DOBSON TO GIVE ENDORSEMENT

Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee had long sought the endorsement of the founder of Focus on the Family – and now he’s apparently going to get it. The Associated Press reports that James Dobson is about to endorse Huckabee’s presidential bid despite Huckabee's recent comments chastising Dobson for his comments about John McCain. Dobson says he could not go along with front-runner John McCain because of his support of embryonic stem cell research, his opposition to a federal anti-gay marriage amendment and for his use of foul language. Dobson had never endorsed a GOP presidential hopeful during the primary campaign.

FROM ANCHOR DESK TO PULPIT

A TV news anchor in Charlotte, North Carolina is leaving his job to become a pastor. Chris Justice has been serving as part-time pastor of Lee Park Baptist Church in Monroe. The father of four will stay at WCNC until April, so the station will have time to find a replacement. The news director says, “It's a blow but I can't compete with God."

HUCKABEE TAKES ISSUE WITH DOBSON

James Dobson has said he would not support Senator John McCain if he were the Republican nominee. The founder of Focus on the Family complains that McCain “voted for embryonic stem-cell research to kill nascent human beings”. But candidate Mike Huckabee says he disagrees and that conservatives who won’t support McCain are “more about themselves than they are the cause. Because there's no way that a true conservative would vote for Hillary Clinton”.

COMEDIANS FIGHT OVER HUCKABEE

Conan O'Brien, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are fighting over which one is behind the success of Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. Fueled by the writers strike that has left all three without their typical supply of material, the comedians have been appearing on each other’s shows to continue the mock feud over the past few weeks. It started with O'Brien claiming responsibility for Huckabee's campaign after the former Arkansas governor appeared on his Late Night show. Stephen Colbert has often mentioned how Huckabee has beneifited from the Colbert bump in the polls. They gathered on Monday on all three shows for a pretend fight. At the end, Huckabee appeared by satellite and said, "Let's be clear: None of these guys made me. This great nation made me. So vote for me. God bless America and forget these three idiots.”

HAGGARD DROPS OUT

Former megachurch pastor Ted Haggard has ended his "spiritual restoration" process before he was finished. He was fired from New Life Church in Colorado Springs for sexual misconduct when a former male prostitute alleged they had a cash-for-sex relationship and accused Haggard of using methamphetamine. In a statement issued by the church, leaders says Haggard should not be allowed to return to the ministry. He now lives in Phoenix.

ORU GETS INFUSION OF CASH

Mart Green is giving $70 million of his family's fortune to rescue Oral Roberts University. The evangelical school is embroiled in a financial scandal and is $45 million in debt. Televangelist Richard Roberts recently stepped down as president. Mart Green gets a spot on the university board for his generosity with money made from craft supply giant Hobby Lobby and Christian bookstore and office supply chain Mardel. He’s a member of the Assemblies of God. Forbes says Green’s net worth is $1.8 billion.

THEY SAID IT: GRISHAM

“For so long, so many Baptists have worked so hard to exclude so many.” - Best-selling author John Grisham

12 TOP EVANGELICALS IN SPORTS LIST

• Joe Gibbs - owner of champion NASCAR team, Joe Gibbs Racing, and until January 8, 2008, the head coach and team president of the Washington Redskins

• Mariano Rivera – relief pitcher for the New York Yankees who helped the team win four World Series titles throughout his career

• Derek Fisher – point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers

• Shaun Alexander – running back for the Seattle Seahawks, 2005 NFL MVP

• Allyson Felix – track and field sprinter, won three gold medals at the Outdoor World Championship in Japan in 2007

• Hunter Smith – punter for the Indianapolis Colts

• Jake Peavy – pitcher for the San Diego Padres

• Tony Dungy – coach for the Indianapolis Colts

• Curt Schilling – pitcher for the Boston Red Sox

• Tim Tebow – quarterback for the Florida Gators at the University of Florida• Michael Waltrip – driver and owner of Michael Waltrip Racing

• Zach Johnson – American golfer, won the 2007 Masters TournamentSource: beliefnet.com

MYSPACE ATHEIST SITE DELETED

mySpace has shutdown a 35,000-member site called the Atheist and Agnostic Group. At Thanksgiving this past year, hackers broke in and renamed the group's site Jesus Is Love. The site was also removed after a group of Christians organized a campaign against it.

CONTROVERSIAL PASTOR RESIGNS FROM BOARD

A controversial Oklahoma pastor has resigned as a trustee of the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board. Wade Burleson says he decided the board wasn’t getting anywhere and as a gesture of goodwill, he plans to shut down the blog that stirred controversy over board decisions. But board chairman John Floyd issued a statement saying the board is rejecting Burleson’s apology as less than genuine. Burleson blogged about a Baptist policy barring anyone from becoming missionaries of the group if they admitted to speaking in tongues. THE BLOG