News Articles by Biblical Recorder staff

“A service like this is literally something we’ve never done before at the International Mission Board in our 178-year history,” said Chitwood.

More than 100 Christian leaders signed a letter sent July 24 to the Democratic National Committee calling for the organization to shed "abortion extremism" and embrace pro-life policies. The group urged the political party's platform committee to "recognize the inviolable human dignity of the child," citing theological, scientific and political reasons.

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (BP) -- During a special service March 4 at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, N.C., Danny Akin told attendees about new developments underway at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) and addressed rumors of an alleged leftward shift in the school's doctrinal commitments. Akin, who serves as president of the seminary, also preached a sermon during the Wednesday night gathering.

BATON ROUGE (BP) -- Louisiana pastor Christopher "Checkerz" Williams was arrested Feb. 11 after allegedly firing a handgun at an 18-wheeler in a road-rage incident on Interstate 10 in St. James Parish. The truck driver told police that Williams, 47, fired a handgun at his vehicle after Williams caused a minor crash, according to local news reports. Williams fled the scene.

FOUR OAKS, N.C. (BP) -- Stephen Morris, pastor of Oliver's Grove Baptist Church in Four Oaks, N.C., was arrested July 5 and charged with five counts of statutory rape and five counts of taking indecent liberties with a child. The victim, now 19 years old, reported the alleged crimes to police last month. The victim was 13 at the time of the abuse that allegedly occurred between June 2013 and June 2014.

CARY, N.C. (BP) -- The Biblical Recorder's board of directors has elected Seth Brown to lead North Carolina Baptists' newsjournal following the retirement of current editor-president Allan Blume. Brown is currently the organization's content editor. Gerald Hodges, chairman of the search committee, presented Brown, 33, as the committee's candidate in the board's semiannual meeting Monday (March 25).

CHARLESTON, S.C. (BP) -- K. Allan Blume, who will retire May 31 as president-editor of North Carolina's Biblical Recorder, was honored by the Association of State Baptist Publications during their Feb. 11-14 annual meeting in Charleston, S.C.

CARY, N.C. (BP) -- Mark DeMoss, founder of DeMoss, an Atlanta-based public relations firm known for high-profile, faith-based clients, plans to close March 29, according to a letter DeMoss sent to friends dated Jan. 15. DeMoss, recounting that he was diagnosed with cancer two years ago but tests now show he is cancer-free, wrote, "In addition to the gift of God's presence and physical healing during this journey, the experience motivated a season of reflection ultimately leading to both clarity and affirmation of this important decision for me." Many public relations organizations have been "reinventing themselves" and changing their business models, DeMoss wrote, but he is "not wired" to do that with his firm.

CARY, N.C. (BP) – A review of this year's top stories reveals one particular topic that seems to stand out -- change. And it is presented here as a call to pray for the many churches, organizations and individual Christians involved -- that is to say, all of us. The Southern Baptist Convention began what appears to be a season of change in 2018, signaled most noticeably by vacancies in executive leadership roles at five SBC entities. Yet, there was also a wave of other openings, transitions or announced departures in seats of influence at state and national entities, as well as local churches.

CARY, N.C. (BP) -- Allan Blume has announced his plans to retire as editor-president of the Biblical Recorder in May 2019 after completing eight years with the North Carolina Baptist newsjournal. Well-known among North Carolina churches, the longtime pastor and Baptist statesman was selected for the position in 2011 after leading Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Boone for 16 years. He also held leadership positions with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and Southern Baptist Convention. Blume also served as pastor of Statesville Avenue Baptist Church in Charlotte for 12 years and executive pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in ...