Baptist News Global

Federal judge dismisses challenge to law banning gay marriage

WASHINGTON (ABP) — A Florida judge has ruled against the first direct challenge to a federal law banning same-sex marriage. Federal District Judge James Moody of Tampa dismissed a Florida lesbian couple's lawsuit seeking to overturn the federal Defense of…

Virginia, Texas conventions take step toward BWA membership

RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Two state Baptist conventions have moved a step closer to full membership in the Baptist World Alliance. The Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Baptist General Convention of Texas were both admitted Jan. 11 into…

Baylor sues gay former student for sending lewd e-mails

WACO, Texas (ABP) — Matthew Bass, a former Baylor University seminary student who was denied a scholarship in 2004 because he is gay, now is being sued by Baylor University for allegedly sending lewd e-mails to employees and their families…

Protestant churches in Thailand launch two-year relief plan for tsunami victims

PHANGNGA PROVINCE, Thailand (ABP) — Major Christian groups in Thailand have begun a two-year relief plan to aid tsunami victims, which will include both immediate relief and rehabilitation. Coordinated by Thailand Protestant Christian Churches, work has already begun in three…

Texas Baptists serve throughout Sri Lanka

BATTICOLOA, Sri Lanka (ABP) — The spirit of God is washing over areas of Sri Lanka that were hard-hit by the tsunamis, revealing a changed topographical and spiritual terrain, according to a missionary in Sri Lanka. God has arranged “divine…

Hungarian Baptist Aid carves unique disaster-relief niche

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (ABP) — Americans might not think of Hungarians as being in the forefront of international relief efforts, but a relatively young Hungarian organization is a pacesetter in worldwide disaster relief. Hungarian Baptist Aid was founded in 1996…

Involving emerging leaders

Guest Editorial for Jan. 13, 2005 Jimmy Draper, president of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, recently discussed with Facts & Trends magazine why he's concerned about the SBC's declining baptisms and interested in greater denominational involvement by…

Remembering and imagining

Andrew Broaddus, a Baptist statesman, delivered a farewell address in 1833 before a meeting of the Dover Baptist Association, which he repeatedly had served as moderator and for which he had preached the introductory sermon for some 46 years. At…

A harder look

Analysis for Jan. 13, 2005 By Jeff Robinson The so-called James Ossuary needs a careful, in-depth examination by a scientific team to determine, once and for all, whether it is an authentic relic in which the brother of Jesus was…

Letters for Jan. 13, 2005

Thanks to Virginia Baptists First, let me say thank you to Virginia Baptists for the Cooperative Program support in 2004 that exceeded 2003 by close to $500,000. We met the goal, balanced the budget and have begun 2005 with a…

Where do infants go when they die?

Another View for Jan. 13, 2005 By Albert Mohler One of the most troubling aspects of the disaster in South Asia is the death of infants and young children. Moving at the speed of a jetliner, the walls of water…

Church & People for Jan. 13, 2005

S T A F F • C H A N G E S Dennis Wingate, to Grace Church, Ridgeway, as pastor, effective Feb. 6. Mike Smith, to Mount Vernon Church, Axton, as pastor, effective Feb. 27. John Kuzins, to First…

‘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