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
Baptist leaders urge House Speaker Mike Johnson to support Ukrainian Christians
By Adelle M. Banks — April 10, 2024
(RNS) — ‘We believe that God has put you in this position “for such a time as this,”’ Southern Baptist and Ukrainian Baptist officials wrote the speaker.
Churches look to eclipse as outreach opportunity
By Adelle M. Banks — April 4, 2024
(RNS) — ‘Science is part of God’s wonder,’ said one pastor. ‘And I think it’s good for us to celebrate that as Christians.’
T.D. Jakes mentioned briefly in suit against music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
By Adelle M. Banks — April 2, 2024
(RNS) — Jakes, a Dallas-based megachurch pastor, is not among the defendants in the suit, which include several record labels.
Ministers aid seafarers caught in Baltimore bridge crisis
By Adelle M. Banks — March 28, 2024
(RNS) — ‘Everyone’s still kind of rattled and trying to figure things out,’ said the Rev. Joshua Messick, who has Bibles ‘in every conceivable language’ to distribute upon request.
Sandra Crouch, influential musician, minister, sister of Andraé Crouch, dead at 81
By Adelle M. Banks — March 25, 2024
(RNS) — ‘You don’t get a driver’s license to learn how to drive,’ she said of her controversial ordination. ‘You get a license because you know how to drive.’
Religious affairs expert Thomas Bowen moves from city of Washington to White House
By Adelle M. Banks — March 22, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — While shifting to national and international issues, he will still be acting as a clergyperson in the city that he has long served.
Charlie Dates counters John MacArthur’s declaration that MLK ‘was not a Christian’
By Adelle M. Banks and Bob Smietana — March 20, 2024
(RNS) — In an open letter, the Chicago pastor compares the California pastor to King opponents George Wallace and J. Edgar Hoover, calling MacArthur 'them in postmodern dress.'
Caribbean musician Sherwin Gardner’s viral hit song surpasses 1 billion TikTok views
By Adelle M. Banks — March 15, 2024
ROCKVILLE, Maryland (RNS) — ‘It's like a prayer,’ Gardner said of his hit song. ‘God already kind of answered that — within the first two weeks of the year.’
Rabbi, religious freedom delegation end Saudi trip early after yarmulke incident
By Adelle M. Banks — March 12, 2024
(RNS) — ‘No one should be denied access to a heritage site, especially one intended to highlight unity and progress, simply for existing as a Jew,’ said Rabbi Abraham Cooper.
Biden administration finalizes rule on religious liberty protections
By Adelle M. Banks — March 1, 2024
(RNS) — 'Today’s announcement establishes uniform policies to safeguard Americans from religious discrimination in social services,' said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.
‘How Great Thou Art’ gets new ending on 75th anniversary of famed English translation
By Adelle M. Banks — March 1, 2024
(RNS) — ‘When we approached all the people to be part of it, we had a lot of green lights very quickly,’ singer Matt Redman said of participating recording artists.
Faith leaders renew push for ‘accurate’ Black history education in Florida
By Adelle M. Banks — February 23, 2024
(RNS) — Training sessions in Tallahassee and in Orlando will feature curriculum companies whose products could enhance those wishing to teach Black history in schools and churches.
At National Cathedral, leaders of different parties, perspectives call for civility
By Adelle M. Banks — February 22, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore spoke about their participation in the ‘Disagree Better’ project and noted their efforts to seek bipartisan solutions.
African Methodist Episcopal Church leaders call for halt to all US funding of Israel
By Adelle M. Banks — February 16, 2024
(RNS) — The statement comes in a week of continuing calls for cease-fire and humanitarian aid for the victims of the war that began on Oct. 7.
With George Floyd in mind, Bible co-editors created Breathe Life Bible
By Adelle M. Banks — February 13, 2024
(RNS) — After the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by a white police officer, the co-editors of the new Bible say they felt compelled to do something.
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