By Bob Allen A Baptist minister who leads an interdenominational ministry that self-describes as “Alabama’s moral compass” is urging voters to support legislation to deter illegal casinos from popping up across the state. State Sen. Bryan Taylor (R-Prattville) introduced legislation…
Texas Baptists back revised lending bill
By Bob Allen The Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission dropped opposition to a payday lending bill in the state Senate after additional consumer safeguards were added during debate April 22. Senators voted 24-6 to approve amended legislation put forward by…
CBF leader signs response to MLK
By Bob Allen Baptist leaders are among 28 original signers of a response to Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” 50 years after the civil-rights leader challenged white church leaders to confront racism. Patrick Anderson, interim coordinator of the…
CBF leader signs response to MLK
By Bob Allen Baptist leaders are among 28 original signers of a response to Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” 50 years after the civil-rights leader challenged white church leaders to confront racism. Patrick Anderson, interim coordinator of the…
West, Texas, church gathers for worship
By John Hall and Jeff Brumley Its church building still in lockdown four days after a fertilizer plant explosion killed 14 people and injured 200 others, members of First Baptist Church in West, Texas, gathered in a makeshift altar in…
Ky. Baptists probe professor’s dismissal
By Bob Allen Kentucky Baptist Convention leaders are seeking answers to rumors swirling that a popular professor at Campbellsville University is being released from his teaching position for being too conservative. KBC Executive Director Paul Chitwood blogged April 20 that…
Eddie Stratton to retire Dec. 31 after 11 years as Baptist General Association of Virginia treasurer
RICHMOND — Eddie Stratton will retire Dec. 31 as treasurer of the Baptist General Association of Virginia after more than 11 years in the role, he announced April 16. Stratton, who also serves as the Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s treasurer,…
Virginia Baptist Women in Ministry celebrates first 25 years at annual ‘Feast’
RICHMOND — The 25th anniversary of Virginia Baptist Women in Ministry was a highlight of the fifth annual “Feast” gathering, as about 80 members, both men and women, gathered at Grace Baptist Church in Richmond for a day of retreat. …
Former Baptist editor dies
By Bob Allen Theo Sommerkamp, 84, a longtime Baptist journalist known to friends for his strong love for railroad trains, died April 19. Sommerkamp, of Columbus, Ohio, met his wife of 60 years, Jean, while attending Oklahoma Baptist University. They…
Mo. woman elected to Churchnet post
By Bill Webb A woman active in Woman’s Missionary Union of Missouri is both the first female and the first layperson to be elected president of Churchnet, ministry network of the Baptist General Convention of Missouri. Donna Potts, a member…
Can Christianity and evolution co-exist?
By Jeff Brumley A two-day conference beginning Sunday, April 21, in Dayton, Ohio, seeks to dispel the notion that science and faith are natural enemies and to prove that acceptance of evolution and the Big Bang theory are compatible with…
CBF names communications head
By Emily Holladay Jeff Huett, currently communications director at the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, is joining the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship leadership team as associate coordinator of communications and advancement. “I welcome Jeff Huett to the leadership team of…