Latest news: Longtime gospel singer dies; Barna releases report; adoption & the ‘baby bust’ debate; this week’s Conclave; Ouachita Baptist University trustees stand behind president

To read a quick recap of some of the latest news reports and other articles from The Baptist Paper this week, see below.

1. Squire Parsons Jr., a native of West Virginia and longtime southern gospel singer, died May 5. He was 77.

2. George Barna reports a dramatic shift in America’s spiritual landscape.

3. “Consider adoption,” writes Herbie Newell, president and executive director of Lifeline Children’s Services. “Despite the many practical ways we could make it more accessible, it remains an overlooked solution…”

4. “Right now, everything is secret,” a rare exception, Madagascar Cardinal Désiré Tsarahazana, told RNS. “It’s the moment for prayers right now.”

5. This is reportedly the first time in Ouachita Baptist University’s 140-year history the faculty has taken such action.

EDITOR’S NOTE — These stories were compiled by The Baptist Paper.