WASHINGTON (BP) – When the U.S. government relinquishes control of a nonprofit organization that oversees internet domain names, a California Baptist University software engineering professor says, the potential for religious liberty violations could increase. Since 1998, the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has coordinated and administered internet domain names, with oversight from the U.S. Department of Commerce. But as of Oct. 1, when the government’s contract … [Read more...]
Roy Moore suspension said to ignore ‘rule of law’
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (BP) – Although the nine-judge panel charged with trying Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore did not achieve the unanimous ruling required to remove him from office, it suspended him without pay for the remainder of his term in what Moore’s attorney Mat Staver called a violation of state law. “To suspend Chief Justice Moore for the rest of his term is the same as removal,” Staver, founder and chairman of the nonprofit legal group Liberty Counsel, said in a news release. The … [Read more...]
Americans love God, Bible, but are fuzzy on the details
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LifeWay)—Americans don’t know much about theology. Most say God wrote the Bible. But they’re not sure everything in it is true. Six in 10 say everyone eventually goes to heaven, but half say only those who believe in Jesus will be saved. And while 7 in 10 say there’s only one true God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—two-thirds say God accepts worship of all faiths. The online survey on theology was sponsored by Orlando-based Ligonier Ministries. Researchers asked 47 … [Read more...]
Behind the scenes of ‘The Insanity of God’
RICHMOND, Va. (BP) — When Nik and Ruth Ripken moved with their three sons to Africa, they had no idea how much obedience to Christ would cost. Years later, producer Craig Martin sensed that the Ripkens’ experiences would be vital viewing for the church in America. The assassination of four Somali Christian friends and the death of their son Timothy rocked the foundations of the Ripkens’ faith. Their spiritual crisis launched a search for answers. They needed to know: Is Jesus worth it? Is … [Read more...]
Haiti, Cuba lashed by Hurricane Matthew
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (BP) –Hurricane Matthew wreaked havoc in Haiti and Cuba Oct. 4, destroying homes, fields and businesses and driving thousands from their homes in a part of the Caribbean where many people already struggle day by day just to survive. Baptist Global Response, a Southern Baptist humanitarian organization, is monitoring the situation in both countries to determine what response might be most appropriate and effective. Winds of 145 mph lashed Haiti, along with heavy rain … [Read more...]
Missionary to Russia loses appeal on anti-evangelism law
ORYOL, Russia (BP) – A Baptist missionary convicted under Russia’s new anti-evangelism law and compelled to end his ministry there has lost his first court appeal in Oryol, Russia, but has vowed to continue legally fighting for the cause of religious freedom. An appeals court judge Sept. 30 upheld the conviction of Donald Ossewaarde on charges of conducting missionary activities in violation of the new law that prohibits evangelizing outside church walls and without a government … [Read more...]
Rural, urban churches grow in multisite merger
DEVILLE, La. (BP) – The permanent tie between the rural Philadelphia Baptist Church of Deville, La., and the urban Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church in nearby Alexandria is less a merger than it is a joining of forces. About 750 people were in a March 2015 Sunday morning worship at Philadelphia Baptist Church Deville when the 30 remaining attendees at Horseshoe Drive Alexandria asked for help to keep the smaller congregation viable. “It’s very humbling and an honor they would see us as … [Read more...]
The freedom two-fer
Is the writing on the wall for religious freedom in this country? Just ask two Arizona calligraphers. Joanna Duka and Breanna Koski met at a Starbucks café in north Phoenix in January 2015. Both were Christians, and both were artists. They decided to go into business together, combining their love for Jesus with their love for making beautiful things. Soon they launched Brush & Nib Studio, a for-profit art business that sells hand-drawn invitations and paintings. According to the … [Read more...]
Pastor appreciation: Heartfelt letters have impact
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (BP) – While pastors appreciate the marriage getaways and financial gifts that sometimes come their way during Pastor Appreciation Month, Dave Miller suggests there may be something even more important to consider. “I think the best thing you can do if you really want to honor your pastor is to write him a letter,” said Miller, who is president of the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference and pastor of Southern Hills Baptist Church in Sioux City, Iowa. “Tell him how his … [Read more...]
Volunteers minister at Iowa service center
DES MOINES, Iowa – A northeast Missouri WMU group has reached the hand of Christian service across the state line. For at least 19 years, the Mt. Salem-Wyaconda Southern Baptist Association WMU and volunteers have made twice-yearly visits to the Baptist Friendship Center in Des Moines, Iowa. The most recent trip was September 1. “We go once in the spring and once in the fall. We try to go before the kids get back to school in the fall, or around that time,” said Connie Handyside, WMU … [Read more...]
Phoenix SBC 2017 hotel registration opens Oct. 1
PHOENIX (BP) – Housing reservations opened Oct. 1 for the Southern Baptist Convention 2017 Annual Meeting set for June 13-14 at the Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. 3rd St. in Phoenix. Online reservations may be made around the clock at sbcannualmeeting.net/sbc17/pdf/2017Housing.pdf. Reservations by phone were available beginning Oct. 3 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday at 1-800-967-8852 toll-free or 1-847-996-5832. “We are busily preparing for and looking forward to … [Read more...]
National CP giving up, Missouri sending half a million more
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Southern Baptist Convention ended its fiscal year $9.23 million (4.95 percent) over its 2015–2016 budgeted goal and $6.57 million over the previous year’s Cooperative Program (CP) Allocation Budget gifts, according to Frank S. Page, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee. In Missouri, year-to-date CP giving is roughly on par with giving at this time last year, and is running 3.61 percent behind the budgeted goal. Even so, Missouri Baptists are sending more … [Read more...]
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