Confession: I don’t “get” a lot of visual art. This is a secret confession, however, so please don’t tell the members of our church or the arts center that is our ministry to the community. I don’t get it for…
EDITORIAL: Frappuccino Fellowships
Some Christians suffer actual persecution. Most Americans welcomed the news last year that an “Arab Spring” was sweeping through the Middle East. The governments of Tunisia, Libya and Egypt were overthrown. Governmental changes, some of them major, were affected in…
Two columnists join Religious Herald’s ranks
RICHMOND, Va. — Two new regular columnists were added at the beginning of 2012 to the Religious Herald’s community of opinion writers. Gallimore Smith Alex Gallimore is associate pastor for youth at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Mount Airy, N.C.,…
Two columnists join Religious Herald’s ranks
RICHMOND, Va. — Two new regular columnists were added at the beginning of 2012 to the Religious Herald’s community of opinion writers. Gallimore Smith Alex Gallimore is associate pastor for youth at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Mount Airy, N.C.,…
Middle East Christians keep wary eye on ‘Spring’
CAIRO (RNS) — From her home, Samia Ramsis holds a key chain bearing the face of the Virgin Mary as visitors outside come to look upon the spot where Egypt’s Coptic Christians believe Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus found…
Gaza Baptist Church ‘functioning’ but ‘restricted’
SANTA ANA, Calif. (ABP) — The last remaining evangelical church in Gaza is functioning but in danger of dying, famed Bible smuggler Brother Andrew said after a recent visit to Gaza Baptist Church. “Christians in the west are surprised to…
At 200, missionary movement ponders the future
SALEM, Mass. (RNS) — When America’s first ordained missionaries sailed to India 200 years ago, they kicked off a movement to spread the faith and created America’s most potent export: Christianity. That’s the message that will reverberate across nine Judson…
Missionaries heading from East to West
Western Christians often think in terms of West-to-East movement when missionaries are sent to other countries. But more and more frequently, evangelicals are coming from the East to evangelize the West. According to Dale Irwin of New York Theological Seminary…
Former aide says Southern Baptists had clout in Bush White House
By Bob Allen Leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention wielded significant influence on the White House during the presidency of George W. Bush, according to a former White House aide promoting a new memoir. “The Bush administration had a superb…
Historic MLK Day service held in Russia
By Bob Allen Protestants gathered Jan. 15 in Moscow for what is thought to be the first celebration of Martin Luther King Day in Russia. About 70 mostly young people attended the service led by Moscow City Church and the…
Former Baptist minister paroled for sex crimes
By Bob Allen A former music minister at an Arkansas Baptist church convicted of sexually abusing children has been granted parole, according to media sources. David Pierce David Pierce, 59, won release from prison after serving two years and four…
Mohler says insurance mandate not just ‘Catholic’ issue
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist seminary president applauded Roman Catholic bishops for refusing to obey an insurance mandate forcing employers to offer coverage for contraceptives and sterilization, and predicted that evangelical leaders will soon face similar choices. “Our religious…