NORTH AMERICAN MISSION BOARD ANSWER AND DEFENSES 10311962262 McRaney's complaint against NAMB 3-main Strategic partnership agreement between North American Mission Board and the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware 3-1 … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2017
FBC DeRidder maintains its win streak in Baptist Golf Fellowship
By Jerry Love, LBF Communications ALEXANDRIA -- Despite a steady downpour and soggy conditions, 53 pastors and laymen braved the conditions to get in a couple rounds of golf May 22-23 for the annual Baptist Golf Fellowship at Links On The Bayou in Alexandria. Sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Foundation and the Baptist Message, the fellowship is a time for pastors and laypersons to come together for a relaxing and light-hearted game of golf. Eddie Joslin, a layman from First Baptist Church DeRidder, was crowned the grand champion after shooting a solid par 72 on the soggy course. He would also play a hand in helping First DeRidder maintain its stranglehold in the team competition with a solid score of 319. Only once in seven years has Frist DeRidder failed to bring home the team title and that came in the fall of 2015 when Unity Baptist Church, Cotton Valley upended the defending champs. Members of the winning team from FBC were Dennis Millsap, Joslin, Jerry Istre and Josh Eubanks. First DeRidder and Joslin were recognized the evening of May 22 at the Baptist Building as trophies were given to them along with Super Seniors (70 and above), Seniors (60-69), and Under 60 age brackets with each bracket divided … [Read more...]
From prison to praise, NOBTS grad sees God’s hand
By Marilyn Stewart, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary communications NEW ORLEANS – Standing in front of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s Leavell Chapel on graduation day, Tara Garcia looked back with fondness on her undergraduate experience. But unlike the graduates lined up beside her, Garcia earned her degree inside prison walls. Garcia completed every class except one prior to her release in January from the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women in St. Gabriel. “I don’t think you grasp how many lives are changed because of what you have done,” Garcia said she tells her NOBTS professors. “Prison, for me, outside of accepting Christ as my Savior, is probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” Last year’s graduating class of 13 marked the first conferral of degrees by NOBTS’ extension center at the women’s prison. Soon after, the extensive flooding in Louisiana in August 2016 forced the evacuation of residents to various facilities across the state. The extenuating circumstances prompted Garcia to ask for a six-month early release, which was denied. In chapel the following Sunday, Garcia faced a moment of truth. “I asked myself, ‘Who am I doing this for?’” Garcia said regarding her … [Read more...]
Live to ‘give glory to God,’ Kelley tells NOBTS grads
By Marilyn Stewart, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary communications NEW ORLEANS – God’s holiness, sovereignty and glory were underscored to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary graduates for their new chapters in ministry by President Chuck Kelley during commencement May 13. “You are to so live your lives that those who see you will give glory to God because of the way you are living,” Kelley exhorted the seminary’s 144 graduates. Focusing on God’s nature with a walk through Scripture, Kelley began with John 1 and Isaiah 6 to show God’s holiness; Psalm 139 to demonstrate God’s sovereignty; and Revelation 5 to remind that glory belongs to Christ. Kelley concluded by encouraging graduates to let Scripture animate their lives and ministries, saying, “Leave with His Word in your heart, in your mind, and coming out of your mouth.” SPECIAL HONOR Steve Lemke was recognized for his 20 years of service in his final graduation as provost, receiving a standing ovation. He will transition to the role of vice president for institutional assessment Aug. 1 and was named provost emeritus. “I pray regularly for you,” Lemke told the graduates. “I pray that God will enable you to be strong and powerful in your … [Read more...]
So that others may live: Pararescue veteran uses war experience to minister to airmen
By Jane Rogers, Southern Baptist Texan SAN ANTONIO - As an Air Force pararescueman in Vietnam, Doug Brinson often faced death to save downed pilots, including a treacherous three-week stretch of missions in 1972 that shaped his life in ways he will never forget. “I probably aged a few years in those three weeks,” Brinson said. Brinson’s parents urged him to follow his brother by enlisting in the Air Force, thinking it the safest branch of the military. The southern Louisiana native found himself drawn to the allure of dangerous USAF pararescue. Brinson’s training as a pararescueman, or PJ, was rigorous, involving Navy scuba school, Army jump school, Army Ranger mountain school, Army medical training and other survival schools. “A PJ is supposed to be able to rescue a pilot down anywhere,” Brinson said, adding that even today, most “wash out” of the tough training. His class consisted of 12 men, 10 of whom deployed to Vietnam. Brinson arrived in Southeast Asia in the “last really hot year of the war,” when the ground war was winding down in favor of air power. The North Vietnamese seized the offensive, threatening South Vietnam. PJs stayed busy rescuing downed pilots, treacherous work accomplished with helicopters … [Read more...]
