“I’d love to say that we atheists did it all ourselves; I’d love to be able to say that our dazzling wit and slashing rhetorical attacks are persuading people to abandon organized religion in droves. But the truth is that…
Baptist relief agencies begin Mid-Atlantic cleanup in wake of Irene
RICHMOND, Va. — As Hurricane Irene continued its destructive track north Aug. 28, Baptist relief agencies in the Mid-Atlantic began deploying volunteers in the region, which was left with rising water and little electricity in the wake of the storm….
Churches near quake’s epicenter left with cracked walls, broken glass
MINERAL, Va. — The rare East Coast earthquake Aug. 23 left two Baptist churches near the epicenter with cracked walls and broken glass, but no major damage, said spokespersons at each congregation. Mineral Baptist Church and Louisa Baptist Church —…
NORTH CAROLINA BRIEFS
Hispanic pastor facing deportation. A Hispanic Baptist pastor arrested last summer by immigration authorities will find out Sept. 2 whether he will be deported for a crime committed in 1995. Hector Villanueva, pastor of Bautista la Rocha in Siler City,…
OUT LOUD
“This Shariah law business is … just crazy. And I’m tired of dealing with the crazies. It’s just unnecessary to be accusing this guy of things just because of his religious background.” Chris Christie The Republican governor of New Jersey…
Virginia’s Baptist collegiate ministry names new leadership at campuses
RICHMOND, Va. — Campuses across Virginia will start the school year with new Baptist campus ministers, following action taken by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s emerging leaders team last month. Carey and Gannon Sims • At the University of Mary…
Sims to assist with FX initiative
RICHMOND, Va. — Gannon Sims has been named coordinator assistant for Fresh Expressions, a church revitalization movement coordinated by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. Gannon Sims Sims will work closely with Chris Backert, Fresh Expressions coordinator in the U.S., and…
BTSR announces new staff members
RICHMOND, Va. — Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond named a new vice president of advancement and a director of community life in early August. Tim Heilman Timothy Heilman assumed the vice president’s position on Aug. 1, becoming the seminary chief…
VIRGINIA BRIEFS
Bluefield launches social network. New Bluefield College students are getting to know one another, even before they step foot on the BC campus, thanks to a new social network called BC Bound. Designed by the college’s admissions office, BC Bound…