Died Bruce Metzger, professor emeritus at Princeton Theological Seminary, of natural causes. He was 93. Internationally recognized for his scholarship, Metzger was an expert on Greek biblical texts. He worked extensively on the RSV Bible translation and led work on the NRSV.
Killed Khaddafy Janjalani, who led the terrorist group that abducted missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham in 2001. DNA testing in January confirmed that Philippine soldiers had killed the Abu Sayyaf leader in a September battle.
Hired Gil Odendaal, as director of global hiv/aids initiatives at Saddleback Church. The Southern California church has charged Odendaal, a native of South Africa, to develop aids-prevention strategies and culturally sensitive approaches to short-term missions.
Sentenced The last five Baptist Foundation of Arizona defendants, for defrauding investors in a Ponzi scheme. Prosecutors recommended that treasurer Donald Dale Deardoff spend one year in prison, but the judge sentenced him to four years and ordered him to pay back $159 million. The president and legal counsel were sentenced to prison in September.
Selected Gayle Beebe, as president of Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. Beebe will leave his post as president of Michigan's Spring Arbor University to take the position in July.
Elected Peter Teague, as president of the Association for Biblical Higher Education. ABHE provides accreditation and services for more than 1,200 schools in North America. Teague is the president of Lancaster Bible College in Pennsylvania.
Selected Gary Haugen, International Justice Mission president and CEO, for the Wilberforce Forum Award presented annually by Prison Fellowship. The award recognizes an individual who has made a difference in the face of formidable social problems. Haugen founded IJM in 1997 to rescue victims of abuse and bring their perpetrators to justice.
Christianity Today articles by and about Gary Haugen include:
On a Justice Mission | Thanks to William Wilberforce, we already know the key to defeating slavery. (Gary Haugen, February 22, 2007)
What's Next: International Justice | Long Road: What evangelical leaders say are the priorities and challenges for the next 50 years. (October 16, 2006)
Silence on Suffering | Where are the voices from the Christian community on cruel and degrading treatment of detainees? (Gary A. Haugen, October 17, 2005)
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