By Amy Butler There are moments when words fail us, even those of us who wrestle words to a page for a living. Last week was one of those times. What words can possibly console the parents of 20 little…
Accused child predator must stand trial
By Bob Allen A Mississippi judge ruled Dec. 18 that the state’s statute of limitations does not prevent prosecution of a former Southern Baptist music minister charged with molesting five boys in the early 1980s. Hinds County Circuit Judge Bill…
Time to act on gun control
By David Burroughs “It is too soon to talk about the politics of gun control. That would be insensitive to those killed.” I keep hearing this argument. I want to be very sensitive to the people of Newtown, Conn., who…
A prayer for Sandy Hook
By Miguel De La Torre Oh Lord, my God, how majestic is your name throughout the earth. Your love and mercy abound and endure forever. A young innocent sparrow does not fall without your knowledge. And yet, I again find…
Christmas key time for Hospitality House
By Jeff Brumley It’s always tough visiting loved ones in prison. A spouse or parent can see incarceration taking its toll over the years while they continue to deal with the legal, financial, social and emotional impact of the crimes….
ACLU protests sentencing teen to church
By Bob Allen The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma has filed a judicial complaint against a Southern Baptist judge who required a teenager to attend church for 10 years as a condition of probation for manslaughter. The complaint filed…
Pastor charged with sexual battery
By Bob Allen A 71-year-old Southern Baptist pastor in northern Mississippi is in jail on $1 million bond on charges of sexual battery of a child. Larry Singleton, pastor of Bay Springs Baptist Church in Abbeville, Miss., was arrested by…
Trial delayed for accused molester
By Bob Allen A former Southern Baptist music minister charged with molesting five boys in the 1980s turned down a plea bargain Nov. 26 and now is scheduled to stand trial Jan. 28. That depends, however, on the outcome of…
Baptist university reports theft
By Bob Allen A Missouri Baptist University employee has been charged with embezzling about $107,000 since being promoted to the university controller’s position in 2009. St. Louis County prosecutors charged 48-year-old Melinda Okai of O’Fallon, Mo., with theft of more…