By Will Hall, Message Editor ALEXANDRIA (LBM) – The Southern Baptist Convention is defined by the voluntary cooperation of more than 46,000 congregations for the sake of sharing the Gospel with the lost in local areas, states, the nation and around the world. There are a number of ways to measure cooperation, including commitment of resources as well as service together. Meanwhile, the ultimate measurement of effectiveness of sharing the Gospel is winning souls. The Baptist Message has compiled information about the churches of Ken Hemphill and J.D. Greear from the Southern Baptist Convention’s records of data submitted by the churches via Annual Church Profile surveys. Previously, the Baptist Message reported information about the First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, North Carolina, for Hemphill. But, to provide a more appropriate comparison of leadership, in this article we are including data for the First Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia, where Hemphill last served as a pastor. He served there 12 years, so we include 12 years of history for both FBCN and The Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina, led by J.D. Greear, for a consistent basis of comparison. As for service to Southern Baptists, in addition … [Read more...]
Robert Jeffress, Bobby Welch endorse Hemphill for SBC president
By Will Hall, Message Editor ALEXANDRIA (LBM) -- Two iconic leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention have endorsed Ken Hemphill for SBC president. Robert Jeffress, pastor of the historic 13,000-member First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, in an email, said, “I enthusiastically endorse Dr. Ken Hemphill for president of the Southern Baptist Convention,” noting that Hemphill “is a proven leader with a consistent track record of supporting all the various ministries of our denomination.” “As our Convention faces so many critical decisions that will determine our denomination’s future for decades to come,” he continued, “we need a leader who has both the ability and the desire to unite, rather than further divide, Southern Baptists.” Bobby Welch, who served as SBC president from 2004-2005 while then pastor of the 4,100-member First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Florida, shared similar thoughts through a social media message about the need for Hemphill’s seasoned leadership at a critical time in the life of the Convention. “There are a number of excellently qualified Southern Baptists who would make a great president of the SBC, any other time except this time,” Welch wrote. “This time, we are in desperate need of a … [Read more...]
Why you should be an SBC messenger in Dallas this June
By Eddie Wren, President of the LBC Why should you volunteer to be a messenger for the 2018 Southern Baptist Convention in Dallas? I am so glad you asked! I believe four reasons prevail. First, to witness the Southern Baptist Convention. Oh, some will say the SBC is nothing but an oversized business meeting, but the meeting is fascinating nonetheless. Get the business meetings from your grandmother’s church out of your head. The SBC is not like her meetings. Instead, there will be reports and presentations from the major entities of the SBC. The Executive Committee of the SBC, The North American and International Mission Boards, Lifeway, Guidestone, the seminaries and others will give presentations and answer questions. The meeting can actually be fascinating, or at least entertaining. Second, in the couple of days that are the SBC, you will also be privileged to hear good preaching from preachers you may otherwise only hear on television or the radio. If you go early you will hear lots of good preaching at the SBC Pastor’s Conference. But if you cannot attend the Pastor’s Conference there will still be opportunities to hear good preaching. Steve Gaines, Ravi Zacharias and Paige Patterson will all preach … [Read more...]
Louisiana Lagniappe
ON THE MOVE There will be a Commissioning Service this Sunday, May 6 for Matthew Beisel, the new pastor Sharon Baptist Church in Port Allen. This is Beisel's first pastorate and he will be commissioned by Glen Wagnon, acting interim and Randy Osbourne of the Greater Baton Rouge Baptist Association. Beisel, his wife Haleigh and their two children, Edith & Elliot, are coming to Sharon from Coral Springs, Florida. The church will celebrate the occasion with a “pounding” for the Pastor's family and a covered dish luncheon. Matt, wife Erin, Mallette and his wife Erin is the new youth minister at Unity Baptist Church, Deville. Kenneth, wife Peep, Austin is the new interim pastor at The Church at Marksville. Jerry Penfield has resigned as pastor at First Baptist Church, Zwolle. REVIVAL Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans: Spring Revival, May 7-8, each night 6-9 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Pastor: Fred Luter. Franklinton Area Senior Adult Revival, “A Clean Heart Revival,” May 7-11; Monday, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Franklinton, Speaker: Michael Thomas; Tuesday, Bethel Baptist Church, Franklinton, Speaker: Mike Stafford; Thursday, Bogue Chitto, Mt. Hermon, Speaker: Joey Miller, Friday, First Baptist Church, … [Read more...]
Live in the light
By Dennis Watson “Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey Him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.” (Ephesians 5:6-9) Roy Riegels is a name that is famous in sports circles, although he played football 90 years ago. Riegels played for the University of California Bears in the 1929 Rose Bowl against the Georgia Tech Yellow jackets. California was winning by the score of 7 to 6, when Riegels picked up a fumble and began to run with the ball. In the midst of evading tacklers, Riegels lost his bearings, and began to run towards his team’s goal line rather than the opponent’s goal line. After getting over their shock about what was happening, Riegels’ teammates pursued him as we he was running in the wrong direction, and tackled him near his own goal line. But Riegels’ blunder ultimately cost his team the game. That’s because the offensive team was then pushed back into the end zone, resulting in a safety and a gain of two points by the opposing team. Riegels’ team lost that … [Read more...]
