News

The annual human rights report by the U.S. State Department has cited increased repression in countries around the world, including China and North Korea.

The call for human rights scrutiny of Iran is a longstanding one, panelists said at a hearing of the congressional Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.

This Baptist Press Q&A answers some common questions about the health care bill's abortion coverage.

The Georgia Baptist Convention's executive committee has unanimously adopted a statement asking the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force to strengthen its language assuring that the Cooperative Program remain the dominant funding channel for Southern Baptist causes.

Two leaders of the California Southern Baptist Convention have voiced their support for proposals of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force although the GCR report could signal financial struggle for the state convention.

Illinois Baptist State Association executive director Nate Adams gives his thought on the GCR Task Force report.

Columnist Peter Lumpkins concludes his three-part series on alcohol and the church.

Contact: Jon Hirst, The Well, 719-362-5235, jhirst@dotheword.org ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., March 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- A house church meeting in Gilbert, AZ recently received a violation notice after a code compliance officer noticed nearby signs advertising the church group's Sunday service. Building codes in the city prohibit religious gatherings of any size, including Bible-studies, to meet in private residential homes. House church leader Ken Eastburn commented on the irony of the mat Source: .W

"Glasspool's election is the next step in the Episcopal Church's liberalizing trajectory." --Jeff Walton, Director of IRD's Anglican Action Program Contact: Kristen Seda, Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131, 202-413-5639 cell, kseda@TheIRD.org WASHINGTON, March 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- A controversial candidate for bishop in the U.S. Episcopal Church has received the necessary approval, according to the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. Following her December electio Source: Institute on Religion & Democracy

SBA List President Dannenfelser: Congressman Oberstar joins with NARAL, NOW, and Planned Parenthood in Supporting Pro-abortion Healthcare Reform Contact: Mallory Quigley, Susan B. Anthony List, 703-380-6674, mquigley@sba-list.org WASHINGTON, March 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- In response to news reports that Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) is a decided "yes" vote for the Senate version of Healthcare reform legislation; Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser offered the follo Source: Susan B. Anthony List

Reclaiming Oklahoma for Christ will be joined by Oklahoman's Against CAIR Hate to Protest the Council on American-Islamic Relations Annual Banquet Contact: Pastor Paul Blair, 405-348-1745 OKLAHOMA CITY, March 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Tuesday, March 23rd, Reclaiming Oklahoma for Christ will be hosting a conference at Trinity Baptist Church in Yukon to educate the Oklahoma public about the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). CAIR of Oklahoma will be holding its annual banque Source: Reclaiming America for Christ

SBA List President Dannenfelser: Congressman Kildee's Support for Pro-abortion Healthcare Reform is the Ultimate Betrayal Contact: Mallory Quigley, Susan B. Anthony List, 703-380-6674, mquigley@sba-list.org   WASHINGTON, March 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- In response to a letter sent from Rep. Dale Kildee to his colleagues today announcing his support of the abortion expansion language and the Senate Healthcare bill, Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelse Source: Susan B. Anthony List

Contact: Karole Davis, Sky Angel, 239-963-3265 MEDIA ADVISORY, March 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- Sky Angel, a national provider of faith-based and family-friendly television and radio programming (www.skyangel.com), announces the addition of Daystar Television Network to their Faith TV channel lineup. The network can now be viewed on Channel 111. Daystar Television Network is the fastest-growing and second largest Christian television network in the world. With a mission to reach souls wit Source: Sky Angel US, LLC

Contact: Ruth Lewis Bentley, Ph.D., Administrative Executive Director, National Black Evangelical Association, 312-733-1516 CHICAGO, March 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- In an ongoing effort to assert the unity of their African identity, Black Evangelicals from across the country will gather in Chicago for their 47th-year convention: "Koinonia 2010!" They will meet from April 14-17 (Wednesday through Saturday), at the Hilton Oak Lawn Hotel, a southwest Chicago suburb located at 94th and Cicero Source: National Black Evangelical Association

N.J. Governor Chris Christie Propses Complete Elimination of Funding for Family Planning in the FY 2011 N.J. State Budget Contact: Marie Tasy, Executive Director, New Jersey Right to Life, 732-562-0562, mtasy@njrtl.org MEDIA ADVISORY, March 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- Since the 1970's, NJ family planning agencies run by Planned Parenthood, have been receiving millions of taxpayer dollars from the state budget. The amount of funding these groups received had nearly doubled since 2002. Dur Source: New Jersey Right to Life

Contact: Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, 540-538-4741, 202-547-1735 WASHINGTON, March 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Christian Defense Coalition is mobilizing scores to turn out and send a clear message to the President that abortion is not health care and public funds should not be used to crush human life. The group is telling people to get there early and bring, signs, banners and posters declaring health care should be about healing and compassion not killing and brutality. The doors op Source: Christian Defense Coalition

A pro-life effort to prohibit funding of abortion in health-care reform failed in the House of Representatives Budget Committee March 15.

Young adults ages 18-29 who once were among the top supporters of legalized abortion now are its leading opponents when compared to other age groups, according to a Gallup analysis of survey trends since the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade decision.

After his wife's death, North American Mission Board worker Louis Spears continues to plant much-needed congregations in Arizona, reaching an area where about 70 percent of residents don't know Christ.

An apology has been extended by International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin to SBC Executive Committee President Morris H. Chapman for stating that Chapman viewed cooperation among Southern Baptists as more important than fulfilling the Great Commission.