On behalf of the entire membership of the Clearwater Bay International Baptist Church in Hong Kong, I say a heartfelt Thank You! On behalf of the entire membership of the Clearwater Bay International Baptist Church in Hong Kong, I say a heartfelt Thank You! Through your generous giving, the Clearwater Bay International Baptist Chapel was begun in 1993. Our first two pastors and their wives were International Mission Board personnel. We became financially independent in 1998 and continued into an independent church last May. As we celebrate our one-year anniversary, we are reminded of faithfulness of our brothers and sisters in the States. We are located next to a large university campus where over 700 scholars from mainland China are studying. Among other ministries, in the last two years we have baptized and discipled eight new believers from the mainland. So much more needs to be done. Many other scholars attend our studies and services, earnestly seeking the truth. We are blessed that in Hong Kong we are completely free to share the gospel and live in a vibrant community of faith. Each Sunday some 100 people from 18 different countries gather to celebrate our common life in Christ. Cooperative … [Read more...]
Archives for March 2015
Appeal denied in case of Louisiana evolution disclaimer
In 1994, the Tangipahoa Parish school board passed a policy requiring public school teachers to tell students that lessons on evolution were "not intended to influence or dissaude the biblical vision of creation." This month, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal that would have kept that policy in place. In 1994, the Tangipahoa Parish school board passed a policy requiring public school teachers to tell students that lessons on evolution were "not intended to influence or dissaude the biblical vision of creation." This month, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal that would have kept that policy in place. By a 6-3 vote, the high court decided not to review the appeal by the Tangipahoa Parish Board of Education concerning its 1994 policy. Several parents of children in the school district had sued, arguing the disclaimer violated the so-called "wall of separation" between church and state. A federal judge struck down the policy, a ruling that was upheld by a U.S. appeals court. The federal judge said the disclaimer was unconstitutional because it had a religious purpose. The appeals court struck it down for a different reason, declaring it had the effect of promoting religion. The six … [Read more...]
Messengers elect Louisiana Baptist to national post
As expected, Southern Baptist convention messengers elected James Merritt, as denominational president last week. Messengers also chose Louisiana Baptist Convention President Tommy French to serve as their second vice president. Merritt was unopposed. As expected, Southern Baptist convention messengers elected James Merritt, as denominational president last week. Messengers also chose Louisiana Baptist Convention President Tommy French to serve as their second vice president. Merritt was unopposed. He is pastor at First Baptist Church of Snellville, Ga. He was nominated by Texas Baptist pastor Jack Graham, who characterized Merritt as a "consensus" candidate. Merritt should be elected because he is connected to the power of God, Graham said. "I believe that he is anointed and appointed for this strategic ministry by the sovereign grace and will of God." A Georgia native, Merritt has served as pastor of his 12,000-member Atlanta-area church since 1985. During his tenure, the congregation has baptized 7,826 people and seen average Sunday School attendance grow from 800 to 3,250. Merritt is the first baby boomer to be elected to the denominational post. In a news conference following his … [Read more...]
Leader: State Legislative session over – gambling danger remains
The Louisiana Legislature has ended its 2000 regular session - but the danger of an expansion of legalized gambling remains, Ken Ward warned. Indeed, gambling opponents need to be wary - and watchful - of an upcoming special session of the Legislature. The special session is necessary because legislators failed to pass a state budget during their recently-completed session. The Louisiana Legislature has ended its 2000 regular session - but the danger of an expansion of legalized gambling remains, Ken Ward warned. Indeed, gambling opponents need to be wary - and watchful - of an upcoming special session of the Legislature. The special session is necessary because legislators failed to pass a state budget during their recently-completed session. And the gambling lobby is expected to act in full force during that session for favorable legislation that would give them an even stronger hold on the state, said Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. "The thought of a special session by an obviously pro-gambling Legislature is a scary thought for any in our state who are still thinking," Ward insisted. "Concerned citizens should get ready and be prepared to do what they can … [Read more...]
‘A penny for your thoughts’ – and love
The man gave all the money he had not because he had to, but because that is what he wanted to do. He had saved every penny for himself, but he gave the small bag of coins to the Lords work instead. "I dont really need them," he said. The man gave all the money he had not because he had to, but because that is what he wanted to do. He had saved every penny for himself, but he gave the small bag of coins to the Lords work instead. "I dont really need them," he said. But he did for like the others attending the worship service at the Brantley Center in New Orleans, the man was homeless. But like him, the others at the service also were giving of what little they had. Digging deep into their pockets, the other homeless people contributed, literally one coin at a time. When the Brantley Center started its "Penny for Your Thoughts" campaign, homeless people were not considered among possible contributors. After all, the center shelters and ministers to the homeless. Instead, the Southern Baptist center asked groups and individuals to commit to give one penny for each person sheltered at the center each month. Each month, the Brantley Center shelters about 6,000 of the estimated … [Read more...]
