A Kentucky church plant is helping newcomers to America transition to new lives that the church hopes will include serving Christ.

ASHLAND, Ky. (BP) -- A Baptist marathon runner who has raised more than $50,000 during the past year for an African mission has set an ambitious new goal. She plans to run eight marathons in eight months in eight states in what promises to be a grueling fundraising initiative.       Amy Compston, a member of Unity Baptist Church in Ashland, Ky., wants to raise an additional $45,000 this year for a ministry serving people in the small town of Moyo, Uganda.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) -- Major secular newspapers have run stories in recent weeks focusing on why a proposal to legalize casino gambling didn't make it out of Kentucky's General Assembly again this year. They appeared to conclude that strong Baptist influence in Frankfort doomed the idea.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) -- The Kentucky Baptist Convention Mission Board is asking churches across the state to help support Sunrise Children's Services after the agency saw a major decline in annual giving last November while embroiled in controversy regarding a recommendation to hire gay employees.