By Robert Dilday John Lepper, the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship’s first and only coordinator, has announced plans to retire June 30 after 16 years as head of the state affiliate of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. “I have high hopes for the…
Experience on Broadway enriches Baptist couple’s calling to special needs advocacy
By Jeff Brumley For most performers, making it to Broadway would be considered the apex of a career, the end-all, be-all of performing on stage. But for Amy and Ben Wright, who are deacons at First Baptist Church in Wilmington, N.C.,…
Critics question support of former ministry head accused of covering up abuse
By Bob Allen Thursday’s conviction of a former youth leader at a church in Maryland has renewed calls that evangelical leaders cease promoting a ministry colleague accused in a class-action lawsuit of conspiring to cover up sexual and physical abuse…
Ex-Muslim preacher loses copyright claim
By Bob Allen For the second time in a month, a Georgia Baptist college president has lost a legal battle to block the online posting of videos of him giving contradictory versions of a famous “Jihad to Jesus” testimony popular…
Gaddy retiring as head of Interfaith Alliance
By Bob Allen Welton Gaddy, an ordained Baptist minister and pastor for preaching and worship at Northminster Baptist Church in Monroe, La., announced May 8 he will retire as president of the Interfaith Alliance at the end of 2014. Since…
Pastor arrested after domestic dispute
By Bob Allen A well-known Texas Baptist pastor was charged with misdemeanor assault after police responded to a domestic disturbance call at his home Tuesday morning. Andy Pittman, 43, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Lufkin, Texas, was taken…
Former pastor charged with abuse
By Bob Allen A former pastor at Baptist churches in Arkansas and Tennessee faces multiple charges of sexually abusing children following his arrest May 5 on a warrant issued after conducting a graveside service at a cemetery in his hometown…
Caner foes labeled ‘cyber-terrorists’
By Bob Allen An attorney representing a Southern Baptist college president labeled individuals posting online videos undermining his client’s famous “Jihad to Jesus” ex-Muslim testimony as “cyber-terrorists” in oral arguments April 30. Jonathan Autry — sued for copyright infringement after posting…
Funeral arrangements set for Glen Stassen
By Bob Allen A viewing and memorial service for Glen Stassen, a Baptist ethicist and originator of the “just peacemaking” opposition to war, is scheduled this weekend at First Baptist Church in Pasadena, Calif. Viewing is scheduled 5-8 p.m. on…
Glen Stassen, Baptist peacemaker, dead at 78
By Bob Allen Glen Stassen, an evangelical peace activist who taught Christian ethics more than 50 years, died April 26 in Pasadena, Calif., months after being diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. Stassen, 78, the Lewis B. Smedes Professor of Christian…
Pastor retires to be minister’s husband
By Bob Allen An Alabama pastor who chaired a blue-ribbon task force charged with retooling the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship for the 21st century is retiring from the pulpit to become a minister’s spouse. David Hull announced in an email April 27…
Glen Stassen, leading Baptist voice in peacemaking, dies at 78
By Robert Dilday Glen Stassen, a Baptist theologian widely known for his work on the ethics of war and peace, a topic he explored with seminary students for 30 years, died April 26 in Pasadena, Calif., following a battle with…