Baptist News Global

‘Megapulpits’ in Jacksonville, Orlando face transitions where others struggle

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (ABP) — Two more Baptist megachurches are venturing into mostly uncharted waters — replacing legendary preachers — where success has proven rare. Jerry Vines announced May 1 he will retire next February as pastor of the 28,000-member First…

Provost Frank Bonner elected president of Gardner-Webb

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (ABP) — Frank Bonner, provost of Gardner-Webb University, was elected president of the Baptist-affiliated school May 1. Bonner, 57, provost and senior vice president of the North Carolina school since 1992, was elected unanimously in a called…

Panel to study religious discrimination by evangelicals at Air Force Academy

WASHINGTON (ABP) — A top Pentagon official has ordered the appointment of a special task force to investigate “lingering allegations” about religious discrimination at the Air Force Academy toward cadets who are not evangelical Christians. A May 3 press release…

Stalling of nominees not targeting ‘people of faith,’ Bush says

WASHINGTON (ABP) — In a rare prime-time news conference April 28, President Bush disagreed with the rhetoric of some religious conservatives who have accused Senate Democrats of blocking judicial nominees who are “people of faith.” Speaking to journalists in the…

Regents name law professor as interim Baylor president

WACO, Texas (ABP) — Baylor University regents elected law professor Bill Underwood interim president unanimously on a first ballot, said newly re-elected chairman Will Davis of Austin, who predicted the university could have a permanent president by Sept. 1. The…

Church & People News for April 28, 2005

Staff Changes Whitey Davis, now serving as pastor of Sharon Church, Green Bay. Pat Narkinski, to Mount Hermon Church, Mineral, as pastor. Joshua Speight, to North Riverside Church, Newport News, as associate pastor. Dan Panter Sr., to Staples Mill Road…

Cross-cultural missions in your backyard

Guest Editorial for April 28, 2005 By Alan Compton A surprising phenomenon of ministry with Latinos and Hispanics in the United States is the reluctance of Anglo churches and individuals to become involved in church planting among Hispanics and other…

On Oregon Hill

Heritage Column for April 28, 2005 By Fred Anderson Oregon Hill is an old inner-city neighborhood in downtown Richmond where for 150 years the Pine Street Baptist Church has served as a beacon. Pastor Philip Wayne Turner likens the community…

Homosexual support group denied recognition at Mars Hill

A group that supports greater acceptance of homosexuals lost its bid for recognition as an official campus organization at Mars Hill College April 14, the Biblical Recorder has reported. The Student Government Association of the school, which is affiliated with…

Virginia Baptists to send children’s ministry teams to India

Virginia Baptists plan to send two children's ministry teams to India in June as a part of the India tsunami response project. Indian Baptists have asked for a team to distribute uniforms and school supplies purchased by Virginia Baptists through…

First Hand: Helping Virginia Baptists age with significance

By Debbie Perkins It is a fact of life. Each of us is aging. In fact, many are being given the gift of time. The average life expectancy of 47 years in 1900 has increased to 76.4 years in 2005….

Mission Board names Alexander to statewide collegiate position

Greg Alexander has been named to a key collegiate ministry position at the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. Alexander, who has been director of Baptist collegiate ministry for the Illinois Baptist State Association since 1996, will become collegiate and young adult…

‘Be careful of Scripture heavy in law but light on grace,’ Wesley warns

‘Show up and do something,’ ACLU leader urges

From the South Side to the South Lawn and back again

Democracy as a moral practice, not just a system