By Bob Allen A Baptist minister and interfaith leader accused Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum of using religion to polarize voters. Interfaith Alliance head Welton Gaddy called Santorum’s introduction by a Louisiana preacher who encouraged those who don’t share his…
His Nets hires executive director
Associated Baptist Press Andi Thomas Sullivan has been named executive director of His Nets, Inc., a non-profit organization that fights malaria, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. Andi Sullivan Sullivan co-founded the ministry that purchases and distributes long-lasting insecticidal bed nets with…
Offering plates took hit in 2010, according to new report
By Bob Allen Membership trends remained stable in American denominations, but offerings were down $1.2 billion from a year ago, according to the National Council of Churches’ 2012 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches. The drop in giving is nearly…
Ricks Institute principal elected president of Liberian Baptists
By Bob Allen A former war refugee who returned to his native Liberia in 2005 to run a K-12 boarding school has been elected president of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention. Olu Menjay Olu Menjay, principal of Ricks…
Film traces real-life story of abortion survivor
NEW YORK (RNS)—A new movie confronts a controversial topic by highlighting two words that don’t typically go together: “abortion” and “survivor.” “We didn’t know there was such a thing,” said Jon Erwin, who wrote and co-directed October Baby with his…
Film traces story of abortion survivor
NEW YORK (RNS)—A new movie confronts a controversial topic by highlighting two words that don’t typically go together: “abortion” and “survivor.” “We didn’t know there was such a thing,” said Jon Erwin, who wrote and co-directed October Baby with his…
Gift endows Truett dean’s chair
By Bob Allen An endowed dean’s chair has been established at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, thanks to a gift in excess of $3 million from the estate of former ExxonMobil executive Charles DeLancey. Baylor officials said the…
VA offers training to help rural clergy minister to vets
Associated Baptist Press The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is offering free, one-day workshops for clergy in rural areas on how to minister to needs of veterans in their communities. Six training events are scheduled between April 10 and June…
Planner defends sexuality conference
By Bob Allen A lead planner of an upcoming Baptist sexuality conference says the event has nothing to do with disagreement among Cooperative Baptist Fellowship leadership about the CBF’s policy against hiring gays. David Gushee David Gushee, director of Mercer…
VA offers to help rural clergy minister to vets
HAMPTON, Va. (ABP)—The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is offering free, one-day workshops—including one in Virginia—for clergy in rural areas on how to minister to needs of veterans in their communities. Six training events are scheduled between April 10 and…
NC BRIEFLY
Wake Medical Center names VP for faith and health. Gary R. Gunderson will become vice president of faith and health ministries at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., effective July 1. Currently Gunderson, a graduate of Wake Forest…
VA BRIEFLY
Book sale raises funds for ESL. Lakewood Manor in Richmond, Va., one of the Virginia Baptist Homes’ four retirement centers, raised $1,650 during its fifth annual book sale March 9-10. Proceeds from the sale of more than 3,000 books, DVDs…