By Bob Allen An American Baptist missionary couple’s 25-year work to improve life among the hill tribes of Northern Thailand got a major boost when Seattle-based Starbucks opened its first Community Store outside the United States last May in Bangkok….
Pastor accused of bilking elderly
By Bob Allen An American Baptist pastor in Connecticut has been charged with stealing more than $173,000 from an elderly parishioner. Robert Genevicz, pastor of Stratford Baptist Church the last 16 years, was arrested March 18 and charged with first-degree…
White House, faith leaders, discuss disability
By Bob Allen American Baptist Home Mission Societies was among 16 faith groups represented at a White House meeting March 10 on issues including support within the religious community for a U.N. disability treaty opposed by conservative Republicans in the…
Baptist groups at forefront of ecumenical disaster relief
By Jeff Brumley In an age of declining respect for churches and an overall disinterest in religion, sometimes it takes a tornado or earthquake to show the world that Baptists and other Christians can, in fact, do something right. That…
Critics: ‘Duck Dynasty’ star no role model
By Jeff Brumley The volcanic controversy surrounding “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson has been a double-whammy for moderate and progressive Christians. First there is the anti-gay, pro-Jim Crow GQ magazine interview with Robertson, a professed Christian, which ignited the controversy on…
Baptists admire, mourn Mandela
By Jeff Brumley Huge voices, including past and present world leaders, are flooding the web with praise for Nelson Mandela, saying he showed the world how love can overcome hate. Other voices are speaking up, too, turning to social media…
A passion to serve Liberian Baptists
By Jeff Brumley Richard Wilson’s 10th journey to Liberia won’t be the usual Mercer on Mission trip that he’s used to. This time he’s going back as president of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary near Monrovia. Wilson, chairman of Mercer University’s…
Baptists among forces helping Philippines
By Jeff Brumley Baptists and other religious groups are kicking into high gear with financial and material aid in response to Typhoon Haiyan, which tore through the central Philippines on Friday, killing an estimated 10,000 and destroying entire towns and…
American Baptist staffer elected BJC chair
By Bob Allen Curtis Ramsey-Lucas, managing director of resource development for American Baptist Home Mission Societies, has been elected chair of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty’s board of directors. Ramsey-Lucas’ agency is part of American Baptist Churches USA,…