Baptist News Global

Alma Hunt, longtime Baptist missions advocate, dead at 98

Hunt’s influence remained profound over the next 34 years as a volunteer worker with the Baptist World Alliance, the Southern Baptist Convention’s Foreign (now International) Mission Board, Global Women and numerous Virginia Baptist organizations. “[Alma Hunt] heralded the cause of…

SBC officials reject idea of sex-offender database

The move came in response to a motion, passed nearly unanimously by messengers to last year’s SBC meeting, asking officials to study the database idea. Oklahoma pastor and former International Mission Board trustee Wade Burleson requested a feasibility study for…

The moral influence of a market economy

By David Gushee I have to admit that I don’t remember the make or model of the car. But I do remember that it promised 15 whole miles per gallon in the city, and 23 on the highway. What I…

SBC resolution could shrink church membership rolls further

The resolution, which reflects the growing influencing of Calvinism in the SBC, comes on the heels of denominational statistics that showed the 16 million-member convention shrinking. Membership fell in 2007 for the second time in a decade. Even more discouraging,…

Texas church targeted for ouster from SBC over homosexuality

Sanderson’s motion, like the one targeting female pastors, was referred to the SBC Executive Committee, which handles the business of the convention during the rest of the year. If eventually approved by the SBC next year, the effect of the…

Radical Islam among 4 apocalyptic forces threatening America, SBC’s Land says

Land, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, spoke during his agency’s report to the SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis. He saved his toughest words for radical Islam, which he called a “death cult.”…

Caspian more violent than virtuous, scholars say; but what about 3rd movie?

What ensues is a storyline that is noticeably more violent than The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Ralph Wood, professor of Lewis and Tolkien literature at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, noticed the difference between the two movies. He…

Missions volunteers: What in the world are they doing?

Kevin and Naomi Scantlan of Columbia, Mo., feel called to international missions. But as integrated technology services analysts at University of Missouri Health Care and church lay leaders, committing to years abroad really isn't feasible. That's why they're planning their…

Aid groups feel the pinch of rising food, gas prices

WASHINGTON (RNS)—Dramatic increases in food and gas prices are leaving some religious hunger-relief groups praying for relief. Problems already were apparent in 2006, but U.S. churches now report increased difficulty getting meals to people who need them. Food distributors see…

Rising cost of fuel, food prompts adjustments by relief groups

With oil trading at about $130 a barrel in New York and London markets and gas at the pump inching toward $4 a gallon in the United States, some international relief agencies have found the task of getting assistance to…

Virginia Baptist Historical Society focuses on stewardship at meeting

RICHMOND—The Virginia Baptist Historical Society and the Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies faithfully propagates Virginia Baptist principles, and at its May 20 convocation and annual meeting at Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond focused on an often overlooked Baptist…

Stewardship leader encourages Christians to take the road less traveled

EDITOR'S NOTE: Stephen McSwain served as the keynote speaker for the Virginia Baptist Historical Society's stewardship convocation and annual meeting at Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond May 20. Donald J. Campbell, stewardship director for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board,…

Lindsey Graham spoke at Baptist church a week before his death

When leaders know better but choose a different path

On the death of Lindsey Graham

Farewell, Three Amigos