Nation

(RNS) — In the early 2000s, Jeff Sharlet responded to an invitation he thought would fit in a book he was writing about religion in America. Instead, he stumbled into the story of a lifetime, about a secretive Christian group whose membership has helped shaped our politics for more than 50 years.

JAMESTOWN, Va. (RNS) — Wearing a yellow headwrap, gray skirt and soiled apron, a woman who says she is “called by the name of Angela” stood by the James River and told her story, one of faith and courage, darkness and hope.

(RNS) — A bipartisan group of lawmakers has sent a letter to Trump administration officials calling on them not to reduce the refugee cap to zero.

(RNS) — While some religious and religious liberty groups have applauded a new Commission on Unalienable Rights, a coalition of 430 human rights, civil rights, foreign policy and faith organizations, leaders and scholars has submitted a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging him to dismantle it.

(RNS) — Faith-based groups that help the U.S. government resettle refugees fear the future of their work is in jeopardy, after learning that the Trump administration is considering shutting down refugee resettlement for the coming fiscal year.

ALEXANDRIA, La. (BP) -- The devastation from Hurricane Barry was less than anticipated in Louisiana based on forecasts, but for those who sustained damage it does not lessen the impact they felt.

(RNS) — Waves of Baptist volunteers from across the Mid- and Southwest have flooded Texas in recent weeks to offer aid to the influx of largely Central American migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.

NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is preparing an initial response if the tropical system currently in the Gulf of Mexico develops into Hurricane Barry overnight on Friday (July 12), but floodwaters already have started to rise in New Orleans.

(RNS) — A prominent Manhattan pastor has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that U.S. officials violated her religious freedom when she was put on a watchlist over her ministry to migrants at the border.

RIDGECREST, Calif. (BP) -- A group of local, church volunteers had finished a day of cleaning up and repairing damage to Immanuel Baptist Church, Ridgecrest, Calif., following a 6.4 earthquake on July 4. The next night, the 7.1 earthquake undid their hard work and then some.