Pilot for Patients flying for people in need
Pilots for Patients, a Louisiana based 501©3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to providing free air transportation to qualified patients in need of diagnosis and treatment at medical facilities not available locally. Medical facilities such as M.D. Anderson in Houston, St. Jude in Memphis, TN, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, AR. Pilots for Patients goal is to eliminate the burden of travel and let the patient concentrate on getting better. Patients requesting assistance must be medically stable and ambulatory. Patients have to be able to fly in an unpressurized aircraft and be aware that no medical care is provided in flight. Pilots volunteer their time, talents and aircrafts to fly missions, for those in need. Flights are limited to 300-350 miles. We currently require a five to seven day lead time to arrange the flights. Pilots for Patients want to connect pilots, patients and patrons. Forms can be downloaded from www.pilotsforpatients.org or patients can contact the office to discuss their travel needs. For more information, call 318.322.5112, e-Email pfp@pilotsforpatients.org or go to their website: www.pilotsforpatients.org. … [Read more...]
Eight Days of Hope organization pays it forward
By Message Staff LAFAYETTE - First Baptist Church in Lafayette is joining others in Acadiana for an effort June 4-11 to rebuild homes damaged by massive flooding last August. Eight Days of Hope, a non-profit organization sponsored by the American Family Association, will be in Lafayette Parish for the eight-day effort that will require volunteers, prayer warriors and monetary donations. First Baptist Lafayette is encouraging its members to sign up to receive help, as well as getting the word out to its congregation about opportunities to serve. The church also is donating the costs to feed volunteers for one of the days. “We are certainly blessed to be a small contributor to this worthy project,” said Steve Horn, pastor of First Baptist Lafayette. “I like the approach that “8 days” seem to have. The timing of their coming is a nice shot in the arm to help us get closer to the finish line.” Since 2005, Eight Days of Hope has restored or rebuilt more than 1,785 homes following natural disasters including Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Hurricane Rita in Lake Charles and Hurricane Isaac in LaPlace. “Thousands of families in the area are trying to figure out how they can rebuild their homes because of the mass … [Read more...]
NAMB tells court McRaney controversy is ‘ecclesiastical’ matter
By Joni B. Hannigan, Special to the Message ABERDEEN, Miss. – Claiming state and federal courts have no jurisdiction in “ecclesiastical matters,” the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board filed an official response May 18 to a lawsuit by a former state convention leader which accused the mission board of ongoing interference in the minister’s employment relationships and continued business dealings. Will McRaney, formerly the executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCMD), filed the 7-page lawsuit April 7 in Winston County, Miss., alleging numerous instances of “slander and/or libel.” He also claimed “intentional interference by NAMB leaders” had caused him to be “uninvited” to a large mission emphasis scheduled there in October of 2016 and to the Florida Baptist Pastors’ Conference in November of 2016. BACKGROUND Previously McRaney publicized claims on his website and through communications with reporters that NAMB’s president, Kevin Ezell, initially had become involved in his affairs by unfairly inserting himself into the business of the Maryland convention – a move McRaney said resulted in his June 8, 2015, termination. McRaney told the Baptist Message that only four … [Read more...]
Q&A with Steve Gaines
By Kyle B. Gulledge, Editor SBCToday A few weeks ago I reached out to Dr. Steve Gaines about the possibility of doing a question and answer blog with SBCToday. Due to us both being busy, I suggested sending these questions in the form of an email so that he could answer them as his schedule permitted. He graciously agreed to do so. With the 2017 Southern Baptist Convention’s Annual Meeting less than a month away we are now running this “conversation” and hope, if nothing else, it will encourage you to pray for our President and for our Southern Baptist Convention. We greatly appreciate Dr. Gaines taking the time to speak to our readers. Below are our questions and his answers. What has been your biggest surprise about being President of the Southern Baptist Convention? Dr. Gaines: I am surprised that the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) can be so large and effective even though it is not a hierarchical, top-down organization. No national or state entity can tell any churches what to do. Yet we voluntarily choose to work together. That is amazing to me, and I am more convinced than ever that the Lord has His hand on Southern Baptists and that He has a great future for us in the years to come. What has been … [Read more...]
Zuckerburg calls for universal income in Harvard commencement speech
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