ALEXANDRIA – Since 1965, the Southern Baptist Convention has encouraged its churches to give attention to the issue of race relations on the second Sunday of February. In 2000, the emphasis was changed to emphasize racial reconciliation. By Kelly Boggs Editor ALEXANDRIA – Since 1965, the Southern Baptist Convention has encouraged its churches to give attention to the issue of race relations on the second Sunday of February. In 2000, the emphasis was changed to emphasize racial reconciliation. The shift in emphasis was motivated, in part, by the overwhelming passage of a 1995 resolution on racial reconciliation by messengers at the SBC annual meeting in Atlanta, Ga. The resolution included an apology to “all African-Americans for condoning and/or perpetuating individual and systematic racism in our lifetime…” It also expressed contrition by adding, “…and we genuinely repent of racism of which we have been guilty, whether consciously or unconsciously.” Messengers in Atlanta also affirmed to “hereby commit ourselves to eradicate racism in all its forms from Southern Baptist life and ministry.” While our nation – and the SBC - has come a long way in the area of race relations, I doubt that anyone … [Read more...]
Pain is never only a tragedy
When it comes to experiencing tragedy on a personal level, I am in kindergarten. By Kelly Boggs Editor When it comes to experiencing tragedy on a personal level, I am in kindergarten. Through almost 20 years together, my wife and I have both experienced relatively good health. As I write this, all of my children are “clothed and in their right minds.” Keep in mind that two of my four kids are teenagers, so the previous sentence could change before I put the final period on this column. I have not had to bury a parent, sibling, or any in-laws. I have experienced no major losses in my life. As a pastor, whenever I was called on to minister in time of devastation or sorrow, I was keenly aware of my tenderfoot status on the trail of tragedy. After only a month in Louisiana, I am reminded anew that I am but a novice when it comes to acute adversity. Rarely a day has gone by that I have not been confronted with the tragedy wrought by the twin terrors, Katrina and Rita. When I talk to a pastor in South Louisiana or read about a church in New Orleans, my response is always the same – stunned silence. Each time that I encounter the scars left by the storms, I am reminded that I have no answers. … [Read more...]
Baptist pastors stand with community
NEW ORLEANS - When religious leaders here met to voice their concerns to city leaders, it was on the steps of the devastated Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor NEW ORLEANS - When religious leaders here met to voice their concerns to city leaders, it was on the steps of the devastated Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. Franklin Avenue’s pastor, Fred Luter, and David Crosby, pastor of New Orleans First Baptist, joined with Jewish, Muslim, Protestant and Catholic religious leaders – 20 in all – to call city leaders to action. “The summons, which seemed to contain equal doses of tough love and compassion, came from an extraordinary assembly of religious leaders speaking with a single voice not heard in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina,” wrote Bruce Nolan in the Feb. 3 issue of the Times-Picayune, New Orleans’ daily newspaper. Catholic Archbishop Alfred Hughes initiated private talks with Luter – both are members of the Bring New Orleans Back Commission – and others, which led to the press conference at Franklin Avenue church, Crosby said. The site was chosen because it was such a vivid example of the destruction seen across Greater New Orleans, Crosby added. “When … [Read more...]
New Zion Baptist Church accepts Acts 1:8 challenge
SHREVEPORT – New Zion Baptist Church isn’t trying to become a large church, but rather a great church, said Pastor Philip Williamson. By Brian Blackwell Staff writer SHREVEPORT – New Zion Baptist Church isn’t trying to become a large church, but rather a great church, said Pastor Philip Williamson. Since Williamson became pastor at the Shreveport church in 1998, Sunday morning worship attendance has grown from 80 to 135. Williamson attributes the growth to its evangelistic thrust in the community. “The whole idea is every member is involved in evangelism,” he said. “Even if our members aren’t witnessing to someone directly, they can invite someone to visit their Sunday school class. If we get them involved in Sunday school, they will build relationships and eventually may accept Christ as a result.” That evangelistic focus involves the predominantly African-American congregation in missions on all levels – their Jersusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. Last year, New Zion Baptist accepted the Acts 1:8 Challenge. Launched in May 2004, the Acts 1:8 Challenge is a call for churches to move to a higher level of missions commitment by cooperating with their local association, state … [Read more...]
Collegiate conference draws crowd of 800
ALEXANDRIA – More than 800 students from at least 38 of Louisiana’s colleges and universities gathered Feb. 3-5 at the Holiday Inn Conference Center for their annual evangelism conference. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor ALEXANDRIA – More than 800 students from at least 38 of Louisiana’s colleges and universities gathered Feb. 3-5 at the Holiday Inn Conference Center for their annual evangelism conference. Sometimes riotous, sometimes penetrating, the Friday night worship – led by Downhere, of Canada – positioned the students for the reality check given in his sermon by young evangelist Jarrett Stevens of Florida. “Evangelism,” Stevens said, “begins with the question, ‘Is the world still good?’ ... If you withdraw from the world on your campus, if you separate ‘good’ and ‘not good,’ you become divided and, at best, ineffective.” Stevens preached from Matthew 9:9 on three types of divided people: fakers, sellers and judges. Ana Chellino of Baton Rouge, a student at Louisiana State University, said she got much more from the conference than she had expected. “It really hit home,” she said. “What he said was it’s okay to branch out. You need Christian friends but it’s not good if that’s … [Read more...]
