The Lakota of Bridger, S.D., now have fresh eggs available in their neighborhood at about half the cost, and young women in Helena, Ark., are learning business and leadership skills while earning an income to help their families. Although the…
More poor in U.S. than 50 years ago
They gather at dawn at day-labor centers or designated parking lots where contractors hire workers. Some stop on their way to pick up a cheap breakfast taco at a convenience store, buying their meal from an employee earning minimum wage….
Seminary rallies support for gay-marriage ban
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (ABP)—Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary devoted a special chapel service March 28 to rally support for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in North Carolina. Keynote speaker Richard Land, head of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and…
Theologians urge Baptists to seek ‘visible unity’
RALEIGH, N.C.—While spiritual unity among Christians is important, discovering tangible ways to express that unity is essential, say two theologians long involved in Baptist dialogues with other faith traditions. Spiritual unity is “a place to begin,” said Steve Harmon, adjunct professor…
Class influences views on poverty, say organizers
RALEIGH, N.C.—Attitudes toward poverty are strongly influenced by class distinctions and experience, and frequently lead to misrepresentations of the poor, say two couples who operate a Christian community building organization in a low-income neighborhood of Charlotte, N.C. “There is a…
CBF of North Carolina focuses on reconciliation
RALEIGH, N.C.—Reconciliation topped the agenda of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina’s annual general assembly March 23-24, as worship services and workshops explored the organization’s role in enhancing Christian unity. “The division of the church is out of step…
Churches cross racial barriers to empower Haitians
RICHMOND, Va.—When Laura Ritter, a member of Chamberlayne Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., arrived in Grand Goave, Haiti. for the first time in January 2011, she was struck by the extreme disparity. “You bring more in your suitcase for the…
Virginian finds life altered by debilitating disease
MECHANICSVILLE, Va.—Doug Hart is a 29-year-old member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., a husband, a father of three children and an industrial plumber. During the past several months his life has been turned upside down with the…
Film traces real-life story of abortion survivor
NEW YORK (RNS)—A new movie confronts a controversial topic by highlighting two words that don’t typically go together: “abortion” and “survivor.” “We didn’t know there was such a thing,” said Jon Erwin, who wrote and co-directed October Baby with his…