Page One News

Boys and dads to learn survival skills Sept. 17-18

By KAREN L. WILLOUGHBY, Managing Editor

EUNICE – The most important survival skill is shelter.

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Interest grows in 'whativaluemost.com'

By KAREN L. WILLOUGHBY, Managing Editor

ALEXANDRIA – “I’m surrendering my life to Jesus, finding my value in Him, praying the prayer above,” checked Jodi of Emporia, Kansas, in mid-August on the What I Value Most website developed within the last two years by Keith Manuel, associate evangelism director for the Louisiana Baptist Convention.

The www.whativaluemost.com is a simple website stuffed with an ever-increasing number of personal testimonies, and a clear gospel presentation. In the last 18 months that it’s been available to the public, despite little promotion outside Louisiana, more than 25,000 people – in all 50 states and 83 other nations – have found it.

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FISHING FOR SOULS

By QUINN LAVESPERE, Message Summer Staff Writer

ZWOLLE – The Toledo Bend recreation area offers people opportunities to fish, swim, and escape the stresses of life. It also offers people opportunities to find ultimate rest in Jesus.

Led by Director Mary Gore, Toledo Bend Resort Ministries continues a major Christian outreach toward those drawn to the many area attractions.

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Breaking News

Goldia Naylor leaves a golden legacy of faith

Goldia Naylor leaves a golden legacy of faith

By Keith Collier

FORT WORTH, Texas (SWBTS) -- Born exactly one year after the founding of the seminary her family would later serve and cherish, Goldia Dalton Naylor defined the wife¹s role as a co-laborer and helpmate. Goldia Naylor, wife of former pastor and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary president Robert E. Naylor, died Sunday, Jan. 31, at the age of 100.

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Plan of Salvation

Jesus knows what you are going through

When the day comes that you realize how very much God loves you, just exactly as you are, it will be the most natural thing to bask in the feel-good warmth of that love.

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Remember, Jesus suffered too (unrestricted content)

Life is tough. Even those who put their faith and trust in Jesus have it hard.

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The choice is yours (unrestricted content)

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by choices?

You go into McDonalds or Burger King knowing exactly what you want, until you see the menu. Then, you decide you want something else.

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Editorials

Redefining marriage has some definite consequences

By Kelly Boggs, Editor Baptist Message

Kelly Boggs, Editor Louisiana Baptist MessageIf you change any aspect of a mathematical or chemical equation, you not only alter the equation, you also affect its outcome.

A judge’s recent ruling on marriage changes the entire concept of matrimony. If it is allowed to stand, it will also influence the outcome of marriage and its impact on society.

A federal judge in San Francisco ruled Aug. 4 that California voters violated the U.S. Constitution when they passed a ballot measure intended to clarify and protect the traditional definition of marriage.

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The 'wounds' of a friend are trustworthy

By J. Darin Wales, Freelance Film/Tv Director Virginia Beach, Va.

Recently I had a dear friend of mine read a script on which I had just finished a first draft. I knew the script had a few problems, but overall I thought it was pretty good. More than that, I really liked what I had written.  

My friend took a week to look over the script.  I had given her the green light to “rip my script to shreds,” not realizing just how much she would take it to heart!

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Seven mistakes I have made in my ministry

By Thom Rainer, President LifeWay Christian Resources

Thom RainerMy wife and I were in a conversation recently about our years together. We will celebrate 33 years of marriage this year, and we dated for almost six years.

The simple math was a surprise. We have been dating or married for nearly four decades!

It was a good conversation. But I had my moments of regret: times that I was too busy for my family, my tendency to want to win an argument with my wife rather than resolve the problem, and failure to slow down and enjoy life.

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Insight

Leaving our prints on this city

By Joe McKeever, Retired DOM BAGNO

NEW ORLEANS (BP) – New Orleans artist Sherry Francalancia has been making the rounds asking local artists for their handprints on a work she is producing. The painting symbolizes this city, Sherry says. So many people have left permanent imprints on our lives for the better.

Think of that painting as a metaphor for New Orleans in its post-Katrina existence. Over the five years since that hurricane made landfall causing the poorly constructed levees to flood the city, untold thousands of God’s people have come from the ends of the earth to bless New Orleans.

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Ask God to spiritually transform us and this nation

By Mark Foley, President University of Mobile

The president was right.

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Concerned with the issues facing Southern Baptists

By Eric Moffett, Pastor First Baptist Sparkman, Arkansas

I am 26 years old, and somehow was elected second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) this past June at the Annual Meeting in Orlando. My first task as newly elected second vice president was to frantically call the SBC Executive Committee office in Nashville and ask a kind receptionist to please transfer me to somebody who could explain exactly what I am supposed to do.

