SALEM — Virginia Baptists' HopeTree Family Services is one of several agencies that provide adoptive home studies and supervisory visits. HopeTree is licensed to accept children from their birth parents with the purpose of agency adoption. Adoption Services also facilitates…
Global downturn necessitates increased U.S. anti-poverty efforts
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The global financial crisis makes it even more urgent that the United States not only take care of its own economy, but also redouble efforts to aid the world's poorest, according to a new report and several…
BOOK REVIEW: The Future of Faith in American Politics: The Public Witness of the Evangelical Cent
When many Americans think of evangelicals and politics, they often think of the “religious right” or possibly the “religious left.” Ethicist David Gushee makes a reasoned case for a movement toward an already existing and growing “evangelical center” as a…
Family completed through foster-to-adopt program
SAN ANTONIO — Timothy and Karen LeRoy of San Antonio realized fairly quickly after having difficulty getting pregnant that God was leading them away from infertility treatments and instead toward adoption. And the LeRoys' long journey to parenthood ended in…
President Bush awarded for fight against AIDS
WASHINGTON — President Bush was recognized on the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day for his international efforts to fight the spread of AIDS. “No world leader has done more for world health than President George Bush,” California megachurch pastor…
OPINION: An atheistic Grinch aiming for capitol square
“It is not a religious display,” Dan Barker told Seattle's KING-TV. “It is an attack on religion.” The president of the Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation was referring to a placard his group placed in the Washington State Capitol designed…
Adoption and the Church
Pastor W.C. Martin heard God's commandment loud and clear. If God had adopted us into his heavenly family, why shouldn't we emulate him through adoption on earth? “God is the one who started adoptions,” he said. “Jesus went out of…
Merton’s legacy looms large 40 years after his death
TRAPPIST, Ky. (RNS) — This month, many contemplative Christians — including an ever-growing number of evangelicals — are remembering the life of Trappist monk Thomas Merton, who died 40 years ago in a freak accident. Merton, who influenced generations of…
OPINION: Knocking at the gate at Christmas
It's human nature to focus inward, especially during lean times. We do it as individuals, as families and as a nation. Let the world take care of itself for a while, we say. Enough already with endless global crises and…