State News
arizona
Apr 7, 2022: Pheonix New Times: Too Close for Comfort: The Ku Klux Klan's Global Headquarters is in Glendale
The global headquarters of the Aryan Nations Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is hidden in plain sight, not in some part of the country you might expect, but right here in metro Phoenix.
The KKK evokes images of mass rallies and terrorizing Black churches in the South, but today it's a far cry from the violent, secret fraternal society founded in Pulaski, Tennessee, on Christmas Eve 1865 to resist the emancipation of slaves.
The global headquarters of the Aryan Nations Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is hidden in plain sight, not in some part of the country you might expect, but right here in metro Phoenix.
The KKK evokes images of mass rallies and terrorizing Black churches in the South, but today it's a far cry from the violent, secret fraternal society founded in Pulaski, Tennessee, on Christmas Eve 1865 to resist the emancipation of slaves.
florida
Apr 19, 2022: Church Leaders: Celebration Church Pastor Announces Resignation Amid Bitter Legal Dispute
Stovall Weems, who on Jan. 7 was suspended as the senior pastor of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Fla., announced on Instagram Monday night that he was resigning from his positions at the church effective immediately. Weems’ resignation comes in the middle of a bitter legal dispute with Celebration Church.
Stovall Weems, who on Jan. 7 was suspended as the senior pastor of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Fla., announced on Instagram Monday night that he was resigning from his positions at the church effective immediately. Weems’ resignation comes in the middle of a bitter legal dispute with Celebration Church.
March 6, 2022:
Rev James Wigton; pastor at First Baptist Church of Cape Coral in Florida wrote the following in a column a local paper there called the News-Press"
"The News Press carried a guest commentary on Oct. 17 (C.A. Farrington, Bible’s truth about a fetus, abortion) advocating that “there is nothing in the Bible to indicate that a fetus is considered to be anything other than living tissue,” and that the fetus does not become a living being until after it has taken its first “breath.” The author claims biblical support for this position. The author further claims that the Old Testament provides for a “ritual” abortion.
Nothing could be further from the truth – if you believe the Bible as I do."
The quote that caught my immediate attention was "..if you believe as I do." So, if you dont believe like he does, then it's Ok to accept the position he is trying to criticize?? The 9 words he chose leaves a lot of room for interpretation. As a believer ...... assuming he is...then truth is truth whether anyone else believes it or not.....in fact, truth is truth even if no one believes it. I didnt bother to read the rest because his truth appears to be subjective and truth is not subjective.
Rev James Wigton; pastor at First Baptist Church of Cape Coral in Florida wrote the following in a column a local paper there called the News-Press"
"The News Press carried a guest commentary on Oct. 17 (C.A. Farrington, Bible’s truth about a fetus, abortion) advocating that “there is nothing in the Bible to indicate that a fetus is considered to be anything other than living tissue,” and that the fetus does not become a living being until after it has taken its first “breath.” The author claims biblical support for this position. The author further claims that the Old Testament provides for a “ritual” abortion.
Nothing could be further from the truth – if you believe the Bible as I do."
The quote that caught my immediate attention was "..if you believe as I do." So, if you dont believe like he does, then it's Ok to accept the position he is trying to criticize?? The 9 words he chose leaves a lot of room for interpretation. As a believer ...... assuming he is...then truth is truth whether anyone else believes it or not.....in fact, truth is truth even if no one believes it. I didnt bother to read the rest because his truth appears to be subjective and truth is not subjective.
kansas
Feb 1, 2022: Christian Post: UMC megachurch touts benefits of online worship, says it makes ‘Gospel more available’
“Every week, [Resurrection Senior] Pastor Adam [Hamilton] meets somebody who has never walked into our physical doors before but has been worshiping online with us,” Kirk explained.
“Every week, [Resurrection Senior] Pastor Adam [Hamilton] meets somebody who has never walked into our physical doors before but has been worshiping online with us,” Kirk explained.
Louisiana
June 8, 2022: Christianity Daily: Conservative Baptist Network's Pastor Brad Jurkovich Must Turn Over Financial Records Amid Controversy: Judge
A Louisiana pastor and his church are in the midst of a controversy involving finances and bylaws at First Baptist Church.
Church members at First Baptist Church in Bossier, Louisiana have filed a lawsuit against the church, alleging that Conservative Baptist Network Pastor Brad Jurkovich had diverted funds allotted for missions to a conservative Baptist group. Now, the church has been ordered to submit almost a decade's worth of financial records to its former members.
A Louisiana pastor and his church are in the midst of a controversy involving finances and bylaws at First Baptist Church.
Church members at First Baptist Church in Bossier, Louisiana have filed a lawsuit against the church, alleging that Conservative Baptist Network Pastor Brad Jurkovich had diverted funds allotted for missions to a conservative Baptist group. Now, the church has been ordered to submit almost a decade's worth of financial records to its former members.
Jan 28, 2022: Baptist Message: Bahamian church campus nearly restored
A Louisiana Baptist-led effort to help St. Matthew Baptist Church rebuild three years after Hurricane Dorian leveled their facility is nearing completion.
A Louisiana Baptist-led effort to help St. Matthew Baptist Church rebuild three years after Hurricane Dorian leveled their facility is nearing completion.
massachusetts
Feb 28, 2022: Christian Post: Supreme Court rejects Christian college’s bid to halt pro-LGBT professor's discrimination lawsuit
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal from a Christian college in Massachusetts that tried to use a ministerial exception to end a lawsuit by a former professor whom lower courts ruled could sue for alleged discrimination.
