SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ABP) — God made peace with mankind through Jesus' “non-violent self-sacrifice rather than violent retribution,” and that is how Christians should make peace with others, said Dallas pastor George Mason. Christian belief and practice should “shape us…
Missions advocate Alma Hunt honored by Baptists Today
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Alma Hunt, who led the Southern Baptist Woman's Missionary Union from 1948-1974, received the fourth annual Judson-Rice Award April 30 at Richmond's Second Baptist Church. The award, which bears the names of Luther Rice and pioneer…
FDA denies over-the-counter approval for ‘morning after’ pill
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The federal Food and Drug Administration has declined permission for over-the-counter sales of an emergency contraceptive — despite recommendations for approval from its own staff and an expert panel. The agency acknowledged May 6 that it had…
Florida judge rules against law restoring woman’s feeding tube
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A Florida judge ruled May 6 that a law specifically created to keep a brain-damaged woman alive violates the state's constitution. Pinellas County Circuit Judge Douglas Baird said the bill — passed in emergency session Oct. 21…
Bush salutes National Day of Prayer, but some Christians decry politicization
WASHINGTON (ABP) — When Shirley Dobson — wife of Focus on the Family founder James Dobson — introduced a White House ceremony marking the National Day of Prayer May 6, she lamented the deep divisions in the United States and…
Baylor faculty again votes ‘no confidence’ in Sloan
WACO, Texas (ABP) — For the second time in a year, the Faculty Senate of Baylor University has voted “no confidence” in President Robert Sloan. The 28-5 vote, taken in a closed-door session May 4, was similar to the group's…
Reports of anti-Muslim incidents up 70 percent over last year
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Incidents of anti-Muslim bias in 2003 jumped 70 percent over the previous year, a study by an Islamic civil-rights group says. The Council on American-Islamic Relations released its ninth annual civil-rights report May 3. CAIR, which calls…
Friendship, passion drive ministries to special-needs individuals
(ABP) — Starting a ministry to special-needs individuals is as simple as a smile, handshake or hug, according to many who lead such efforts in their churches. Parents of a disabled child often feel awkward in a church setting because…
Not all churches prepared to minister to special-needs children, father says
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (ABP) — Though often started with the best of intentions, special-needs ministries don't always live up to their mission, says one father of a developmentally disabled child. Charlie Warren, editor of the Arkansas Baptist Newsmagazine in Little…