By John Yeats, Executive Director of the Missouri Baptist Convention By now we’ve all read or heard too much information about the Secret Service prostitution scandal. At least 20 women were in hotel rooms with U.S. agents and military personnel just before President Obama arrived for a summit with Latin American leaders. Eleven Secret Service agents and 10 military personnel are now under investigation. The 11 Secret Service agents were recalled to the U.S. from Colombia and placed on administrative leave after a night of partying that allegedly ended with at least some bringing prostitutes back to their hotel room. On Monday, April 17, the agency announced that it also had revoked the agents’ security clearances. The 10 U.S. military personnel staying at the same hotel also were being investigated for their role in the alleged misconduct. As with all immoral sexual encounters, a lack of truth is evidenced by multiple stories about who the women were. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee stated, “Some are admitting [the women] were prostitutes, others are saying they’re not. They’re just women they met at the hotel bar.” A lie to yourself and others almost always accompanies sexual … [Read more...]
Responding to an armed predator in your church
By Chester Quarles, Professor Emertrius University of Mississippi What do you do? How do you respond to a nightmare? You need a well thought-out plan, because most people lose their ability to think logically during an ongoing crisis. They lose their cognitive processing and make bad decisions. Being prepared can save your life and the lives of those in your congregation. Having a plan gives you an edge. Failing to prepare is incredibly costly. Preparation is more than a state of mind; it is the ability to respond quickly and appropriately. Unfortunately, there is no “one size fits all” armed predator plan for any church. The mega-church has many more options than does a small congregation. A single shooter can’t control a crowd of several thousand worshipers. Worshipers some distance from the spree shooter can evacuate through alternative exits. However, in a small-church congregational setting the spree shooter can control all of the exits. Most shooting trajectories are higher than18 inches. Positioning yourself lower than this significantly decreases your chances of being shot. If everyone hits the floor, it will also … [Read more...]
Joseph Willis started churches throughout Louisiana
By Randy Willis, Special to the Message Editor’s Note: Excerpted from his book “Joseph Willis: The Apostle to the Opelousas” Joseph settled at Bayou Chicot between 1800 and 1805. In 1806, the Mississippi Baptist Association was organized. Though a licensed minister, a church had never ordained him. It was his belief that he should be ordained. He also knew well the importance of banding together with other believers. Therefore, in 1810 Joseph left for Mississippi to seek ordination [where] once again the race card would be played. Joseph took his letter to a local [Mississippi] church stating that he had been a member in good standing while in South Carolina. Such was the custom then as now among Baptists to transfer church membership by a letter. The church to which he gave his letter objected to his ordination “lest the cause of Christ should suffer reproach from the humble social position of his servant.” Paxton wrote, “Such obstacles would have daunted the zeal of any man engaged in a less holy cause.” The “humble social position” of Joseph was certainly not his wealth but the fact that his skin was swarthy. [As is said,] “The test of a man’s character is what it … [Read more...]
Baptist Associations and local churches are cooperating well
[img_assist|nid=8132|title=Igniting Passion|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=406|height=640]By John Evans, Baptist Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – When a Vermont pastor’s father became deathly ill, the pastor called the Green Mountain Baptist Association. Like many pastors in the state, he works another job to make ends meet. Unable to pay for the long trip home to be near his father, he needed compassionate counsel from a trusted colleague in ministry. “Within minutes of his phone call, I was able to send out a plea to all our pastors,” Terry Dorsett, director of missions and church planting catalyst with the association, recounted in an email. “In less than two hours I was able to call him back and tell him that we had collected all that he needed to make the trip home.” For many pastors, Baptist associations serve as the primary support system for their work and ministry. But that’s just one facet of the groups of churches that join together for fellowship, for ministry and service and for cooperative evangelism and missions. The Baptist association is the oldest cooperative unit in Baptist life, tracing its existence back more than 300 years. Each … [Read more...]
LC baseball players among latest class of graduates
By Al Quartemont, Special to the Message[img_assist|nid=8134|title=Like a group of brothers|desc=LC senior baseball players Colton Cole, Jordan Meisner, Justin Reed and Greg Uzee celebrate their graduation together.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=427] PINEVILLE – As they huddled together for one final picture, Louisiana College baseball players Colton Cole, Jordan Meisner, Justin Reed and Greg Uzee were celebrating their greatest victory yet: their college graduation. These four young men who had come from different places – Cole from Texas and Meisner, Reed and Uzee from across Louisiana – were now leaving with a common bond: graduates of LC. “Four or five years ago, we had never heard each other’s names, seen each other or had any idea any of us existed,” Meisner said. “Now we’re like a group of brothers.” “Graduating with your fellow teammates is something every student athlete dreams about,” Reed said. “The time and dedication we put in together allowed us to build a special bond unlike any other. I’m so proud of each of my teammates who graduated this year because I know they’ve put in countless hours of hard work to get where they are now.” Though they … [Read more...]
