Submitted by philip on Thu, 09/13/2012 - 01:00 Gathering for Prayer   Gathering for prayer: (Above) In mid-July for the first time ever, Southern Baptist World Changers, a youth construction missions team, ministered on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain. Among many projects, they replaced Jackie Henry’s roof in Covington. During Hurricane Issac, the many-branched crown of a tree covered that roof. A Disaster Relief chainsaw unit led by Lane Corley of the Northshore Baptist Association managed to remove the problem without harming the roof, gutters or windows. “Thanks to these guys, we’re going to be okay,” said Henry’s friend, Guy Spears. The men included Spears in their closing prayer. (Right) Disaster Relief Chaplain James Irvine, a member at Pine Ridge Baptist Church in Melder, reads his Bible between call-outs. “I’m just trying to learn more,” Irvine said. “The more I know, the more I can share.” In mid-July for the first time ever, Southern Baptist World Changers, a youth construction missions team, ministered on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain. Among many projects, they replaced Jackie Henry’s roof in Covington. During Hurricane Issac, the many-branched crown of a tree covered that … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 09/13/2012 - 01:00 DR Chainsaw Teams: The Georgia Barnette State Mission Offering provides funds to train Disaster Relief volunteers for ministry. Volunteers are trained for chaplaincy, chain-saw teams, mud out recovery or feeding, shower and laundry units. These teams serve not only in our state but throughout North America and around the world.   By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor STATEWIDE – The Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering (GBO) is more than just an offering, says David Hankins, Executive Director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. “It is an intentional effort that focuses our prayers and our resources on missions and ministries in Louisiana,” Hankins said. The Georgia Barnette Week of Prayer for State Missions, Sept. 13-16, provides Louisiana Baptists the opportunity to focus on the spiritual needs of the state’s 4.5 million residents. In honor of 200 years of Baptist ministry in the state, the offering goal is $2 million. Hankins acknowledges that it’s a big goal but adds, “It is exceeded only by the task that lies before us … impacting every person in Louisiana with the Gospel.” The  theme, “Awaken to Joy,” is intended to complement the … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 09/13/2012 - 01:00 Unloading Supplies at First Covington: No matter the job disaster relief volunteers pitch in to help, such as unloading supplies, cooking a meal, or cutting up downed trees in the blazing heat.   By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor HOUMA, La. (BP) – Despite humidity levels beyond stifling …. Despite delays in the arrival of food and the insulated Cambros for transporting food to American Red Cross distribution sites …. Despite sleeping in less than ideal conditions …. And despite various other inconveniences …. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief-trained volunteers labored, laughed and joked and never once complained – within earshot of a reporter, at least – as Hurricane Isaac left southeast Louisiana and moved north. SBDR volunteers – and church volunteers – gave up their Labor Day weekend to move into action in Covington, Madisonville, Poydras, New Orleans, Central, Baton Rouge, Houma and more. “The eye of the storm was directly over us and hovered over us for 10 hours,” said Randall Gill, leader of a chain saw unit stationed at Coteau Baptist Church in Houma. He’s also pastor of Little Caillou Baptist Church in Chauvin. “We had 70 mph … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, Regional Reporter NEW ORLEANS – When it comes to marriages in trouble, the heart of the problem is a problem of the heart, said Kirk Cameron, television and film actor and star of the award-winning movie Fireproof, at a recent Love Worth Fighting For marriage conference at First Baptist Church of New Orleans. More than 700 men and women attended the three-hour event where Cameron shared biblical principles for marriage and insights he’s gained from his 21-year marriage to actress Chelsea Noble. “You, and I, without the help of the Holy Spirit, do not have what it takes to make a marriage flourish and work,” Cameron said. Cameron starred in the family sitcom Growing Pains, the Left Behind movie trilogy, and the Way of the Master television series. Fireproof was the highest-grossing independent film of 2008. Love is worth fighting for because marriage is designed by God and ultimately is a way to bring him glory, Cameron said. Cameron shared three principles for marriage with illustrations drawn from Fireproof. Cameron began by asking the audience to name challenges to today’s marriages. Responses included poor communication, stress from hectic schedules and everyday life, and the difficulty of … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message PINEVILLE – Louisiana College has been named the No. 12 “Most Conservative College” in the United States according to Newsweek as part of the magazine’s“2012’s Best Colleges For You;” the periodical’s third annual college rankings report. LC was ranked No. 12 in a list of 25 colleges and universities just ahead of Brigham Young University-Idaho and just behind Harding University of Searcy, Ark. Ave Maria University of Florida was ranked as the most conservative school in America. Some other categories of colleges listed by Newsweek were: Most Stressful, Easiest, Most Rigorous, Most Liberal.” The print edition of Newsweek only listed the top ten in each category. The Daily Beast web site, owned by Newsweek, listed the top 25 colleges in each category. “We count it a great honor to be listed as the twelfth most conservative College in the nation.” said LC President, Joe Aguillard. “Louisiana College is unapologetically passionate about fulfilling our motto: Unchanging Foundations and our mission – to provide liberal arts, professional, and graduate programs characterized by devotion to the preeminence of the Lord Jesus, allegiance to the authority of the Holy Scriptures, dedication to academic … [Read more...]

