Del Webb, America’s largest homebuilder of active adult communities, released in April its 10th Baby Boomer survey since 1996. It reveals new and compelling facts and opinions from the generation of Americans born between the years of 1946 and 1964…
Survey finds record 19 percent of religiously unaffiliated Americans
(RNS)—Unbelief is on the uptick. People who check “None” for their religious affiliation are now nearly one in five Americans (19 percent), the highest ever documented, according to the Pew Center for the People and the Press. The rapid rise…
CELEBRATE RETIREMENT: 86-year-old celebrates birthday with cross-country motorcycle ride
RICHMOND, Va.—University of Richmond Chancellor E. Bruce Heilman celebrated his 86th birthday on July 16 by arriving home—in one piece and in high spirits—from a 9,000-mile motorcycle trip around the United States. Bruce Heilman at a stop in San Antonio,…
Project Ruth celebrates two decades ministering to Roma children
BUCHAREST, Romania (ABP)—Project Ruth’s Mihai Ciopasiu is all too glad to talk about the success the organization has enjoyed the past two decades serving the poorest and most shunned children in Romania. The nonprofit began as a day center with…
HERITAGE: ‘While yet day’
In its 225 years High Hills Baptist Church at Jarratt, Va., has witnessed many sunrises. Each one brought challenges and opportunities. At the front of the church’s sanctuary there are two tablets memoralizing early pastors: Josiah C. Bailey (1813-1881) and…
CELEBRATE RETIREMENT: 10,000 Baby Boomers reaching age 65 each day are transforming senior adult min
It happens to everyone. You can’t do anything about it and you want to think you’ll be calm when it happens, but most times it will catch you off guard. It’s your first “senior” mailing. It could be an invitation…
Organization says SBC is ‘bullying’ Air Force chaplain to explain presence
(ABP)—A chaplaincy organization supportive of last year’s repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that banned gays from serving openly in the military accused the Southern Baptist Convention of bullying and intimidation for asking an Air Force chaplain to…
After 24 years as youth strategist, Ken Dibble to retire
RICHMOND, Va.—After 24 years’ service to the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, Ken Dibble has announced plans to retire, effective Dec. 31. Ken Dibble Dibble has been the board’s youth ministry strategist since 1989. In that role he has focused on…
TRENDING: Movement thinking, part 2: Intentional networks
In our last column, we examined the trend of “movement thinking” by looking at Steve Addison’s, Movements That Change the World: Five Keys to Spreading the Gospel. One of Addison’s keys is “Contagious Relationships.” The author says that “movements spread…
Plan will allow one of Virginia Baptist Homes’ retirement communities to end bankruptcy
DALEVILLE, Va.—A federal bankruptcy court judge in Roanoke, Va., approved a reorganization plan July 12 that will allow one of Virginia Baptist Homes’ retirement communities to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Glebe, located just outside Roanoke, filed for bankruptcy…
OPINION: I want to be Judi Dench
When I’m asked what actress I admire most people are often surprised by my response. I suspect they think my answer will be someone closer to my age or at least one of the classic examples like Meryl Streep. But…
Virginia Baptist Foundation awards scholarships
RICHMOND, Va.—The Virginia Baptist Foundation has awarded scholarships totaling $82,500 to 50 recipients from across Virginia, it has announced. The Foundation hosted its fifth annual scholarship recognition ceremony recently at the Virginia Baptist Resource Center. “We have the privilege of…