The Sri Lankan government appears poised to vote on anti-conversion legislation in April, according to a number of media reports. If approved, the vote would cap a three-year effort by Buddhist leaders to stem the tide of rural Buddhists turning…
Baptist rescue workers seek survivors of latest earthquake
A search-and-rescue team from Baptist World Aid and Hungarian Baptist Aid is trying to find survivors on the Indonesian island of Nias after a March 28 earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale. According to reports, the quake killed hundreds…
On the scene, again
Just months after a devastating earthquake and tsuanmi, the Indonesian island of Sumatra was hit by a second earthquake that left thousands dead. Baptists once more were on the scene offering relief and ministry. By Erich Bridges Southern Baptist relief…
Warren’s book tops four best-seller lists
Pastor Rick Warren's book The Purpose Driven Life hit the top spot on four best-seller lists this week, two weeks after an Atlanta-area woman read it to her kidnapper. The book is the first to reach the number one spot…
Florida judge in Schiavo case asked to leave Baptist church
By Robert Marus The Florida judge who ordered Terri Schiavo's feeding tube removed has resigned his membership in a Southern Baptist church. According to media reports, Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge George Greer informed Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Fla., that he…
Virginia Baptists’ response to tsunami relief in India
Contributions from Virginia Baptists for the Indian relief project through March 10 with the following designations: • Southern Baptist Convention (IMB): $67,135 • Baptist World Alliance (BWAid): $25,818 • Cooperative Baptist Fellowship: $57,817 • Virginia Baptist Mission Board: $130,312 General…
Volunteer missions stories sought for resource
A retired Virginia Baptist pastor is seeking experiences of missions volunteers to be compiled into a resource for churches. Ray Allen, retired pastor of Blacksburg Baptist Church in Blacksburg and a missions volunteer himself, is collecting “interesting, inspiring or humorous”…
Alan Stanford elected at Leland Center
Alan Stanford has been elected vice president of the John Leland Center for Theological Studies in Falls Church by the school's board of trustees, effective April 1. In his new position, Stanford will provide administrative leadership when Leland's president is…
CBF of Virginia approves a new offering to fund ministries
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia has approved an annual statewide offering to help fund Hispanic ministries and new church starts in Virginia. The Shared Visions Missions Offering, to be promoted each year in April, was authorized at the CBFV's…
BGAV and Averett University leaders develop proposal for relationship
Leaders of Virginia Baptists and Averett University have agreed on a course of action following a March 17 meeting in Richmond to discuss their relationship in light of a gay pride week sponsored on the Averett campus by the school's…
Walking the faith
This Lenten and Easter season, churches across the nation-including many in Virginia-are offering labyrinths as a way for Christians to use the metaphor of walking, running or even crawling their faith as they move closer to God. By Marcia J….
Church & People News for March 24, 2005
STAFF CHANGES • J. David Turner, to Central Church, Richmond, as senior pastor. • Michael Shockley, to Meadows of Dan Church, Meadows of Dan, as pastor. • G. Bruce Queen, concluding his ministry as pastor of Chamberlayne Church, Richmond, effective…