Decked in Sunday finery, the chattering line stretches out the door and up a gritty block of warehouses and homes in this working-class Paris suburb. Inside, the congregation at Impact Christian Center sways and chants to gospel rhythms with an…
Nigerian president challenges African Baptists
“The church is part of the larger society. Its members live in a society that is plagued with all sorts of challenges, contradictions and a penchant for negating all the values in the Holy Bible.” With these words, Olusegun Obasanjo,…
The ideal candidate
I remember, as a child, hearing about the “Yella Dog Democrats” who would vote for a yellow dog as long as it was running as a Democrat. Many of those YDDs were Baptists living in the South. Occasionally, I still…
ANOTHER VIEW: Forgive or die
Few recent tragedies have affected me as deeply as the horrific murders at the Amish schoolhouse in Lancaster County, Pa. It seems that each day brings more mayhem in our blood-soaked country. But this one–this image of 10 little girls…
Cut into the darkness
The sun was setting in the west and the shadows were lengthening when this columnist headed out one Saturday on his way to a Sunday speaking engagement in the country. The destination was Straightstone Baptist Church in the northeast corner…
New Orleans churches stagger back to life
Seventy-five people gathered in bright sunshine on a recent Sunday outside Reaping the Harvest Full Gospel Baptist Church in New Orleans. They applauded as pastor Troy Lawrence, resplendent in a three-piece gray pinstriped suit, cut a red ribbon and, for…
Dress casual
Last year in this space, I offered several good reasons why Virginia Baptists might enjoy attending the annual meeting dressed in casual attire, and it appeared as if many messengers made the transition to casual in Woodbridge last November. May…
Franklin Baptist proves unsinkable
Suffering its second flood in seven years, Franklin Baptist Church was closed for a week as waters from the swollen Blackwater River crept into town. “During the Sunday we were out [of the building] we had a community service,” offered…
Support Bluefield
We Baileys and Rackleys are proud to have had four generations attending Bluefield College. Dad, David L. Bailey Sr., began the journey in the 1920s; both of my brothers, David and Bob attended; I graduated in 1954. I currently have…
Evangelicals push for end to genocide in Darfur
Twenty-four evangelical leaders–both progressive and conservative–placed full-page ads in leading U.S. newspapers Oct. 18 calling for President Bush and the American public to stop genocide in Darfur. The leaders requested an immediate session with the president to discuss economic sanctions…
Letters for Dale
As many already know, Dr. Bob Dale has announced his intention to retire from full-time service with the Virginia Baptist Mission Board after 18 years of creative and faithful service. Colleagues and friends of Bob Dale are compiling a book…
LifeWay to open two new stores in Virginia
Two new LifeWay stores, one in Lynchburg and one in Fredericksburg are scheduled to open in the Thanksgiving to Christmas time frame. The Lynchburg store, containing 6,300 square feet, will be located on Ward's Road across from the Wal-Mart near…