By Ken Camp Josie rises early to catch a 5:30 a.m. bus to the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind, where she has worked five days a week ever since she became visually impaired several years ago. She returns home…
Seminary rallies support for gay-marriage ban
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (ABP)—Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary devoted a special chapel service March 28 to rally support for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in North Carolina. Keynote speaker Richard Land, head of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and…
CBF initiative brings hope to nation’s poorest counties
The Lakota of Bridger, S.D., now have fresh eggs available in their neighborhood at about half the cost, and young women in Helena, Ark., are learning business and leadership skills while earning an income to help their families. Although the…
More poor in U.S. than 50 years ago
They gather at dawn at day-labor centers or designated parking lots where contractors hire workers. Some stop on their way to pick up a cheap breakfast taco at a convenience store, buying their meal from an employee earning minimum wage….
CBF missions coordinator resigns
By Bob Allen Six years after leaving Shorter College to become top missions administrator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Rob Nash is returning to the classroom at McAfee School of Theology, leaders of the Atlanta-based organization said March 29. Rob…
Baptists, Easter Seals join to make first 5 years ‘count’ for at-risk kids
By Bob Allen The National Baptist Convention, USA, and Easter Seals are teaming up in April to raise awareness about children under 5 at risk of autism, developmental delays and disabilities. National Baptists, the nation’s oldest and largest historically African-American…
New religious-freedom council picks criticized
By Bob Allen Two new commissioners appointed to an independent panel that advises the State Department on international religious freedom violations are drawing criticism for holding views described as out of the mainstream. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) picked…
White churches on sidelines of Trayvon Martin outrage
By Jeff Brumley The killing of Trayvon Martin has sparked rallies in black communities nationwide and is now leading to questions about why white Christians aren’t more visibly involved. Pastors of both races offer a number of theories about the…
Veteran journalist joins ABP staff
Associated Baptist Press Veteran newspaper reporter Jeff Brumley started March 26 as assistant editor of Associated Baptist Press. He comes to the post from the Florida Times-Unionin Jacksonville, Fla., where he has worked as religion writer since 2004. Before that…
North Carolina’s CBF focuses on reconciliation at assembly
By Robert Dilday Reconciliation topped the agenda of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina’s annual general assembly March 23-24, as worship services and workshops explored the organization’s role in enhancing Christian unity. Live into God’s gift of unity, BWA…
Class status influences views on poverty, say organizers
By Robert Dilday Attitudes toward poverty are strongly influenced by class distinctions and experience, and frequently lead to misrepresentations of the poor, say two couples who operate a Christian community building organization in a low-income neighborhood of Charlotte, N.C. “There…
Theologians urge Baptists to seek ‘visible unity’
RALEIGH, N.C.—While spiritual unity among Christians is important, discovering tangible ways to express that unity is essential, say two theologians long involved in Baptist dialogues with other faith traditions. Spiritual unity is “a place to begin,” said Steve Harmon, adjunct professor…