By Diana Chandler Baptist Press BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Free hotel shuttles and park and ride services are among conveniences available to attendees of the Southern Baptist Convention 2019 Annual Meeting and related events June 9-12 in Birmingham, Ala. Fifteen free shuttle routes will service hotels contracted for SBC attendees, and park and ride services with free parking will include three locations, convention manager Bill Townes told Baptist Press.

In addition to eliminating the use of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, other potential ramifications of the proposed Equality Act, HR 5 could also develop. The pro-life Susan B. Anthony (SBA) List also warned the Equality Act could expand abortion rights by its inclusion of “pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition” in the definition of “sex.” At least one federal circuit court has held “the term ‘related medical condition’

By Diana Chandler Baptist Press AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas House of Representatives has passed a bill shielding from civil liability churches that disclose credible sexual abuse allegations — but the bill has only 17 days to pass the Senate this legislative session. Representatives May 8 unanimously approved House Bill 4345, assigned today (May 10) to the Senate State Affairs committee. The House bill would protect charitable organizations, their volunteers

By Art Toalston Baptist Press GALVESTON, Texas — A San Antonio church has been removed from the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention for retaining a pastor listed on the Texas Public Sex Offender Registry. The action involving New Spirit Baptist Church was taken by the SBTC’s Executive Board during an April 22-23 meeting in Galveston, the Southern Baptist TEXAN reported May 2.

By Rachel Lynn Aldrich/WORLD Baptist Press ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, recently signed legislation that protects unborn babies from abortion once they have a detectable heartbeat, usually around six weeks of gestation. The law is scheduled take effect Jan. 1, 2020. The state currently allows abortion in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. The heartbeat law has exemptions for cases of rape and incest, danger to

By Grace Thornton Baptist Press PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The ordination process of Southern Baptist churches is a weak spot when it comes to protecting congregations from sexual predators, according to a report released May 9. The report, “Above Reproach: A Study of the Ordination Practices of SBC Churches,” was conducted by Jason A. Lowe, an associational mission strategist in Kentucky, in response to a Feb. 10 Houston Chronicle report on

By Drew Elizabeth Rushing Baptist Press BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — This year, Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) celebrates the 50th anniversary of Acteens, the missions education group for girls in grades 7–12. To kick off the celebration, WMU will bring together former Acteens to reflect on the past and look to the future on Friday, June 7. The event, Acteens for Life, will take place at national WMU headquarters in Birmingham, Ala.,