Baptist Press Archive

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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  • Abedini: 'God saved me' from death in Iran
    by Diana Chandler, posted Tuesday, January 26, 2016 (8 years ago)

    Fox News screen capture
    ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BP) -- American pastor Saeed Abedini prayed hours at times to survive years of abuse and unjust imprisonment in Iran for his Christian faith, and described his prayers as a "wonderful time with the Lord" which he enjoyed.

    In his first media interview since his release from an Iranian prison was announced Jan. 16, Abedini told FOX News' Greta Van Susteren of the brutal physical and psychological torture he suffered in Iran for three and half years. Read More

  • CMP activists indicted by Houston grand jury
    by David Roach, posted Tuesday, January 26, 2016 (8 years ago)

    HOUSTON (BP) -- The Houston grand jury charged with investigating Planned Parenthood in conjunction with undercover videos produced by the pro-life Center for Medical Progress has said the abortion provider broke no laws and instead has indicted CMP activists on two felony counts.

    In response to the indictments, a spokeswoman for Texas Right to Life told Baptist Press the grand jury process "reeks of something amiss." She said the case illustrates "a pattern" in the Harris County district attorney's office of failing to issue indictments in "abortion-related" ... Read More

  • Fla. Baptists send additional $500,000 to SBC
    by Barbara Denman/Florida Baptist Convention , posted Tuesday, January 26, 2016 (8 years ago)

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP) -- The Florida Baptist Convention sent an additional $500,000 in Cooperative Program funds to the Southern Baptist Convention Jan. 25.

    The funds represented 51 percent of the $970,924 in budget overages from Florida Baptist churches to the state convention's 2015 budget of $28.8 million.

    "What a tremendous blessing from God for Florida Baptists to express our commitment to the Great Commission in our work together as Southern Baptists through this budget ... Read More

  • AiG wins court battle for Ky. tax incentive
    by Diana Chandler, posted Tuesday, January 26, 2016 (8 years ago)

    LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) -- Answers in Genesis has won a court battle to benefit from a Kentucky sales tax rebate incentive program that could save the apologetics ministry up to $18 million on its Ark Encounter museum being built in northern Kentucky.

    The Commonwealth of Kentucky had withheld the incentive program from AiG by claiming that the ministry would use religion to discriminate in hiring its employees, and that the use of tax incentives to advance religion violated state law. In its lawsuit, AiG argued that the tax incentive was "facially neutral" and thereby applicable to religious organizations just as any ... Read More

  • San Fran. church's heart: 'Know the person first'
    by Kathie Chute, posted Tuesday, January 26, 2016 (8 years ago)

    SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (BP) -- It is important for pastors and churches to not turn their backs on people who identify as gay or transgender, says Ryan Blackwell, pastor of First Baptist Church in San Francisco.

    While the church seeks to welcome all persons, Blackwell believes it is important to preach clearly on all matters, including those that go contrary to prevailing cultural thought.

    "It is important that pastors not be nuanced," he said. "We have to be very clear what we ... Read More

  • FIRST-PERSON: Hopeful for millennials
    by Shane Pruitt, posted Tuesday, January 26, 2016 (8 years ago)

    Shane Pruitt, director of missions for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, describes various characteristics of his millennial generation. Although there are differences between 17- and 34-year-olds, "there are some common views that come to the surface in most millennials no matter their age," Pruitt writes. Read More