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Letters to the Editor

Grateful for the partnership between churches and LBC

GRATEFUL FOR THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CHURCHES AND LBC

Dear Editor

Thank the Lord for the wonderful partnership that churches have in our Louisiana Baptist Convention!  I am so grateful for Wayne Jenkins, Evangelism Church Growth Director, and the ministry he has in helping and supporting churches across the state.  

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Inspect proposed science textbooks and comment

To the Editor

Until Sept. 13, science textbooks proposed for adoption and use over the next seven years will be displayed at various library sites across Louisiana.

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Passage of GCRTF report would be a terrible mistake

To the Editor:

The Great Commission Task Force report, like Brutus with Caesar, shows up late and then praises our Cooperative Program before assassinating it. The report REMOVES ALL INCENTIVE for a church to give through the Cooperative Program, leaving it [CP](if adopted) high and dry.

Our Southern Baptist Cooperative Program is right now God’s one-and-only winning strategy for the whole world and is 100 percent Great Commission giving! It needs one improvement – our vigorous, sustained giving!

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Theological Thought

QUESTIONS WE'VE PONDERED

By Bill Warren, Ph.D., NOBTS Professor of New Testament and Greek

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Book of Chronicles has important spot in Scripture

By Michael Shepherd, Assistant Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, Louisiana College

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Michelangelo's Daniel is very interesting

By Michael B. Shepherd, Assistant Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, Louisiana College

Michael ShepherdThe Sistine Chapel is one of the greatest masterpieces in the history of art. From the depiction of Moses (left wall) to the life of Christ (right wall) to the sequence from creation to judgment (ceiling and center wall), it is like walking into the Bible itself. Michelangelo’s artistic portrayals of the events of the Bible are in many ways like the textual renderings of the same events by the biblical authors.

Reading of Scripture informed Michelangelo’s work to the extent that the Sistine Chapel has long since occupied an important place within the history of biblical interpretation.

One of the most intriguing features of this great work of art is the presentation of the biblical prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Jonah, Zechariah, and Daniel (Matthew 24:15).

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Focus

LOUISIANA CHILDREN'S HOME IN FOCUS

1920-2010 SELLERS MATERNITY MINISTRIES

"NINETY YEARS OF OFFERING A FUTURE AND A HOPE"

Sellers Maternity Ministries was founded in 1920 as the Baptist Woman’s Emergency Home in New Orleans.

The ministry became affiliated with the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1933 and the name was changed to Baptist Women’s Home.

The ministry was renamed Sellers Baptist Maternity Home and Adoption Center in 1961 in honor of Dr. Thomas B. Sellers, a New Orleans obstetrician who had volunteered his services there for 33 years. On July 31, 1964, the Sellers Home placed its 1000th baby for adoption.

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Kathryn Carpenter: A Legacy of Faith

By Jerry Love, Director of Planned Giving Louisiana Baptist Foundation

It’s 1939.  
A young lady steps off a bus in a small, predominantly French-speaking town in South Louisiana.  She and the two friends with her spend the day going door to door, looking for people interested in starting a Bible study.  Before the end of the day, and before the bus returns to pick up the three, they have found several adults and children interested in joining them to study the scriptures.

This was how young Kathryn Carpenter spent her life in those years.  She and her friends were students at Baptist Bible Institute, now New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  Over the next few years, the trio would return regularly to Napoleonville to worship, study God’s Word, and grow a congregation.  Eventually the small Bible study became a new church. Carpenter was a charter member.

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Thank You for investing in the lives of children and families

MONROE – The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home Annual Offering is scheduled for Sunday, June 13.

This offering, held annually in churches across our state, allows your Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home to minister to countless children and families throughout the year.

Perry Hancock President, CEO Childrens HomeCritical needs are being met, lives are being changed, and hope is being restored to children and families who are lost and hurting.

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Profile

Foundation's Wayne Taylor leads by example

By KAREN L. WILLOUGHBY, Managing Editor

ALEXANDRIA – Financial investing is just one way of being a good steward of your resources, says Wayne Taylor, Executive Director of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation.
Taylor, celebrating fifteen years with the Foundation, said his parents taught him to tithe and instilled in him the need to be a good steward in every aspect of his life. He also learned from them the importance of family.

He learned at Calvary Alexandria “that it was my choices that determined my life.

“It’s a God-given responsibility to take care of your family,” Taylor said. “I love [my children] and I want them to have lots of opportunities to be the best at what God has planned for them.”

