BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (ABP) — A predominantly white Baptist college in rural North Carolina might seem an unlikely place to find an urban African-American pastor from California known for an agenda of prophetic justice, but Gardner-Webb University just said goodbye…
Soccer pulls church into community ministry in former textile town
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (ABP) — Charles Cannon built First Baptist Church in Kannapolis, N.C., when Cannon Mills provided both engine and fuel for the aging textile town 27 miles north of Charlotte. He wanted a good church for his workers, so…
Soccer league opens church door for family who found community there
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (ABP) — When the soccer season sponsored and funded by First Baptist Church in Kannapolis, N.C., wound down, Chris and Jennifer Roman realized they were going to miss the new friends they found while mingling with church families…
Progress on race relations is slow but steady, say two longtime observers
ATLANTA (ABP) — Two men who have been in the fray a long time believe race relations have improved in the U.S. 150 years after the start of the Civil War — at least enough to justify encouragement. Carroll Baltimore,…
Money and men convincing some Baptist schools to return to gridiron
RALEIGH, N.C. (ABP) — Money and men are the two main reasons several Baptist colleges are bringing football back to campus. Presidents of Baptist schools like Bluefield College, Campbell University, Mercer University, Oklahoma Baptist University and Stetson University believe merging…
OPINION: Watch your assumptions about job loss
I received an email prayer request from a friend whose daughter lost her job. Tough times loom for her, but much of his request was that God would use this trauma to illuminate her need to trust Jesus Christ for…
District of Columbia Baptists represent diverse constituency
WASHINGTON — Ricky Creech leads one of the most diverse Baptist bodies in America following his election March 28 as executive director of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention. The D.C. convention’s 153 churches include pastors who self-identify both as…
Associated Baptist Press to honor Puckett for lifetime achievement
RALEIGH, N.C. (ABP) — A ceremony honoring retired Baptist state newspaper editor R.G. Puckett for a lifetime of journalistic achievement is scheduled May 1 at Ardmore Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. Puckett, who worked as a Baptist journalist longer than…
Pastor facing possible deportation prepares for court, will seek pardon
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (ABP) — A Hispanic Baptist pastor arrested last summer by immigration authorities won't find out until September whether he will be deported for a crime committed in 1995. Hector Villanueva, pastor of Bautista la Rocha in Siler City,…