As debate escalates over an effort by the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board to remove one of its trustees from office, a Texas Baptist pastor has warned that he might seek to have the entire board dismissed. Benjamin Cole,…
String of Baptist church burnings leaves questions, but no answers
By Andy Netzel Religion News Service A charred Bible rested on a table in front of what used to be Dancy First Baptist Church’s pulpit, where investigators believe the fire started. Walter Hawkins Jr., ran his fingers across the book,…
Alabama churches victims of arson
Federal officials suspect arson in a series of fires that damaged or destroyed five small Baptist churches in rural Bibb County, Ala., the night of Feb. 2-3. In addition, a sixth church in neighboring Chilton County burned the same night,…
New mentoring component added to Weekender
The Weekender, the statewide retreat for teenage girls sponsored by Virginia Woman’s Missionary Union, has tapped college-aged girls to serve as mentors to retreat participants this year. The retreat is still dedicated to missions, spiritual growth and leadership development. However,…
Va. Senate approves marriage amendment
Virginia legislators have moved the state one step closer to adopting a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. The Virginia Senate voted 28-11 Jan. 24 to follow Virginia’s lower legislative chamber, the House of Delegates, in approving the proposed amendment. The…
Mercer leaders ponder role as national Baptist university
By John Pierce and Greg Warner Associated Baptist Press Can Baptists build and sustain a national Baptist university? It hasn't been done yet, said top leaders at Mercer University, but Mercer has as good a chance as anyone. “Mercer may…
Camp Alkulana receives grant
Camp Alkulana, a ministry of the Richmond Baptist Association, has been awarded a $25,000 matching grant by the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation, a Richmond family foundation. The grant was offered as a challenge to alumni and friends of Camp Alkulana…
IMB trustees tried power of press to silence dissent, Burleson says
By Greg Warner Associated Baptist Press A new staff policy, which gives trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board power to censor news stories about their work, reportedly was used Jan. 11 to try to persuade a trustee…
Jim Vaught named to Mission Board post
By Dee Whitten Jim Vaught has been selected as the new church-minister matching specialist and a field strategist for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s empowering leaders team. Vaught has been co-pastor of Manassas Baptist Church in Manassas since 2003. In…