ALABAMA
Aug 18, 2023: The Alabama Baptist: Deal with the Problems of the Self by the Cross through the Exercise of our Spirit
When Alabama’s Neal Hughes was elected chair of the second presidential search team for the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee on June 1, he consistently stated a commitment to “due diligence” in the process.
That commitment allowed a potentially scandalous situation related to Willie McLaurin to be handled prior to a nomination, vote and likely election as the next SBC EC president.
McLaurin, considered the recent frontrunner in the presidential search, resigned from his role as interim president and CEO on Aug. 17, effective immediately.
Effective Aug. 18, Jonathan Howe, EC vice president for communications, stepped into the role temporarily.
McLaurin’s resignation came in response to the search committee’s discovery of falsified academic credentials on his current resumé.
When Alabama’s Neal Hughes was elected chair of the second presidential search team for the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee on June 1, he consistently stated a commitment to “due diligence” in the process.
That commitment allowed a potentially scandalous situation related to Willie McLaurin to be handled prior to a nomination, vote and likely election as the next SBC EC president.
McLaurin, considered the recent frontrunner in the presidential search, resigned from his role as interim president and CEO on Aug. 17, effective immediately.
Effective Aug. 18, Jonathan Howe, EC vice president for communications, stepped into the role temporarily.
McLaurin’s resignation came in response to the search committee’s discovery of falsified academic credentials on his current resumé.
July 27, 2023: Christian Post: Church of the Highlands founder Chris Hodges denies ‘engineering’ takeover of Celebration Church
Founder and leader of Church of the Highlands in Alabama, Chris Hodges, has dismissed claims in a lawsuit by Celebration Church founders Stovall and Kerri Weems that he, along with several other high-profile members of the Association of Related Churches, engineered a takeover of the megachurch for financial gain and damaged the couple's reputation.
Founder and leader of Church of the Highlands in Alabama, Chris Hodges, has dismissed claims in a lawsuit by Celebration Church founders Stovall and Kerri Weems that he, along with several other high-profile members of the Association of Related Churches, engineered a takeover of the megachurch for financial gain and damaged the couple's reputation.
June 20, 2023: Freedom From Religion Foundation: FFRF raises concerns over taxpayer-funded Christian foster compound in Alabama
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is raising the alarm about a Christian foster farm in Alabama.
FFRF has been informed that “Freedom Farm,” a Christian foster care community, has been seeking taxpayer funds to fulfill its Christian mission and construct a new compound, which includes a chapel. The founder of Freedom Farm has explained:
“This idea was something that God laid on my heart maybe 25 or 30 years ago… There’s ability and availability. I’m a surgeon, not an expert in foster care at all. God has called me to do this so I’ve offered him my obedience and availability and I’ve prayed someone will come on with the ability and that is happening… the greatest example of hope is the cross of Christ.”
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is raising the alarm about a Christian foster farm in Alabama.
FFRF has been informed that “Freedom Farm,” a Christian foster care community, has been seeking taxpayer funds to fulfill its Christian mission and construct a new compound, which includes a chapel. The founder of Freedom Farm has explained:
“This idea was something that God laid on my heart maybe 25 or 30 years ago… There’s ability and availability. I’m a surgeon, not an expert in foster care at all. God has called me to do this so I’ve offered him my obedience and availability and I’ve prayed someone will come on with the ability and that is happening… the greatest example of hope is the cross of Christ.”
Feb 27, 2023: 1819 News: Dothan pastor, Al Sharpton half-brother Kenneth Glasgow facing up to 20 years after pleading guilty to tax evasion, mail fraud, drug conspiracy
Reverend Al Sharpton's half-brother Kenneth Glasgow is facing up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion, mail fraud and drug conspiracy charges on Friday.
Glasgow, a pastor and founder of two non-profits in Dothan, entered a plea deal in Montgomery federal court to avoid a trial that was set to start in March.
Reverend Al Sharpton's half-brother Kenneth Glasgow is facing up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion, mail fraud and drug conspiracy charges on Friday.
Glasgow, a pastor and founder of two non-profits in Dothan, entered a plea deal in Montgomery federal court to avoid a trial that was set to start in March.
