Baptist News Global

New director of BWAid steps in as global needs arise

When the Baptist World Alliance last month named Marsha Scipio director of its global aid organization, BWAid, it said her job would be to respond to people suffering in times of crisis by networking with other agencies to boost sustainability…

5 things I learned from visiting 50 online churches during the pandemic

When the reality of not being able to meet in person hit almost a year ago, the small staff of our small Baptist church did what most small churches were doing —we started winging it. As a second-year seminary student…

At Trump’s impeachment trial, pay attention to the inciting power of rhetoric

On Feb. 9, the historic second impeachment trial of Donald Trump will commence in the United States Senate, where a common theme running through the impeachment articles centers on the inciting power of speech used by the former president. The…

Your words hold the power of life and death

In the age of social media, it’s easy to forget the power our words have on others. Sitting behind the safety of a computer screen makes it simple for us to say whatever we think with little consequence. With the…

Black church important antidote to social despair caused by white supremacy

The Black church in America plays a crucial role in empowering its congregants amid the reality of white supremacy that causes a growing number of Black Americans to feel insecure, new research finds. Despite the election of Raphael Warnock as…

Why doesn’t Twitter ban Europe’s diaspora medical scare-monger prophets?

On Christmas Day, a cousin forwarded me a screenshot of her church’s WhatsApp congregation: “Our pastor was electric today. He warned us, mRNA vaccines are Europe’s plot to change Africans’ DNA, make Black women infertile. Should I change churches?” I…

Do you wonder if you’re the only one who believes the way you do?

“Am I the only one?” Recently, it seems I can’t have a conversation about faith or politics without uncovering another story of someone who is wrestling with this question. Many have become increasingly isolated from their faith communities and families….

Supreme Court again overturns COVID restrictions on houses of worship

In a sign of how long the coronavirus pandemic has gone on, the United States Supreme Court has been dealt enough cases on church closures during the pandemic now to have reversed itself and splintered further in its own opinions….

Free Lenten daily devotionals offered

Journey to the Cross, a devotional series for Lent, returns to d365.org, beginning on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17. This free series features Scripture, prayer and brief meditative thoughts accompanied by gentle music. This year’s themes and writers are as follows….

Update: Virginia House joins Senate in voting to eliminate death penalty

Death penalty opponents are celebrating another milestone in Virginia, where the House of Delegates approved a bill Feb. 5 to abolish capital punishment in the state. The 57-41 vote followed the Senate’s 21-17 passage of an identical measure on Feb….

Private property or the public good? Thoughts on wealth, taxes and justice

Growing up in the 1970s, there were some things I was sure of. One such truth was that America is a Christian nation — founded by Christians, based on Christian principles, uniquely favored by God. I suspect many Christians who…

White Christian nationalists and Black Americans find common ground in vaccine wariness while some pastors try to set a positive example

Two communities seemingly at odds with each other are among the groups of Americans most likely to be skeptical of the new COVID-19 vaccines: Christian nationalists and Black Americans. The reasons why each group is skeptical are different, but the…

Trump’s war on ‘woke’ targets federal grants and foreign relations

Reflections on In the Twilight of the Christian West

Why rural families need support now

Why do we keep sounding the alarm?