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal from a Christian college in Massachusetts that tried to use a ministerial exception to end a lawsuit by a former professor whom lower courts ruled could sue for alleged discrimination.
mississippi
Jan 11, 2022: The Baptist Paper: Construction of Mississippi mosque approved
A federal court has approved a consent decree that will allow developers to construct the Abraham Church of God and Cemetery, the first Islamic mosque in the city of Horn Lake in DeSoto County, Mississippi, over the initial objections of local officials.
A federal court has approved a consent decree that will allow developers to construct the Abraham Church of God and Cemetery, the first Islamic mosque in the city of Horn Lake in DeSoto County, Mississippi, over the initial objections of local officials.
New Jersey
Feb 2, 2022: New Jersey Monitor: Fueled by faith, new Assemblyman vows to ‘keep God first’
The Rev. Reginald W. Atkins’ roots in religion run deep.
In Newark, where he grew up, he bought a bar and turned it into a church, becoming its senior pastor at age 28.
The Rev. Reginald W. Atkins’ roots in religion run deep.
In Newark, where he grew up, he bought a bar and turned it into a church, becoming its senior pastor at age 28.
new york
May 20, 2022: The Christian Beat: Hezekiah Walker Brings Comfort & Hope To Buffalo With Inspirational Concert May 22
Hezekiah Walker’s music is part of the soundtrack of the African American church, and it is in the most challenging times that communities look to the church for comfort.
In the aftermath of the tragic shooting in Buffalo, New York, Hezekiah Walker received a call from city officials to help their community heal.
Hezekiah Walker’s music is part of the soundtrack of the African American church, and it is in the most challenging times that communities look to the church for comfort.
In the aftermath of the tragic shooting in Buffalo, New York, Hezekiah Walker received a call from city officials to help their community heal.
Mar 7, 2022: Christian Leaders: Cuomo Uses Brooklyn Church Pulpit to Defend Himself Against Sexual Harassment Allegations
Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, appeared at God’s Battalion of Prayer Church in Brooklyn, N.Y., Sunday where he defended himself against allegations that he had sexually harassed multiple women. In his first public appearance since his resignation, Cuomo claimed he had been canceled and said that God and “the Good Book” had been guiding him.
Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, appeared at God’s Battalion of Prayer Church in Brooklyn, N.Y., Sunday where he defended himself against allegations that he had sexually harassed multiple women. In his first public appearance since his resignation, Cuomo claimed he had been canceled and said that God and “the Good Book” had been guiding him.
tennessee
The IRS has received a complaint from a church-state watchdog group concerning the pastor's sermon in which he forbade Christians to vote for Democrats.
A nonprofit organization called Americans United for Separation of Church and State has filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service or IRS on Monday over Pastor Greg Locke's recent Sunday sermon at Global Vision Bible Church of Mount Juliet in Tennessee, which they believed violated the Johnson Amendment. This provision in the U.S. tax code prohibits 501 non-profit organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Churches that meet certain requirements are classified as 501 non-profit organizations. -Christianity Daily: IRS Pressured To Investigate Pastor Greg Locke For Telling Church Not To Vote Democrat
A nonprofit organization called Americans United for Separation of Church and State has filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service or IRS on Monday over Pastor Greg Locke's recent Sunday sermon at Global Vision Bible Church of Mount Juliet in Tennessee, which they believed violated the Johnson Amendment. This provision in the U.S. tax code prohibits 501 non-profit organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Churches that meet certain requirements are classified as 501 non-profit organizations. -Christianity Daily: IRS Pressured To Investigate Pastor Greg Locke For Telling Church Not To Vote Democrat
texas
Feb 4, 2022: Baptist Press: Churches not holy huddles; ‘We’re an army,’ Pitman says
One-hundred twenty. Vance Pitman wants Southern Baptists of Texas Convention churches to understand two significant things about that number: it’s the size of the crowd that took Jesus seriously when He first delivered His mission, and the size of the average SBTC church. In fact, a majority of churches affiliated with the state convention have an average attendance of 120 or fewer
One-hundred twenty. Vance Pitman wants Southern Baptists of Texas Convention churches to understand two significant things about that number: it’s the size of the crowd that took Jesus seriously when He first delivered His mission, and the size of the average SBTC church. In fact, a majority of churches affiliated with the state convention have an average attendance of 120 or fewer
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virginia
Jan 24, 2022: Religious Liberty TV: A Concept in Common: Are Sunday Blue Laws Making a Comeback?
On Monday, January 24, 2022, the Virginia state senate voted 29 to 11 (SB8) to allow people to hunt on Sundays on public or private land, so long as it takes place more than 200 yards from a place of worship.
On Monday, January 24, 2022, the Virginia state senate voted 29 to 11 (SB8) to allow people to hunt on Sundays on public or private land, so long as it takes place more than 200 yards from a place of worship.
washington
Mar 5, 2022: Christian Post: NFL greats rally behind high school coach fired for postgame prayer amid Supreme Court battle
Numerous “friend-of-the-court” briefs have been filed in the case Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, in which former Seattle-area football coach Joe Kennedy is seeking to reverse a lower court decision that allowed the school district to fire him because fans and students could see him take a knee in silent prayer at the 50-yard line after football games.
Numerous “friend-of-the-court” briefs have been filed in the case Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, in which former Seattle-area football coach Joe Kennedy is seeking to reverse a lower court decision that allowed the school district to fire him because fans and students could see him take a knee in silent prayer at the 50-yard line after football games.
west virginia
Feb 9, 2022: NPR: Students walk out at West Virginia school after Christian revival
Between calculus and European history classes at a West Virginia public high school, 16-year-old Cameron Mays and his classmates were told by their teacher to go to an evangelical Christian revival assembly.
Between calculus and European history classes at a West Virginia public high school, 16-year-old Cameron Mays and his classmates were told by their teacher to go to an evangelical Christian revival assembly.
