By Bob Allen Thirty years after the tragic death of television’s “prime minister of humor,” the family of Baptist comedian Grady Nutt has launched an official website in his honor. “For years, fans have asked us if we are ever…
Pastor charged with sexual battery
By Bob Allen A 71-year-old Southern Baptist pastor in northern Mississippi is in jail on $1 million bond on charges of sexual battery of a child. Larry Singleton, pastor of Bay Springs Baptist Church in Abbeville, Miss., was arrested by…
Woman pastor marks milestone
By Jack Brymer The youngest of four children — three girls — born to a successful Baptist pastor and a wife who was equally dedicated to the congregation and denomination, Sarah Jackson Shelton suspects that being a pastor is part…
Chinese Christian leader dead at 97
By Bob Allen K.H. Ting, an Anglican bishop prior to China’s Cultural Revolution who led a “post-denominational” re-emergence of Chinese Christianity in the 1970s and 1980s, died Nov. 22 after several years of poor health. Hailed by some as a…
Baptist dies during Gaza war
By Bob Allen Casualties during eight days of fighting between Israel and the militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip included at least one Baptist. Salem Boulos Sweilem, who attended the Gaza Baptist Church in Gaza City, died Nov. 19…
Alternative gifts counter Black Friday
By Jeff Brumley When it began nearly a decade ago, the Alternative Christmas Gift Fair at Boulevard Baptist attracted barely 100 church members and generated a few thousand dollars for participating nonprofits and mission groups. But it has since generated…
Former youth pastor arrested
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist pastor in Oklahoma second-guessed himself after the arrest of his former youth pastor on eight counts of sexual abuse of a minor. Jeff Self, pastor of First Baptist Church in Coalgate, Okla., told CBS…
Teen ordered to church for manslaughter
By Bob Allen An Oklahoma district court judge sparked national attention after sentencing a teenager to attend church for 10 years as a condition for avoiding prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter. Muskogee Judge Mike Norman gave 17-year-old Tyler Alred…
Performing the business of ministry
By Jeff Brumley Pastor Tony Lankford had a relaxing-but-productive day planned for himself on Monday. His plan was to prepare the message he will preach this coming Sunday on Daniel in the lion’s den. “I was going to go to…