Adelle M. Banks
Adelle M. Banks, production editor and a national reporter, joined RNS in 1995. An award-winning journalist, she previously was the religion reporter at the Orlando Sentinel and a reporter at The Providence Journal and newspapers in the upstate New York communities of Syracuse and Binghamton.
All Stories by Adelle M. Banks
Hispanic Christians launch initiative to bolster minority student achievement
By Adelle M. Banks — September 4, 2014
(RNS) “We say that pastors and principals should meet," said Carlos Campo, chair of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference’s Hispanic Education Alliance.
Cracks in the ‘stained-glass ceiling’: Women reach prominent pulpits
By Adelle M. Banks — August 29, 2014
(RNS) It's been 40 years since the Episcopal Church first ordained women, and other denominations have long included women in their clergy ranks. Now, three prominent cities have women pastors leading historic, tall-steeple churches.
Ferguson letter from black clergy becomes interracial call for justice
By Adelle M. Banks — August 22, 2014
(RNS) The statement calls on African-American churches to memorialize Michael Brown and to elect politicians who "represent the preservation of life in ethnic communities."
After evangelical virgin guys marry, then what?
By Adelle M. Banks — August 20, 2014
(RNS) A University of Washington researcher has found that young evangelical Christian men who took a virginity pledge and had male friends who held them accountable before marriage are suddenly adrift and unable to talk to trusted friends -- and sometimes even their new wives -- about sex.
No longer behind the curve: Black churches address mental illness
By Adelle M. Banks — August 14, 2014
(RNS) As fans of Robin Williams reel from the news of his suicide, faith communities -- including the nation’s black churches -- have started to address mental illness as a crucial area of focus.
Assemblies of God turns 100, and looks to a multiethnic future
By Adelle M. Banks — August 6, 2014
(RNS) The U.S. denomination alone is a United Nations of some 3.1 million faithful -- with a membership that is 41 percent nonwhite, up from 31 percent a decade ago.
Russell Moore answers all you wanted to know about sex (but were afraid to ask)
By Adelle M. Banks — August 1, 2014
(RNS) Though he often grapples with contentious political issues, Moore has spent much of his first year at the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission as the sexual ethicist in chief.
More than 100 religious, immigration activists arrested at White House
By Adelle M. Banks — July 31, 2014
(RNS) “I think standing outside the White House will make a difference,” said Sister Eileen Campbell of the Sisters of Mercy, joining others in an act of civil disobedience to protest deportations and seek relief for 11 million immigrants living illegally in the country.
Nursing home evangelism: Preaching at the last ‘bus stop to eternity’
By Adelle M. Banks — July 23, 2014
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (RNS) Welcome to the world of nursing home evangelism, where teams of lay evangelists target senior citizens for one last chance in this life for glory in the next.
Why are evangelicals supporting immigration reform? Q&A with filmmaker Linda Midgett
By Adelle M. Banks — July 11, 2014
(RNS) Linda Midgett, producer of the documentary “The Stranger,” says some evangelicals support immigration reform because they view it “from the lens of Christ.”
Obama’s faith-based advisers divided over religious exemption for anti-gay discrimination
By Adelle M. Banks — July 8, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) “An exception would set a terrible precedent by denying true equality for LGBT people, while simultaneously opening a Pandora’s Box inviting other forms of discrimination,” more than 100 signatories wrote Tuesday in a letter to President Obama.
Judge approves settlement in Baptist children’s home case
By Adelle M. Banks — July 3, 2014
(RNS) A federal judge has approved a settlement in a 14-year legal battle over government funding of Baptist homes for children in Kentucky.
Is the black church shifting on gay marriage?: Q&A with filmmaker Yoruba Richen
By Adelle M. Banks — June 25, 2014
(RNS) Filmmaker Yoruba Richen, director of the documentary “The New Black,” sees new conversations starting in black churches as her film about the intersection of race, religion and sexuality is screened across the country.
Growing coalition presses Obama to end policy on religious discrimination in hiring
By Adelle M. Banks — June 20, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) President Obama campaigned against a Bush-era discrimination policy for religious groups that receive federal grants. Now a growing coalition of groups is trying to hold him to his promise.
Southern Baptists’ Paige Patterson apologizes for Muslim student as other schools work across faiths
By Adelle M. Banks — June 12, 2014
BALTIMORE (RNS) While the move to admit a Muslim student at a leading evangelical seminary shocked some Southern Baptists, observers say students from other faiths at other Christian seminaries typically don't get much notice.
