CHICAGO (ABP) — America's five largest historically African-American Baptist organizations are cooperating to raise $50 million to help rebuild Haiti and provide aid to victims of a Jan. 12 earthquake that devastated the area surrounding the capital, Port-au-Prince. Called the…
In Texas, Religious Right loses fight with national curriculum implications
DALLAS (ABP) — The Religious Right suffered a surprise setback in Texas March 2, when incumbent Don McLeroy — a creationist and outspoken critic of church-state separation — narrowly lost his re-election bid for the powerful State Board of Education…
CBF establishes relief fund for Chile
ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has established a Latin American earthquake fund and sent an initial $5,000 for relief and rebuilding efforts in Chile. Raquel Contreras, president of the Union of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Chile, said in…
CBF establishes relief fund for Chile; Chilean Baptists describe needs
{youtube}Sy140myN_g4{/youtube} ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has established a Latin American earthquake fund and sent an initial $5,000 for relief and rebuilding efforts in Chile. Raquel Contreras, president of the Union of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Chile, said…
Supreme Court declines Okla. county’s attempt to display 10 Commandments
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Supreme Court has declined to hear a case that could have allowed it to clarify its rules on displaying the 10 Commandments and other religious artifacts on government property. And, as a result, an Oklahoma county…
Baptist expert says Establishment Clause applies to foreign policy
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A Baptist church-state specialist is voicing concern about a think-tank report urging a new direction for United States foreign policy focused on the role religion plays in world affairs. Writing for the On Faith blog at WashingtonPost.com,…
Former Baptist editor Fletcher Allen dies at 78
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (ABP) — A retired denominational journalist who worked three decades for Baptist newspapers in three states died Feb. 27 after a long battle with cancer. Fletcher Allen Fletcher Allen, 78, of Franklin, Tenn., worked 17 years as associate…
A Time to Die: Church plants and re-plants key to continued witness
RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — According to Chris Backert, emerging church strategist with the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, no greater need exists in the Body of Christ today than effective church planting. Chris Backert (VBMB photo) “Over the last decade a…
A Time to Die: Church renewal depends on leadership, Baucom says
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — Jim Baucom, pastor of Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church, Va., has helped lead three established congregations to renewal and growth. He says doing the same thing in other churches, while not easy, is possible…