Feb 24, 2023: Alabama Baptist News: Thomaston Baptist calls new pastor
Mike Snow is the new pastor of Thomaston Baptist Church. He previously served four years as associational mission strategist of Bethel Baptist Association. He also served as pastor of Sardis Baptist Church, Thomaston.
He is a graduate of New Orleans Seminary. He and his wife, Allison, have one adult son.
Mike Snow is the new pastor of Thomaston Baptist Church. He previously served four years as associational mission strategist of Bethel Baptist Association. He also served as pastor of Sardis Baptist Church, Thomaston.
He is a graduate of New Orleans Seminary. He and his wife, Allison, have one adult son.
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Jan 25, 2023: Catholic News Agency: Alabama governor adds another layer of protection to religious freedom
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, signed an executive order Friday to protect religious freedom in the state. The executive order ensures the enforcement of the Alabama Religious Freedom Amendment. Passed by the state Legislature in 1998, the amendment to the state constitution guarantees the freedom from government coercion in violation of one’s religion to all individuals and businesses holding state licenses as well as all state contractors, employees, and grant and benefits recipients. |
“As I have promised, under my watch, our state government will always reflect the values of our people,” Ivey, who has served as governor since 2017, said. “Religious freedom is the cornerstone of the American way of life, and as governor, I will always protect the rights of Alabamians and ensure they are free to exercise their beliefs as provided in the Constitution.” -Catholic News Agency 1.25.23 |
Dec 28, 2022: 1819 News: Anti-Christian violence on the rise in the U.S. — Five Alabama churches attacked since 2018
Though populous states like California, New York and Texas saw the most incidents during this period, Alabama, despite being one of the most religious states in the country, still made it on the list.
Individuals attempted to start three fires at Bolling Methodist Church in Butler County during the summer of 2018 and even carved a pentagram in one of the church pews. A pentagram is a symbol widely associated with Satanism.
In August 2019, vandals broke into the Maranatha Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Montgomery, damaging the church’s sound system and overturning the pulpit and pews.
In October 2021, four minors vandalized St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church in Somerville, damaging the pews, tables, couches and pianos.
The First Baptist Church in Montgomery fell victim to arson in 2021. The arsonist lit multiple fires in the church building, causing damage to the property.
This past summer, a gunman opened fire during a potluck dinner at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, resulting in three deaths. Before police arrived at the scene, a church member stopped the gunman from inflicting further damage by striking him with a chair. According to reports, the state is now seeking the death penalty for the suspect.
Though populous states like California, New York and Texas saw the most incidents during this period, Alabama, despite being one of the most religious states in the country, still made it on the list.
Individuals attempted to start three fires at Bolling Methodist Church in Butler County during the summer of 2018 and even carved a pentagram in one of the church pews. A pentagram is a symbol widely associated with Satanism.
In August 2019, vandals broke into the Maranatha Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Montgomery, damaging the church’s sound system and overturning the pulpit and pews.
In October 2021, four minors vandalized St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church in Somerville, damaging the pews, tables, couches and pianos.
The First Baptist Church in Montgomery fell victim to arson in 2021. The arsonist lit multiple fires in the church building, causing damage to the property.
This past summer, a gunman opened fire during a potluck dinner at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, resulting in three deaths. Before police arrived at the scene, a church member stopped the gunman from inflicting further damage by striking him with a chair. According to reports, the state is now seeking the death penalty for the suspect.
May 20, 2022: AP: Religious backers of abortion rights say God’s on their side
It was lunch hour at the abortion clinic, so the nurse in the recovery room got her Bible out of her bag in the closet and began to read.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding,” her favorite proverb says, and she returns to it again and again. “He will make your paths straight.”
She believes God led her here, to a job at the West Alabama Women’s Center, tending to patients who’ve just had abortions. “I trust in God,” said Ramona, who asked that her last name not be used because of the volatility of America’s abortion debate.
It was lunch hour at the abortion clinic, so the nurse in the recovery room got her Bible out of her bag in the closet and began to read.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding,” her favorite proverb says, and she returns to it again and again. “He will make your paths straight.”
She believes God led her here, to a job at the West Alabama Women’s Center, tending to patients who’ve just had abortions. “I trust in God,” said Ramona, who asked that her last name not be used because of the volatility of America’s abortion debate.