Baptist News Global

Senate panel avoids cuts in food-stamp program

WASHINGTON (ABP) — After pleading from prominent Baptists and other religious leaders, a Senate panel has declined to recommend major cuts in a federal program that subsidizes grocery purchases for the needy. On an 11-9 vote Oct. 19, the Senate…

Support for Baylor’s interim president fuels speculation about permanent job

WACO, Texas — (ABP) Baylor University's interim president is impressing enough people that he still might emerge as a candidate for the permanent presidency — despite the fact he withdrew his name from consideration last month. Interim Bill Underwood, a…

Heritage Seekers releases new issue

William Carey, the first modern missionary, is featured in the new issue of Heritage Seekers, the magazine for children and families published by the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies. Emily Ray, a children's worker and writer in Richmond, is…

Children’s ministry certification drawing Virginia Baptists

Sixteen persons gathered Sept. 29 to begin the second in a five-course certification in children's ministry offered by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. Of the 16 participants, eight were new to the certification process. Of the 10 persons who completed…

Wiccan leader loses appeal in Va. civic prayer case

The Supreme Court has turned away a Wiccan who sought to deliver prayers at Chesterfield County board meetings on an equal basis with Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders. Cynthia Simpson, a practitioner of the neo-pagan religion, had appealed a decision…

Correction

The nominee to represent the Central Virginia Baptist Association on the Virginia Baptist Mission Board was incorrectly printed last week. The correct name is Mike Critzer of Bybee's Road Baptist Church in Troy.

Disaster relief work in Pakistan signals expanded horizons for Virginia Baptists

In the wake of Virginia Baptists' wide-ranging disaster relief ministry to victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Virginia Baptists are poised to expand their disaster relief horizons through a wider partnership with Baptist World Aid, the relief arm of the…

American Baptists cut staff, but ‘not collapsing,’ says general secretary

The American Baptist Churches USA is shutting down its communications department-the latest step in budget cuts and restructuring brought on by declining funds and theological division in the denominational group. Although the ABC national office is experiencing funding losses due…

Steeple remains seminary’s beacon of hope for devastated New Orleans

Visible from miles away, the steeple of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's chapel has always been a symbol of hope in the city of New Orleans. In 2002, when seminary administrators chose a new logo for the school, they chose…

Record 7.3 million meals provided to victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita

An all-time record has been reached-more than 7.3 million meals prepared to date for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita under the Southern Baptists' mammoth disaster relief effort across the Gulf Coast. Previously, the most meals prepared in a Southern…

Baptist Center sponsors first youth essay contest

Virginia Baptist youth are invited to enter a new essay contest sponsored by the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies. The first “Roots & Wings: Young Scholars Essay Contest” carries a missions theme as 11th and 12th grade students learn…

Meet Maxine Bersch, Virginia Baptist author

By Jim White Like a beguiling butterfly, 80-something year-young Maxine (Mackie) Bersch demonstrated her story-telling expertise by flitting from scene to scene, keeping me on the edge of my seat as she told her own story. Born in Clay County,…

The wicked are punished — or not

What Ryan Burge sees in America’s megachurches

We are a nation of immigrants

As worldwide deaths mount, Musk insists DOGE cuts didn’t kill anyone