political issue — it's about churches and ministry, said Suzii Paynter, director of citizenship and public policy for the Baptist General Convention of Texas' Christian Life Commission. “So many of our…
What can churches do legally to help illegal immigrants?
Q. Can a church get in trouble for helping an undocumented immigrant? A. It depends on the kind of help offered. A church is free to provide basic benevolence services — food, clothing, shelter and medical help — to anyone….
Dallas Willard says false gospel leads to nominal Christians
IRVING, Texas (ABP) — By teaching forgiveness without discipleship, many churches are distorting Christ's message and creating “nominal Christians,” according to author and professor Dallas Willard. Pastors are preaching alternative “gospels” that do not reflect the true meaning of Christ's…
Window on the world
Mary Louise Green Wright turns 90 years old Feb. 3. She stays close to home these days and usually wheels herself up and down the long corridors of the assisted living facility which has become her home. She is unable…
Letter for Feb. 3, 2005
A cause for concern Recently the Baptist General Association of Virginia published a booklet, Truthfully Speaking. Under the section, “Frequently asked questions and answers about the BGAV,” a question was posed: What is the BGAV's position on abortion? After about…