AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Expect to see change in United States immigration policy during this congressional session, said Baptist activist Suzii Paynter. “Our system is very broken, and the president has made it a priority” to fix the situation, said…
N.Y. judge says state constitution requires marriage for gays
NEW YORK (ABP) — A state judge has ordered New York City officials to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples on an equal basis with heterosexual couples. On Feb. 4, New York Supreme Court Justice Doris Ling-Cohan said a law…
‘Moral issues’ receive scant attention in Bush’s fourth State of the Union
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Aside from Social Security, President Bush spent little time in his fourth State of the Union address discussing the controversial domestic issues important to many Christians. Speaking in the House chamber Feb. 2 to a Congress whose…
Bush touts BWAid, other relief groups during National Prayer Breakfast
WASHINGTON (ABP) — President Bush praised the relief arm of the Baptist World Alliance and other religious groups as exemplifying a faith-based spirit of generosity during the National Prayer Breakfast Feb. 3. Speaking to thousands of influential participants — members…
Tsunami prompts redeployment of some CBF missionaries
ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is redeploying some of its missions personnel to address tsunami relief needs. Many missionaries of the Atlanta-based Fellowship have relief-related skills to handle water purification and agricultural needs, medical needs, and the logistical…
Time magazine names several Baptists among ’25 most influential evangelicals’
WASHINGTON (ABP) — At least seven Baptists are among Time magazine's list of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America. The magazine devotes the cover of its Feb. 7 issue to the subject of evangelical Protestants in America and their…
California Baptists assist victims of floods, mudslides
LOS ANGELES (ABP) — California Baptist disaster-relief teams were busy in January aiding flood and mudslide victims after three back-to-back rainstorms soaked normally dry Southern California. For more than a week, a disaster-relief crew worked out of a kitchen site…
Baptist family describes life as undocumented aliens
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Ernesto serves as a deacon at a Hispanic Baptist church in Austin. His wife, Maria, works in various ministries at the church. And like 1.1 million other people in Texas and more than 9.3 million in…
To churches, immigration is about more than policy
AUSTIN, Texas (ABP) — Immigration is not just a political issue — it's about churches and ministry, said Suzii Paynter, director of citizenship and public policy for the Baptist General Convention of Texas' Christian Life Commission. “So many of our…