DALLAS (ABP) — In 1520, as Ferdinand Magellan's ships rounded the tip of South America, lookouts sighted people on the shore carrying burning torches. But the natives seemed oblivious to Magellan's galleons that had suddenly appeared close to their shore….
Bush will address marriage, charity in State of Union speech
WASHINGTON (ABP) — In what many view as the unofficial kick-off of his 2004 re-election campaign, President Bush will speak to the issue of marriage as well as his attempts to fund social work through religious charities during tonight's State…
Anonymous donor contributes $2 million to CBF missions
ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has received another anonymous multimillion-dollar contribution for global missions, this one from a member of a Georgia church. Bill Coates, pastor of First Baptist Church in Gainesville, Ga., presented CBF with a check…
Georgia Senate approves amendment enabling state funding of ministries
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Georgia Senate has passed an amendment to the state constitution that would remove barriers to churches, parochial schools and other religious groups receiving taxpayer dollars. The Republican-controlled body voted 40-14 Jan. 15 to approve the proposed…
Daniel Akin elected president at Southeastern Seminary
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (ABP) — Trustees at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary unanimously elected Daniel Akin the school's sixth president Jan. 15. Akin, 47, comes from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., where he was vice president for academic administration…
Bush uses ‘recess appointment’ to put controversial judge on bench
WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Bush used a special presidential prerogative Jan. 16 to get one of his most controversial judicial nominees installed, temporarily, on a federal appeals panel. Just days before Congress returned from its holiday recess to resume its…
Southern Baptist position on BWA unchanged by worldwide outcry
NASHVILLE (ABP) — Despite pleas from Baptists around the world, there appears little chance Southern Baptist leaders will reverse or delay their plan to withdraw the Southern Baptist Convention from the Baptist World Alliance, the 99-year-old international fellowship it helped…
BWA leaders urge SBC officials to ‘keep Baptist harmony alive’
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — International Baptist leaders from such diverse settings as Australia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria and South Africa are voicing disappointment over a study committee proposal calling for the Southern Baptist Convention to withdraw from the Baptist World Alliance….
Bush announces further expansion of government grants to church groups
NEW ORLEANS (ABP) — Speaking from a pulpit once used by Martin Luther King Jr., President Bush announced Jan. 15 a further expansion of the government's ability to fund social services through churches and other religious groups. The announcement is…