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Pastor shows 'Special Forces' vigor for God

By Philip Timothy, Message Staff Writer

PRAIRIEVILLE – In the army of God, the Almighty calls preachers and churches call pastors to feed and care for His sheep. These men are His “Special Forces.”

Armed with faith, prayer and the Bible, these men are prepared by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire. They must endure constant bombardment of both fleshly and spiritual problems and still remain strong.

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Kathy Jo Thompson Facing Challenges by focusing on God

By Marilyn Stewart, Regional Reporter

COVINGTON – Pretty and petite, Kathy Jo Thompson jumped at the chance to be athletic trainer for the LSU football team in what turned out to be their 2008 national championship year. Now battling a debilitating condition, Kathy Jo faces an even greater challenge, though it’s a journey she says she doesn’t regret.

“She’s my hero,” said Delos Thompson, Kathy Jo’s father.

A loss of balance and numbness of hands during Kathy Jo Thompson’s final semester at LSU brought back a diagnosis of neurofibromatosis, type 2, a genetic disorder that typically produces benign tumors in the brain and spinal cord.

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Family Life

6 Steps to building Honesty and Honor in your teen's life

By Jeff Meyers, Passing the Baton International

As teenagers are taken captive by the culture, they often resort to lying, anger, manipulation, and rebellion to get what they want.

Ironically, they begin as victims of con artists, but ultimately they become con artists in their own homes. All teens are at risk, yet there are steps parents can take to open the lines of communication and address the problem.

Here are six steps experienced parents recommend to strengthen or restore a standard of honesty and honor in the home.

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THE BEST ADVICE Minister s Wives speaking to Minister s Wives

By Grace Clausing, LifeWay Communications

Ruth Graham provided tremendous spousal support for husband Billy.An unsung hero – that’s what you could call a minister’s wife. Rarely do church members comprehend how much the pastor’s spouse endures and gives up for her husband’s job. The calling is tough, and many feel alone and judged by their congregation. Who better understands the plight of a minister’s wife than a fellow clergy spouse?

Take a look at some advice that pastor’s wives have offered to encourage and inspire others.

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The Counseling Connection

Question:  I have a hard time not allowing other people’s moods, especially my spouse, affect me. Sometimes I feel like I am on a roller coaster and just want to get off. Can you help me?

Michele Louviere responds: Many people struggle with healthy separateness or differentiation. Sometimes, a lack of differentiation comes from a person depending upon others for needs, satisfaction and happiness. If a person is not okay inside his or her own skin, then that person becomes very dependent upon others. So, maybe your sensitivity to your spouse’s moods could be a lack of complete differentiation on your part.

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Missions and Ministries

Fishing tournament helps out two different types of families

By Quinn Lavespere, Message Staff Writer

COLFAX – Many fishing tournaments are held mainly for competition. A fishing tournament recently held in Colfax had much more noble aims.

The inaugural K & M Take-a-Kid fishing tournament was held July 31 at the Colfax Recreation Area located on Lock and Dam No. 3.

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Blackwell leads movement to send troops prayer quilts

By Diana Chandler, Special to the Message

NEW ORLEANS – Cherry Blackwell has learned the worth of prayer to soldiers in her many years of ministry to them.

“Every soldier I have written to over the years,” she said, “prayer has always been their support system.”

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SUMMER MISSIONS COMINGS AND GOINGS

By Joanne Brechtel, Administrative Editor

RUSTON – Temple Baptist has set 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, for an India Mission Training event for anyone interested in participating in future mission trips to the Heart of India.  The training is to be provided by two missionaries and a meal will be served. The first trip is set for November 2010.

Back-to-school supplies are being collected for needy students.  Financial donations are also being accepted for the project.

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Louisiana Churches

Port Barre Pastor's story a testament to God's work

By QUINN LAVESPERE, Message Summer Staff Writer

PORT BARRE – First Port Barre Baptist Church Pastor Benji Richard is a man who has seen both the depths of depravity and the fullness of God’s love.

Nearly eight years after being saved, Richard has realized his dream of becoming pastor in his hometown of Port Barre, leading First Port Barre to spiritual triumphs through the blessings and work of God.

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O. K. Corral Church to hold Rough Stock Training Camp

By QUINN LAVESPERE, Message Summer Staff Writer

EROS – The month of October normally inspires people to prepare for Halloween. Pastor Gary Brewster and O.K. Corral Church have other plans in mind.

O.K. Corral Church plans to host a rough stock training camp Oct. 8-10 for bull riders and bareback riders.

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Multiple stories measure Katrina's impact

Editor’s note: Every church, every person in Greater New Orleans has stories to tell of the impact of Hurricane Katrina. Following are the beginnings of several of them. Subscribers to the Baptist Message can read the articles in their entirety online at www.baptistmessage.com.