Evangelism Cube style
LAFAYETTE – For Cherrie Blackwell, the EvangeCube is like a Discover Card – she doesn’t leave home without it. By Brian Blackwell Staff writer LAFAYETTE – For Cherrie Blackwell, the EvangeCube is like a Discover Card – she doesn’t leave home without it. “The first time I used an EvangeCube was during Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans,” said Blackwell, who works for Lagniappe Ministries in New Orleans. “Now, we carry one with us all the time and even give them away.” Blackwell is one of thousands who have used the EvangeCube as a witnessing tool in the United States and hundreds of other countries. Similar in appearance to the Rubik’s Cube, the EvangeCube helps walk people through the gospel presentation using pictures. This witnessing tool utilizes seven pictures that present the gospel through a series of flips. Flip one way, and show people man’s separation from God. Flip again, and you’ll see Jesus stepping from the tomb. “This is very fundamental and simple,” said Mike Greenberg, EvangeCube strategic partnerships specialist, during a breakout at the recent Louisiana Baptist Convention Evangelism Conference. “This is a tool for any person in the pew. It’s simply sharing the … [Read more...]
Checking out churches: Pineville church was nearby
PINEVILLE - Pastor Keith Dickens rubbed two foot-long blocks of wood against each other in one of three sermon illustrations. By Karen Willoughby Managing editor PINEVILLE - Pastor Keith Dickens rubbed two foot-long blocks of wood against each other in one of three sermon illustrations. If Jesus wants you to go in this direction, and you go in the opposite, that creates friction, Dickens explained. But when you go in the direction Jesus wants you to go, there’s no friction and everything goes so much more smoothly. That illustration made an impression on me last week when I visited Donahue Family Church, a Southern Baptist congregation – they give 5 percent of their undesignated offerings to missions through the Cooperative Program, the SBC’s acclaimed method of supporting global missions. I visited Donahue Family Church the day after I moved into my new-to-me home because it seemed to be the nearest Southern Baptist church. I’ll be visiting churches nearly every week as part of my job. The thought occurred to me that you might like to know what’s going on in other worship services, and besides, describing those services would be another way of telling stories of Louisiana Southern Baptists. … [Read more...]
Disaster relief training attracts 150
ALEXANDRIA – It’s 7:45 on a Saturday morning and a line forms 40 persons deep. By Brian Blackwell Staff writer ALEXANDRIA – It’s 7:45 on a Saturday morning and a line forms 40 persons deep. Fifteen minutes later, Cal Jones steps to the microphone. “This is a great day for the Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief program and ya’ll are the reason,” the Louisiana Baptist Convention disaster relief director tells 150 persons attending the Feb. 4 training session at the Baptist Building in Alexandria. Each person completed training in three areas – an introduction to the American Red Cross, an overview of the Southern Baptist Convention manual and a session for individual units. Those people were trained to work on chaplaincy, shower, chain saw and feeding units. In addition to the general training, 25 people completed an additional 10 hours of training on Friday and Saturday afternoon to receive certification as a chaplain. “By the end of the session, each person was able to wear the (Southern Baptist) disaster relief training patch, which is vital because you can’t get into a lot of areas without the patch,” Jones explained. The patch is a copyrighted logo and can be earned only by completing … [Read more...]
Drama, missions planned over next six weeks
ALEXANDRIA – At least 200 people are expected for the 2006 Drama Festival, set for Feb. 24-25 at Louisiana College. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor ALEXANDRIA – At least 200 people are expected for the 2006 Drama Festival, set for Feb. 24-25 at Louisiana College. Wesley Brainard of Oklahoma, who studied mime with Marcelle Marceau, has been tapped as guest clinician for the annual event now in its fifth year. “The youth at my church [Koran Baptist in Haughton] performed using doweling rods this past Sunday for the call to worship,” said Patti Yeatts, drama festival coordinator. “When they finished, most of the congregation were in tears and hands were lifted in praise to God. “Their leaders, Keith and Denice McFarland, had learned this unique ministry at our first drama festival,” Yeatts continued. “That is the excitement and purpose of this festival, to present the Gospel in unique and varied ways.” The drama festival is one of several special interest events planned to minister to the varied needs of Louisiana Southern Baptists, said John Yeats, LBC director of communications. “A drama ministry has a way like no other of taking the precious truths of God’s Word and making them … [Read more...]
RAs a passion for these leaders
PINEVILLE – For Jerry Love, missions is a passion. By Brian Blackwell Staff writer PINEVILLE – For Jerry Love, missions is a passion. Each Sunday evening, he and five other men at Kingsville Baptist Church in Pineville instill that passion into 20 boys at the Central Louisiana church who participate in Royal Ambassadors. “RAs allows our boys to understand missions work going on all over the world,” said Love, who teaches fourth through sixth graders. “They see different ways to share the gospel and understand missions work is not just telling someone about Christ from the pulpit.” Royal Ambassadors is the missions education organization for first through sixth grade boys. The organization actually started with Woman’s Missionary Union in 1908 and was led by that organization until it became the responsibility of the former Brotherhood Commission in 1957. The Southern Baptist program reaches the young men for Christ and leads them to become ambassadors for Christ by developing biblical character. Each week RAs learn about missions on the local, state, national or international level. Boys also are encouraged to participate in missions projects. In fact, they can earn badges for the … [Read more...]