By Robert Dilday A key committee has taken the Baptist General Association of Virginia a step closer to what will be the most significant change in the 1,400-church denomination’s governance in nearly 100 years. The executive committee of the Virginia…
Alumni association to submit settlement offer to Baylor University
By Ken Camp The Baylor Alumni Association will submit a final settlement offer to Baylor University in what a public statement from the organization characterized as “a last-ditch effort to avoid protracted litigation” between the group and the university. The…
Accrediting agency lists reasons for putting Louisiana College on probation
By Bob Allen A “prevalent culture” of “misstating, ignoring or denying matters of documentable fact” was among concerns prompting an accrediting agency to place a Southern Baptist college in Louisiana on probation, according to a July 9 letter made public…
Liberian Baptists stepping up efforts in Ebola battle
By Robert Dilday Baptists in Liberia are ramping up their response to the deadly Ebola virus outbreak which has killed more than 2,100 people in five West African countries. The Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention (LBMEC) is expanding efforts…
National Baptists elect new president
By Bob Allen A Mississippi pastor defeated four other candidates to win election as president of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. — the nation’s largest historically African-American denomination and second-largest Baptist group behind Southern Baptists. Jerry Young, 63, pastor of…
Black Baptists urge Obama to speed Haitian family immigration
By Jeff Brumley Leaders of five of the nation’s largest African-American Baptist communions are urging President Obama to streamline the system for reuniting Haitians with family members already living in the United States. The Sept. 5 letter to the White…
Federal magistrate recommends dismissal of Glorieta lawsuit
By Ken Camp A federal magistrate in Albuquerque, N.M., has recommended a U.S. District Court dismiss suits filed by leaseholders of property at Glorieta Conference Center against LifeWay Christian Resources and other parties. The magistrate also recommended denying a request…
Fire destroys Cumberland University Baptist center
By Bob Allen Two students living in an upstairs apartment escaped an early morning fire Sept. 3 at the Baptist Collegiate Ministries building at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn., unharmed but with only the clothes on their backs. According to…
Race, relevancy among challenges facing black Baptist leaders
By Jeff Brumley Four of the nation’s largest African-American Baptist denominations either elected new leaders this year or are in the process of voting on new presidents, and observers say each will have his hands full confronting daunting institutional challenges….
Missionaries serving refugees fleeing Mid-east violence exercise extra sensitivity
By Jeff Brumley As complicated and sensitive as the situation in the Middle East is for Western governments, it is just as tricky for Christian organizations with missionaries in the region. The region historically hostile to evangelism and ministry has…
Faith leaders on both sides of border pray for children
By Bob Allen Faith leaders from mainline Protestant, Catholic and Jewish traditions formed facing semi-circles on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border Aug. 29 for a prayer vigil organized by missionaries and the head of American Baptist Churches USA. Roy…
Louisiana College lauds controversial former president
By Bob Allen A Baptist college in Louisiana opened its academic year Aug. 28 with a chapel service honoring its former president, who stepped down earlier this year amid accusations of misleading trustees, whistleblower complaints and public calls for his…