PORTLAND, Ore. (ABP) — The archdiocese of Portland, Ore., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the wake of civil lawsuits accusing two parish priests of child molestation. The bankruptcy claim forestalls the trials, which were set to begin June 13….
Leader who warned of Islamic takeover hired to aid SBC’s world mission effort
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — David Clippard, the former Missouri Baptist Convention executive who earned national headlines when he said Islam has a plan to “conquer and occupy” the United States, was hired Dec. 10 by the Southern Baptist Convention's world…
As arson investigation continues, Alabama church ‘bounces back’
RANDOLPH, Ala. (ABP) — As investigators continue to search for clues to lead them to the arsonists who set fire to 10 Alabama churches in 10 days, members of one burned-out church have only forgiveness in their hearts for the…
Texas evangelism team sees big results from small
HOUSTON (ABP) — In the shadow of the grand media extravaganza that is the Super Bowl, members of a Texas Baptist evangelism team found that less-publicized actions can have a greater impact. Eight volunteers on the Texas Inner City Evangelism…
Insurer of churches won’t pay disputes
DES MOINES, Iowa (ABP) — One of the nation's three largest insurers of congregations has backed away from covering lawsuits filed as a result of church splits and denominational disputes. Since July, GuideOne Insurance of West Des Moines, Iowa, has…
Pakistani workers strike, children burn flags in anti-cartoon violence
KARACHI, Pakistan (ABP) – Violence continues in Muslim countries worldwide as protests over the Danish cartoons of Muhammad increase in fervor. In Pakistan, more than 50,000 people chanted anti-American slogans and burned flags during a protest that came a day…
Pastors say worship makes difference in multiethnic congregations
MESQUITE, Texas (ABP) — When Anglos, Hispanics, African-Americans and Nigerians gather in the same place on Sunday morning, planning worship can be a challenge. “It's a lot more than just a question of hymns or choruses,” said Charlie Brown, pastor…
Virginia Baptist Foundation awards 12 grants to ministry partners
RICHMOND — The Virginia Baptist Foundation has awarded 12 grants totaling over $100,000 to 11 Virginia Baptist ministry partners, according to Ronald C. Hall, president and CEO of the Foundation. Hall announced the following recipients, which were awarded grants by…
Massachusetts court delivers gay-marriage setback
BOSTON (ABP) — The same court that created a national firestorm by legalizing gay marriage in 2003 delivered gay-rights activists a setback March 30 in a related case. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled 7-1 that an obscure 1913 law…