lighthouses provide a sense of direction for marine navigation - but for Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville, the beacon serves a different purpose. "Our church has adopted the lighthouse as a symbol of our prayerful desire to be a lighthouse of faith, hope and love," explains Weldon Moak, pastor of the Jenkins Memorial congregation. Lighthouses provide a sense of direction for marine navigation - but for Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville, the beacon serves a different purpose. "Our church has adopted the lighthouse as a symbol of our prayerful desire to be a lighthouse of faith, hope and love," explains Weldon Moak, pastor of the Jenkins Memorial congregation. It is hard to overlook the depictions of the lighthouses that are in the church classrooms, hallways and Moaks office. In addition, the congregation even dedicated one that sits in the churchs front yard. Their lighthouse stands 14-feet tall, but the churchs desire to reach the lost is immeasurable, Moak says. "We did not want to build it so large that it distracted from the church or appeared to be an idol or something," he says. "We wanted people to be able … [Read more...]
Christian movement underway in military, observers maintain
Two veteran Southern Baptist officers stationed at Fort Leonard Wood say they can sense a spiritual awakening among soldiers at the nations largest military training base. "Its something I have noticed recently," says Col. Chester White, a 30-year Army engineer. "I have seen a real Christian movement among the military here." Two veteran Southern Baptist officers stationed at Fort Leonard Wood say they can sense a spiritual awakening among soldiers at the nations largest military training base. "Its something I have noticed recently," says Col. Chester White, a 30-year Army engineer. "I have seen a real Christian movement among the military here." White says he thinks the revival is a result of the growing number of Christians in leadership positions and the knowledge of soldiers that they could be facing danger. "Everybody has a tendency, I think, to stop and pray a little longer - especially if theres a chance theyll be going into harms way," White explains. Major Jeffrey Bruns is a Southern Baptist military chaplain. He says he saw something similar in the Gulf War 12 years ago. "I also saw it when I went into Bosnia," Bruns … [Read more...]
Key moral/social issues at stake in Louisiana Legislature
The 2003 Louisiana legislative session is in its early days - but there already are some scary possibilities evident, Ken Ward said. "Theres some issues that scare me as far as what direction they could go," said Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. "Theres some real potential damage that could be done on some key moral and social issues." The 2003 Louisiana legislative session is in its early days - but there already are some scary possibilities evident, Ken Ward said. "Theres some issues that scare me as far as what direction they could go," said Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. "Theres some real potential damage that could be done on some key moral and social issues." Although the deadline for filing bills comes near the end of the month, more than 1,000 Senate bills already have been filled - along with more than 1,700 House measures. Proposed legislation touch on the range of moral and social issues - including abortion, AIDS, alcohol, gambling, marriage and pornography. "It is critical for Louisiana residents to remain alert and informed and to … [Read more...]
Past – and future: Participants in the recent Louisiana Baptist WMU annual meeting honored the past – while focusing on the challenge of the future
Louisiana Baptist women honored the past and took up the challenge of the future during the annual state Womans Missionary Union meeting last week. "This is holy ground in Louisiana, ..." Cindy Townsend told hundreds of women from around the state just moments after she officially was installed as the new Louisiana Baptist director of womens missions and ministry. Louisiana Baptist women honored the past and took up the challenge of the future during the annual state Womans Missionary Union meeting last week. "This is holy ground in Louisiana, ..." Cindy Townsend told hundreds of women from around the state just moments after she officially was installed as the new Louisiana Baptist director of womens missions and ministry. "Our state needs to know Jesus. ... I have a vision for every single church having a heart for missions education. ... I want to promote missions. ... I want to get in the dirt and touch those who hurt, ..." Townsend emphasized during a Friday evening session. "I want us to welcome the missions lifestyle." The Friday evening gathering was one of three sessions held at First Baptist Church of Lake Charles. More … [Read more...]
Encouraging experience
Recently, I had the opportunity to see some Louisiana high school students experience a spring break with substance. They did not spend the week basking on the sunny beaches of Florida or skiing the powder snow of the Rockies. Recently, I had the opportunity to see some Louisiana high school students experience a spring break with substance. They did not spend the week basking on the sunny beaches of Florida or skiing the powder snow of the Rockies. These students spent their week building Gods kingdom in the city of New Orleans. They were short-term missionaries who did construction at one of our local churches, Bright Star Ministries, and they ministered to the homeless and travelers in the French Quarter by distributing bottled water! I was encouraged to know that high school students were willing to give up their spring break to join God at work in the city of New Orleans. On behalf of MissionLab New Orleans, a ministry of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, I would like to thank the student ministry of First Baptist Church of Winnsboro, under the leadership of Steve Bryan, for their investment. Southern Baptists of Louisiana … [Read more...]
