STAFF CHANGES � Timothy K. Norman, to Glen Allen Church, Glen Allen, as pastor. � Bruce Queen, to Walnut Hill Church, Petersburg, as pastor. � Belmont Church, Roanoke, has called John Fox as co-pastor for congregational ministries and David Burgess…
With a song in his heart
Sixteen Candles was a popular song for the teen and college set in 1959 and was among the repertoire of a singing group at the University of Richmond known as The Jeters. (Readers of this column and UR alums recognize…
RIGHT OR WRONG?
I'm worried about my elderly mother driving a car, but I hate to take away her independence by taking away her keys. The Bible says to honor your father and mother, and I don't want her to think I've lost…
Churches pressure travel industry on sex trafficking
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Faith groups are using their collective influence and financial wherewithal to press the travel and hospitality industry to take greater steps to protect children from sex trafficking. Increasing numbers of church groups and other religious bodies say it's not…
House extends hate crimes law to include violence against homosexuals
WASHINGTON (RNS)—The House of Representatives has voted to extend hate crimes legislation to add protections for homosexuals, bisexuals and people with gender-identity issues in the same way people are protected because of race or creed. Democratic leaders called it a…
Carol Seeley commissioned as Venturer to South Africa
When Carol Seeley heard Pastor Cheryl Allen's vision for the Touch Life Centre at Troyeville Baptist Church in Johannesburg, South Africa, Seeley knew that this ministry was where God was calling her to serve. Since last fall, Seeley had been…
Tech students gather at Baptist campus center
BLACKSBURG (ABP)—As the sun began to set and the wind continued to howl over a wounded campus and city, Virginia Tech students gathered for prayer, comfort and counseling at the school's Baptist student center. Blacksburg, the small city that houses…
Almost any immigration reform better than nothing, advocates say
WASHINGTON (ABP)—As Congress begins to take up immigration-reform proposals, some Christian immigration activists say there is no perfect legislation in the pipeline. But time is of the essence in getting something passed, nonetheless, they insist. A reform bill with broad…
Seven Baptist-affiliated students among 32 dead at Virginia Tech
RICHMOND (ABP)—At least seven of the 32 dead in the April 16 massacre at Virginia Tech had ties to Baptist churches in Virginia, Baptist leaders in the state said. Here is what is known about the six with Baptist ties,…
Immigration laws have an impact on who a church can call as pastor or hire as staff
SAN ANTONIO—Claudia Munoz feels called to serve on church staff and is doing everything she can to prepare herself to fulfill that calling. She received a student visa and traveled from her home country of Chile to enroll at Baptist…
EDITORIAL: Deliver us from evil
Though it has been two weeks since that awful morning in Blacksburg, I am not ready, completely, to turn my thoughts away. I still see anguished young faces revealing in their eyes and from their lips their deep sense of…
GOP presidential race again features faith, but new dynamics
WASHINGTON (ABP)—With Democratic front-runners talking openly about evangelical-style conversion experiences and Republicans lamenting that none of their top-tier candidates are bona fide social conservatives, experts say the 2008 presidential campaign may rewrite political playbooks on the role of faith. “Of…