VENTURA, Calif. (ABP) — The economic recession has hit larger churches harder than it has smaller ones, according to a new survey by the Barna Group. Percentage-wise, churches with fewer than 100 members lost more of their income than churches…
Hollywood’s ‘The Book of Eli’ casts Bible, Christian character as central
MALIBU, Calif. (ABP) — The Bible plays a starring role in "The Book of Eli," a post-apocalyptic action film starring Denzel Washington that opens in theaters Jan. 15. Washington, a two-time Academy Award winner widely known in Hollywood for his…
‘The Book of Eli’ casts Bible as a major theme
MALIBU, Calif. (ABP) — The Bible plays a starring role in "The Book of Eli," a post-apocalyptic action film starring Denzel Washington that opens in theaters Jan. 15. Washington, a two-time Academy Award winner widely known in Hollywood for his…
Watchdogs: Persecution of Christians in N. Korea likely to worsen in 2010
ORPINGTON, England (ABP) — Persecution of Christians is set to worsen in North Korea, the world's worst trouble spot for Christians, in 2010, according to a group that tracks the status of Christians globally. Release International, an England-based charity that…
For a decade, U.S. Baptist volunteers have warmed Moldovan orphans
Volunteers give the children bananas as a parting gift at each facility. HOUSTON (ABP) — For a decade, volunteers from throughout the United States have spent their Christmas vacations in Eastern Europe making the harsh winter a little warmer for…
Scholar: Bush faith-based push failed to boost churches’ social-service role
DURHAM, N.C. (ABP) — Eight years of President George W. Bush's faith-based agenda to increase religion's role in providing social services had little impact on day-to-day ministries of local congregations, according to a scholar at Duke Divinity School. Mark Chaves,…
SBC president Hunt’s cancer surgery a success
Johnny Hunt WOODSTOCK, Ga. (ABP) — Southern Baptist Convention president Johnny Hunt underwent successful cancer surgery Jan. 7 at Northside Hospital in Atlanta. An update on the First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Ga., website said Hunt rested well after the…
Report says use of death penalty on decline in United States
This story was updated Jan. 8 to correct an error in the 11th paragraph. WASHINGTON (ABP) — Fewer death sentences were imposed in 2009 than in any year since the Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment in 1976, according to year-end…
Baptists in Texas city inspired to launch church for Burmese refugees
Volunteers from Crestview Baptist Church in Georgetown, Texas, (left to right) Glenna Iwami, Carolyn Winters, George Winters and Carolyn Watkins greet a Karen refugee family of seven at the airport — Tha Boe, father; Eh Wah, mother; son Judson, age…