AUTHOR_ARCHIVES
Lewis & Vivian: Giving Thanks & Following their Lead
In a single day, we saw the death of two giants. Today, all of us who follow Jesus should offer prayers of gratitude for the Rev. C.T. Vivian and Congressman John Lewis and their extraordinary lives of faith. We should certainly surround their families in prayer and rejoice in the promise of resurrection that is […]
Building Tombs for the Prophets Our Ancestors Killed
I remember my first of multiple visits to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 2012 a few months after it opened. It’s a beautiful monument that focuses on the words of that Baptist preacher. And it’s particularly gorgeous when the colors of the setting sun hit it or, even more so, […]
Rev. Kap Khan
The number of COVID-19 cases has risen to more than 13 million around the world. While these numbers are staggering, they are also deeply personal to each person who has lost a loved one, serves on the frontlines of care, or is battling the disease themselves. We are sad to share that another Baptist leader has […]
The Blight of Insecure Leaders
Those of us who lead others have never experienced challenges quite like those we face today. Back in March, as the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread across our land, we thought, “This is the worst. What else could possibly happen?” And then the “what else” did happen when George Floyd, a Black man in Minneapolis, […]
Tomás Mackey Installed as Next BWA President in Virtual Gathering
This week the Baptist World Alliance hosted its first virtual General Council, including an officer installation and commissioning service on Thursday (July 23). During the session, Tomás Mackey of Argentina assumed the role of BWA president and will serve a five-year term. The service included a tribute to outgoing BWA President Paul Msiza of South […]
A Christian Writer Joined the Wall of Moms to Protest in Portland. Then They Were Tear-Gassed.
(RNS) — D.L. Mayfield is quick to admit the “wall of moms” gathered in protest in Portland, Oregon, was a publicity tactic. But it also had an important goal. She wants people to understand that the purpose of the group is to show solidarity as allies — but, ultimately, to focus attention on the Black […]
The Quiet Desegregation of Glorieta Baptist Assembly
SANTA FE, N.M. (BP) — Many Southern Baptists are familiar with Annie Armstrong, founder of the Woman’s Missionary Union and the namesake of the North American Mission Board’s annual Easter offering. Fewer know of Annie Filmore, a 20th century pioneer of Baptist missions, who was initially denied fellowship with Armstrong’s WMU because of the color […]
House OKs Repeal of Trump Travel Ban Decried as Anti-Muslim
The House on Wednesday voted to repeal the Trump administration’s travel ban and further restrict the president’s power to limit entry to the U.S., a symbolic victory for Muslim American and civil rights groups. The bill, which passed the Democrat-controlled House 233-183, had initially been slated for action in March, before the coronavirus forced scheduling changes […]
John Lewis, Preaching Politician & Civil Rights Activist, Dies at 80
(RNS) — Rep. John Lewis, the longtime civil rights activist, congressman, and ordained Baptist minister who preached about getting in “good trouble,” died Friday (July 17) at the age of 80. A founding member and former chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Lewis was among the demonstrators beaten by police after walking across the […]
What’s in a Name?
Republished from Word & Way Our nation finds itself at a critical moment of wrestling. And it might just lead to a biblical moment. But will Christians lead the way? In Genesis 32, Jacob wrestles all night with a mysterious being. It could’ve ended with him giving up. Instead, he kept wrestling and seeking a […]
