[img_assist|nid=8163|title=Jack Hunter|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=424|height=640]NEW ORLEANS (BP) – When Hurricane Katrina crashed against the shores of Louisiana in 2005, floods deluged New Orleans, washing away houses, businesses and churches as well as the hope of many. Yet in the wake of catastrophic destruction, Southern Baptists found an opportunity to shine amid the darkness and help rebuild the Big Easy. Jack Hunter, executive director of the New Orleans Baptist Association (NOBA) and a native New Orleanian, rejoices over the “virtual army of Southern Baptists who have come through to help with various aspects of the rebuilding of New Orleans.” Hunter practiced law in New Orleans for nearly 30 years and ministered in a housing project through his local church prior to Katrina. After the flood, he joined the thousands of other volunteers in recovery efforts. He joined the staff of NOBA in 2009 and was named executive director in 2011. While initial post-Katrina efforts emphasized relief and recovery, Hunter said NOBA has shifted toward rebuilding – none of which could be accomplished without the cooperation of Southern Baptist churches. “After Katrina, we experienced a tremendous influx of assistance from … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   [img_assist|nid=8165|title=Top Winner|desc=Teresa Thomason, LBC Keyboard Consultant stands behind overall winner Mary Katherine Schober of Heritage Baptist Church in Shreveport. Schober received the Teresa Thomason Keyboard Scholarship of $1,000, which will help as she enters LSU this fall.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=429]PINEVILLE – Louisiana College in Pineville was the site May 12 of the State Piano Festival, in which 13 youth who received Superior ratings at an Area Keyboard Festival participated.   This festival was sponsored by the Music and Worship Team of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and was coordinated by Teresa Thomason, LBC Keyboard Consultant.   Judges (keyboard adjudicators) were Connie Beaugh and Karyn Laing, keyboard specialists of LBC, and Michael Sterne, Melva Villard and Tamera Zona, piano teachers and musicians from Alexandria.   Serving as hymn director was Dani Fookes, local musician from Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville. Timekeeper was Tim Thomason and Recording Secretary was Dianne York.   9th Grade Winner: Jimmy Lee – Williams Blvd. Baptist Church, Kenner   10th Grade   Winner: Mary Rudd – … [Read more...]

[img_assist|nid=8168|title=Louisiana Doctoral Graduates|desc=Three students with ties to Louisiana received doctorates from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary May 12. Keith Alan Zachary from Slaughter, La., who serves as senior pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church in Denham Springs, La., received the doctor of ministry degree. Justin M. Langford from Baton Rouge, La., who serves as music minister at Edgewater Baptist Church in New Orleans, received the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Cindy Townsend from Flowood, Miss., currently serving as the director of the Global Leadership Institute at Jackson Preparatory School and former director of the Women’s Missions and Ministry at the Louisiana Baptist Convention, received the doctor of educational ministry. Pictured from left to right: Zachary; NOBTS President Chuck Kelley; Langford; and Townsend.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=424] … [Read more...]

by Julie Walters, WMU Communications   NEW ORLEANS – With the theme “The Story Lives On,” Woman’s Missionary Union will hold its Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting June 17–18 in New Orleans.   Missionary testimonies, music led by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary staff and students and theme interpretations by Aaron House and Piercing Word Ministry will highlight the WMU sessions.   “Sharing ideas, learning new ways to be involved in missions, and hearing stories of how God is at work through missions efforts around the world are all a part of these two days in New Orleans,” Wanda Lee, WMU national executive director, said. “Join us to experience it all and find renewal for you and your church in helping equip future missions leaders.”   Featured speakers will include Lee, author of the 2012 WMU emphasis book, “The Story Lives On: God’s Power Throughout Generations”; David Crosby, pastor of First Baptist Church in New Orleans; Jay and Kathy Shafto, International Mission Board field personnel; Damian Emetuche and Stacey Smith, North American Mission Board field personnel; and Debby Akerman, national WMU president.   WMU will meet in the La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Press   [img_assist|nid=8171|title=SmartPhone app|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=427|height=640]NEW ORLEANS (BP) – For the first time, messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting this year can stay up to date with an SBC Annual Meeting smartphone app, which will include more than a dozen features, including maps, alerts, the Book of Reports and the Daily Bulletin.   The free app is available for iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry users and can be downloaded by visitinghttp://m.core-apps.com/sbc2012am from a smartphone or by typing in “SBC Annual Meeting 2012” in the smartphone’s app store.   Developed by Core-Apps, the app will include:   push alerts that give users up-to-date news, such as changes in the meeting schedule.   a list of exhibitors, including contact information for each exhibitor and the exhibitor’s floor location.   an interactive map of the exhibit hall.   the programs for the SBC Pastors’ Conference and the annual meeting.   an alphabetized list of Pastors’ Conference and annual meeting speakers, including their scheduled speaking time.   PDF versions of the Book of Reports … [Read more...]