  By Staff, Baptist Message WEST MONROE – Ouachita Baptist Church completed this midsummer an addition to its fellowship hall that provides – with flexible walls – up to four classrooms, plus storage space and two restrooms. Dennis Hensley Jr. is pastor. RUSTON/DEVILLE – Temple Baptist in Ruston on Sept. 9 opened its new preschool and children’s building, to be known as “The Journey Place.” Rick Byargeon is pastor and Sally Hearn, minister of childhood education. Philadelphia Baptist in Deville has a new preschool building for youngsters birth to age 5. Philip Robertson is pastor; Andrew Orr, children’s minister; Pam Keith, preschool director. MONROE – Calvary Baptist in Monroe is to host a Car Show and Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15. Vehicle registration is free. Trophies will be awarded to the top five people’s choice winning vehicles. To preregister your car call 318.345.1220 or email cbcmonroe@ yahoo.com. Proceeds from the Bazaar and hamburger lunch will benefit Calvary Youth and Children’s Ministries. Calvary is located at 1155 Hwy 594 in Monroe, MONROE – First Baptist Monroe is to host “The Art of Marriage” Sept. 28-29, starting at 7 p.m. Friday and resuming Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Snacks … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist MessageARRIVALS/DEPARTURESn Tom Harper resigned Aug. 5 as pastor of First Melville to return to Florida to live near family after the death of his wife last spring.n Alan (wife Sandy) Miller, new as transitional pastor of Alto Baptist in Richland Baptist Association.n Joshua Currie is to be ordained to the gospel ministry Sept. 23 at Trinity Baptist Natchitoches.n Adam Stanfield was ordained to the gospel ministry Sept. 2 at Goldonna Baptist.n Chris Trombatore, new as family pastor at First West, from student minister at Mt. Vernon West Monroe. First West Pastor: John Avant.n Adron Hart resigned as youth minister at Beulah Baptist in Farmerville.n Robbie Robison, new as interim pastor of Mt. Ararat Baptist in Downsville.n Jason (wife Elizabeth) Lupo, new as pastor of Mount Paran Baptist in Shongaloo.n Mel Campbell, new as pastor of Memorial Chapel Elm Grove, from pastor of First Baptist Bienville.n Danny Sandifer, new as pastor of Common Ground Bossier City, from Texas.n Ken Joyner, new as pastor of First Baptist Greenwood.n Chuck McInturf, new as pastor of Woodridge Shreveport, from associate.n Jeffery France, new as interim pastor of Mt. Gilead in Vivian.n Lane Moore, new as interim pastor of South Bossier in … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Thu, 09/13/2012 - 01:00 The Jefferson Lies   By World News Magazine (WNS) – David Barton, president of the WallBuilders is one of America’s most popular Christian history writers. His history books come across as thoroughly researched and brimming with endnotes and references to original sources. Liberal critics have long accused Barton of misinterpretations and errors, and readers of the History News Network recently voted a new Barton book, The Jefferson Lies, as the “Least Credible History Book in Print.” But now some conservative Christian scholars are publicly questioning Barton’s work, too. Jay W. Richards, senior fellow at the Discovery Institute, and author with James Robison of Indivisible: Restoring Faith, Family, and Freedom Before It’s Too Late, spoke alongside Barton at Christian conferences as recently as last month. Richards says in recent months he has grown increasingly troubled about Barton’s writings, so he asked 10 conservative Christian professors to assess Barton’s work. Their response was negative. An example is Glenn Moots of Northwood University who wrote that Barton in The Jefferson Lies is so eager to portray Jefferson as sympathetic to … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 09/24/2012 - 01:00 Cleanup after Isaac: Celebration Church’s River Parishes campus in LaPlace was flooded by rains from Hurricane Isaac. Despite the flooding, Celebration held services on the Sunday following the storm, even with the carpeting and platform ripped out.   By Mickey Noah, NAMB Communications LAPLACE – Just in the span of a few days, Celebration Church-River Parishes Campus in LaPlace, changed from being a dark, damaged, isolated church in the middle of a flood-created lake to a shining city on a hill – the site of ministry to hundreds of local victims of Hurricane Isaac. LaPlace – about 22 miles west of New Orleans, along I-10 in St. John Parish – was hit hard by Isaac and its resulting water damage. Isaac’s four- to six-foot storm surge inundated much of LaPlace, a city of about 36,000. Ironically, LaPlace was not directly impacted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but many of its current residents migrated there from New Orleans to start new lives after losing everything they owned during Katrina. Checkerz Williams, 39-year-old pastor of Cele-bration Church in LaPlace, knows firsthand the stress and pain the citizens of LaPlace are feeling. His church on … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 09/24/2012 - 01:00 Marching for Life   By Holly Jo Linzay, Special to the Message STATEWIDE – Cindy Blanchard knows first-hand how guilt and shame from having an abortion can eat away at your soul. “But I also know the healing power of the Lord Jesus Christ,” said Blanchard, a Sanctity of Human Life consultant for the Louisiana Baptist Convention. For the last three years, Blanchard has served as a consultant and works with Pregnancy Resource Centers throughout the state. She has shared her testimony of self-recrimination to redemption through Christ with countless women and churches. Coming from a dysfunctional family with an alcoholic father, Blanchard said she became involved in a homosexual lifestyle at age 19. “Then when I was 24, I experimented with heterosexuality. I went to straight bars. I made some wrong choices and ended up pregnant. I went to a New Orleans abortion clinic, and had an abortion,” Blanchard admits. For years, she kept her emotions about the abortion buried, Blanchard said. But in time, she attempted suicide twice. For 25 years, Blanchard said, she was involved in lesbian relationships. By the time she was nearly 40 she went back to college … [Read more...]