Baptist

RNS) — Leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention have called the reports by two Texas newspapers of hundreds of sex abuse cases in affiliated churches evidence of “pure evil” and “satanic” behavior within their ranks.

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Responding to "recent online stories and related social media activity," the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee's presidential search committee says it has "actively pursued resumes from non-Anglo candidates."

(RNS) — As the Southern Baptist Convention faces a rare leadership vacuum at the top of agencies and seminaries — and has just installed a new mission board president — questions have arisen about whether its statements committing to diversity will be reflected in hiring decisions.

Amid protests and political unrest in Venezuela, global Baptists are calling on government authorities to release Gregory José Pérez, executive director of the Unión Nacional Bautista de Jovenes (National Baptist Youth Union) in Venezuela, arrested on Jan. 23.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) -- The Western Recorder -- Kentucky's statewide Baptist newspaper for 190 years -- announced it will combine operations with the Kentucky Baptist Convention's (KBC) Communications Department as well as transition to a monthly magazine.

Albania, once declared an atheist state, today is very ripe spiritually yet poverty-stricken.The Baptist Union of Albania is one of the smallest in Europe, but very missions minded, as existing churches are being multiplied.

MORROW, Ga. (BP) -- Jack Harwell, editor of The Christian Index for 21 years during his 30 years with Georgia Baptists' newsjournal, died Jan. 18 at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

After a month of public controversy surrounding the firing of a Baptist college professor who allegedly first sought to oust other professors, trustees of Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., affirmed the firing of the professor for misconduct, reaffirmed their support for the Baptist Faith & Message of 2000 and censored a fellow trustee for a conflict of interest.

WASHINGTON (BP) -- When portions of the federal government shut down, Southern Baptists ramped up their ministries to furloughed federal workers across the country.

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) -- Donald R. Kammerdiener, a longtime missionary and administrator with the International Mission Board, died Wednesday (Jan. 23). He was 82.