CHALMETTE

CHALMETTE – St. Bernard Baptist Church has a mostly new body of believers since Hurricane Katrina, many of them former Catholics displaced from their parishes after the storm.

Paul Gregoire, who has led St. Bernard Baptist for nearly 28 years, had baptized 12 former Catholics into the congregation as of August. That’s sizable, considering the church draws about 35 people on Sundays.

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Landscapes and Milestones

MILESTONES

COMINGS & GOINGS

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Cenla churches plan homeless awareness event

BALL/DEVILLE/PINEVILLE – A car wash to raise money to help minister to homeless men, women and families in the Alexandria/Pineville area has been set for Sept. 18 at Advance Auto on Highway 28 E in Pineville.

“Many people don’t know there are a lot of homeless people in Alexandria, some of them living under the bridge,”  said Rita Huffman of Kingsville Baptist Church in Ball.

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Crockett Point Baptist's groundbreaking service was held recently

Crockett Point Baptist Church groundbreaking service

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News of the LBC

Keith: Sunday School training leads to discipleship

By KAREN L. WILLOUGHBY, Managing Editor

 NEW ORLEANS/LAFAYETTE – Training is vital for a vibrant Sunday School, says Sean Keith of the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Evangelism/Church Growth team.

“Sunday School is the largest lay-led organization in our churches, and if they are to be effective, the leaders need to understand their roles and responsibilities,” said Keith, the LBC’s Sunday School/Discipleship strategist. “Our role [as teachers and class leaders] is to make disciples; that’s from beginning to end. We have to think holistically.

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Vacation Bible School strengthens churches

STATEWIDE – Nearly all the state’s 1,597 churches that affiliate with the Louisiana Baptist Convention hosted a Vacation Bible School this summer, and there was something special about each one.

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How can LBCH AND FM serve you or someone you know?

How can LBCH & FM serve you or someone you know?

Your Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries strives to offer the highest quality of services through a dedicated Christian ministry team whose mission is to provide love, care, and a positive Christian witness for children and families in need.
Please call 318.343.2244, e-mail home@lbch.org, or visit www.lbch.org for more info on how we can serve you or someone you know.

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News of the SBC

GCR report tops agenda for this year's annual meeting

By Staff, Baptist Press

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KATRINA'S LESSONS Not lost on today's Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams

By Mickey Noah, Baptist Press

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – It was about 6:10 a.m. CDT on Monday, Aug. 29, 2005 when Hurricane Katrina, a huge Category 3 hurricane, made its monstrous landfall in southeast Louisiana.  Packing 125 mph winds with intense central pressure, Katrina would be the third most powerful storm to ever hit the United States – and one of the deadliest.

More than 1,800 would perish directly in the hurricane itself or from the unprecedented flooding to follow.  Eighty percent of New Orleans and surrounding parishes were inundated with 15-20 feet of water when levees broke, and the putrid floodwaters – contaminated with sewage, gasoline, oil and chemicals – lingered for weeks.

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'Great Expectations' online training surpassed expectations

By Polly House, LifeWay Communications

RIDGECREST, N.C. – Davis Francis and Bruce Raley had high hopes for “Great Expectations.”
It turned out a bigger success than they even imagined.

“Great Expectations,” LifeWay’s online Sunday school training event broadcast during Sunday School Week at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center, had an online viewership of perhaps 12,000 people from around the world, according to Raley, LifeWay’s director of leadership and evangelism training and events and co-host of the event.

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Web Only

DENNIS WATSON: Metairie pastor reflects on Greater New Orleans

By DENNIS WATSON, pastor of Celebration Church in Metairie.

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Katrina Poydras grows benevolent fund

By DIANA CHANDLER, Regional Reporter

    ST BERNARD – John Galey is more committed than ever to leading Poydras Baptist Church to be an  Acts 1:8 congregation.
    With the help of more than 50 convention churches and associations, the 8213 Saro Lane congregation in August 2007, became the first St. Bernard Parish Southern Baptist church to return to its sanctuary after the storm.

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E. J. Scott: Black pastor provides his insights on Katrina

By EJ SCOTT, pastor of Shiloh Community Fellowship before Katrina, and after a three-year stay in Texas, now back as pastor of Temple of New Life Baptist Church in New Orleans.

    Hurricane Katrina taught the region that we are vulnerable. I think that Hurricane Katrina made us know that we are all the same. It doesn’t matter who you are. What you have accomplished, what you have achieved or acquired, no matter what your economic or social status is, we all are vulnerable to storms and the like.  

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