Baptist Press COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Trustees for GuideStone Financial Resources gathered July 31–Aug. 1 in regular session to hear reports from GuideStone executive officers and staff about the board’s performance in key lines of business. GuideStone also honored O.S. Hawkins for 20 years as president of the Southern Baptist entity. Hawkins joined the Dallas-based ministry after having served for four years as pastor of the historic First Baptist Church,

By Diana Chandler Baptist Press ARLINGTON, Texas (BP) — Evangelicals challenge political leaders who support same-sex marriage and abortion, and they should also stand strongly against vitriolic rhetoric, violence and hatred, pastor Dwight McKissic said in a panel discussion on racial tension he hosted Aug. 20 in Arlington, Texas. Among guests on the panel was Southern Baptist Convention President Steve Gaines, who renounced racial and political hatred, saying it has

Baptist Press BARTLESVILLE, Okla. — Francine Perry and her daughter Laura recently sat down to look at family photos. As they reflected on the good times, they also could see how God was at work, especially through the difficult times — and there were many of those. On the heels of rebellious teenage years, Laura lived as a transgender man for nearly a decade of her adult life. Other than

Baptist Press SALEM, Ore. — Oregon health insurers and taxpayers will soon be paying for abortion, contraceptives, and sterilization under a new law Gov. Kate Brown has vowed to sign. The newly-passed Reproductive Health Equity Act forbids health insurance plans from imposing “a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement” for abortion, STD screening, prenatal care, post-natal care, and all forms of contraception.

Lifeway news office NASHVILLE — Jesus warned his followers to keep their good deeds secret, warning them not to seek attention when doing the right thing. American Christians seem to be following that advice. According to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research, few Americans are aware of many efforts by local Christians or churches to serve their neighbors. LifeWay Research’s survey of 1,000 Americans looked at 13 service programs

By David Roach Baptist Press (updated) NASHVILLE (BP) — Author Eugene Peterson, known for “The Message” paraphrase of Scripture, has clarified his beliefs about homosexuality, stating he affirms “a biblical view of marriage” and would not perform a same-sex wedding. In a July 13 statement released by his agent Rick Christian, Peterson said he “would like to retract” a statement published the previous day by Religion News Service that he