BESLAN, Russia (ABP) — At least eight children of Baptist leaders were among hundreds of hostages held in a Russian middle school that erupted in gunfire and flames Sept. 3. The two-day standoff came to a climax when Russian commandos…
Asheville church sings, builds houses with Habitat for Humanity in Bolivia
SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia (ABP) — Six families in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, have new homes, thanks to volunteers from a North Carolina church. For Rosalía Rojas, 33, the two-bedroom house is a dream come true. “We had lost all hope of…
Whites no longer majority among Texas population
DALLAS (ABP) — It's official: Whites are no longer the majority population in Texas. Late last year, the number of non-Hispanic whites dipped below 50 percent for the first time since Texas became a state, according to the U.S. Census…
Richmond seminary shelters motorists stranded by storm
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — The Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond became a temporary shelter Aug. 30, providing safety to motorists stranded from the floods caused by Tropical Depression Gaston. Gaston dumped nearly a foot of rain during the afternoon and…
Baptist relief workers prepare for second massive hurricane
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) — Baptists are mobilizing yet another disaster-relief effort as Hurricane Frances, a category 4 storm, bears down on Florida. Baptist relief workers are planning to cook up to a million total meals a week after Hurricane Frances…
Conservative Baptist congressman drops re-election bid after ‘outing’
NEW YORK (ABP) — Rep. Ed Schrock (R-Va.), one of Congress' staunchest opponents of gay rights, has declined to seek re-election to a third term in the House after a Washington activist's website claimed the congressman solicited sex with men…
Supporters fund documentary to highlight Bush’s faith image
NEW YORK (ABP) — A group of President Bush's supporters has produced a documentary that attempts to solidify his credentials among American evangelicals in time for the election. Producers held screenings of “George W. Bush: Faith in the White House”…
GOP speakers tout presidential faith in midst of anti-Kerry rhetoric
NEW YORK (ABP) — Amid searing rhetoric on national-security issues, at least two speakers at the Republican National Convention focused on the faith and character of presidents. Renegade Democratic Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia, delivering the convention's keynote address Sept….
Speakers present moderate face of GOP, as religion takes back seat
NEW YORK (ABP) — The Republican platform adopted Aug. 30 calls for reinstating prayer in public schools and banning all abortions. Meanwhile, delegates to the Republican National Convention heard prime-time speeches from leaders with more moderate views on some social…