By Bob Allen About 50 international Christian leaders convened this week at Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., for a consultation on the rights of the “stateless,” an estimated 12 million people around the world who are not considered a…
Okla. medical ministry to grow with grant
By Daniel Wallace It is about to become easier for the uninsured in Oklahoma City to receive primary health care. Good Shepherd Ministries, an extension of First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City, recently landed a $7.7 million grant that…
Critic says SBC leaders enabling sin
By Bob Allen A former associate of an evangelical leader accused in a lawsuit of covering up child sexual abuse says Southern Baptist leaders are enabling sin by continuing to promote the embattled preacher while serious questions about his fitness…
Ministering in the wake of a disaster doesn’t require a long journey, church discovers
HENRICO, Va. — Westhunt Baptist Church in Richmond’s West End recently discovered that disaster relief isn’t limited to natural disasters in other places; it also includes responding to the needs of hurting people less than a mile away. A multi-unit…
Dementia sufferers and their caregivers find place to connect at Asheville church’s Memory Café
ASHEVILLE — Walk into the Memory Café in the dining room at First Baptist Church in Asheville on the third Thursday afternoon of any month, and you’ll see people sitting comfortably at tables. Some play cards or dominoes. Some work…
Expelled transgender student files suit
By Bob Allen A transgender woman is suing California Baptist University for allegedly expelling her because of her gender identity. Domaine Javier, 25, filed a lawsuit Feb. 25 accusing the private Christian school affiliated with the California Southern Baptist Convention…
BGCT considers building sale
By Ken Camp The Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board voted Feb. 26 to create a committee to study the potential sale of the Baptist Building in Dallas. “The executive director has been approached about the possibility of selling…
CBF chaplaincy head stepping down
By Emily Holladay George Pickle, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship chaplaincy and pastoral counseling specialist, announced he will retire effective June 30 after 12 years of service to CBF-endorsed chaplains and pastoral counselors. “I have been thoroughly blessed by my relationship…
CBF considers moving offices
By Bob Allen The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Coordinating Council authorized staff leadership Feb. 22 to renegotiate terms of the CBF Resource Center’s current lease with Mercer University as part of the implementation of a new structure approved last summer following…
Jeffress addresses Tebow controversy
By Bob Allen First Baptist Church of Dallas pastor Robert Jeffress responded in his Sunday sermon Feb. 24 to controversy over NFL player Tim Tebow’s canceling an appearance at the Southern Baptist mega-church by implying the publicity-conscious celebrity was “wimping…
Mediation effort in Southside Virginia prayer lawsuit fails, returning case to district court
DANVILLE, Va. — Attempts to settle a legal conflict between a Southside Virginia county board of supervisors and the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia over Christian prayers at the beginning of supervisors’ meetings apparently failed Feb. 21, according to…
For Hollywood power couple, a labor of love
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Before actress Roma Downey met her husband, her Touched by an Angel co-star Della Reese had a bit of advice. “Baby, you need to pray that God will choose a partner for you,” Downey recalled Reese…