At one point during a sports team’s five-hour visit to a prison during their Brazil mission trip, they saw 11 guards walk one manacled prisoner down a corridor lined with peeling gray-green walls on one side. BELO – At one point during a sports team’s five-hour visit to a prison during their Brazil mission trip, they saw 11 guards walk one manacled prisoner down a corridor lined with peeling gray-green walls on one side. He was not among the 40 or so prisoners outfitted in red prison garb and black flip-flops invited by prison officials to participate in two hours of sports in a courtyard surrounded by two decks of cells – each 8x8, each holding two to four inmates. This two hours was to be the prisoners only recreation time all week. “It [the Americans’ visit] helps the prisoners get along with each other better,” said Luciana A. Bettini Romero, public affairs coordinator. Each year the Brazil mission team is permitted into several prisons. Jimmy LaGrassa of Fort Worth, Texas, and Keith White of Highland New Iberia were coaches for the seven-member team of female athletes. (No male athletes had signed up for the Brazil mission trip.) “I was petrified,” said middle-aged Kathy Smith of Marietta, Ga., after she heard … [Read more...]
BRAZIL For the 25th Time
What makes the mission trip led by Wayne Jenkins so successful is the organization behind it. BELO – What makes the mission trip led by Wayne Jenkins so successful is the organization behind it. After 25 years of doing it, Jenkins knows what needs done in the U.S., and his Brazilian counterpart – Alexandre Felicio Peixoto, a World Mission representative for the Brazilian Baptist Convention on loan to the Minas Gerias State Baptist Convention for this assignment – is equally prepared. It truly is a joint operation, Jenkins says. “Although we are able to make an impact for a short time, it is our SBC missionaries – supported by our Cooperative Program – along with the Brazilian Baptists who carry on the work year round,” Jenkins said. “It is our privilege to come alongside of them for a short period of time and assist them.” The first order of business for both men: praying in faith, trusting God to work out details and situations beyond their control. This year, for example, Jenkins lined up construction crews to build the three churches the Brazilians had requested. But only enough money had come in to build two – until the final week before the Americans boarded their aircrafts for flights to Brazil. “God … [Read more...]
Building for the future
The three construction teams sent out with the Brazil mission trip didn’t rack up as many spiritual decisions as did the other mission teams, but wait 10 or 50 years. The three construction teams sent out with the Brazil mission trip didn’t rack up as many spiritual decisions as did the other mission teams, but wait 10 or 50 years. “This building helped us make people more comfortable, and come back, with everyone welcome,” said Milton Sincero, pastor of a church built three years ago by a Brazil mission team. “I am very very extremely happy that the Americans built this building for us.” The church has nearly doubled in the last three years, and members are being discipled so they can tell the people they know about Jesus, the pastor added. Because of the influx of middle-class families, the church now is able to provide a rice-and-beans sack of groceries once a month, as one of many community outreaches. In a lower-income part of Belo, Pastor Allison Mendouca had no plans to have what Brazilians refer to as a “temple.” The pastor’s heart was geared toward the children in the neighborhood where he lived. “When you live near you can see the need,” Mendouca said. But a children’s Sunday School in a home grew to … [Read more...]
Medical team gives lines of Brazilians COMPASSIONATE CARE
The word had gotten out, and lines of people young and old stretched down the street each day three medical teams ministered in some of the very poorest neighborhoods of this steeply-hilled city. BELO – The word had gotten out, and lines of people young and old stretched down the street each day three medical teams ministered in some of the very poorest neighborhoods of this steeply-hilled city. Brazil has an “underfunded” national health care system, according to published reports. Most of the poorest people never see a doctor. They didn’t this July, either. Unlike most years, no physician volunteered this year for the Brazil mission trip. Nurses and pharmacists – with Brazilian interpreters nearby – provided care for everything from a cook’s crushed finger to a middle-aged woman’s suspected breast cancer. With each medical team, was another physical-care option. One site had an oral surgeon (Bo Worley of Emmanuel Shreveport); one a Lions Club-trained couple from Texas who distributed about 600 pair of glasses; and one a Brazilian woman who closed her shop for three days so she could cut hair for 87 people, with the help of a hair stylist from North Carolina. Each of the churches took the opportunity of the medical … [Read more...]
Northwest Baptist Association calls Wayne DuBose as DOM
Wayne DuBose is coming home. SHREVEPORT – Wayne DuBose is coming home. Pastor for 14 years – 1980 through 1994 – of Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport, DuBose was called July 23 to be Director of Missions for the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association. “Bro. Wayne brings to the Director of Missions position a deep love for our Lord, wisdom, a wide breadth of experience, a heart for missions, and a genuine love for people,” wrote T. Floyd Davis Jr., chairman of the DOM search committee, in a letter to the association’s executive board before the unanimous vote was taken. “Our committee believes that God has directed us to a man who will be able to lead us with enthusiasm and vision in these challenging days in which we live.” A reception will follow the 10:45 a.m. Sunday morning worship service Aug. 30 at First Baptist Minden, where DuBose has served as pastor since April 2001. Technically an Alabama native, DuBose has called Louisiana home since before he graduated in 1971 from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, though he has pastored in small to large churches in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. His extensive list of service at the associational, state and denominational levels includes, among … [Read more...]
