It was a Holy Week unlike any other for death-penalty opponents in Arkansas and the rest of the nation. It began with outrage over the state’s plan to begin executing seven men the day after Easter. It was filled with…
Faith transforms woman from struggling student to successful teacher
Abigail Garcia was new to Penitas, Texas, had few friends and was struggling through her sophomore year in high school. But rather than getting darker, her future got brighter thanks to people and programs she says were sent into her…
Faith, determination propel teen immigrant past social and language barriers in U.S.
It’s amazing how something like a plastic shopping bag — and faith in the good of others — can have such a positive impact on a life. Marilin Garcia, 18, can testify to that. Shen she was in kindergarten, her mother couldn’t…
Mission work takes on legal dimensions for Va.-based field personnel
Mission work and ministry are taking on a dizzying array of new looks in the 21st century. Just ask Greg and Sue Smith, Baptist missionaries who spent years performing traditional mission work in Latin America before opening a ministry serving…
Latino funerals often foster Baptist and Catholic cooperation
Sermons in the United States are said to be getting shorter and shorter. Maybe. But that’s not the case for pastors officiating funerals for Latino Christians. “Oh yes, the preaching can last an hour,” said Ruben Ortiz, pastor of Primera Iglesia…
Like Gissendaner, Wood case may change hearts on death penalty
Many Americans support capital punishment until they hear a story or meet someone who makes it personal to them, anti-death penalty activist Melissa Browning says. “Everything changes when you see it through the eyes of someone who is personally affected,” said…
Growing movement pushing pastors to ‘get real,’ vulnerable with congregations
It takes a lot of guts and humility to be vulnerable. Just look at the New Testament account of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, Mary Alice Birdwhistell said. “Since feet were the primary mode of transportation, think how dirty they…
Texans continue rebuilding from last year’s natural disasters
As Garry Schaffer monitored the quickly approaching storm on his computer, he soon realized he needed to go downstairs to get his wife, Kan, and seek safety in a closet. The couple had enjoyed a nice Christmas the day before…
Missional DNA enabled churches to heal communities after Pulse and Sandy Hook
Pastor Terri Steed Pierce knew even before arriving at church the morning of June 12 that worship was going to be radically different at Joy Metropolitan Community Church in Orlando. Many in her LGBTQ congregation knew victims killed or wounded…