By Bob Allen A Texas Baptist youth minister faces a federal charge of attempted enticement of a minor after he exchanged sexual e-mail and text messages with an undercover police officer posing as a 15-year-old girl. Trevor Jacob Fortner, 25,…
Youth minister charged with enticing minor
By Bob Allen A Texas Baptist youth minister faces a federal charge of attempted enticement of a minor after he exchanged sexual e-mail and text messages with an undercover police officer posing as a 15-year-old girl. Trevor Jacob Fortner, 25,…
Disaster ministry: calling or compulsion?
By Jeff Brumley Leaders of faith-based disaster-recovery agencies say there’s nothing like calamity to invigorate a Christian’s faith. Pastors of churches where disasters strike have noticed a difference in people, too. “Whether it’s man-made or something from nature, I think…
Baptist historian Leon McBeth dies
By Bob Allen H. Leon McBeth, a Baptist historian and scholar who authored nine books, died April 29 at age 81. McBeth, retired chair of the history department at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, received numerous awards for his contributions to…
Young musician: Church organ thriving
By Jeff Brumley South Main Baptist Church organist Daryl Robinson is tearing it up in the music world, winning awards and dazzling venues both sacred and secular. “Daryl brings freshness and excitement to the hymn singing” and “is equally strong…
Jailed minister accused of abuse in UK
By Bob Allen A former British Baptist pastor serving time in prison in the United States for child sex crimes now faces similar allegations at home. London’s Daily Mirror reported April 28 that seven men claim they were raped as…
Baylor campus moved by memorial
By Daniel Wallace Some students and faculty at Baylor University said they felt the pain of the tragedy in West – both when it happened and on Thursday when a memorial for its victims was held on their campus. ABPnews…
Obama, Bible play big in West memorial
By Marv Knox and Jeff Brumley Today’s memorial service for 12 firefighters killed in West, Texas, on April 17 was laced with prayer, scripture and the theme that tragedy brings people and communities together. Even President Obama came bearing a…
Former Baptist editor dies
By Bob Allen Theo Sommerkamp, 84, a longtime Baptist journalist known to friends for his strong love for railroad trains, died April 19. Sommerkamp, of Columbus, Ohio, met his wife of 60 years, Jean, while attending Oklahoma Baptist University. They…