By Jeff Brumley Stacie Blake knows a thing or two about refugees and refugee resettlement in the United States. Most importantly, it’s a massive job. As the director of government and community relations for the Washington-based U.S. Committee for Refugees…
Baptists aid effort to rescue abandoned babies in South Africa
By Aaron Weaver In the sixteenth chapter of Genesis, God promises the weary and desperate Hagar a future for her unborn son, Ishmael, offering the Egyptian maidservant hope and strength as she wanders through the burning Judean desert. Stopped at…
Pastor trades unconventional pulpit for traditional church — and a challenge
By Jeff Brumley Bob Ballance said he’s expecting the question from all quarters: why is he leaving his Colorado church popular with Millennials for one that’s more traditional in a small Virginia town? And he admits there will be some…
S.C. churches stepping up to help flood victims
By Jeff Brumley The heavy rains that began Saturday, Oct. 3, in South Carolina became a deluge of seemingly biblical proportions by Sunday. And that’s when Merianna Harrelson’s phone started blowing up. “I had church members calling to say ‘what…
Miami ministry celebrates 20 years — and expansion of impact through merger
By Jeff Brumley Martin Villa, a 21-year-old film major, devoted a recent weeknight, as he does on many weeknights, helping children with their math and reading homework at a faith-based after-school program in West Homestead, Fla. He worked patiently and…
Baptist leaders gather to defend religious liberty at New Orleans event
By Aaron Weaver Leaders from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and Southern Baptist Convention joined Tuesday to discuss the importance of religious liberty around the world. During the event at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary,…
CBF head among faith leaders supporting papal call for creation care
By Bob Allen Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Executive Coordinator Suzii Paynter challenged faith leaders in Washington for this week’s papal visit to “reawaken your actual love of God’s world” during a Sept. 24 service at the National Cathedral focusing on creation…
Never forget
By Jason Coker Never forget. As this month comes to a close, I remember the events of 9/11 with pain and sorrow. Eight men in our little town died in that national tragedy. I worked with a young 14-year-old boy…
Mission strategy, fundraising are priorities for the year, CBF leadership group hears
By Bob Allen The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Governing Board discussed a forthcoming restructuring of global missions in a two-and-a-half hour executive session during the final afternoon of its Sept. 17-18 fall meeting at First Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga. After…