LAKELAND, Fla. (ABP) — Two Cuban Baptist leaders held two weeks while authorities investigated what they regarded as suspicious economic activity have reportedly been released from jail. Pancho Garcia-Ruiz Rubén Ortiz-Columbié, 68, and Francisco "Pancho" Garcia-Ruiz, 46, were arrested Oct….
SBC leader apologizes for Nazi analogy regarding Obama plan
NEW YORK (ABP) — The head of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission has apologized for comparing Democratic health-care proposals to policies of Nazi Germany. ERLC President Richard Land reportedly told a Christian Coalition of Florida banquet…
Jailed Cuban Baptists accused of illegal economic activity
MIAMI (ABP) — Cuban authorities say two Baptist leaders held in jail for 11 days in a city on the eastern end of the island are suspected of illegal economic activities. Associated Baptist Press first reported Oct. 13 that Rubén…
D.C. convention’s Haggray elected pastor of FBC in Washington
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Jeffrey Haggray is stepping down after eight years as executive director of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention to become pastor of the historic First Baptist Church of Washington. Jeffrey Haggery, leader of the District of Columbia…
Two Cuban Baptist leaders in custody but authorities’ charges are unclear
DELTONA, Fla. (ABP) — Two Cuban Baptist leaders arrested Oct. 3 in the city of Santiago de Cuba remain in jail, reportedly without formal charge and with few details of why they are being held. Rubén Ortiz-Columbié is pictured here…
Only one church in three spiritually vital, study says
HARTFORD, Conn. (ABP) — A congregation’s health depends less on theology than methodology, according to a national study by Hartford Seminary’s Institute for Religion Research. Faith Communities Today 2008 paints an overall sobering picture of congregational life in America. Congregations…
European Baptist leaders ponder future of international seminary
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (ABP) — European Baptist leaders gathered in Prague, Czech Republic, Oct. 1-2 to discuss the future of the cash-strapped International Baptist Theological Seminary. The seminary is owned and operated by 51 Baptist unions and conventions that make…
Barna survey: Women pastors gaining ground in United States
VENTURA, Calif. (ABP) — The percentage of churches in the United States employing a woman as senior pastor has doubled during the past decade, according to a new survey by the Barna Group. The evangelical pollster said one church in…
Court voids $5 million judgment against Westboro Baptist Church
RICHMOND (ABP) — A federal appeals court has thrown out a $5 million judgment against members of a controversial Baptist church who picketed the funeral of a Marine killed in Iraq with inflammatory signs including "Thank God for Dead Soldiers."…