By Amanda Sullivan, Baptist Press   NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Change is in the air for the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference, June 17-18 in New Orleans, themed “Changing: Lives, Communities, the World.”   “I am changing. You are changing. The world around us is changing,” said Grant Ethridge, president of the Pastors’ Conference and senior pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Hampton, Va.   “But there is one thing that has not changed. God’s plan for getting the Gospel to the ends of the earth is still the local church. Changing lives, communities and the world is not optional. It is the command of Jesus.”   Ethridge is praying that the Pastors’ Conference will impart “a burning desire to see lives changed in their community,” to encourage pastors in “believing that their church, no matter the location or size, can be used of God to change lives around the world.”   David Jeremiah, David Platt, Fred Luter Jr., Johnny Hunt, Jack Graham and Herb Reavis, Jr. are among speakers.   Charles Billingsley, Jeff Askew, Sounds of Liberty, the Liberty Worship Choir and Chi Alpha will lead in worship.   Honoring Father’s Day, which is Sunday, June 17, the Pastors’ … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   JONESBORO – For the third year in a row, Youth Explosion is to take place in late summer.   A ministry of Jackson, Winn and Shady Grove Baptist Associations, where Clovis Sturdivant is director of missions, Youth Explosion is designed as a no-cost regional event with a high-energy evangelistic thrust, says Clay Smith, First Jonesboro student minister and event coordinator.   “Bringing together students from across north Louisiana right before school begins gives them a sense of urgency to get to their campus and share Christ,” Smith said.  “I think this event is worth all the time and effort because of the decisions that are made.”   In 2010, as many as 700 students participated each night, and 70 people made spiritual decisions. Last year, up to 1,000 people participated each night, and 50 made decisions.   This year’s line-up includes Chad Poe as speaker, comedians Bean & Bailey, and as the band, Rush of Fools.   “This year we moved up our event one week so that more students could attend, due to schools starting the first week of August,” Smith said. “This is a free event because we want to provide a quality event where smaller … [Read more...]

By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor   [img_assist|nid=8176|title=Prayer Quilt|desc=Mary Ray, Betty Lloyd and Alice Dixon are among several women from New Hope Baptist Church in Elmer who sew, hand-tie and pray over each knot in every lap-size prayer quilt they make to comfort the afflicted.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=480]Elmer – Women from New Hope Baptist Church use their sewing skills as one way of ministering to people in their rural Rapides Parish community.   They also crochet caps “for anyone who needs them,” reports Debbie Merlan. Merlan is a social worker with Christus Cabrini Hospice, which has received several items from the women’s missions endeavors.   “We are so humbled by this church’s generosity and with the opportunity to present these to our patients,” Merlan  wrote in an email to the Baptist Message. The daughter of a WMU director, she knows what New Hope Elmer’s women are doing is a testament to their commitment to be  Jesus’ hands and feet and arms of service, Merlan wrote.   “In our visits to the home [of one of our patients] it was obvious that this church family is a missions-minded congregation,” Merlan wrote. “They also participate in missions … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   [img_assist|nid=8178|title=New Steeple|desc=Kathryn Sanders’ question led to a 40-ft. steeple being placed atop First Kentwood for the first time since 1948. Cathy Chapman photo|link=none|align=left|width=410|height=640]KENTWOOD – A steeple now graces the First Baptist Church roofline.   After Kathryn “Mama Kat” Sanders asked her question often enough – “Why doesn’t our church have a steeple? – a fund was established in her honor. She died a few months ago, but the fund kept growing, and in early May, a steeple was set in place atop the red brick structure that had been without a stately finish since its construction 1948.   A dedication of the renovated sanctuary and steeple is set for June 10. Joey Miller is pastor … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES   Andrew Bates, new as interim youth minister at First Winnfield. Pastor: Stephen Laughlin.   Lewis (wife Erica) Richerson, new as pastor of Woodlawn Baton Rouge.   NOBTS graduates with Louisiana ties: Master of Music: Arthur Ghere, Thibodaux. Master of Divinity: William Carpenter Jr., Walker; Walter Jackson, Monroe; Jason Milton, Kenner; Valarie Oliver, Baton Rouge; Joel Williams, Baton Rouge; Doctor of Educational Ministry: Cindy Townsend, Flowood, Miss., former LBC director of women’s missions and ministry. Doctor of Ministry: Keith Zachary, Slaughter. Doctor of Philosophy: Justin Langford, Baton Rouge.   Rick Wood, new as interim pastor of First Greensburg.   Michael Clark, new as pastoral intern at First Winnfield. Pastor: Stephen Laughlin.   Eric LeFevers, new as minister to students at Amite Denham Springs. Pastor: Terry Booth.   Wendell Dorman resigns as pastor of First Holden.   David Lane, new as pastor of Judson Walker.   James Allen Moak, new as pastor of Red Oak Livingston.   Homecomings, Anniversaries, Revivals   Pine Ridge DeRidder: … [Read more...]