By Bob Allen Former President Jimmy Carter — nicknamed in Baptist circles the world’s most famous Sunday school teacher — says he thinks Jesus would approve of same-sex marriage. “I believe Jesus would approve gay marriage, but that’s just my own personal…
Missouri minister launching network for busy, isolated chaplains
By Vicki Brown Chaplains — military, medical and others — often feel isolated in their ministries. James Layman feels called to help change that in the Midwest. A hospital and military chaplain for 29 years, Layman has been laying a…
Lynn Messer still missing after a year
By Bob Allen The disappearance of a Missouri Baptist lobbyist’s wife remains a mystery one year after 52-year-old Lynn Messer apparently walked away from the family’s 300-acre farm. Kerry Messer, founder of the Missouri Family Network, called the Ste. Genevieve…
Pastor’s killer ruled not guilty due to insanity
By Bob Allen An Illinois man who six years ago shot and killed a Southern Baptist minister in a Sunday morning worship service has been found not guilty by reason of insanity and will likely spend the rest of his…
Networking two continents: For Ruben Ortiz, it means bridge-building
Ruben Ortiz experiences deep fulfillment from his calling as a bridge builder between the church in Latin America and the United States. But it comes at a price. “Sometimes it’s difficult — all of the driving is causing me back…
James Dunn, robust advocate for religious liberty, dies July 4
By Robert Dilday James M. Dunn, one of Baptists’ most well-known advocates for religious liberty and separation of church and state, died July 4 a few weeks after his 83rd birthday in Winston-Salem, N.C. During his nearly two decades as…
Tectonic shift: Pam Durso on 30 years of progress for Baptist women ministers
By Bob Allen After being around for 30 years, it’s easy to forget that a decade ago BWIM was considering whether it should continue to exist. What is the state of your movement today, and what did it take to…
Been there, done that: Some Baptist ministers have already officiated at same-sex marriages
By Jeff Brumley Same-sex weddings are the stuff headlines are made of these days — especially when Baptist ministers are embracing the ceremonies ruled legal in every state by the Supreme Court last Friday. The Courier-Journal of Louisville, Ky., recently featured Jason…
Don McGregor, editor, ABP founder, dead at 91
By Bob Allen Don McGregor, a founder of Associated Baptist Press (today known as Baptist News Global) who served as the independent new service’s first executive director, died June 30 in Mesquite, Texas. He was 91. As editor of the…