‘Where most Baptists are’
As Southern Baptists examine the proposed changes to the Baptist Faith and Message, one member of the committee that made the recommendations says he thinks many will have an interesting reaction. "I really think that most people probably are more surprised by whats not in the document than they are by whats in it," explained Chuck Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Editors Note: A pair of Louisiana Baptists served on the Baptist Faith and Message study committee that recently proposed changes in that faith document. Those changes are to be presented to Southern Baptist Convention messengers for approval next month. In preparation for that meeting, the Baptist Message published the proposed changes last week. They also are available on the Internet at www.sbc.net. This week, the Baptist Message offers an interview with Chuck Kelley, president at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and one of those on the study committee. The other Louisianian serving on the committee was Fred Luter, pastor at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans. The Baptist Message was unable to interview Luter last week. C. Lacy Thompson LBM Associate Editor As Southern Baptists … [Read more...]
Nguyen – a story of freedom
Phuoc Nguyen will never forget the woman he met the summer of 1973 in Saigon, Vietnam. At 12 years of age, his love of reading drew him to a church library that was open to the public in his neighborhood. During one of Nguyens frequent visits there, a "nice lady smiled at me with a mouth that had no teeth," he recalls. Phuoc Nguyen will never forget the woman he met the summer of 1973 in Saigon, Vietnam. At 12 years of age, his love of reading drew him to a church library that was open to the public in his neighborhood. During one of Nguyens frequent visits there, a "nice lady smiled at me with a mouth that had no teeth," he recalls. "She witnessed Jesus Christ to me. I can feel it through what she told me," Nguyen (pronounced "Winn") says."The power of Jesus Christ touched me through her story and through her work." Since then, Nguyens life and Saigon have changed significantly. Communists took over Saigon and renamed it Ho Chi Minh City, and Nguyen now lives in Central Louisiana as a naturalized citizen of the United States. He recently was ordained to the gospel ministry by First Baptist Church of Pineville, serves as pastor of the churchs international congregation and … [Read more...]
Her gift never was in question – neither has been her use of it
Wanelle Lowe was only three years old when she sat down at her sisters piano and begin to play a familiar tune - by ear. It was then that Lowes mother - and others - realized the child had a gift for music. It is a gift Lowe has nurtured and used throughout her life - and continues to do so. Indeed, she recently celebrated her 45th anniversary as pianist at First Baptist Church of Pineville. Wanelle Lowe was only three years old when she sat down at her sisters piano and begin to play a familiar tune - by ear. It was then that Lowes mother - and others - realized the child had a gift for music. It is a gift Lowe has nurtured and used throughout her life - and continues to do so. Indeed, she recently celebrated her 45th anniversary as pianist at First Baptist Church of Pineville. Lowe began playing at the church when her husband, Carroll, was serving as the churchs music minister in 1955. Playing the piano is her way of worshiping with fellow Christians, Lowe says. "I hope that I am a vehicle to enable them to have a worship experience," she explains. Lowe confesses she does not remember the incident when she was three years old. It was told to her later by her mother. However, … [Read more...]
Longtime chaplain affirms the power of blessing
Doy Cave New Orleans Seminary He served as a chaplain to American troops stationed in Europe during World War II. He spent the next 37 years ministering to hospital patients, 23 of them at New Orleans Baptist Hospital. During those decades of ministry, Myron Madden said he has learned one essential thing about ministry - the power to bless. He served as a chaplain to American troops stationed in Europe during World War II. He spent the next 37 years ministering to hospital patients, 23 of them at New Orleans Baptist Hospital. During those decades of ministry, Myron Madden said he has learned one essential thing about ministry - the power to bless. "Gods plan is to get himself involved in the process of blessing people," Madden stressed at a meeting in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention. "Only the truth blesses - and only the truth can bless." Madden spoke at the Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counselors Annual Convocation, held earlier this month at First Baptist Church of Orlando, Fla. In addition to serving as a chaplain, Madden is author of several books, including "The Power to Bless," which recently was revised for re-release. Madden has been an influential presence … [Read more...]
Once Again, Southern Baptists use their annual meeting to share Christ with others
Some heard the gospel of Jesus Christ through a massive International Festival at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, while others heard it over hot dogs and chips at neighborhood block parties. Many heard it on doorsteps and in living rooms, while still others responded during late-night encounters on city streets. Some heard the gospel of Jesus Christ through a massive International Festival at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, while others heard it over hot dogs and chips at neighborhood block parties. Many heard it on doorsteps and in living rooms, while still others responded during late-night encounters on city streets. Southern Baptists engaged in a variety of efforts to meet their overarching mission during Crossover Orlando 2000, an evangelistic emphasis held before and during last weeks Southern Baptist Convention. Much of the effort was focused toward "planting seeds" and building relationships that would lead to later evangelistic opportunities. Even so, by weeks end, more than 2,000 persons had made life-changing commitments to Christ. "Overall, I would rate the effort somewhere between outstanding and phenomenal," said James Fortinberry, executive director of the Greater … [Read more...]
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