Baptist News Global

Youth EnCounter expands to six events across Virginia

RICHMOND—“Youth EnCounter is expanding exponentially,” explained Ken Dibble, youth ministry strategist for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. “To reach as many youth as possible with the gospel, we're bringing Youth EnCounter closer to local communities, at less cost, so that…

Churches in 18 Virginia associations complete 2008 ACP

Virginia Baptist leaders are acknowledging the 18 district associations affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia in which all churches completed the 2008 Annual Church Profile (ACP). Leaders also have praised the contact persons who collected the information. Each…

Virginia Baptists fall just shy of funding 2008 BGAV budget

RICHMOND—Virginia Baptists funded their 2008 budget at almost 98 percent—a noteworthy event in the midst of a severe economic crisis, said leaders of the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Last year, BGAV churches contributed $14,092,291 toward the state association's Cooperative…

VBMB sets up fund to help struggling churches

RICHMOND—The Virginia Baptist Mission Board's executive committee voted Jan. 12 to establish a Helping Hands Fund to assist churches that are experiencing difficulty due to financial circumstances beyond their control. The fund has been established with an initial gift of…

VIRGINIA BRIEFS

Fannin New professor at BTSR. Coleman Fannin has joined the staff of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond as visiting professor in theology and ethics. He will hold the position during the sabbatical leave of Elizabeth Newman, professor of theology….

EDITORIAL: Truth may be delayed, but it won’t be denied

America the one and only! There simply isn't anyplace else in the world like it. I'm not proud of some parts of our past, of course. Even while they were crafting the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution which followed,…

SECOND OPINION: Alright, kids. Time to grow up

President Obama's inaugural address might not have been one for the ages. But it certainly was the right one for the moment. Somber, sober and almost stern, our new president placed a mantle before the nation and gave us a…

OUT LOUD

“It is a nation with a lot of Christians in it. And I'm proud to be one of them. But it is not a Christian nation.” Bishop T. D. Jakes The author and pastor of The Potter's House in Dallas…

HERITAGE: A man who cared

Bill Jenkins once was described as “firm, fair and faithful.” Roland Byrd, the long-time Baptist campus minister at Virginia Tech, who was describing his former boss and mentor in ministry, said, “Bill encouraged us and helped us to do what…

Anti-abortion forces seek government funding cuts for Planned Parenthood

WASHINGTON (RNS)—Undeterred by solid Democratic gains in November's national elections, religious conservatives who oppose abortion are going on the offensive with a new weapon—a sick economy. In its largest-ever state-based initiative, the Family Research Council is contacting every state lawmaker…

Rick Warren offers shelter for breakaway Anglicans

Evangelical pastor Rick Warren has offered to open the campus of his California megachurch to conservative Anglicans who have broken with the Episcopal Church. Warren, a best-selling author and prominent preacher, wrote to 30 Anglican leaders on Jan. 9, days…

Baptists, Muslims say dialogue a big step in the right direction

NEWTON CENTER, Mass. (ABP)—Several dozen Baptists and Muslims gathered recently to repair a relationship better known for harsh anti-Islamic rhetoric by high-profile Baptist preachers than by dialogue or cooperation. Stan Hastey, a Baptist member of the task force that planned…

PNBC plans ‘Freedom Sunday’ this weekend

Christian nationalism is neither Christian nor patriotic

High court says feds can deny reentry to Green Card holders

BNG introduces ‘Bible Divas’ podcast