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…
VITAL SIGNS: What’s on your menu?
Let’s start with a disclaimer. I know that congregations and restaurants are not in the same business. I understand that thinking like a restaurant can lead to embracing the consumer culture of the day. I know all too well that…
Latino Network to sponsor youths attending global Baptist conference
RICHMOND, Va.—The Latino Network of Virginia Baptists has announced plans to sponsor 10 Latino youth to attend the Baptist Youth World Conference next summer in Singapore. The conference, sponsored by the Baptist World Alliance, is expected to draw about 6,000…
OUT LOUD
“As Muslims, when we see President Morsi, we feel just as the black people of the United States feel about Barack Obama. Here is somebody who looks like me, who represents me.” Ali el-Banna The Egyptian lawyer spoke to the…
Project Ruth celebrates 2 decades
By Jeff Brumley 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…
Church expelled after affirming gays
By Bob Allen An American Baptist church in Ohio has been excommunicated from its association and state region after going on record as welcoming and affirming gays. Tommy Faris, pastor of University Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio, said the church…
Prof: Kitty Wells wasn’t a feminist
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist seminary professor and country-music devotee is challenging eulogies portraying recently deceased singer/songwriter Kitty Wells as a feminist icon. Russell Moore, dean of the school of theology and vice president for academic administration at Southern…
Faith leaders support Tenn. mosque
By Bob Allen More than 100 religious leaders signed an open letter July 18 voicing support for a Tennessee mosque asking a federal judge to permit use of its newly built building to celebrate Ramadan, which begins July 19. Brent…
Chick-fil-A criticized as anti-gay
By Bob Allen Controversy over Chick-fil-A’s support of groups opposed to gay rights re-emerged when Baptist Press carried a story July 16 quoting the company’s president and chief operating officer pleading “guilty as charged” to criticism that the popular fast-food…
Chick-fil-A criticized as anti-gay
By Bob Allen Controversy over Chick-fil-A’s support of groups opposed to gay rights re-emerged when Baptist Press carried a story July 16 quoting the company’s president and chief operating officer pleading “guilty as charged” to criticism that the popular fast-food…
Sojo seeks hate-crime probe of mosque fire
By Bob Allen A progressive evangelical group has launched an online petition urging the U.S. Justice Department to investigate a July 4 fire at a Missouri mosque as a potential hate crime. Sojourners, a Washington-based organization dedicated to social justice…