Fewer abortions in Louisiana reported for third consecutive year
By Louisiana Right to Life communications NEW ORLEANS - The number of abortions in Louisiana decreased by 3 percent from 2016 to 2017, according to preliminary figures provided to Louisiana Right to Life recently by the Louisiana Department of Health. It was the third straight year abortion numbers have dropped. There were 8,706 abortions performed in Louisiana in 2017, down from 8,972 abortions reported in 2016, 9,362 abortions reported in 2015, and 10,211 abortions reported in 2014. The number of abortions performed in the state had increased steadily since Hurricane Katrina before the abortion rate began to decline. Even with numbers down nearly 15 percent since 2014, an average of 24 abortions per day were performed in Louisiana in 2017. Louisiana Right to Life will continue working hard to reduce these numbers until every baby is saved. "We are excited that for the third straight year abortion has decreased in Louisiana," said Benjamin Clapper, Executive Director of Louisiana Right to Life. "This decrease means that children were born in 2017 who may have been aborted in previous years. These babies now get to enjoy their life in the great state we call home. We believe that every life deserves a lifetime, and … [Read more...]
Rolling Hills Ministries dedicates Monroe thrift store
MONROE -- Rolling Hills Ministries celebrated the grand opening of its Monroe thrift store April 20. The $1.8 million, 15,600 sq. ft. store is the fourth to be opened by the ministry. Rolling Hills also operates locations in Arcadia, Bossier City and Ruston. The new Monroe location accepts drop off items, and picks up donations such as furniture and other large items. Proceeds help fund Rolling Hills’ compassion center, which is located in the same building as the thrift store. This summer, Rolling Hills will begin teaching a retail certification for women who are residents of the Home Place family ministry at the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. The ministry also plans to offer a course to prepare others for the High School Equivalency exam. Located at 5339 Desiard Street, the store is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For information about serving as a volunteer or donating items, call 318.381.8500 or 318.251.0065 or visit rollinghillsministries.com. … [Read more...]
We are still here!
Perhaps you have heard about David Meade’s prediction that the rapture would take place yesterday, April 23? He said the same thing last year. Then, he said he miscalculated. His failed prediction of yesterday has him now saying that the rapture will take place between May and December. For Mr. Meade’s sake, I am glad that the law of Deuteronomy 18:20 was not invoked. Look it up—“That prophet must die.” I do have some strong feelings about people misleading others about the subject of Jesus’ return. Jesus gave the supreme answer on the matter. “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows.” Case closed. Next subject. Stop paying attention to the date setters. Before Jesus’ death, after the resurrection, and by the Spirit after His ascension, Jesus spoke of His return—His second coming. This is the great hope of the church. The importance of the return of Christ is evident in that these are the last words that Jesus spoke. The promise of Jesus’ return ought to make a difference in our lives. How should we live in light of the promise of the return of Christ? I want to point your attention to three principles today. The certainty of His coming ought to give us great comfort. One of the strongest arguments for the … [Read more...]
Fire destroys Camp Living Waters maintenance building
By Message Staff LORANGER - A fire Monday, April 23, destroyed the maintenance building at Camp Living Waters in Loranger, but camp staff are thankful no one was injured. Camp Director Scott Mercer told the Baptist Message the fire, believed to be electrical, started around 1 p.m. Monday. Responding to the fire was the Loranger and 8th Ward Volunteer Fire Departments. A total of 14 firemen from six trucks battled the blaze until it was extinguished. Among the most expensive items lost in the fire were a tractor, two zero turn lawn mowers and golf cart, worth more than $60,000. The fire also destroyed Mercer's personal camper. He is waiting to find out what items insurance will cover. "Prayer is the beginning of the process as we wait to hear from insurance," Mercer said. "Then people can begin to pray for us as we recuperate our losses and rebuild. Pray for wisdom of where to start and how we can do this process in a way that honors and glorifies our Lord. "When you think of the shop it’s not just a building,” he continued. "It is the contents of the building that takes its toll. "So our immediate needs will be for those bigger items," he continued. "Grass doesn't stop growing and camp season is just a few … [Read more...]
FUGE celebrates 40 years of ministry to students
By LifeWay Christian Resources Staff NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Randy Parks remembers the music, the games, and the wacky events from the first summer he attended Centrifuge in 1979. But most of all, he remembers the clear message of the gospel and the strong conviction that a life following Christ was exciting and worth living. That summer at Glorieta, New Mexico, when Parks was only a high school junior, laid the foundation for his future as a hospital chaplain. “Centrifuge changed the direction of my life,” said Parks, now a chaplain at Newton Medical Center in Newton, New Jersey. “It was there I answered what I believed to be a call to follow God in the path of Christian ministry. “Since that time, I have lived out that calling through the local church, in university chaplaincy and for many years now as a health care chaplain.” Parks credits his summers at Centrifuge for helping him develop a regular quiet time and sparking a passion for evangelism. “It changed my life forever.” Parks is not alone. Since 1979, LifeWay’s FUGE Camps have seen God work in the lives of more than 1.7 million students and adults across the nation. This summer more than 55,000 students and adults will attend a FUGE Camp. That includes more … [Read more...]
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