Weekly Announcements
For the week of April 17, 2003 Potpourri DEVILLE - Longview church: Pine Ridge Quartet and Brothers Redeemed in concert; April 26, 7 p.m.; Donald Lemmons, interim pastor. DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: Spring Bible Conference; April 28, 9 a.m. - April 29, noon; Bill Tolar and David Uth, speakers; free; pre-register by calling (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager. NEW ORLEANS - Oak Park church: Handbell concert; April 27, 6 p.m.; Ben Caston, minister of music; Paul Brady, pastor. MONROE - Loch Arbor church: Florida Boys in concert; April 24, 7 p.m.; Andy Myrick, pastor. BUNKIE - New Dawn Fellowship Mission: "The Cruxifixion," a Readers Theatre Production; April 27, 6 p.m.; call (318) 346-7723; Gary D. Hostetter, pastor. EUNICE - First church: "Beloved Disciple" simulcast; April 26, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Marge Caldwell, speaker at 11 a.m.; $20 per ticket; for tickets, call (337) 457-2361; Michael DeRosier, pastor. PROVENCAL - Pine Grove church: One Reason Quartet in concert; April 19, 7 p.m.; Darrell Willis, pastor. WEST MONROE - First church: Concert featuring Rebecca St. James, Bid Daddy Weave, Aaron Spiro, … [Read more...]
Recent study shows alarming extent of underage and excessive drinking
A recent study concludes that underage drinkers and adult excessive drinkers are responsible for 50.1 percent of alcohol consumption and 48.9 percent of consumer expenditure on alcohol in the United States. The report in The Journal of the American Medical Association was conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse and is being contested by the liquor industry. A recent study concludes that underage drinkers and adult excessive drinkers are responsible for 50.1 percent of alcohol consumption and 48.9 percent of consumer expenditure on alcohol in the United States. The report in The Journal of the American Medical Association was conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse and is being contested by the liquor industry. "The response by the liquor industry does not surprise me," explained Barrett Duke, vice president for research with the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. "The findings of the report are so devastating to the alcohol industry that they feel compelled to do all they can to discredit it. "(However) Despite the objections of the liquor industry, I believe this report … [Read more...]
Southern Baptists urged to help meet expected hunger needs for Iraqi people
Southern Baptist relief workers expect hunger to be one of the major needs they find in Iraq - and churches across the United States are being challenged to help meet it. Iraqs people have suffered under the regime of Saddam Hussein and 12 years of United Nations sanctions have made their lives even more difficult, said Jim Brown, director of world hunger and relief ministries for the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. Southern Baptist relief workers expect hunger to be one of the major needs they find in Iraq - and churches across the United States are being challenged to help meet it. Iraqs people have suffered under the regime of Saddam Hussein and 12 years of United Nations sanctions have made their lives even more difficult, said Jim Brown, director of world hunger and relief ministries for the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. For less than $60, congregations can assemble a box of dry food that will feed a family of five for about a month, Brown said. He is challenging all 42,000 Southern Baptist congregations to mobilize food relief for hungry Iraqis. "This is a great way for Southern Baptists who cant actually go themselves to … [Read more...]
Weekly Briefs
For the week of April 24, 2003 Clarifying report The Miami Heralds implication that a Southern Baptist chaplain offered baptisms as a way for dirty soldiers to get a needed bath has been refuted by the Army Chief of Chaplains office. In its own inquiry, the Army office found that Lt. Josh Llano had not attempted to coerce conversion or baptism. The Miami Herald article appeared April 4 and was picked up nationally. It prompted concern from both Southern Baptist leaders and church-state separation advocates. Essentially, it said Llano was offering baptism to soldiers who had been unable to shower for days. However, an inquiry found that was not the case, saying comments by Llano were not all accurate and were taken out of context in instances. A statement by the Army Chief of Chaplains office cited the exemplary service record of Llano. "I am confident that Chaplain Llano does not, has not and will not use coercion in the exercise of his official responsibilities," said Col. Al Buckner, director of operations for the Chief of Chaplains office. Arizona foundation Investors in the Baptist Foundation of Arizona recently received their share of the $217 million settlement with Arthur Andersen, the former auditor for … [Read more...]
God is SO good! (Part Two)
God is SO good! A trio of stories involving Louisiana Baptists in some way tell the tale - how God can make impossible dreams come true, use simple efforts for incredible results and even restore the one who has fallen Chains have been coming off of prisoners in the Thai-land prison system lately - literally and figuratively - with God using a Louisiana Baptist as the cause. God is SO good! A trio of stories involving Louisiana Baptists in some way tell the tale - how God can make impossible dreams come true, use simple efforts for incredible results and even restore the one who has fallen Chains have been coming off of prisoners in the Thai-land prison system lately - literally and figuratively - with God using a Louisiana Baptist as the cause. When Louisianian Jack Martin started the prison ministry in Thailand 31 years ago as a Southern Baptist missionary, few inmates knew Christ as their personal savior. By the time Martin and his wife, Gladys - known as "Glad" - left the island in 1999, the program had expanded to 30 prisons, with thousand of inmates accepting Christ as their personal savior. "This small beginning in prison ministry 30 plus … [Read more...]