RICHMOND — After the executive committee of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board approved the action, executive director John Upton announced that Kenneth Kessler will join the mission board staff as the team leader of the empowering leaders team. In 2004,…
EDITORIAL: Aunt Ida sets them straight
Dear Jimmy, I've given away so many pieces of my mind your Uncle Orley is certain I must be empty-headed by now. But I just can't help it. Just last Sunday after church we went with a few other folks…
EDITORIAL: Images of India
Images of India were etched on my mind during my recent trip there. Not just the traffic, vendors, multitudes, poverty and tropical vegetation — although those will long be remembered as well. Most of all, I will remember the children,…
Virginia Baptist ministry partners in India complete, dedicate new children’s home
KOTTAYAM, India — At the invitation of Kunjumon Chacko, 13 Virginia Baptists traveled to Kottayam, India, to celebrate the completion and participate in the dedication of the new Precious Children's International Village. Although the dining hall and first dormitory are…
Virginia mission leader Jerry Jones given doctor of divinity by Indian seminary
KOTTAYAM, India — As part of its fifth graduation exercises on Feb. 8, the India Baptist Theological Seminary awarded the doctor of divinity degree to Jerry Jones, team leader of the Virginia Baptists Mission Board's glocal missions and evangelism team….
Indian pastors’ conference hears reports of persecution of Christian believers
KOTTYAM, India — On the evening of December 24, 2007, as Christians in the Kandhamal District of the Indian state of Orissa were preparing for Christmas, a well-orchestrated attack on Christian churches and homes began. For three days the rampage…
No politics in celebration
Making good on his promise that the New Baptist Covenant celebration would not be political in nature, former president Jimmy Carter set the tone for the meeting in a news conference before the opening session. Asked by a reporter from…
EDITORIAL: Was the celebration a success?
I was asked by a friend at breakfast the morning after the New Baptist Covenant Celebration what three things stood out as having made the greatest impact. I thought back over the three-day meeting, and what follows are the three…
EDITORIAL: Pewboy makes up his mind
Pewboy folded the morning paper and placed it on the counter with one hand while raising a cup of coffee to his lips with the other. Despite being largely misunderstood by many of his coworkers, he was glad to be…