ST. LOUIS (ABP) — A longtime Missouri pastor's desire to preserve Baptists' historic stand on religious freedom has earned him an award named in his honor. Rudy Pulido The St. Louis chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and…
Four Baptist students killed in Ghana accident
KUMASI, Ghana (ABP) — Baptists in Ghana are mourning the deaths of four ministerial students killed Dec. 11 in a bus crash while on their way to a classmate's wedding. Twelve more passengers were injured — two critically — when…
Scholars explore Baptist revivalism
ATLANTA (ABP) — The real culprit behind declining baptisms in the Southern Baptist Convention might be youth soccer, says historian Bill Leonard. Bill Leonard Because of nightly requirements for church-going families — including children's sports — week-long and two-week revivals…
Joy to the World: Joy, happiness not synonymous
(ABP) — Christians can experience joy even in loss — provided they don’t confuse joy with happiness but accept it as a gift from God, several pastors noted. “Joy is not the same as happiness. It is a deeper contentment…
How to help those who grieve at the holidays
DALLAS (ABP) — Chaplain Mark Grace, vice president of mission and ministry at the Dallas-area Baylor Health Care System, offers suggestions to churches as they seek to minister to people who have sustained loss. • Facilitate communication. “Find ways to…
Search for Everett’s replacement at BGCT to begin
DALLAS (ABP) — With the departure of Randel Everett, the Baptist General Convention of Texas is searching for a new executive director for the second time in three years. Everett, 61, accepted a unanimous call Dec. to serve as the…
Suggested reading for those who grieve at the holidays
Cover of Sad Isn’t Bad: A Good-Grief Guidebook for Kids Dealing with Loss by Michaelene Mundy. (ABP) — Pastors recommended the following books as particularly helpful to people who have experienced loss and to Christians who are seeking to minister…
Joy to the World? Churches deal with holiday grief
DALLAS (ABP) — Ever since an angel announced good news to shepherds working the night shift, Christians have associated the birth of Jesus with joy. But some people who have experienced significant loss in the recent past find a season…
Belmont center of gay-rights dispute
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — A private, historically Baptist Christian college has sparked a national media firestorm over its successful women's soccer coach leaving her job shortly after telling members of her team that she is gay. Lisa Howe Officials at…
Robin Stoops named ABC regional minister for Nebraska
OMAHA, Neb. (ABP) — Veteran Midwestern pastor Robin Stoops has been named the new regional minister for the American Baptist Churches of Nebraska, according to American Baptist News Service. Stoops, currently pastor of First Baptist Church of Norfolk, Neb., will…
As House passes DREAM Act, advocates make final Senate push
WASHINGTON (ABP) — The House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill late Dec. 8 that would offer a path to citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants. Faith leaders are mounting a final push to get the measure through the…
NAMB trustee resigns over Ezell’s actions
CUMMING, Ga. (ABP) — A trustee has resigned from the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board saying he does not share the vision of the agency's new president. Lester Cooper "I believe that throughout my life, and particularly as…