VALLEY FORGE, Pa. (ABP) — American Baptists will not be forced to recall large numbers of foreign missionaries from their places of service, thanks to an increase in giving to an annual missions offering. “A dramatic increase in giving, combined…
Baptist Center for Ethics director Parham diagnosed with acute leukemia
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The head of a moderate Baptist ethics and educational agency has been diagnosed with acute leukemia. Robert Parham, founding executive director of the Baptist Center for Ethics, has been diagnosed with acute leukemia, according to a…
Georgia church votes to affiliate with Virginia convention
ROME, Ga. (ABP) — A Georgia church has voted to leave its state convention and affiliate with another statewide body more in line with its theological stance — but headquartered nearly 600 miles away. On March 13, First Baptist Church…
Fuller still seeking reinstatement at Habitat; forms parallel organization
AMERICUS, Ga. (ABP) – The Jan. 31 decision by the executive committee of Habitat for Humanity International to dismiss founding president Millard Fuller was affirmed by the housing ministry's full board March 8. But Fuller and many longtime supporters are…
Southern dismisses 94 maintenance workers; hires outside company to manage facilities
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) – In order to put more resources into theological education, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has dismissed all of its maintenance workers and hired an international facilities-management company to take over their duties. According to the Louisville Courier-Journal,…
Gay pride week clouds ties between Va. Baptists, Averett University
RICHMOND, Va., (ABP) — Ties between the Baptist General Association of Virginia and Averett University, already strained from a dispute last year over homosexuality, suffered another setback when one of the school's student organizations hosted a gay pride week on…
California judge rules in favor of same-sex marriage
SAN FRANCISCO (ABP) — A California trial judge has said a state law banning same-sex marriage violates the California Constitution. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer ruled March 14 that a state law — first passed by California legislators…
Eminent Baptist theologian Stanley Grenz dead at 55
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (ABP) — One of the world's best-known Baptist theologians died suddenly and unexpectedly March 12. Stanley Grenz, a professor at the evangelical Carey Theological College in Vancouver, died shortly after experiencing a “massive brain hemorrhage,” according to…
Baptist World Alliance will vote to accept Virginia, Texas conventions
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — The Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Baptist General Convention of Texas will be recommended for full membership in the Baptist World Alliance, the group's membership committee reported March 9. British Baptist Alistair Brown,…