Philip Graham Ryken Appointed President of Wheaton College

The Board of Trustees of Wheaton College (Ill.) announced that Dr. Philip Graham Ryken has been appointed the eighth president of Wheaton College. Dr. Ryken, a 1988 graduate of the college, is the senior minister at the historic Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, where he has served since 1995.

Dr. Ryken also earned a master of divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminary and a doctorate in philosophy in historical theology at Oxford University. He has taught at universities and seminaries worldwide and is widely published. (EP News)

Focus Founder to Step Aside After Three Decades

The man many just call “Doctor” hosted his final Focus on the Family broadcast Feb. 26. Dr. James Dobson, founder and former chairman of Focus on the Family, is stepping down 33 years after founding an organization that has become an powerhouse and is—in many people’s mind—the face of the “religious right” in America.

In related news, Donald E. Wildmon, chairman of the American Family Association (AFA), resigned this month after a four-month hospital stay. Wildmon began AFA in 1977. Today, the ministry has 175 employees and a $20 million annual budget. His son, Tim, is expected to take over the reins of the ministry. (EP News)

Human Trafficking Still a Problem In America

The U.S. Senate held a hearing on domestic human trafficking late February. Witnesses told the Sub-Committee on Human Rights it’s still a problem within our borders.

Rachel Lloyd, founder of Girls Educational & Mentoring Services, told the committee that the child welfare system is inadequate. “Those systems are failing those children,” she said. “Over 70 percent of the young people that we serve have been in the child welfare system at some point. Foster homes and group homes are a prime place of recruitment.” (EP News)

Pro-Family Leader Uninvited Due To Stance on Homosexuality

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins had his invitation to speak at Andrews Air Force Base rescinded, because he spoke out against a repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” military policy.

Perkins, an ordained minister and a Marine veteran, said his speech was going to discuss loving God and neighbors.

“As one who took the oath to defend and protect our freedoms,” he said, “I am disappointed that I’ve been denied the opportunity to speak to members of the military, in a non-political way, solely because I exercised my free-speech rights in a different forum. It’s ironic that this blacklisting should occur because I called for the retention and enforcement of a valid federal statute.”

In related news, homosexual activists have started a new political action committee to go after New York state senators who supported one-man, one-woman marriage, according to an article in the New York Times. Last year a same-sex marriage bill was defeated in New York. (EP News)