By Bob Allen A Texas Baptist church is facing a multi-million dollar lawsuit filed by parents claiming sexual abuse by a youth minster in the 1990s led to their son’s death by suicide. A lawsuit filed in Dallas County District…
Baptist leaders gather to defend religious liberty at New Orleans event
By Aaron Weaver Leaders from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and Southern Baptist Convention joined Tuesday to discuss the importance of religious liberty around the world. During the event at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary,…
No slowing down: Jimmy Carter celebrates 91st birthday
By Bob Allen Former President Jimmy Carter turns a youthful 91 today, with plans for a private birthday celebration in Americus, Ga. The Carter Center joined the celebration by discounting the regular $8 adult admission to the Jimmy Carter Presidential…
Evangelicals lay hands on Donald Trump
A meeting with pastors and televangelists invited to Trump Tower ended with the group surrounding the candidate and laying hands on him for a closing prayer. Many evangelicals who support Donald Trump for president don’t expect him to hold Bible…
Transitions 01.29.16
STAFF CHANGES Jan Ballard, now serving as assistant director of the American Baptist Historical Society, Atlanta. She has worked at the Historical Society since 2011. Michael Bentley, to First Baptist Church, Asheboro, N.C., as pastor of worship and music. Steve…
Transitions 02.05.16
STAFF CHANGES Richard Buerkle, to First Baptist Church, Knoxville, Tenn., as minister of music and worship. He comes from Memorial Baptist Church, Arlington, Va., where he served as associate pastor of music and outreach. Laura Davis, to Woman’s Missionary Union of…
Transitions 02.12.16
STAFF CHANGES Blake Benge, to First Baptist Church, Pensacola, Fla., as coordinating pastor of missions and ministries. He previously served as lead pastor at Redstone Church, Birmingham, Ala. Travis Collins, to First Baptist Church, Huntsville, Ala., as senior pastor. Previously…
Transitions 02.19.16
STAFF CHANGES Jim Baliff, resigning after 10 years as interim minister of music/associate pastor at First Baptist Church, Ringgold, Ga., effective this summer. Jack Causey, concluding his tenure as ministerial transitions coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina,…
Logsdon professor to lead global interfaith group
By Jeff Brumley Cooperative Baptist Fellowship leader Suzii Paynter describes Rob Sellers as a superb scholar dedicated to interfaith work. Roy Medley of the American Baptist Churches USA and the National Council of Churches lauds Sellers’ skill at building bridges…
SBC leader helps draft evangelical statement on animal welfare
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist Convention leader helped draft a statement against animal cruelty released Sept. 30 that is being hailed as a possible tipping point for raising animal-rights awareness among evangelicals. On the heels of Pope Francis’ June…
Pope Francis inspired ministers who work with marginalized
By Jeff Brumley Pope Francis’ historic visit to the United States energized immigration activists in a speech to Congress and gave hope to prison inmates in Philadelphia. But even before arriving on U.S. soil on Sept. 22, the pontiff also…
Parole board green-lights execution of Georgia woman
By Bob Allen The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles denied a clemency petition Sept. 29 for Kelly Gissendaner, who is scheduled to die by lethal injection tonight for plotting her husband’s murder in 1997. The parole board met Tuesday…