Birmingham, Ala. (BP) -- Samford University in Birmingham -- described by many as Alabama Baptists' "crown jewel" -- will no longer receive annual budget allocations from the Alabama Baptist State Convention (ABSC) after 2017. As of Jan. 1, 2018, the $3-plus million Cooperative Program allotment for Samford will be reduced from Alabama's CP budget, assuming the request to eliminate funding for Samford is approved by the State Board of Missions (SBOM) and convention messengers. This was a voluntary action taken by the school, Samford officials announced July 7.

RED BAY, Ala. (BP) -- It was a friendship that started with pure intentions. But Shea Lowery learned quickly how confiding in someone of the opposite sex while not heeding God's Word can change things forever.