By Bob Allen The American Civil War affected Baptists in the South in profound ways that still reverberate more than 150 years after the first shots were fired on Fort Sumter, says a new book by a Baptist historian. Bruce…
WMU leads in advocating for children victimized by trafficking
By Vicki Brown The sticker in the hotel window reassured the visitor — this business would help protect children from predators while they and their parents are guests. “The Child Safe Zone,” a project of Georgia Woman’s Missionary Union and…
Analysis: Churches, ministries provide refuge to victims of human trafficking
Many Christians see the eradication of human trafficking in the United States as a complex and daunting problem. But that doesn’t mean they are letting the enormity of the challenge scare them away. During the last session of the Texas…
Human trafficking: 21st century slavery
By John Hall Small details in the lives of the troubled students Tyler Shoesmith works with tell more than they would like him to know. It’s the words they use, the clothes they wear — even the age of…
Faith-based anti-trafficking efforts make a difference
Small details in the lives of the troubled students Tyler Shoesmith works with tell more than they would like him to know. It's the words they use, the clothes they wear — even the age of the people they spend…
Leonard to be installed in Baptist studies chair
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Bill J. Leonard will be installed as the first James and Marilyn Dunn Professor of Baptist Studies at the Wake Forest University School of Divinity Jan. 24. Bill Leonard The installation will be held in conjunction with…
Mexican poverty creates climate for exploitation
Poverty in Mexico fuels the destructive cycle of human exploitation and trafficking that consumes many young lives, experts on both sides of the Rio Grande agree. A volunteer at Cornerstone Children's Ranch in Quemado, less than two miles from the…
Catholics warn Gingrich, Santorum on race baiting
NEW YORK (RNS) — More than 40 Catholic leaders and theologians have issued an open letter to Catholic candidates Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum, warning them “to stop perpetuating ugly racial stereotypes on the campaign trail.” The signers of the…
WMU advocates for children victimized by trafficking
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The sticker in the hotel window reassured the visitor — this business would help protect children from predators while they and their parents are guests. "The Child Safe Zone," a project of Georgia Woman's Missionary Union and…
Conservative Presbyterians launch new denomination
NEW YORK (RNS) — Conservative Presbyterians launched a new denomination on Jan. 19, saying that the Presbyterian Church (USA) is too consumed by internal conflicts and bureaucracy to nurture healthy congregations. “This ‘new Reformed body’ is intended to foster a…
OPINION: Special treatment hurts both church and state
NEW YORK (RNS) — It’s time for religion to lose its special treatment in the Constitution and in tax codes. Not because religion has ceased to matter, but because it matters more than ever in our increasingly unethical society, and…
HERITAGE: ABCs of Virginia Baptists
Our favorite 5-year-old recently had a rare few minutes alone with his grandparents. He suddenly got very serious and shared that he was having difficulty learning the alphabet. He said that during the school day he goes to a special…