CLINTON, Miss. (ABP) – A former Southern Baptist music minister who recently confessed to past “sexual indiscretions” with younger males was arrested Sept. 7 on seven charges of gratification of lust. Police in Clinton and Jackson, Miss., allege that John…
Single adults represent tremendous mission field
A hidden mission field exists — one that encompasses more people than live in many small countries. And it could be just outside the walls of any given church. Single adults make up more than 40 percent of the U.S….
Are singles finding community at church?
"Why aren't you married yet?" "When are you going to settle down?" "Why can't a pretty girl (or handsome guy) like you find a husband (or wife)?" Singles sometimes hear these questions from well-meaning friends or relatives, which can make…
Singles ministry tough, but vital
RALEIGH, N.C. — Greg Belcher understands why many churches avoid keeping or starting a ministry specifically to "single adults." It's tough. A large part of the difficulty in singles ministry is the huge umbrella the term covers. "Singles" are not…
CBF-sponsored sexuality conference taking shape
ATLANTA (ABP) – Plans are taking shape for a [Baptist] Conference on Sexuality and Covenant co-sponsored by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Mercer University’s Center for Theology and Public Life scheduled April 19-21, 2012, at First Baptist Church in Decatur,…
Texas Baptists support firefighters battling wildfires
DALLAS (ABP) – State officials have enlisted Baptist volunteers to support the efforts of workers battling Texas wildfires that have caused four deaths and destroyed more than 1,000 homes. Texas Baptist Men was asked to cook 5,000 meals per day…
T, Kathie Thomas leaving Oklahoma CBF
NORMAN, Okla. (ABP) – Nearly 20 years after their appointment as the first missionary couple of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, T and Kathie Thomas are returning to France, where they formerly worked as longtime Southern Baptist missionaries. T Thomas If his visa…
CBF rallies during deportation threat
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) – Thirty-three people wearing “I Support Hector” badges packed Immigration Court in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 2 for the hearing of a Hispanic church planter facing possible deportation. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina worked hard to…
North Carolina CBF rallies around pastor during deportation threat
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) — Thirty-three people wearing “I Support Hector” badges packed Immigration Court in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 2 for the hearing of a Hispanic church planter facing possible deportation. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina worked hard to…
Judge grants Villanueva motion to stay in US
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) — An immigration judge granted a motion Sept. 2 allowing a Baptist church planter facing possible deportation to Mexico to remain in the United States. Martha and Hector Villanueva share emotional moments with friend Alma Benitez, wife…
Church embezzler gets 44 months in prison
MORRISTOWN, Tenn. (ABP) – A 70-year-old widow who stole $1.5 million as financial secretary of a Baptist church was sentenced Sept. 1 to 44 months in prison. Under federal sentencing guidelines, Barbara Whitt, who pleaded guilty in February to bank…
Prosecutors want information from church about former minister suspected of child abuse
CLINTON, Miss. (ABP) – A Baptist church in Mississippi says an internal investigation into a former staff member who confessed to “sexual indiscretions” with younger males two decades ago is confidential and cannot be turned over to a grand jury….