Virginia Senate Passes Bill to Allow Guns in Churches
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Senate has passed legislation aimed at allowing guns in church in response to a deadly church shooting in Texas. Gov. Ralph Northam opposes the measure and has indicated he would veto it.
Southern Baptist Convention Named in Suit Against Prominent Layman
(RNS) — The Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant denomination, has been added as a defendant in a case alleging that a prominent layman and onetime Texas appeals court judge sexually abused a former office assistant over the course of several decades.
Senior Adult Conversions on the Rise?
NASHVILLE (BP) -- When evangelist Phil Waldrep agreed to preach a revival at a nursing home, he didn't expect a huge response. But of the 40-60 nursing home residents who attended the services, 21 made a profession of faith in Christ, and about 10 were later baptized at a local church.
Most Protestants, Catholics Favor Dreamers’ Legal Status
A majority (74 percent) of U.S. Protestants and Catholics support "Dreamers" receiving permanent legal status, according to a Pew Research Center report released on Jan. 19. Views about "substantially expanding the wall along the U.S. border with Mexico" were more varied.
Flu Outbreak Prompts Churches to Take Precautions
DALLAS, Ga. (BP) -- Johnny Nix of Pickett's Mill Baptist Church has asked volunteers to consider staying away.
Like so many other churches, Nix and the Dallas, Ga., church he leads are locked in a battle with the flu.
Home by Home, Burmese Hear Church’s Gospel Appeal
SAN DIEGO (BP) -- Thirty people made professions of faith in Jesus during Agape Myanmar Mission's home visits for its third annual Christmas outreach.
Salvadorans at Risk of Losing Immigration Status Find Support in Churches
WASHINGTON (RNS) — When German Fernandez learned last week that the Trump administration plans to end Temporary Protected Status for him and around 200,000 other immigrants from El Salvador, it was a nightmare come true.
Uploading Religious Liberty
“Free speech is under assault in America,” the president of the National Religious Broadcasters recently declared in a Washington, D.C. press conference, "And this is happening on the internet.”
SSI Funding Puts Disabled at Risk of Homelessness
No safe, affordable housing was available in 2016 for people in the U.S. whose sole income was Supplemental Security Income (SSI), according to a report released in mid-December 2017.
Gospel Star Edwin Hawkins, Known for ‘Oh Happy Day,’ Dies
NEW YORK (AP) — Edwin Hawkins, the gospel star best known for the crossover hit “Oh Happy Day” and as a major force for contemporary inspirational music, has died at age 74.