NEW ORLEANS – A new evangelistic plan emerged here from the confluence of strategic thinkers at the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans, Louisiana Baptist Convention and North American Mission Board. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor NEW ORLEANS – A new evangelistic plan emerged here from the confluence of strategic thinkers at the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans, Louisiana Baptist Convention and North American Mission Board. The New Orleans metropolitan area has been divided into 27 zones, each with at least one Southern Baptist church in it. Churches, associations and state/regional conventions across the SBC will be asked to partner with each zone. “What happens then is up to the churches and pastors in that zone and the entity – church/association/convention – that takes responsibility for it,” said Joe McKeever, BAGNO director of missions. “Whether the task is gutting out and rebuilding homes and churches, or doing ministry and evangelism in the neighborhoods, or a hundred other approaches, will be strictly up to the participating churches.” The plan was made public at the July 12 pastors’ gathering at Oak Park Baptist Church in New Orleans. “If it was mentioned once … [Read more...]
Sparrow chalk artist draws youngsters to Christ
ANACOCO – The children, cross-legged on the floor, watched as soft music played in the background while Jackie Gillespie of Sparrow Chalk Art Ministries etched a scene in chalk. Parents filling the pews watched, too, as intently as their children, while the picture took shape. By Tammy Sharp Regional Reporter ANACOCO – The children, cross-legged on the floor, watched as soft music played in the background while Jackie Gillespie of Sparrow Chalk Art Ministries etched a scene in chalk. Parents filling the pews watched, too, as intently as their children, while the picture took shape. Finished, Gillespie stepped back and began to sing, a cappella, His Eye is on the Sparrow, while the audience gazed at the canvas, a peaceful, natural scene with a broad expanse of fluffy clouds framed by flowers and trees. Then, the lights dimmed, darkened, and went out altogether, except for one spotlight on the drawing. As Gillespie’s husband Richard adjusted the lights, the colors in the picture first faded, then leapt out, then faded again until suddenly hands appeared in the center of the clouds. As the background gave way to pitch black, the hands of God, cradling a tiny sparrow, became brighter and brighter … [Read more...]
Returning seminarians bring post-Katrina hope
NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Each day the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary campus looks more like a school and less like a construction site. By Gary D. Myers New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Each day the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary campus looks more like a school and less like a construction site. Students and student families began moving back to campus in early June with the reopening of The Manor and Courtyard Apartments. The sounds of children playing have replaced the sounds of hammers and heavy machinery. After months of work, the campus is clean, safe and green – an oasis in a devastated city. “After the heartache of watching our entire seminary family move away in October, it is a joy beyond compare to see student families moving back to the campus,” NOBTS President Chuck Kelley said. “I never knew how precious the sight of children climbing all over the playground equipment would be.” Seminary contractor Mike Moskau said the restoration process is approximately 80 percent complete. Faculty homes are scheduled to reopen to professors and their families in July. The Oaks, a new two-bedroom student apartment complex, also will open in July. School … [Read more...]
Avoid the despair of doing nothing
The headline in the newspaper on Sunday, June 11, featured the Baptist Crossroads Project with hundreds of hammer-wielding volunteers changing devastated Alvar Street into a new community. The article described what I suspect to be the greatest deployment of God’s Army in the history of our nation. The headline in the newspaper on Sunday, June 11, featured the Baptist Crossroads Project with hundreds of hammer-wielding volunteers changing devastated Alvar Street into a new community. The article described what I suspect to be the greatest deployment of God’s Army in the history of our nation. In its full scope over these months, tens of thousands of men and women and young people have come to New Orleans to bear witness to their faith by proclaiming the gospel of love and peace in WORD and DEED. They have been the most visible emblem of positive change in our city. The headline on Father’s Day, a week later, read “5 Teenagers Shot Dead in Central City.” It was the worst massacre in New Orleans since 1995. Our homicide rate is now twice what it was before Hurricane Katrina. The forces of violence, anger, hatred, thievery, and murder fully intend to prevail in this city and rip her apart. The greatest … [Read more...]
Cooperative Program – the means to the ‘ends’
Last month, in this column I expressed some concern regarding the future of the Cooperative Program among Southern Baptists and suggested the CP was at a crossroads. Last month, in this column I expressed some concern regarding the future of the Cooperative Program among Southern Baptists and suggested the CP was at a crossroads. What decision would the Southern Baptist Convention make? Would the Cooperative Program continue to be the preferred missions funding methodology for Southern Baptists? I am happy to report some positive good news about CP from recent weeks. First of all, the SBC overwhelmingly adopted the report on the Cooperative Program which encourages new levels of education, information and support among all our churches. Southern Baptists are committed to making the CP stronger than ever. Secondly, among three excellent candidates for SBC president, the convention overwhelmingly elected the one from a church with a proven track record of generous percentage of giving through the Cooperative Program. Thirdly, there is great news for the Cooperative Program on our state convention level. In spite of the great damage done to Louisiana by the hurricanes last year, our Baptist people … [Read more...]
