Submitted by Brian Blackwell on Wed, 01/02/2013 - 14:09 Frank S. Page, president and "chief encouragement officer" of the SBC Executive Committee, is asking Southern Baptists to come together in 2013 for a year of emphasis on prayer "like none we’ve ever seen before." By Roger S. Oldham, SBC Communications NASHVILLE (BP) – Frank S. Page, president and "chief encouragement officer" of the SBC Executive Committee, is asking Southern Baptists to come together in 2013 for a year of emphasis on prayer "like none we’ve ever seen before." "For some time, God has been burdening my heart about prayer and spiritual awakening," Page wrote in a Dec. 11 First-Person article in Baptist Press. "I talked about this a great deal when I was president of the Southern Baptist Convention [2006-08]. I saw then what was happening in our nation, in our churches and in our convention. That deep sense of need for revival in our land has only gotten stronger over these past six years." This is not a new message for Page. On the SBC President’s page, posted after his election in 2006, Page wrote, "Across the nation I have spoken about the three ‘R’s.’ I have thanked God for the push for doctrinal rightness. I thank God for the conservative … [Read more...]
2013 Prayer Journals prepare hearts for LBC Evangelism Conference
STATEWIDE – New Hope Baptist Church in Delhi is still talking about the difference it made in the lives of church members to participate in last year’s 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. "It’s faded some, and it’s continuing some," said Pastor Kelly Clark. "We’re still excited about it. ... "It was a great help to our church and we’re planning on doing it again this year," Clark continued. "We’ve already ordered our books." The "books" he was referring to are the newly-written 2013 Prayer Journals produced by the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Evangelism/Church Growth team, and written by 21 Louisiana pastors. Each focused on one of three areas: reflecting, repenting and realigning. Another version of the 2013 Prayer Journal was written in Spanish by three Louisiana Hispanic pastors, who addressed the same three areas of spiritual focus. Jan. 6-27 are the suggested dates for use of the 2013 Prayer Journal (though they can be used throughout the year) to prepare participants for the 2013 LBC Evangelism Conference, set for Jan. 28-29 at First Baptist Church of Lafayette. See LBC.org/21Days to order the 2013 Prayer Journals for $1/each, plus shipping, which can include customization for churches with orders of at least 100 … [Read more...]
10-year-old Emma battles child slavery
Submitted by Brian Blackwell on Wed, 01/02/2013 - 14:13 Emma LeCompte HOUMA – Fifth-grader Emma LeCompte recently was asked to sell World’s Finest Chocolate as a fundraiser for her elementary school band. But she had learned last summer in Vacation Bible School at Mulberry Baptist Church about child slavery. "Yes, slavery still exists," wrote Church Secretary Haley Kraemer in an email to the Baptist Message. "In fact, it is so pervasive that it touches much of what we purchase. One example is on cocoa plantations in Africa. "Many large chocolate-producing corporations knowingly use chocolate that comes from suppliers who participate in slavery," Kraemer continued. "Why? Because it’s cheap. Why is it cheap? Because they use slave labor to keep production costs down. Why do they use slave labor? Because customers are paying so little for their product that [manufacturers] can’t afford to pay workers. And so goes the cycle." Emma was concerned that WFC may not use Fair Trade chocolate (not produced by slavery or unsafe standards) so she researched it, and when she checked out www.globalexchange.org/fairtrade/cocoa/worldsfinest, she found the company was part of that cycle. "Emma knew … [Read more...]
Milestones
Arrivals/Departures * Donnie Lee, new as bivocational minister of music at Southside Baptist Denham Springs. Pastor: Don Hoy. * Brett (wife Cathy) Fuller, new as worship pastor at Summer Grove Baptist Shreveport. Pastor: Aaron Burgner. * Abbey Allison, new as childrens ministry director at First Baptist Shreveport. Pastor: Jeff Raines. * Jeffrey West, new as youth ministry director at First Baptist Shreveport. Pastor: Jeff Raines. * Roger Merritt, new as music minister at First Baptist Benton. * Eddy Taylor, resigning as pastor of Salem Baptist in Plain Dealing. * Curt and DeeDee Iles’ commissioning for their service as IMB missionaries has been changed from Dec. 19 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at Dry Creek Baptist Camp. * Charles Hammons, new as interim pastor at Beech Springs Baptist in Quitman. * Doyle McGrew, new as pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist in Winnfield. * Wes (wife Myra) McCay, ordained to the gospel ministry Dec. 9 at Kingsville Baptist Pineville. * Jason Cole, new as pastor of First Baptist Simsboro. * George Meredith, resigned from Sandel Drive Baptist Church in Monroe and is available for supply: 318.376.1865. * Byron Humphrey, associate pastor at First Baptist Roseland, was ordained … [Read more...]
LBCEA preps for open table discussion session, annual ‘March 2013’ retreat
Submitted by Brian Blackwell on Wed, 01/02/2013 - 14:18 Louisiana Baptist Christian Education Association officers for the current year include from left to right) Rick Ellis, Vice-President, Trinity Baptist Church Lake Charles; Henry Richerson, President-Elect, Emmanuel Baptist Church Shreveport; Jeff Ingram, LBC Representative, Alexandria; and Clif Smith, President, First Baptist Church Covington. The LBCEA is seeking input for its open table discussion at the Evangelism Conference and is preparing for its annual retreat, which is to take place in two different locations in March. By Jeff Ingram, LBC Adult Ministry Strategist "Journey On is not a one-time campaign or program. And it’s not a Bible study or small group. Rather, it’s a church-wide strategy designed to meet you right where you are on your spiritual journey, help make you a disciple of Jesus, and move you forward to a Christ-centered life." This quote is from Steve Layton, Minister of Education at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, who recently spoke at the Louisiana Baptist Christian Education Association’s (LBCEA) annual meeting during the annual Louisiana Baptist Convention State Meeting on Nov. 12, at First Baptist Church West … [Read more...]
