RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — At 88 years old, Henry Langford has enjoyed a life of diverse occupations — rural pastor, substance abuse counselor and tree farmer. He may be best remembered, however, as a Baptist preacher who spoke against racism…
American Baptists may sell historic ‘Holy Doughnut,’ Pa. headquarters
VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (ABP) — Leaders of the American Baptist Churches USA will consider selling the facility jokingly known to some of the denomination's faithful as the “Holy Doughnut” — ABC's headquarters building near Philadelphia. In its Nov. 14-15 meeting,…
Central American Parliament honors missionary-pastor in Nicaragua
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (ABP) — Representatives of the Central American Parliament recently awarded a medal to Baptist World Alliance vice president Gustavo Parajón to honor his work for peace during the 1979 war between Nicaragua's revolutionary government and Contra guerrillas. A…
Special-needs ministry helps churches understand, utilize select members
MOUNT LEBANON, Texas (ABP) — Larry William's fourth birthday celebration was short-lived. He couldn't walk or talk like other kids. Soon, tests revealed a mental retardation that would lead Larry to a vegetative state by the time he turned 21….
Midwestern wins bidding war for Spurgeon book collection
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (ABP) — Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary recently won a bid to house the Charles H. Spurgeon Collection, a library featuring the works of notable Christian writers and personal essays that belonged to the legendary 19th-century preacher himself….
Trustees delay SWBTS plan to move $90 million endowment in-house
FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) — Trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary delayed action on a recommendation to transfer $90 million in seminary endowment funds from the Baptist Foundation of Texas to Southwestern's in-house foundation. According to a trustee document provided…
Southwestern trustees adopt policy opposing ‘private prayer language’
FORT WORTH, Texas (ABP) — Trustees at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary overwhelmingly adopted a policy Oct. 17 that puts the school on record opposing charismatic expressions of the Holy Spirit, including so-called “private prayer languages.” Trustees also heard news of…
With ads, letter to Bush, evangelicals push for end to Darfur genocide
DALLAS (ABP) – Twenty-four evangelical leaders — both progressive and conservative — placed full-page ads in leading U.S. newspapers Oct. 18 calling for President Bush and the American public to stop genocide in Darfur. The leaders requested an immediate session…
OPINION: Forgive or Die
Few recent tragedies have affected me as deeply as the horrific murders at the Amish schoolhouse in Lancaster County, Pa., last week. It seems that each day brings more mayhem in our blood-soaked country. But this one — this image…
Churches — the ‘true first responders’ — share lessons learned from Katrina
BATON ROUGE, La. (ABP) — A lack of bureaucracy made churches “the true first responders” when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast last year, a new survey found, but a little more coordination could have made them even more effective….
UPDATED: Former Bush official claims in new book, faith push politically motivated
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A new book by a former White House faith official is causing shockwaves with reportedly explosive allegations that President Bush's aides have been duping religious conservatives for political gain. MSNBC's “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” program first reported…
CBF leaders told to eschew blogs, work with Baptists, raise money
ATLANTA (ABP) — Moderator Emmanuel McCall welcomed national leaders of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship to Atlanta Oct. 12 by urging them to “be the presence of Christ” on a new level — to other Christians. McCall, retired pastor of Christian…