On Sept. 20, 2007, more than 20,000 people from across the nation gathered in small Jena, La., to protest an outbreak of racial tensions at the local high school, exposing old feelings of racism and hate. It was in response to the treatment of a young man by the law enforcement authorities. Sound familiar? Celebrities such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton fueled the media’s glare on this small community of 15,000 made up primarily of foresters and farmers. The only thing people outside … [Read more...]
Ruminations as a busy summer gives way to another autumn
The Missouri Baptist Foundation Trustee Board’s presidential search committee is getting closer to recommending someone for the position. The committee could have a recommendation for the full board sometime in September. The committee, which was formed Dec. 9, includes Foundation Board Chairman Larry Shoaf, a Cape Girardeau-area businessman and member of First Baptist Church, Jackson; Jay Hughes, a staff member at Second Baptist Church, Springfield and Joby Steele, pastor, Macedonia … [Read more...]
Africa missionaries embrace children’s home ministry
THOMASVILLE, N.C. (BP) – Kim and Jay Smith spent 26 years sharing the Gospel as missionaries in West Africa. Today, they continue to share Christ's love as cottage parents with the Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina where they care for as many as 12 girls at BCH's Mills Home in Thomasville. "It's still a mission field but a different mission field," Kim says. Her husband agrees. "We love these girls with the love of God just as we loved the people in West Africa." Before … [Read more...]
Court signals religious freedom victory for artist
MADISON, Wisc. (BP) – A self-employed evangelical Christian photographer can reject job requests based on her religious beliefs against same-sex marriage, a Wisconsin county court and government officials have agreed. Self-employed photographer Amy Lawson, an evangelical Christian in Madison, Wisc., can refuse jobs that violate her religious beliefs, a court and government officials have agreed. City and state public accommodation laws don’t apply to her because she operates without a … [Read more...]
Missouri Baptist Children’s Home adopts BFM 2000
BRIDGETON – The Missouri Baptist Children’s Home (MBCH) made a statement for families and its place in Baptist life by affirming the 2000 version of Baptist Faith and Message during its July 25 board meeting here. During an ongoing mission audit, MBCH leadership realized that despite being in operation and cooperation with Missouri Baptists since 1886, the ministry never adopted a formalized statement of faith. In order to shore up its identity and legal position for hiring Christians … [Read more...]
Oregon to make abortion coverage free for all
SALEM, Ore. (BP) – Oregon health insurers and taxpayers will soon be paying for abortion, contraceptives and sterilization under a new law Gov. Kate Brown has vowed to sign. The newly-passed Reproductive Health Equity Act forbids health insurance plans from imposing "a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement" for abortion, STD screening, prenatal care, post-natal care and all forms of contraception. Churches and religious nonprofits will be exempt … [Read more...]
Teen internet addiction cited as growing concern
NASHVILLE (BP) – Gateway Seminary professor Paul Kelly had a friend who once became so addicted to online gaming that he would ignore his family and friends while also skipping meals so he could play more games on the internet. His desire became so severe that he began failing classes and stole from his family to support his habit. Amid the emerging challenge of internet addiction, youth ministry experts are calling for churches to raise awareness of the topic and provide resources for … [Read more...]
Reformers’ wisdom applied to transgender debate
NASHVILLE (BP) – Amid contemporary discussion of transgenderism, the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation has helped resurface historic wisdom on gender and sexuality. While predating by centuries the modern phenomenon of transgenderism, Martin Luther and John Calvin were among Reformers to denounce those who attempted to blur the distinction between men and women – an error dating back to the ancient world. Union University ethicist C. Ben Mitchell told Baptist Press … [Read more...]
Eugene Peterson and ‘same sex’ marriage
Last week, the well-known evangelical author Eugene Peterson appeared to embrace so-called same-sex “marriage,” and then, he backtracked. There’s a lot to talk about. Last week Eugene Peterson, the author of “The Message” as well as several other pastoral books, said in an interview with Jonathan Merritt of Religion News Service that he didn’t consider homosexuality wrong and would, if asked, officiate a same-sex “marriage.” “I know a lot of people who are gay and lesbian,” Peterson … [Read more...]
Mo. appeals court rules against transgender student
KANSAS CITY – In a decision that bucks the trend of courts in other states, the Western Division of the Missouri Court of Appeals ruled, in a 2-1 decision, July 18 that a biological girl transitioning to be a boy must continue to use a locker room for girls. The court affirmed the dismissal of a complaint against the Blue Springs R-IV school district and its board of education by a female student identified as R.M.A. She sued the school district and board of education after adopting a … [Read more...]
Fight against trafficking gains House support
WASHINGTON (BP) – A deeply divided U.S. House of Representatives has found at least one issue it can agree on across the board – combating human trafficking. The House has approved more than a dozen anti-trafficking bills in recent weeks, with only three votes total against the proposals. Leading a trio of three measures passed July 12 was the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act, comprehensive legislation authorizing more than $500 million for four years … [Read more...]
BREAKING: Missouri Senate passes major pro-life bill
JEFFERSON CITY – By a vote of 22-9, the Missouri Senate today (July 25) passed an earlier House version of one of the strongest pro-life pieces of legislation ever for the state. An attempt to send a weaker version of a Senate bill approved earlier to a House/Senate conference committee failed and ultimately 22 Republicans united to pass the stronger version. The new law will: Expand regulations on abortion in multiple statutes. Improves the tracking of baby body parts … [Read more...]
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