NOBTS Angola Prison extension mentioned on Jeopardy! episode
Submitted by Brian Blackwell on Wed, 01/02/2013 - 14:21 This trivia question, which was asked on the popular TV show Jeopardy! recently, refers to New Orleans Baptist Seminary’s undergraduate program at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. By Frank McCormack, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS – For casual and competitive Jeopardy! fans alike, it’s not unusual to know at least a hand full of correct questions to the show’s answers. (Note: Jeopardy! poses statements or answers, and contestants respond with questions like "What is …?" or "Who is …?") Some are easier than others. And for the really difficult questions, usually featured in "Final Jeopardy," the show gives contestants a few extra seconds to respond, accompanied by the famous Jeopardy! theme song. Rarely, though, can Jeopardy! viewers claim to be, at least in part, the subject of a question. But that’s what Jeopardy! fans with ties to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary experienced during a recent episode. Over that weekend, images of the question spread through New Orleans Seminary’s social media network. The answer read, "Prisoners at Angola in this Southern state can study for degrees at a Baptist seminary." The … [Read more...]
Carry the Gospel amid tragedy, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary grads urged
Submitted by Brian Blackwell on Fri, 01/04/2013 - 08:52 Venise St. Hiliaire receives congratulations from Chuck Kelley, president of New Orleans Seminary, upon receiving her master of arts in marriage and family counseling degree. By Frank Michael McCormack, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- Although commencements at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary are joyous events, both for the new graduates and faculty and administration who helped them along the way, the Dec. 15 ceremony for NOBTS and its Leavell College took on a solemn yet resolved tone in light of the previous day's tragedy in Newtown, Conn. New Orleans Seminary President Chuck Kelley, greeting a class of 91 graduate, 64 undergraduate and 30 doctoral students, said, "What a wonderful, glorious day it is. But not everywhere. "Our nation is reeling in shock from another tragic, senseless shooting and the loss of so many innocent lives," he said, referencing the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 20 children and six adults dead. Tragedy and uncertainty also stretch overseas, Kelley said. People face the realities of war, and financial struggles abound, in "a world with problems that seem to … [Read more...]
LBCH president pleased with extension of Adoption Tax Credit
By Michael Foust, Baptist Press WASHINGTON (BP) – The president of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries said he’s pleased with the extension of an Adoption Tax Credit that was part of the “fiscal cliff” bill signed into law earlier in the week. “It will certainly help many more children find forever families,” said Perry Hancock, president and CEO of the entity. “The most positive aspect of the new ATC is that it is now permanent rather than an extension of past legislation. “The new ATC, however, is not refundable as it was in 2010 and 2011,” Hancock added. “This limits the benefit of the credit to many low and middle income families. The new credit will, however, make adoption more affordable and encourage many families to consider providing a Christian home for children who need to know that they are loved.” The adoption tax credit was set to expire at the end of the year, and for months the adoption community had been lobbying Congress to extend it. The House and Senate did even better than that, making the credit permanent under the bill passed just before the New Year, according to the office of Sen. Mary Landrieu (D.-La.), an adoption advocate. Unlike a tax deduction, which only reduces … [Read more...]
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Florida Baptist Convention help give hope to Haiti seminarians
Submitted by Brian Blackwell on Tue, 01/08/2013 - 19:20 During a commencement service in Haiti, 145 students received pastoral ministries certificates, persevering while their nation was in chaos from the 2010 earthquake to complete a three-year theological education program offered by New Orleans Seminary and the Florida Baptist Convention. Photo by Ken Touchton/Florida Baptist Convention. By Barbara Denman, Florida Baptist Convention TITANYEN, Haiti (BP) - Chrisner Hyler, a Haitian in his early 20s, loves music, plays the keyboard and serves the Lord at a congregation in Port-au-Prince. And he has earned a Certificate in Pastoral Ministries after three years of studies offered in Haiti by New Orleans Theological Seminary and the Florida Baptist Convention. "I wanted to take the courses, to know how I can preach and teach and make disciples like Jesus Christ," Hyler said. "Then I could 'go and make some disciples' with the Holy Spirit and this teaching." Even when the January 2010 earthquake damaged his own home, crumbled his homeland, killed 200,000 fellow countrymen and left more than a million people homeless, Hyler persevered, dedicating a week every quarter to classes to learn biblical … [Read more...]
Hobby Lobby finds short-term way to avoid fines
Submitted by Brian Blackwell on Tue, 01/15/2013 - 10:15 Hobby Lobby's website reports that the company has 525 stores in the US, including six in Louisiana. The company is facing possible fines of $1.3 million each day, though lawyers for Hobby Lobby say they have found a short-term way to avoid the fines from the federal government over its decision not to comply with a plan for its employees that covers abortion-inducing drugs. By Michael Foust, Baptist Press OKLAHOMA CITY (BP) -- Hobby Lobby says it has found a way to avoid for "several months" being penalized by the federal government for not covering abortion-inducing drugs in its employee health care plans. Beginning Jan. 1, Hobby Lobby reportedly was facing fines of around $1.3 million per day for defying the Department of Health and Human Services' abortion/contraceptive mandate. Jan. 1 was the date its new employee health care plan was to take effect. But Peter M. Dobelbower, an attorney and vice president for Hobby Lobby, said in a Jan. 10 statement that that date had been delayed, although he didn't provide specific details. "Hobby Lobby discovered a way to shift the plan year for its employee health insurance, thus postponing the … [Read more...]
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