HOUSTON (AP) - Southern Baptist pastors from around the nation are meeting in Houston in advance of their denomination's annual conference starting Tuesday.
The Southern Baptist Convention, with nearly 16 million members, remains the nation's largest Protestant denomination, but membership declined slightly last year and baptisms fell by 5.5 percent.
At the pastors conference Sunday evening, Pastor Gregg Matte of Houston's First Baptist Church said, "Our country is in trouble, our churches are in trouble, our pastors are in trouble." He said, "We need more Jesus."
Southern Baptists are expected to pass a resolution urging congregations to end their sponsorship of Boy Scout troops now that gay youths will be allowed to join. Church leaders also are worried about growing acceptance of gay marriage and government requiring some religious institutions to provide contraception coverage.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Afghan authorities say a battle with insurgents near Kabul's international airport has ended and all the attackers have been killed. A Ministry of Interior spokesman says two civilians were wounded in Monday's attack that was apparently targeting NATO's airport headquarters. The attackers had rocket-propelled grenades, assault rifles and at least one large bomb.
A deputy Kabul police chief says there were seven attackers. Two blew themselves up with suicide vests and five were shot and killed by police.
It was unclear if the attack had damaged facilities inside the airport. The attackers had taken over a four- to five- story building under construction nearby.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
It was the latest in a series of attacks against the capital this year.
JERUSALEM (AP) — A senior Israeli official says the government will not agree to the borders that the Palestinians are demanding for an independent state.
Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon said Israel would not let such a state be established within the regional boundaries that existed prior to the 1967 Mideast war. Palestinians want east Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza — territories captured by Israel in that war. Danon's remarks were broadcast on Israel Radio Sunday.
His remarks came ahead of another visit by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to the region this week.
The government has distanced itself from similar comments made by Danon last week.
Israel's chief negotiator Tzipi Livni told the station Sunday she was hopeful talks will resume with the Palestinians despite "elements" within the Israeli government.
Latest News
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Storm debris pick up in St. Charles ends next week
St. Charles County officials say the last day for storm debris pickup is a week from today. Residents can place fallen tree limbs at the curb in impacted area east of Highway 94, n...
Convicted sex offender charged for another sex crime
A man, already on the sex offender registry, is facing charges for allegedly molesting a 10-year old boy. Douglas Hahn was convicted of sodomizing two girls in St. Louis County in...
Illinois lawmakers plan to form committee to examine pe…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois lawmakers have convened a special session in Springfield, where they're expected to move ahead with plans to form a committee to deal with pension...
Arrest made in Kirkwood murder case
19-year-old Nicholas Lunceford is in custody connected to the murder a murder in the Village of Marlborough. Police believe that Lunceford shot and killed 18-year-old Brandon Rich...
St. Louis group gets grant to provide job training to i…
ST. LOUIS (AP) - A St. Louis organization is getting a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide job training for inmates. Federal officials on Wednesday ann...
Former judge fills vacant St. Clair County position
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) - A one-time appellate court judge is being appointed to fill a vacant St. Clair County court position after the judge who once held the job resigned over...
Advocates say Metro East customers overpaying smartphon…
Customers in the Metro East are overpaying by $300 million dollars a year for their smartphone plans. The study was released by the Citizens Utility Board in cooperation with wirel...
OBAMA: 'LIVES HAVE BEEN SAVED' BY NSA PROGRAMS
BERLIN (AP) — Trying to tamp down concerns about government over-reach, President Barack Obama on Wednesday defended U.S. Internet and phone surveillance programs as narrowly targe...
