By Jeff Brumley Northminster Baptist Church in Jackson, Miss., embraced the “missional” concept before missional was cool — or even a word. Its leaders say the lay-led congregation was founded in the late 1960s with a culture inclined to look outside…
Some Baptists killed in Nepal quake, while others search for survivors
By Jeff Brumley Among the more than 6,000 killed in the April 25 Nepal earthquake are an unknown number of Baptists who died when their church collapsed on top of them, the Baptist World Alliance has reported. “At least seven…
Simmons College recognized as HCBU
By Bob Allen A Baptist college opened in 1879 to educate former slaves that is currently forming ties with the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship has received official recognition as a historically black college or university. Simmons College of Kentucky is one…
Two women, one man make up Baptist church’s pastoral team
By Vicki Brown Two women and a man. The phrase might conjure snippets from the old television sitcom, Three’s Company — but at Englewood Baptist Church in Gladstone, Mo., two women and a man make up a unique, entrepreneurial pastoral…
Indonesia executes Australian members of Bali 9
By Bob Allen Two Australian drug traffickers shot by a firing squad in Indonesia refused blindfolds and sang “Amazing Grace” as they were taken to a jungle clearing to be executed, according to their spiritual adviser. Australians Andrew Chan and…
Baltimore Southern Baptists respond to unrest with prayer, service
By Bob Allen Southern Baptist church planters in Baltimore say they weren’t surprised when peaceful protests over the death of Freddie Gray turned violent, because they have witnessed firsthand the conditions breeding anger among the city’s African-American youth. “I want…
Supreme Court hears challenges to state gay-marriage bans
By Bob Allen The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments April 28 about whether the 14th Amendment requires a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex and, if not, whether states that forbid gay marriage…
Julie Pennington-Russell resigns as pastor of FBC Decatur
By Bob Allen A pioneer among Southern Baptist women in ministry and early supporter of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is stepping down as pastor of First Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga. Julie Pennington-Russell, announced April 29 in an open letter…
PNBC head says anger OK, violence not
By Bob Allen An African-American Baptist leader says young people rioting in Baltimore are sacrificing the moral high ground of nonviolent protest advocated by Martin Luther King. “Anger over the yet unexplained death of Freddie Gray is one thing, but…
Baptists join growing army of relief headed to Nepal
By Jeff Brumley Governments, the United Nations and an army of international aid agencies are pouring relief supplies and workers into Nepal. And faith-based groups, including many Baptist organizations, are going in right along with them. Baptist groups across the…
Baptist disaster responder, through Facebook, reports on Nepal efforts
By Jeff Brumley Eddy Ruble used his Facebook status to share a long-time dream with friends Tuesday. “I’ve always dreamed of visiting Nepal, but not under the circumstances to which I am to arrive to today,” he wrote. The circumstances…
Texas Baptists take sides in school choice, pastor protection legislation
By Bob Allen A Texas Baptist official bemoaned a school voucher vote in the state Senate and supported a House measure to protect clergy from being forced to officiate over same-sex marriages in recent debate at the Texas State Capitol…