Missionary Lawyer Wanted

The lawyer for American missionaries held in Haiti faces charges in El Salvador.

Dobson's Last Broadcast

What James Dobson had to say as he leaves Focus on the Family: The Colorado Gazzette, The Washington Post, NPR.

Accidental Link

Parents in Provo, Utah are upset over a link on the Alpine School District's Web site that went to a essay by William Meyers. His ideas include the belief that Jesus is one in a long string of "historic vampires." The link has since been removed and district officials say it was an accident. This is just the latest in a string of controversies between parents of students in the district and school officials.

Accused Arsonist Discovery

One of the men arrested for a string of church arsons in east Texas had books on demons and atheism in his home. Jason Bourque also carved an upside-down cross topped by flames into the bathroom wall at Little Hope Baptist Church - the first of 11 churches that were torched.

Game Merger

Two Christian video game makers, Digital Praise and Left Behind Games, are merging. Digital Praise has produced Adventures in Odyssey, Guitar Praise and Dance Praise.

Copeland Wins Tax Battle

A northern Texas tax appraisal district is backing down on its demands on Kenneth Copeland Ministries. Tax officials have agreed to exempt Copeland's $3 million jet from property taxes and drop its demand that the ministry reveal the salaries of its directors.

IRS Asked to Investigate Liberty

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is asking the IRS to look into whether Jerry Falwell's Liberty University violated its nonprofit status by using the university's student newspaper to influence the outcome of an election for the state's House of Delegates. The watchdog group did the same thing last year when the school revoked the status of the student Democratic Party club then changed its rules the next month.

Ancient Wall Discovered

Israeli archaeologists say they have uncovered a wall that dates to the 10th century BCE in Jerusalem. That's the period of King Solomon and the major construction on the First Temple as described in the Bible. The massive wall is more than 200 feet long and 32 feet high. A gatehouse and tower was also discovered. One of the archaeologists says it fits with the Biblical descriptions of King Solomon's construction in Jerusalem. The effort is being conducted by a team from Hebrew University, the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

Disabled children "God’s Punishment"?

A Virginia politician has created an uproar by saying last week that disabled children are God’s punishment to women who aborted their first pregnancies. Prince William County delegate Bob Marshall made the comments during a press conference in opposition to state funding for Planned Parenthood. Marshall’s office says his comments have been taken out of context. Marshall has issued a statement here.

Church Burglaries

A half dozen churches in the Winchester, Indiana area have been burglarized in the last two months. This morning, someone stole equipment from the New Lisbon Church of Christ and the Jericho Church. Burglaries took place in December at South Salem Church of Christ, in January at the Pleasant Hill Church and earlier this month at the Trinity Lutheran Church and the Community Fellowship Church.

Accused Texas Arsonists Under Arrest

Star Spangled Ban

An Indiana college is lifting its ban on the national anthem after more than a century. The Star Spangled Banner was forbidden at Goshen College which is associated with the Mennonite Church. Goshen College will begin playing an instrumental version of the national anthem before some sporting events. Some at the school complain it puts love for county above love for God. Some 900 people have joined the Facebook group Against Goshen College Playing National Anthem. Mennonites are pacifists and have historically avoided the song because its lyrics describe using war and military might to defend the country. But nearly half of the student body is not Mennonite.

Accused Arsonists Behind Bars

Texas authorities are charging two men with a string of church fires in the eastern part of the state. Jason Robert Bourque and Daniel George McAllister were arrested today and charged with setting a fire at the Dover Baptist Church in Tyler. Officials believe they may be connected to nine other church fires set since January first that have caused millions of dollars in damages. The pair is being held on a $10 million bond.

New Prez at Wheaton

Wheaton College has a new president. The Evangelical school has appointed Philip Ryken to the position. He's senior pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia and begins July first. Wheaton, Illinois is Ryken's hometown and he graduated from the college. in 1988. He holds a bachelor's degree in English literature and philosophy from Wheaton, a Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania and a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Oxford.