RICHMOND, Va. — The Office of Stewardship Development at the Virginia Baptist Mission Board is sponsoring “Developing an Enduring Ministry,” March 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Virginia Baptist Resource Center. The conference is designed around the…
From the Eastern Shore to Cumberland Gap
STAFF CHANGES • Paul Robert “Trey” Gilliam III, to Mulberry Grove Church, Buckingham, as pastor. • Bob Thurman, to Kearfott Memorial Church, Martinsville, as pastor. • Hoyle Bowman, to Fairystone Church, Stuart, as interim pastor. • Patrick Collins, to Story…
Movie spotlights Darwin’s loss of faith, family crisis
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Heated debate. Loss of faith. Religious discord. Questions about death, the universe, and our place in it. According to a new film, Charles Darwin saw—and wrestled with—all of that and more as the implications of his theory…
After quake, Haiti missionaries ask: ‘Why not me?’
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Having survived a devastating earthquake during a 10-day mission trip to Haiti, Freedom Gassoway savors every minute she spends at home with her family in Beaverton, Ore. But for this 33-year-old mother of two, some of life…
Southern Baptist leaders ask Obama to intervene on behalf of missionaries
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention urged President Obama Feb. 5 to do everything within his power to secure release of 10 volunteer missionaries jailed in Haiti. Morris Chapman, president and CEO of the SBC Executive…
Baptist prof fears Haiti arrests will set back adoption movement
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — A Southern Baptist seminary professor says the arrests of a group of U.S. Baptists accused of trying to remove children from earthquake-stricken Haiti without proper documentation could give a black eye to a budding movement of…
Virginia Baptists offered tangible opportunities to assist Haiti victims
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Baptists will have at least two opportunities in February to provide hands-on assistance to the victims of Haiti’s devastating earthquake. The Virginia Baptist Mission Board is coordinating the packaging of more than 140,000 meals for Haitians…
Statement is first-ever consensus on religious expression and law
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A diverse group of leaders who often find themselves on opposite sides of the contentious battles at the intersection of church and state joined forces Jan. 12 to unveil an unprecedented consensus statement aimed at advancing public understanding…
Is there common ground on abortion? Both sides say, probably not
WASHINGTON (RNS) — On the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, anti-abortion activists prepare for the annual March for Life and their counterparts plan religious services to pray for the safety of abortion providers. But, 37 years after the…
FAITH DIGEST
University can reject Christian courses. The University of California has the right to reject courses taught at Christian high schools, a federal appeals court ruled Jan. 12. Calvary Chapel Christian School in Murrieta, Calif., and the Association of Christian Schools…
Heavenly songs drive home gospel message
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — While working on songs for a new album, most songwriters don’t read the book of Revelation over and over again for inspiration. But that’s exactly what singer/songwriter Phil Wickham did to prepare for the release of his…
Israel’s Messianic Jews wary of stepped-up persecution
ARIEL, West Bank (RNS) — After their teenage son was nearly killed by a bomb disguised as a holiday gift basket, few people were as eager for Ya’acov Teitel to see justice as Leah and David Ortiz. Teitel, an Orthodox…