• Supreme Court will hear ‘under God’ pledge case_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  Supreme Court will hear 'under God' pledge case

  By Robert Marus

  ABP Washington Bureau

  WASHINGTON (ABP)–In a move that surprised some observers, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed Oct. 14 to hear a case involving the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Mom pens book for 60 seconds_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  Mom pens book for 60 seconds

  By George Henson

  Staff Writer

  ROUND ROCK–Deborah Knapp has written a book for school children that she prays will give 60 seconds a day eternal consequences.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Panel warns of repression in Afghanistan_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  Panel warns of repression in Afghanistan

  WASHINGTON (ABP)–Members of a federal panel warn that religious freedom and other human rights remain imperiled in Afghanistan–even under a United States-backed government.

  Members of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, reporting on an August visit to Kabul, said the U.S.-backed interim government is in danger of allowing the nation to return to the patterns of severe repression of religious freedom that characterized the Taliban's rule there. The Taliban was deposed by U.S.-led forces in 2001 for harboring Osama bin Laden and other members of al-Qaeda.

  Noting that the country was in the “crucial period” of preparing a proposal for a permanent constitution, the report said “there are indications … that the gains for human rights achieved by the U.S.-led coalition's victory over the Taliban are in peril.”

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• New church finds open door in development_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  New church finds open door in development

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  AMARILLO–Developers often say they want to create “heavenly” communities. Donna Myatt is working to make that a real possibility.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Annuity Board asks for name change_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  Annuity Board asks for name change

  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–The Annuity Board will change its name and begin serving evangelical organizations beyond the Southern Baptist Convention if SBC messengers approve the changes next summer.

  Initial approval was given by the SBC Executive Committee.

  The Dallas-based SBC agency proposes to change its name to GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. The name change recommendation would require approval by messengers at two consecutive annual meetings. Next summer in Indianapolis, the convention will be asked to authorize the board to do business as GuideStone Financial Resources for one year, pending a second affirmative vote in Nashville in 2005.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Around the State_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  Around the State

  New faculty at East Texas Baptist University include Doug Barlow, assistant professor of chemistry; Kay Caufield, instructor of nursing; Bob Conlin, instructor of kinesiology/assistant athletic trainer; Brent Farmer, instructor of music/ band director; Ray Herman, instructor of voice; Blanca Jenkins, instructor of Spanish; Rick Johnson, professor of religion; Brent Maddox, assistant professor of theatre arts; Allen Redmon, assistant professor of English; and John Sargent, assistant professor of education. New staff include Robert Hogberg, mechanical maintenance manager; and Mike Midkiff, director of public relations and marketing.

  Renee Burns has been named director of academic advising at Houston Baptist University.

  Waco Baptist Association sent nine people to Boston to lead Experiencing God sessions and provide Sunday School and Vacation Bible School conferences. The group also held prayerwalks in Southbridge, Mass., and portions of Vermont. Participating were Larrye Weaver, Larry Key, Billy Edwards, Margie Cox and Royce Montgomery; Jerry and Kathy Brooks, Paul Stripling and Rex Bland.

  Larry Reeves has been named director of the Mayborn Campus Center and university host at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He formerly was director of campus activities and special events, campus and conference coordinator, and university host since 1982. He also is minister of music at First Church in Rosebud.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Barna: Americans eat big, give little_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  Americans eat big, give little

  VENTURA, Calif. (RNS) –Americans spend almost 50 times as much money on fast food in a year than they do on helping poor children, a survey by the Barna Research Group shows.

  The typical respondent reported his or her household spends about $240 a year on fast food. In that same period, a typical household spends only $5 on assisting children in poverty.

  The survey indicated half of respondents' households had not donated anything to organizations helping the poor in the last year.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Church helps Baylor students take a load off_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  Church helps Baylor students take a load off

  By John Hall

  Texas Baptist Communications

  HEWITT–Members of Brazos Meadows Baptist Church in Hewitt are taking loads off students' minds and washing machines.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• 

  Santa needs help at Mission Arlington_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03

  Santa needs help at Mission Arlington

  By George Henson

  Staff Writer

  ARLINGTON–Wanted: People with enough mechanical ability to inflate a tire and light up a smile. Additional mechanical ability a plus. Call (214) 405-5223 or (817) 226 8143, ext. 233 for more information.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• BJC reduces budget, updates board, elects officers_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  BJC reduces budget, updates board, elects officers

  By Robert Marus

  ABP Washington Bureau

  WASHINGTON (ABP)–Directors of the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs adopted a smaller budget and heard a report on the organization's work–including its involvement with an important upcoming Supreme Court case–during the group's annual meeting this fall.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• Edwards rallies support for united response to church-state attacks_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  Edwards rallies support for united
  response to church-state attacks

  By Robert Marus

  ABP Washington Bureau

  WASHINGTON (ABP)–Christians who support the separation of church and state should step up their battle against forces that are eroding that principle, said Rep. Chet Edwards.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge

• BJC meeting highlights religious freedom threats_102003

  Posted: 10/17/03
  

  BJC meeting highlights religious freedom threats

  By Robert Marus

  ABP Washington Bureau

  WASHINGTON (ABP)–Under the watchful gaze of Baptist pioneer Roger Williams, speakers at a convocation sponsored by two Baptist organizations sounded notes of serious concern about the status of religious freedom in the United States.

  10/17/2003 - By John Rutledge