More than 1 billion Chinese people have yet to hear of the love and saving power of Jesus Christ - such as the girl pictured above - a fact Southern Baptists want to begin changing with a focused day of fasting and prayer on June 8. More than 1 billion Chinese people have yet to hear of the love and saving power of Jesus Christ - such as the girl pictured above - a fact Southern Baptists want to begin changing with a focused day of fasting and prayer on June 8. "Praying for so many people may seem daunting, but the power of united prayer is immeasurable," said Randy Sprinkle, prayer strategy director for the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. Scattered throughout the world, from China, to Malaysia, to Mexico, and even Paris, the Chinese people represent distinct ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Indeed, 55 million Chinese live outside China in countries across the globe. Meanwhile, within the country, almost one-fourth of the people are under the age of 15. The largest people group in the world, the Han, reside in China and number 1.16 billion. The Han make up 20 percent of the worlds population - but less than 5 percent are Christians. Meanwhile, … [Read more...]
Baptist Retirement Center trustees adopt budget, hear report of progress
Baptist Retirement Center trustees approved a slightly-increased bud-get for their agency last week, while receiving updates on progress being made at the facility. Trustees also approved a bylaw change they say is designed to help promote the Arcadia-based nursing facility more among Louisiana Baptists. Baptist Retirement Center trustees approved a slightly-increased bud-get for their agency last week, while receiving updates on progress being made at the facility. Trustees also approved a bylaw change they say is designed to help promote the Arcadia-based nursing facility more among Louisiana Baptists. The financial health of the retirement center has been a source of recent concern. A financial crunch hit in 2002 as a result skyrocketing malpractice insurance costs. That necessitated termination of some employees and cutbacks at the home, including shortened workweeks for some staff. In January, trustees announced a three-year window had been set for establishing the centers financial stability. The plan included making the facility a Medicare provider, which allows it to offer more services and provides increased funding. Last week, … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home names new leader
Louisiana Baptist Childrens Home trustees last week unani-mously elected seminary associate professor/dean Perry Hancock as the agencys new executive director. "God showed us this was the man - no doubt in our minds," said Lindsey Burns, pastor at First Baptist Church of Winnfield and chair of the homes search committee. Louisiana Baptist Childrens Home trustees last week unani-mously elected seminary associate professor/dean Perry Hancock as the agencys new executive director. "God showed us this was the man - no doubt in our minds," said Lindsey Burns, pastor at First Baptist Church of Winnfield and chair of the homes search committee. "We believe he will be able to build on the legacy of the home ... and continue to take us on. ... "Hes the guy for a time like this." Hancock, 46, comes to the childrens home from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he has served as dean of graduate studies and associate professor of discipleship, occupying the Broadmoor Chair of Discipleship. "It is evident that this is where God wants us to be, ..." Hancock said, standing with his wife, Tonya. "We feel blessed, and we are excited to … [Read more...]
Weekly Announcements
For the week of May 29, 2003 Potpourri SHREVEPORT - Pinecroft church: The Crusaders in concert; June 8, 10:45 a.m.; Marty J. Wright, pastor. GONZALES - Central church: The Morrison Heights Junior Choir, directed by John Langoworthy, in concert; May 30, 7 p.m.; Jay Avance, pastor. WINNSBORO - New Zion church: Pastor Appreciation Day; June 1, 11 a.m.; Alan Miller, guest speaker; Tommy Basco, pastor. Youth JACKSON - Judson camp: Summer camps available; Boys Mission Camp (1st-6th grades) - June 16-20; Girls Mission Camp #3 (1st-6th grades) - July 21-25; Girls Mission Camp #4 (1st-6th grades) - July 28-Aug. 1; all camps begin with registration from 9-10 a.m. on Monday and end with short program at 9:30 a.m. on Friday; $120 per person/includes t-shirt and concessions, $15 horseback riding fee; must pre-register by calling (225) 634-7225; Eugene Morris, camp manager. MINDEN - Harris Assembly: Summer camps available; Girls Mission Camp (1st-6th grades) - June 9-12; Childrens Camp (boys/girls ages 8 through 6th grade) - June 16-19; both camps begin with 1 p.m. registration on Monday and end with evening program on Thursday; $75 per person; for information or to register, … [Read more...]
Leader proposes annual offering for SBC seminaries
Southern Baptist theological seminaries are facing a crisis of funding - and Chuck Kelley has a solution. An annual offering for the seminaries should be established - and the discarded capital needs budget of the convention should be re-established, said Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Also, the percentage of Cooperative Program funds that the six seminaries receive each year should be increased from 21.4 percent to 22 percent. Southern Baptist theological seminaries are facing a crisis of funding - and Chuck Kelley has a solution. An annual offering for the seminaries should be established - and the discarded capital needs budget of the convention should be re-established, said Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Also, the percentage of Cooperative Program funds that the six seminaries receive each year should be increased from 21.4 percent to 22 percent. "Something must be done if the (Southern Baptist) seminaries are going to be healthy and affordable in the 21st century," Kelley said in a recent "white paper" published at www.baptistcenter.com. "The physical condition of the campuses and the low … [Read more...]
Mice today – humans tomorrow? New research sounding alarm bells for many
Success with mice has scientists believing that someday they will be able to create human eggs in the laboratory - thus allowing homosexuals to have "biological" children and creating a host of ethical concerns. As reported in the journal Science, researchers have used mouse embryonic stem cells to create mouse eggs. The eggs were created from both male and female cells - indicating males have the biological capacity to produce eggs. Success with mice has scientists believing that someday they will be able to create human eggs in the laboratory - thus allowing homosexuals to have "biological" children and creating a host of ethical concerns. As reported in the journal Science, researchers have used mouse embryonic stem cells to create mouse eggs. The eggs were created from both male and female cells - indicating males have the biological capacity to produce eggs. If duplicated in humans, homosexual couples theoretically could attempt to have their own biological child - with one man supplying the sperm and the other man supplying the laboratory-produced eggs having his biological material. A surrogate mother would be necessary to carry the baby. Such a concept … [Read more...]
Buckle up, Louisiana Baptists – transition time is here
Tran-si-tion, n.1. movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc. to another; change . . . Tran-si-tion, n.1. movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc. to another; change . . . The Louisiana Baptist Convention is undergoing transition. Last week, Dean Doster, announced his retirement as executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, effective at the end of this year. Earlier, Rory Lee announced his departure in May of this year from the presidency of Louisiana College to head up the children’s home work of the Mississippi Baptist Convention. Only a year or so ago, Perry Hancock became executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s home. And the Louisiana Baptist Convention is taking the rare step of actually selling one of its agencies - the Louisiana Baptist Retirement Center - and redirecting the proceeds from that sale. In a few years, only folks with good memories will be able to recall which Louisiana Baptists agencies there were and who their executives were in 2004! The retirement, move and recent election of these three men means that the leadership of the two … [Read more...]