Staff Changes Robert Johansen, to Spring Creek Church, Darlington Heights, as pastor. Matthew Straw, resigning as pastor of Westhampton Church, Richmond. Judy Barger, to Grandin Court Church, Roanoke, as interim minister of music. Dan Foss, to Chestnut Hill Church, Lynchburg,…
The way the system works
I like the general idea of yours about what a good politician should be [“The ideal candidate,” Oct. 26], but the system doesn't work that way. Parties control who runs and how much money they will receive. Consequently, their loyalty…
Virginia Baptists assist Europeans in supporting church planters
Virginia Baptists are partnering with Baptists in Europe to support church planters across that continent as well as in war-torn Iraq. Approximately 60 indigenous church planters in 21 countries in Eastern Europe and the Middle East are being supported by…
Return to Straightstone
Last week this column shared some of the history of Straightstone Baptist Church in Pittsylvania County. When the church recently celebrated its 200th anniversary, Rolen C. Bailey, a former pastor, was among those who returned to Straightstone. He served as…
Chaplain Service job seems made to order
When a prison inmate requests a special diet for religious reasons, is it really part of the inmate's faith? It's Randy Myers's job to find the answer. It's the kind of question Myers will grapple with in his new job…
ANOTHER VIEW: As U.S. tops 300 million, what about the church?
The population of the United States soared past 300 million in October, with no signs of declining anytime soon. Only two other countries contain more than 300 million people: China and India, with more than 1 billion each. Like those…
Virginians help dreams come true in African ministry
Nineteen volunteers from Community Heights Baptist Church of Cedar Bluff, Va., went to Kyela, Tanzania, for two weeks in July. Hundreds of churches take mission trips—what makes this one different is that it began 15 years ago. Pastor Allen Jessee…
Breakout sessions at BGAV to focus on RASNet
Five breakout sessions at this year's annual meeting of the Baptist General Association of Virginia will focus on the Ray and Ann Spence Network for Congregational Leadership, RASNet's director Bob Dale told Paige Peak, communications officer for the Virginia Baptist…
Migrants fuel evangelical growth across Europe
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…