Sometimes, answers to the tough questions just don't come, campus ministers at Virginia Tech insist. When they do, they don't come easily. And they often come up short. As ministers and counselors descended on Virginia Tech to offer comfort and…
Anti-immigrant rhetoric nothing new, historians say
If American Protestants today have trouble knowing how to accept and assimilate a new wave of immigrants, they at least can take comfort in knowing their forebears wrestled with similar issues. “Americans have always struggled with immigrants. Non-conformist immigrants like…
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…
Charlottesville church connects with China
Tom Leland, pastor of University Baptist Church in Charlottesville, leaned back in his swivel chair in his spacious office and smiled broadly. Clearly, talking about the church and it's ministries is a topic in which he is well-versed and one…
New about Virginia Baptists and their ministries for April 19, 2007
Staff changes • Bernard Camden, to Fellowship Church, Chester, as pastor. • Jeff Hudgins, to Heritage Church, Farmville, as pastor. • Tim Mathia, resigning as pastor of Mentow Church, Huddleston. • Bill Welch, to Woodville Church, Woodville, as interim pastor….
Virginia Tidbits
$1 MILLION FOR BTSR. Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond has received a $1 million anonymous gift in honor of four Richmond Baptist leaders—Harwood and Louise Cochrane and Elmer and Betsy West. Both the Cochranes and the Wests have been instrumental…
Reformatting will end ‘Mission Moments,’ but not church photos
For the past three years, the Religious Herald has run photographs of church mission trips in a back-page feature called “Mission Moments.” With the recent reformatting of the newspaper, the Herald is discontinuing that feature and utilizing the back page…
EDITORIAL: When someone slaps you in the faith, turn the other cheek
The biblical word translated into English as persecution means to chase after; to harass, trouble, molest or mistreat. It seems to me that Christians and Christianity suffer persecution—face-slapping if you will—from numerous places. I realize that I may be accused…
SECOND OPINION: Good manners and speaking the truth
The early onset of the presidential campaign has brought with it a renewed call for a “return to civility.” There seems, however, little prospect for any immediate restoration of such civility, assuming that it ever existed. I think there are…