Cross Camp extends to second week; enjoys record turnout
The theme for Cross Camp ’09 was short but an effective directive – BE. PINEVILLE – The theme for Cross Camp ’09 was short but an effective directive – BE. Be relentless; be engaged; be inspired; be Holy; be encouraging; be whatever God wants you to be were just some of the ways the word was tied into simple sayings that were repeated over and over again to campers. BE was short for the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12), the eight statements taught by Jesus to the masses at the Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes are a map of life. They are simply stated, but are profound in meaning. They guide. They point. They teach. They show us the values that Christ cares about. And the Cross Camp staff stressed those points repeatedly to the junior high and high school students during Bible study, worship, family group, church group devotion, Mass Mess and ‘Wreck.’ “It has been an amazing two weeks,” Cross Camp Executive Director Jon Hale said. “We had 15 professions of faith our first night alone, and I believe overall we had more than 60 out of 600 campers. The two-week total of 600 participants was a record for the camp, which “did a little something different this year,” Hale said. “Last year, we had to turn away 13 … [Read more...]
LBC Clear Youth Camp leaves nothing Undone
The pressures on teens today to be godly in an ungodly culture can be almost overpowering, especially when those teenagers refuse to engage in that type of culture. WOODWORTH – The pressures on teens today to be godly in an ungodly culture can be almost overpowering, especially when those teenagers refuse to engage in that type of culture. Undone Clear Camps 2009, sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Youth Ministry Strategy Office and Clear Camps, Inc., helps to equip teens in an intense week of worship, prayer and play. “By 2010 there will be 36 million teenagers in the United States,” Kevin Boles, youth strategist of the LBC, said. “It will be our largest generation ever, and we need to prepare and encourage them to become impact makers both in their communities and on their campuses.” The camp, which is being held at Tall Timbers and drew a record number of teenagers, accomplishes this task through intense Bible study, worship, purpose-driven recreational events, and celebration. “We have 317 this summer – a new record,” Boles said. “Two years ago we had 27, last year 56, and this year more than 300. I believe the reason for this huge jump is God is honoring what we are trying to do here. “The camp’s theme – … [Read more...]
Outdoor SuperConference will help forge inroads into EVANGELISM
Where there is a common interest in an activity, there is an inroad into a person’s heart. DEVILLE – Where there is a common interest in an activity, there is an inroad into a person’s heart. In Louisiana, commonly called the Sportsman’s Paradise, there are 2.2 million men who share in a common passion – the outdoors and all of the activities associated with it, such as hunting, fishing, golfing and riding motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). On Saturday, Sept. 19, the Evangelism/Church Growth team and Men’s Ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Convention will sponsor an Outdoor Evangelism SuperConference at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville to demonstrate how men and women can use their passion for the outdoors to serve the Lord. The SuperConference, which will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., will feature Chris Wells, Bassmaster Elite Series Chaplain; Jason Cruise, founder of Outdoor Ministry Network and a noted outdoor personality; Scott Lehman, founder of InHisGripGolf; and Buddy Newsome, founder of F.A.I.T.H. Riders. Cost is $30 if one signs up before Aug. 19 and $35 afterwards. “Louisiana is not called the Sportsman’s Paradise for nothing,” LBC Evangelism Associate Keith Manuel said. “Most of us know … [Read more...]
Churches helping any way they can in FBC Shreveport bus crash aftermath
Maggie Lee Henson died Sunday, August 2, from injuries suffered in the recent Meridian, Miss., bus crash. JACKSON, Miss. – Maggie Lee Henson died Sunday, August 2, from injuries suffered in the recent Meridian, Miss., bus crash. “At 6:30 pm tonight, our precious Maggie Lee was carried into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” her parents said, according to a post on the Caring Bridge blog. “For these last three weeks, she fought for her life courageously, with the skillful help of the medical staff at Batson Children’s Hospital here in Jackson. “She was blessed to have thousands of people praying and pulling for her,” the post continued. “We celebrate her eternal life in the presence of her Creator tonight.” In the weeks since the accident, churches and individuals have shown support for Henson and the students, with churches in Louisiana and the surrounding states banding together to help First Baptist Church of Shreveport in any way they can. Gene Hendrix, Minister of Christian Formation and Administration at First Shreveport, said volunteers in the church have been formed into care groups. The groups have been helping individuals and families involved in the accident with various needs, such as … [Read more...]
Hymn-sing to honor longtime organist
Benjamin Harlan, internationally known arranger and composer of choral, keyboard and handbell music and professor of church music at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, has organized a rousing hymnfest for 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at First Baptist Winnfield. WINNFIELD – Benjamin Harlan, internationally known arranger and composer of choral, keyboard and handbell music and professor of church music at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, has organized a rousing hymnfest for 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at First Baptist Winnfield. Alleluia! Amen! Celebrating Our Faith in Song is to feature a chorus of 200 or more, from churches across Louisiana, Albert L. Travis of Texas, organist, and the NSU faculty brass, under Harlan’s direction. “This hymnfest is to honor Mrs. [Edith] Price,” said John Holland, minister of music at First Winnfield. “She’s been the organist here for 50 years, and she was his teacher.” So was Holland, who was reared at First Winnfield. “She has been an example in our church,” Holland said. “She’s provided a lot of insight into music for me. … It’s a great honor to serve on staff with her. In addition to her extraordinary musicianship at the organ, Mrs. Price has invested the gift of music in … [Read more...]