By Robert Dilday An amendment to the Virginia constitution aimed at permitting prayer in public schools and government meetings should be rejected by the state’s General Assembly, according to Virginia’s oldest Baptist network of churches. A resolution adopted during the…
Ministry cancels ‘Duck Dynasty’ event
By Bob Allen A Freewill Baptist family ministry has cancelled an upcoming appearance by Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson after the TV family announced recently it was entering the wine business. Derek Bell, director of development for Free Will Baptist…
Scottish Baptist to lead relocated seminary
By Bob Allen A Scottish Baptist educator and former pastor has been named rector of the International Baptist Theological Study Centre in Amsterdam, a school owned by the European Baptist Federation in the process of relocating from the Czech Republic….
Virginia Baptists adopt far-reaching governance proposal for likely implementation in 2015
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — The Baptist General Association of Virginia adopted a far-reaching governance proposal Nov. 13 which leaders said would position the network of 1,400 churches to more effectively meet the challenges of the 21st century while maintaining broad representation…
Three leaders draw kudos from BGAV, which also commends new Baptist media platform
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — A trio of Virginia Baptist leaders — a financial officer, a staff administrator and a veteran editor — were honored for distinguished service Nov. 13 by the Baptist General Association of Virginia, which also commended the upcoming…
Former Bluefield College president Roy Dobyns, whose tenure saw enrollment growth, dies at 82
DANDRIDGE, Tenn. — Roy A. Dobyns, the eighth president of Bluefield College, died Nov. 12 in a Dandridge, Tenn., nursing home. He was 82. Roy Dobyns Dobyns was president of the Baptist-affiliated school from 1989 until he retired in 1996,…
Virginia Baptist ministries looking at largely unchanged funding levels in BGAV’s 2014 budget
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Baptist ministries next year will be funded essentially at 2013 levels following adoption of a $12,214,00 budget by the Baptist General Association of Virginia Nov. 13. The 2014 budget, approved at the BGAV’s annual meeting without…
Don’t adopt proposed prayer amendment, BGAV tells General Assembly in resolution
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — An amendment to the Virginia constitution aimed at permitting prayer in public schools and government meetings should be rejected by the state’s General Assembly, according to Virginia’s oldest Baptist network of churches. A resolution adopted during the…
BGAV elects Blacksburg pastor as president, names Waynesboro pastor and former banker as treasurer
In an uncontested vote Nov. 13, Blacksburg, Va., pastor Tommy McDearis was elected president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia in an annual meeting which also featured the election of Waynesboro, Va., pastor David Washburn as treasurer of the…
Baptists urged to ‘wage peace’ in Israel
By Bob Allen Theology is part of the problem of instability in the Middle East but can be part of the solution, a Palestinian theologian said Nov. 9 at a conference titled “Waging Peace in Palestine and Israel” sponsored by…
SBC leader, other clergy, meet with Obama
By Bob Allen Southern Baptist Convention official Russell Moore joined other faith leaders Nov. 13 in a meeting with President Obama, Vice President Biden and senior administration officials to discuss action toward common-sense immigration reform. Moore, president of the SBC…
Churches take on Palestinian issue
By Bob Allen Promoting peacemaking in the local church can be tricky when broaching conflicts about which people disagree, panelists advised Baptists in Washington, D.C., attending a Nov. 8-10 conference on “Waging Peace in Palestine and Israel” sponsored by the…