MORRISTOWN, Tenn. (ABP) — Police in Morristown, Tenn., have made a second arrest in the investigation of a longtime financial secretary accused of embezzling $1.5 million from a Southern Baptist church. According to local media, Michael Whitt, 42, has been…
BWA admits Vietnamese, Zambian, D.C. bodies, bids Coffey farewell
HONOLULU (ABP) — Some of the globe’s most persecuted Christians found an international home when the Baptist World Alliance admitted the Baptist Churches in Vietnam into the global organization. The BWA’s General Council voted full membership July 28 to the…
Listen to the Spirit, Coffey urges Baptist World Congress
HONOLULU (ABP) — Human effort and creative strategies lead to futility apart from an anointing by God’s Holy Spirit, British Baptist leader David Coffey told the opening session of the Baptist World Congress July 28 in Honolulu. Outgoing BWA president…
U.S. denies visas to 1,000 Baptists
HONOLULU (ABP) — As many as 1,000 people who had registered for the Baptist World Congress this year were unable to attend because they were denied visas by the United States government, leaders of the Baptist World Alliance said July…
South Africa to host continent’s first Baptist World Congress in 2015
HONOLULU (ABP) — For the first time, the Baptist World Congress will be held in Africa in 2015, according to a July 27 announcement from Baptist World Alliance General Secretary Neville Callam. Neville Callam (BWA photo) Speaking on the eve…
Judge blocks Ariz. law; faith leaders, Senate Democrats respond
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A federal judge in Arizona blocked the most controversial parts of Arizona's new immigration law July 28, one day before it was scheduled to go into effect. The same day, faith leaders opposed to the bill and…
Baptist pastor arrested in protest
RALEIGH, N.C. (ABP) — A North Carolina Baptist pastor said July 27 she does not understand why she was arrested July 20 for simply trying to attend a public meeting of a school board whose policy on integration she had…
Environmentalists urge closure of Jesus’ baptism site
NEW ALBANY, Ind. (ABP) — Israel's tourism ministry said July 27 that water at a spot traditionally regarded as the baptismal site of Jesus was "fit for baptism," countering claims by environmentalists that it is polluted, unsafe and should be…
Catholics in Nagaland claiming persecution at hands of Baptists
ANATANGRE, India (ABP) — Baptists in the Indian state of Nagaland are defending themselves against charges of anti-Catholic bigotry after villagers tore down a Catholic church because the town allows only churches of the Baptist denomination. The controversy has generated…
Christians demand apology for anti-women teaching
ORLANDO, Fla. (ABP) — A group of women and men calling themselves the Freedom for Christian Women Coalition has demanded an apology for religious teaching they say is harmful to women. Shirley Taylor, founder of Baptist Women for Equality, presented the…
Jimmy Carter credits Jimmy Allen for election
Jimmy Allen responds at an event introducing a new book about his life and career. JASPER, Ga. (ABP) — Jimmy Carter said July 23 he doubts he would have been elected 39th president of the United States without the aid…
Progressive North Carolina church welcomes far-right protest group
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (ABP) — A prominent North Carolina congregation long known for its progressive stances welcomed a group of anti-gay, anti-abortion, anti-Islam protesters to its worship service July 18 — even as a nearby conservative church shunned the group. An…