Immigration and churches_12405

Posted: 1/21/05

Immigration and churches

By Ferrell Foster

Texas Baptist Communications

AUSTIN–Immigration is not just a political issue to Texas Baptists; it's about churches and ministry, said Suzii Paynter, director of citizenship and public policy for the Baptist General Convention of Texas' Christian Life Commission.

01/22/2005 - By John Rutledge

Congress expected to address immigration issues_12405

Posted: 1/21/05

Congress expected to address immigration issues

By Ferrell Foster

Texas Baptist Communications

AUSTIN–Expect to see change in United States immigration policy during this congressional session, said Suzii Paynter, director of citizenship and public policy for the Baptist General Convention of Texas' Christian Life Commission.

01/22/2005 - By John Rutledge

FAQs: How can churches help undocumented immigrants?_12405

Posted: 1/21/05

How can churches help
undocumented immigrants?

Based on information provided by the Baptist General Convention of Texas immigration task force. For more information, contact Jim Young, director of the BGCT Missions Equipping Center, at (888) 311-3900.

See Related Stories: • 'We are here illegally': Texas Baptist family describes life as undocumented aliens • Pastor sees BUA as 'God-sent' opportunity for undocumented student • Pastor helps immigrants gain legal status • Austin woman believes citizens can shape immigration policy • Immigration and churches • Congress expected to address immigration issues • FAQs: How can churches help undocumented immigrants? • Hispanic but multi-ethnic • By The Numbers: Ministering to Immigrants • Student develops resource to help churches grasp immigration issues

Q. Can a church get in trouble for helping an undocumented immigrant?

A. It depends on the kind of help offered.

01/22/2005 - By John Rutledge

Hispanic but multi-ethnic_12405

Posted: 1/21/05

Hispanic but multi-ethnic

By Sarah Farris

Special to the Baptist Standard

Just because a Texas Baptist church calls itself “Hispanic” doesn't mean its members are all Mexican-American. Just ask Rolando Lopez, pastor of Northwest Hispanic Baptist Church in San Antonio, who says his congregation has anywhere from seven to nine nationalities represented.

01/22/2005 - By John Rutledge

By The Numbers: Ministering to Immigrants_12405

Posted: 1/21/05 Texas has 1.1 million legal resident immigrants. (2002 estimate from the U.S. Homeland Security Department) Texas has close to 1.1 million undocumented immigrants. (Urban Institute estimate, based on…

01/22/2005 - By John Rutledge

‘We are here illegally’: Texas Baptist family describes life as undocumented aliens_12405

Posted: 1/21/05

Texas Baptist family describes life as undocumented aliens

By Ken Camp

Managing Editor

AUSTIN–Ernesto serves as a deacon at a Hispanic Baptist church in Austin. His wife, Maria, works in various ministries at the church. And like 1.1 million other people in Texas and more than 9.3 million in the United States, they are in this country illegally.

01/22/2005 - By John Rutledge

Student develops resource to help churches grasp immigration issues_12405

Posted: 1/21/05

Student develops resource to help
churches grasp immigration issues

By Sarah Farris

Special to the Baptist Standard

WACO–A growing number of Texas Baptists in recent years have started looking for ways to minister to undocumented immigrants, particularly after both the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas passed resolutions about immigration in 2003.

01/22/2005 - By John Rutledge

Louisiana College trustees elect new president_12405

Posted: 1/21/05

Louisiana College trustees elect new president

By Greg Warner

Associated Baptist Press

PINEVILLE, La. (ABP)–Joe Aguillard, 47, was elected president of Louisiana College Jan. 17 after a marathon trustee meeting that included protesters and a last-minute alternate nominee.

01/22/2005 - By John Rutledge

Southern Baptists plan alternative to Baptist World Alliance_12405

Posted: 1/21/05

Southern Baptists plan
alternative to Baptist World Alliance

By Robert Marus & Greg Warner

Associated Baptist Press

WASHINGTON (ABP)—Southern Baptist Convention leaders will meet with international Baptists leaders in July to create an alternative to the Baptist World Alliance, a Southern Baptist agency head announced.

01/22/2005 - By John Rutledge

The Border Security And Immigration Reform Act Of 2003_12405

Posted: 1/21/05

THE BORDER SECURITY AND
IMMIGRATION REFORM ACT OF 2003

Section-by-Section Summary

Section 1. Short Title

Section 2. Definitions

01/22/2005 - By John Rutledge

Judge orders school to remove evolution disclaimer from textbooks_12405

Posted: 1/21/05

Judge orders school to remove
evolution disclaimer from textbooks

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)—A federal judge has struck down a suburban Atlanta school district’s policy of placing disclaimers about evolution in science textbooks, saying the policy violates the Constitution’s ban on government establishment of religion.

01/22/2005 - By John Rutledge

Bush criticized for saying he won’t push for amendment_12405

Posted: 1/21/05

Bush criticized for saying he won't push for amendment

By Robert Marus

ABP Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (ABP)—Despite clarifications from the White House, some socially conservative groups are criticizing President Bush for comments suggesting he will not pressure senators to pass a constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage.

01/22/2005 - By John Rutledge