In the past couple of weeks since the passing of Chadian leader Idriss Déby, the country has become a subject of local and international discourse unlike anything people remember of the West African nation in recent decades. The discussions center…
White evangelical leaders who repress women are revered as saints, author says
White evangelical leaders are revered as modern-day saints by followers supportive of efforts to suppress the voice and visibility of women in the church, Beth Allison Barr said during a May 11 webinar hosted by Baptist News Global. That constellation…
For Zimbabwe’s Christian LGBTQ refugees, Montreal city is a sanctuary
In Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, Tyron*, 27, recites “Bonjour” five times. They are refining their French. France and the U.S. are not on their mind. “I switched two (Christian) mission schools in 10 years,” Tyron said. “I feared to…
More churches plan reopenings cautiously, joyfully and with flexibility
New CDC guidelines and a growing number of church members being vaccinated are suddenly opening new possibilities for churches that have been closed to in-person gatherings for 14 months. “The arrival and availability of the vaccine has been a welcomed…
Pastor puts entrepreneurial skills to work this time to get people vaccinated
Dallas pastor Richie Butler has blazed a trail through the worlds of real estate and ministry in Texas and nationwide, developing more than $500 million in urban properties, leading iconic Black churches and launching initiatives to combat racism and deliver…
CBF’s new disaster response coordinator brings diversity of experiences to the job
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s new domestic disaster response manager sees a direct correlation between helping communities recover from catastrophes and helping society recover from systemic injustice. Both missions require clergy, church leaders and congregations to build relationships that transform strangers…
Fox News anchor gives voice to 16 women in the Bible
Fox News anchor Shannon Bream’s favorite portion of her book about women in the Bible is retelling the story of the “unclean” woman found in Mark 5:21. “We’re told that she comes before (Jesus) trembling and in fear falls down…
Largest church in SBC ordains three women as pastors
The largest church affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention ordained three women as ministers May 6, sending shock waves through the male-centric leadership of the nation’s largest non-Catholic denomination. Saddleback Church, founded by Pastor Rick Warren and his wife, Kay,…
Bush calls for religious revival to help all Christians welcome immigrants
Healing the divisiveness of immigration in American politics and society requires a view of immigrants as vital cultural and economic contributors and as fellow human beings made in God’s image, former President George W. Bush said during a May 6…
Summer youth camps and internships are making a comeback this year
Church summer camps and in-person internship programs are making a comeback in 2021 with an array of new procedures designed to minimize exposure to COVID-19. But getting there after a year of virtual or zero gatherings has posed challenges to…
Baptist deacon is author of controversial anti-trans bills in Texas, joining wave of similar legislation pushed nationwide
A Baptist deacon is the author of an anti-transgender bill that has passed the Texas Senate and now awaits action in the House — a bill that has been called by critics one of the cruelest in a season of…
With vaccinations on board, CBF disaster relief looks toward unfinished work in Bahamas
A Category 5 hurricane in September 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic that followed delivered a one-two punch to the Bahamas that destroyed lives, homes, businesses and churches, then prevented outside relief organizations from rendering aid, said Rick Burnette, the outgoing…