Youth/High School Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament
By Staff, Baptist Message Youth Bible Drill: 7th Grade Bible Drill - There were 8 people recognized as winners in four 7th grade groups: Lainey Gamble – FBC, Gonzales; Camryn Mikesell-FBC, Luling; Julia Schober-Heritage, Shreveport; Aubrey Dillon-FBC, Lake Charles; Sam Philley-Trinity, Oak Grove; Julie Bartley-East Winnfield, Winnfield. 8th Grade Bible Drill - There were 6 people recognized as winners in three 8th grade groups: Alanna Thompson-Pioneer,Pioneer; Mandy Rudd-Quitman, Quitman; Abbie Dixon-Westside, Moss Bluff; Benjamin Haines-Parkview, Baton Rouge; Carmen Fisk-FBC, Slidell; Savannah Whitney- FBC, Luling; Mitchell Bearry- Woodlawn, Baton Rouge. 9th Grade Bible Drill – The first & second place winners of each of the three 9th grade Bible Drill groups were: Paige Nevels-FBC, Oak Grove; Sarah Haines-Heritage, Sheveport; Thomas Gamble-FBC, Gonzales; Chaz Morgan-Woodlawn, Baton Rouge; Abbi Wilson-FBC, Lafayette; Paul Deline-FBC, Youngsville. 9th Grade Bible Drill – A “Drill-Off” was held, composed of 9 of the 9th grade participants with the highest overall scores to determine the overall winner. The Drill-Off participants were: Thomas Gamble-FBC, Gonzales; … [Read more...]
LBC’s James Jenkins receives first NOBTS denominational DMin degree
[img_assist|nid=8137|title=A first|desc=James Jenkins D.Min. stands between David Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, and John Hebert, LBC missions director, during an office time of celebration following graduation after nearly five years studying for his doctorate at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=427]By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor NEW ORLEANS – “I want to be part of what our denomination will be in its next hundred years,” says James Jenkins, African American and Hispanic Ministry Strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, and pastor of Baptist Bible Fellowship in Shreveport. “Part of that is leadership,” Jenkins says. “Everything revolves around leadership.” Toward that end – and for the intellectual stimulation, Jenkins adds – nearly five years ago he began work on a Doctor of Ministry – D.Min. – degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated May 12 with a D.Min. in Denominational Leadership, the first ever given at NOBTS, school officials said. “We congratulate James on receiving this first-of-its-kind degree,” said John Hebert, director of the LBC … [Read more...]
Two Rivers resolution supports Louisiana College
By Staff, Baptist Message HUSSER – As pastors from Two Rivers Baptist Association met at New Sharon Baptist Church for their monthly pastor/staff conference, officers of the association signed a resolution affirming Louisiana College’s lawsuit regarding federal healthcare legislation. “We applaud the efforts of Louisiana College in their efforts to protect the rights of all individuals,” said Rusty Durand, pastor of Montpelier (La.) Baptist Church and Two Rivers moderator. “Our churches believe in the work of Louisiana College and are grateful for the leadership of Dr. Joe Aguillard and all the professors who are leading in this important arena,” said Stan Statham, director of missions in Two Rivers, Washington and William Wallace Baptist Associations, known collectively – yet informally – as Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana. The resolution had been passed unanimously at the association’s April 9 spring meeting. Copies have been mailed to State Senators David Vitter and Mary Landrieu, U.S. Representatives Steve Scalise and Bill Cassidy, and President Barak Obama. … [Read more...]
NOBTS graduates 389 students: a record
By Frank M. McCormack, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary celebrated its largest graduating class in the school’s 95-year history May 11 and 12 with a total of 389 graduates. Leavell College, the seminary’s undergraduate program, held its commencement ceremony May 11, with a graduating class of 235. The graduate commencement took place the following day, with 154 master’s and doctoral graduates. The school’s previous high graduation mark was 367 in May 2005. The students who received degrees during the two commencement ceremonies offered a well-composed snapshot of the New Orleans Seminary’s identity and commitment to making theological training accessible to as many men and women as possible, regardless of where they are in the world. Of the 235 Leavell College graduates, 145 of them were students from NOBTS training sites in Cayes, Port-au-Prince and Port-de-Paix, Haiti. The seminary has partnered with the Florida Baptist Convention to provide ministry training in Haiti since early 2004. Courses there are taught in the students’ heart language of French Creole. Many of the graduates, who received certificates in … [Read more...]
Louisiana churches reach out in ministry across the state, world
By Staff, Baptist Message First Krotz Springs – Chad Bolfa is pastor – is doing more of an emphasis on missions hands-on, in the community, state, and world. One thing they are doing is building a new structure on their property that will house a storefront ministry for the entire community. This is being done debt-free. The pastor of First Ville Platte, Kevin West, and Suresh Chiruguru, pastor of missions at First Ville Platte, have started an evangelistic magazine in the Telugu (East Indian) language. Three thousand copies of the bimonthly publication are distributed in India through a pastor they know there, to pastors, other leaders and seminaries. West is looking for others who have a passion for India to partner with First Ville Platte in expanding the magazine ministry to five languages. Contact him at 337.363.4240 or kevin.west@fbcvp.com. North Eunice Baptist is teaming up with First Pine Prairie – Pastor Keith Sheridan – for “Mamou 516.” It’s a series of outreach efforts in the Mamou community. They’ve had two already: family movie and block party. “This is a great way to reach the people,” said Pastor Travis Turner of North Eunice. “We want … [Read more...]