Remember 2012, when Obama versus Romney seemed like a contentious presidential election? It was enough for a group of Mennonite ministers, who responded back then by launching the Election Day Communion movement. The idea was to inspire Christians to use…
Arkansas Baptists say transgenderism is in the mind
Southern Baptists in Arkansas opposed efforts by the government to legitimize transgender identity in one of eight resolutions adopted during the Oct. 25-26 Arkansas Baptist State Convention annual meeting in Little Rock. The resolution described “gender dysphoria” — the medical term…
Skeletal remains confirmed to be Lynn Messer
Authorities say skeletal remains discovered last week on the family farm are confirmed to belong to a Missouri Baptist woman missing for more than two years. According to local media, an anthropologist with the St. Louis Medical Examiner’s Office positively…
Faith transforms woman from struggling student to successful teacher
Abigail Garcia was new to Penitas, Texas, had few friends and was struggling through her sophomore year in high school. But rather than getting darker, her future got brighter thanks to people and programs she says were sent into her…
Alleged ‘Vote for Trump’ arson attack on black church strongly condemned by Miss. leaders
Cooperative Baptists are standing with a black Mississippi church set ablaze and vandalized with the words “Vote Trump” on Tuesday. And authorities announced today they have identified a person of interest in the arson attack. The city of Greenville, Miss.,…
Skeletal remains likely those of missing lobbyist’s wife
Authorities in St. Genevieve, Mo., say skeletal remains found on a Missouri Baptist lobbyist’s farm are likely the body of his wife who has been missing for 28 months. Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff Gary Stolzer told local media a body…
Clergy repudiate ‘doctrine of discovery’ as hundreds support indigenous rights at Standing Rock
From around the country 524 clergy responded to the call of North Dakota priest John Floberg to gather in support of the Sioux Nation’s attempts to stop construction of an encroaching oil pipeline near Standing Rock. Floberg, leader of three…
Opponents of new D.C. assisted death law vow appeal to Congress
Washington D.C. has become the sixth jurisdiction in the U.S. to approve so-called death-with-dignity legislation – but opponents vow to keep fighting against it. “We believe in life until natural death and that there is a racist component to it,”…
CBF sending new field personnel to China, New York City
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is seeking field personnel to fill positions in China and New York City. CBF announced online this week that it needs an individual, couple or family to serve a long-term assignment as a partnership advocate in…
Transitions for the week of 11.04.16
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES Jonathan Balmer, to Second & James Baptist Church, Waco, Texas, as minister of youth. Lacey B. Davis, to…
Church must sell off old ways and buildings to thrive in Reformation’s 500th year
A recent commentary posed a timely question: Does the Reformation matter anymore? The Religion News Service piece by Jacob Lupfer was inspired by the Oct. 31 start of the one-year countdown to the 500th anniversary of the religious revolution sparked…
Texas Baptist Men assumes long-term disaster recovery duties and employees from BGCT
Texas Baptist Men has assumed the responsibility for providing long-term disaster response from the Baptist General Convention of Texas, TBM announced this week. The change went into effect Nov. 1. TBM has provided shorter term disaster relief ministries for more…