Eskimo kids experience ‘Arctic Edge’
KIANA, Alaska – You can’t drive to Kiana. There’s no road. By Polly House Baptist Press KIANA, Alaska – You can’t drive to Kiana. There’s no road. It’s true. The only ways in, the only ways out, are by small charter plane, four-wheeler, snowmobile or boat. It is definitely isolated. But for this one time, in the summer of 2006, more than a million people will visit this small community in the Arctic Circle. Vacation Bible School has put Kiana on the map. In this year’s VBS – Arctic Edge: Where Adventure Meets Courage – produced by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, daily excursions start from Big Bear Lodge and have children hiking across the tundra, exploring the seascape by kayak, and skimming the backcountry in a floatplane. Based on Joshua 1:9, Arctic Edge helps children find the courage required to follow Jesus in every day challenges as they learned that God is always with them. Even Eskimo children who live above the Arctic Circle in Kiana had a great time with this year’s Vacation Bible School’s theme. “Bible School is sort of about us,” said J.K., 11. “That is so cool!” Mission Service Corps volunteers John and Kim Piepmeier, who lead the small … [Read more...]
Speaker shares biblical grantwriting process
NEW ORLEANS – Financial help is available for pastors of churches that were devastated by hurricanes last year as well as for all kinds of projects, whether destroyed by nature or arson. There is also help for program support and renovations or just meeting needs in the community. By Amy Adams Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS – Financial help is available for pastors of churches that were devastated by hurricanes last year as well as for all kinds of projects, whether destroyed by nature or arson. There is also help for program support and renovations or just meeting needs in the community. A workshop in early June jointly sponsored by Louisiana Baptist Convention and BAGNO provided New Orleans-area pastors and leaders with information on how to obtain financial help and develop relationships with funders following a biblical model. Robert Vickers, founder of Artful Askers Ministry, travels across the United States, presenting seminars on how to leverage resources and access grants for church and ministry buildings, get program support dollars, and how to access many other resources to meet the needs of communities. He teaches a relational way of applying for and receiving a grant based on biblical … [Read more...]
Louisianians prepare for day with M.E.T.S.
ALEXANDRIA – At least 300 women are expected for a Day with the M.E.T.S., set for Aug. 5 at First Baptist Church in Lafayette and Aug. 19 at Woodridge Baptist Church in Shreveport. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – At least 300 women are expected for a Day with the M.E.T.S., set for Aug. 5 at First Baptist Church in Lafayette and Aug. 19 at Woodridge Baptist Church in Shreveport. A one-day training session led by Mission Education Training Specialists, (M.E.T.S.) the event will feature breakout sessions designed to equip participants with the necessary tools to effectively lead WMU organizations in their church and association. “We hope that through this day, the WMU leaders will be more effective in their leadership roles at their churches,” said Janie Wise, Louisiana Baptist Convention interim director of women’s missions and ministries. “These leaders hopefully will renew their mission vision with new ideas and return home to influence their world for Jesus Christ.” Breakout sessions will be offered for workers in preschool, children, youth, adult, WMU directors and ministries. Lunch will feature testimonies from International Mission Board and North American Mission Board … [Read more...]
Equipping opportunities offered by your state convention
Alexandria – Summertime is a busy time for the 60-plus person staff at the Louisiana Baptist Convention building. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA – Summertime is a busy time for the 60-plus person staff at the Louisiana Baptist Convention building. That’s when they’re finalizing plans for upcoming events and activities to help the 1,600 or more Southern Baptist congregations across the state minister ever more effectively to members and people in their communities. “We’re busy all year long on ways we can help our churches reach people through music and worship, but our biggest event of the year is less than a month away,” said Randy Turner, LBC music team leader. “The music conference is for those who work with all ages in music ministry, from children’s choirs to senior adult choirs and everything inbetween, including handbell choirs and full orchestras.” The LBC Music Conference is set for Aug. 4-5 at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria. The annual childhood education workshop set for July 28-29 in Shreveport and July 31-Aug. 1 in New Orleans, is for leaders involved in any type of ministry to preschoolers and children, such as day care, Sunday school and mothers’ day out … [Read more...]