Texas
Texas faith leaders condemn new election bills as Jim Crow dressed up in a ‘tuxedo’
By Jack Jenkins — April 8, 2021
(RNS) — Faith leaders in Texas are accusing Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republicans of using 'election integrity' as an excuse to enact restrictive laws that target voters of color.
How (un)compassionate conservatism failed Texas
By Jessica Goudeau — March 1, 2021
(RNS) — As Texas conducts a post-mortem on the Deep Freeze, this moment reveals a critical disconnect in the political and moral framework for Christian voters in a state where faith remains something we talk about easily and often, and for other Christian voters who are watching and responding to the needs in Texas.
Texas church helps mosque damaged after snowstorm
By Joseph Hammond — February 25, 2021
(RNS) — The church’s gesture has brought condemnation from talk radio hosts who chided the Methodists in a segment that included Islamophobic rhetoric.
In Texas, Muslim volunteers jump in to help feed the frozen
By Zainab Iqbal — February 24, 2021
(RNS) — While Muslim volunteer organizations help anyone who needs it, their assistance was crucial to observant Muslims amid the food shortages of the crisis.
Dwight McKissic living at seminary after storm: ‘God is making sure our needs are met’
By Adelle M. Banks — February 23, 2021
(RNS) — The Texas pastor said any differences he may have with seminary President Adam Greenway did not prompt him to refuse an offer of housing.
Dallas faith groups help shelter homeless Texans during deep freeze
By Bob Smietana — February 17, 2021
(RNS) — Local churches and other faith groups have teamed up to help open an emergency warming center for the homeless at the city’s Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
Baylor and Southwestern Baptist regain control of Texas foundation after failed ‘coup’
By Bob Smietana — February 8, 2021
(RNS) — An attempt by trustees tied to disgraced Southern Baptist leader Paige Patterson to divert funds from two Baptist schools and to join the board of an insurance company failed.
Sheriff: Pastor dead, 2 hurt in shooting at Texas church
By Associated Press — January 3, 2021
(AP) — Finding a man hiding in a church bathroom, the pastor drew a gun and ordered the man to stop, the sheriff said, but the man grabbed the weapon and began shooting with it.
Taco trucks and voter guides boost political profiles of faith communities at the margins
By Alejandra Molina — October 28, 2020
(RNS) — Civic engagement, said one activist, humanizes minority faith groups in the eyes of the rest of the electorate.
As Hurricane Laura hits, faith-based disaster relief groups ready to lend a hand
By Bob Smietana — August 27, 2020
(RNS) — Working closely with FEMA, faith-based groups are among the first responders when disasters strike.
COVID-19 death of ‘well-loved’ Texas pastor shows coronavirus spread to rural areas
By Emily McFarlan Miller — August 5, 2020
(RNS) — A small United Methodist church in Texas is ‘absolutely heartbroken’ after losing its pastor to the coronavirus, according to the church’s district superintendent.
Barbecue Baptist Church delivers meals, a message and a little levity amid pandemic
By Emily McFarlan Miller — July 27, 2020
(RNS) — Barbecue Baptist Church, an outreach of First Baptist Church of Navasota, Texas, is traveling the South with fresh BBQ, a little levity and a reminder that people care.
Campers test positive for COVID-19 after attending evangelical youth camp in Texas
By Kathryn Post — July 23, 2020
(RNS) — One parent whose daughter tested positive after attending the Christian camp in early July said she’d heard of at least 80 other campers who tested positive for the virus.
Pandemic, border crackdown hamper Catholics’ aid to migrants
By David Crary — April 6, 2020
NOGALES, Mexico (AP) — For years, Catholic-led, U-S.-based nonprofits have been at the forefront of efforts to support migrants and asylum seekers along the Mexican border. Tough new border policies, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, have drastically changed their work, much of which now takes place in Mexico. The once heavy flow of undocumented border-crossers […]
Why religious congregations may be crucial to halting the spread of COVID-19
By Elaine Howard Ecklund — April 2, 2020
(RNS) — While we may regard religion and science as at odds in our culture, the fact is that many Americans rely on their religious leaders to guide their attitudes about scientific findings.
