Calif. bill could bar Bible’s teaching on sexuality
WASHINGTON (BP) — Southern Baptists and other religious conservatives are warning a bill making its way through the California legislature would violate free speech and religious freedom protections by prohibiting biblical teaching on sexuality. The California Assembly passed in a 50-18 vote April 19 an amendment that adds “sexual orientation change efforts” to the categories of activities barred by the state’s...
Cabrera to be 2nd VP nominee
DALLAS (BP)—Oklahoma pastor Felix Cabrera will be nominated for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Alabama pastor Ed Litton announced. A Puerto Rico native, Cabrera planted Spanish-speaking Oklahoma City, Iglesia Bautista Central (IBC) in 2015 and has seen the congregation grow from about 12 in worship attendance to more than 200, according to information released by the church. Cabrera also is co-founder of the...
‘Fragments of Truth’ film to examine: Can we trust the Bible?
There have always been skeptics who questioned the Bible’s accuracy. But evangelical scholar Craig Evans says the skeptics today are “louder” and “noisier” than they were in previous generations. They’re also – he says – influencing what average Christians think. Evans, though, hopes that an upcoming film can assist Christians who are having doubts about the Bible. Called Fragments of Truth, it will release in theaters April 24 for...
Greear, Hemphill rally prayer, civility amid transitions
NASHVILLE (BP)—Amid two Southern Baptist Convention entity leadership searches and upcoming national SBC elections, both SBC presidential candidates have issued a joint call for prayer, grace and civility. J.D. Greear and Ken Hemphill, both tapped as 2018 nominees for SBC president, made the joint appeal as the International Mission Board (IMB) and the SBC Executive Committee (EC) are tasked with finding new entity leaders. In the...
SBC Dallas: Gaines urges ‘genuine unity of spirit’
DALLAS (BP) — Going into this year’s annual meeting as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Steve Gaines acknowledged Southern Baptists face some critical decisions in the days and months ahead. “Obviously, we face the challenge of seeking new leaders to fill two of our most important leadership roles — the President of the International Mission Board and the CEO of the SBC Executive Committee,”...
2018 SBC annual meeting program released
DALLAS (BP) — The 2018 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting will convene at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas on Tuesday, June 12, at 8:15 a.m. and conclude Wednesday, June 13, at 4:55 p.m. A full schedule follows. TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE 12 8:15 — Opening Worship — Mark Blair, Convention music director; music minister, Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, Tenn. 8:25 — Welcome and Call to...
