Church Merger ‘Undivided Example in Divided World’
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (BP) -- Longtime pastor Jack Stallings determined years ago to empathetically view life from the eyes of a black Christian, a feat he says he hasn't quite achieved, being he's white.
Baptism Sunday Sees ‘Tremendous Momentum’
(BP) -- Hundreds or more new believers who made professions of faith at Southern Baptist churches on Baptism Day (Sept. 8). Baptisms ranged from 1 to more than 100 among several Southern Baptist congregations, according to reports to BP and on social media.
In Response to Dropping Baptism Numbers, Southern Baptists Create ‘Baptism Sunday’
(RNS) — Based on 76% of constituent churches that contributed information, Southern Baptists reported their lowest number of baptisms since 1950. “Baptism Sunday,” a newly-designated day on the Southern Baptist Convention's calendar, is in response to falling numbers.
In Hawaii, ‘Protectors’ Fight Telescope Project With Prayer
MAUNA KEA, Hawaii (RNS) — Demonstrators have flocked to this mountain to stop construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope for reasons that are partly environmental and partly religious.
Baptist Leader in Myanmar Decries Religious Persecution, Sued
Hkalam Samson, president of the Kachin Baptist Convention of Myanmar, has been accused of “knowingly giving false information” during his trip to the United States for the 2019 Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in mid-July.
Hong Kong Christians: Bill’s Removal Not Enough
HONG KONG (BP) -- The withdrawal of an extradition bill that threatened religious freedom in Hong Kong is not enough to satisfy Christians and others amid protests there, a Christian advocate told Baptist Press Wednesday (Sept. 4).
Papa John’s Founder Announces $1 Million Gift to Simmons College of Kentucky
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- John Schnatter, founder of Papa John’s, announced a $1 million gift to Simmons College of Kentucky today (Sept. 4), declaring, “Supporting Simmons College is a better investment to build a better community.”
Dorian Crawls Northward, Baptists Prepare Response
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) -- "After the assessments we will know what kind of help we need [in the Bahamas]," Baptist Global Response Executive Director Jeff Palmer said. "It might involve medical help, food, water, shelter -- you can imagine what the needs might be based on a storm like this."
Manhattan’s Journey Church Baptizes 51 at the Beach
NEW YORK CITY (BP) -- People crowded onto Jacob Riis Park and Beach in Queens on a hot July afternoon to witness 51 people baptized. As exciting as that Saturday beach baptism was for The Journey Church, one of the city's largest Southern Baptist churches, it wasn't necessarily out of the ordinary.
Labor Union Support Remains Above 60% for Third Year
According to a Gallup report, approval of unions among U.S. adults 64 percent, the highest support level since 2003 and the third year in a row that approval was above 60 percent. A decade ago, support was at its lowest since polling began, at 48 percent. This is the highest support level since 2003 (65%) and the third year in a row that approval was above 60%.