By Staff, Baptist Message   [img_assist|nid=7910|title=Pennies for Lottie Moon|desc=Lottie Reasoner stands with some of the dozen or more youngsters from First Baptist Church of Patterson. At her suggestion, the children collected pennies to raise money for missions. The $268.69 they acquired was part of the $2,178 raised for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions – more than double the church’s $1,000 goal.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=480]PATTERSON – At least a dozen youngsters at First Baptist Church of Patterson, Gulf Coast Baptist Association, badgered their parents, grandparents, friends’ parents, neighbors and anyone else they came across for their pennies.   After all, what can you buy for a penny? “Penny candy” now costs a nickel or a dime. Bubble gum now comes in dollar-size packs. Penny loafers? Are they even made anymore? Yes, Google.com says, but they can cost $100.   “But if we put our pennies together, we can do a lot,” said Lottie Reasoner, an active member involved in missions at First Patterson. She suggested to the children that they find all the pennies they could, to give to missions.   The church hosted two “penny Sundays,” one in … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   Arivals/Departures   Kenneth (wife Ruth) Everett died Jan. 26. He was retired director of missions in Webster/Claiborne Baptist Association.   Beau Colle, new as director of missions for Delta Baptist Association.   Brandon (wife Christine) Gill, new as pastor of Eastern Heights DeQuincy; to be ordained at 2 p.m. Feb. 11.   Barry Posey, new as pastor of Agape Denham Springs.   Michelle Bruss, new as Mission Service Corps self-funded missionary, as assistant director at Baptist Friendship House in New Orleans. Director: Kay Bennett.   Kent (wife Ronda) Lachney, new as minister of education/administration at Tioga First Baptist. Pastor: Tim Hisaw.   James ‘Gilbo’ Gilbert III, resigned Jan. 22 as minister of youth at Tioga First Baptist. Pastor: Tim Hisaw.   Damon Kirk, new as minister of music at Tioga First Baptist. Pastor: Tim Hisaw.   Shaun (wife Brittany) Martin, new as minister of worship/senior adults at Kingsville Pineville/Ball. Pastor; Bart Walker.   Jason Herrington, ordained Jan. 29 to the gospel ministry at Kingsville Pineville/Ball. Pastor; Bart Walker.   Hong Fu … [Read more...]

By Margaret Johnson, Pro-Life Louisiana   Baton Rouge – Released in mid-January, Americans United for Life (AUL) has ranked Louisiana as the most pro-life state in their annual “Life List.”  AUL’s “Life List” ranks all 50 states based on the way each deals with a comprehensive list of life issues, ranging from abortion to euthanasia.   Benjamin Clapper, Director of Louisiana Right to Life, stated the following: “Since 1970, Louisiana Right to Life has worked diligently to ensure that Louisiana law protects human life as much as possible.  AUL’s ranking recognizes this great undertaking, and the success we have achieved in defending life at our state legislature.”   “Specifically, we have made great strides over the past five years to reach this No. 1 position.  Our legislation has been cutting-edge, and it is saving lives today.”   “We are appreciative to our allies in the state legislature that form our coalition: the Bioethics Defense Fund, the Louisiana Family Forum, the Louisiana Baptist Convention, the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, The Hippocratic Resource, and many more.   “Our coalition is a model for state pro-life advocacy, and should be replicated across … [Read more...]

By Damaris Kremida, Compass Direct News   ISTANBUL (BP) – A pastor in Iran sentenced to death for refusing to recant his faith may have to wait another year in prison for a ruling on whether the sentence will be upheld, according to sources.   Yousef (also spelled Youcef) Nadarkhani, sentenced to death after a court of appeals in Rasht, Iran, found him guilty of leaving Islam, has been in prison since October 2009, yet his lawyers said they were told to not expect any movement on his case for another year.   “The news we have about Yousef is not official, but that’s what the lawyers are saying,” a member of the Church of Iran who requested anonymity told Compass. “The lawyers speak to the judges’ secretaries and hear things. Rasht is not a big city, so it is easy to know what is happening.”   The head of Iran’s judiciary, Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani, has reportedly ordered the presiding judge over the trial in Rasht to do nothing for one year.   The court in Rasht, 150 miles northwest of Tehran, was expected to pronounce a verdict on Nadarkhani’s appeal in October.   Instead of pronouncing a verdict, the court sent the Christian’s case to the nation’s Islamic … [Read more...]

By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor   [img_assist|nid=7915|title=Gallup FBC|desc=Jay McCollum, pastor of First Baptist Church in Gallup, N.M., stands in front of the church building. The congregation gives 11.5 percent of undesignated receipts to missions through the Cooperative Program.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=480]GALLUP, N.M. (BP) – In the heart of the American West, where 68 percent of the population claims no religious preference and the Gospel is little known, one church is making a difference with a disciple-making ministry that also reaches around the world through the Cooperative Program.   “Let’s look at reality,” said Jay McCollum, pastor of First Baptist Church in Gallup, N.M., since 1994. “The world has come to North America. It’s going to take our cooperative efforts – because of the amount of money it will take – to reach the people of America.   “No one mega church can do this; it’s going to take multiple churches,” said McCollum, whose congregation gives 11.5 percent to support Southern Baptists mission work at the state level, across North America and around the world through the Cooperative Program. “The Cooperative Program has been the vehicle Southern Baptists … [Read more...]

By Tom Strode, Baptist Press   WASHINGTON (BP) –Susan G. Komen for the Cure revised a policy Feb. 3 that it had recently used in deciding to stop funding for Planned Parenthood, leaving the impression it had reversed itself on future grants to the country’s No. 1 abortion provider.   The statement issued by the world’s leading breast cancer organization did not guarantee Planned Parenthood affiliates would continue to receive funds, however; only that they would remain eligible for such grants.   Komen’s action – after three days of a deluge of Planned Parenthood-fueled criticism – was received by many pro-life advocates as a distressing setback following so closely on the Jan. 31 report that the breast cancer charity would no longer give money to one of the abortion rights movement’s leading organizations.   One thing seemed certain after days of widespread news coverage of Komen’s original action and the reaction:   Many more pro-lifers now know the breast cancer foundation has given to Planned Parenthood and may continue to do so. As a result, pro-life advocates’ donations to Komen and participation in its popular five-kilometer fundraising runs/walks that draw more than … [Read more...]

By Gary Meyers, Baptist Press   [img_assist|nid=7919|title=Fred Luter|desc=Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, announced to his church on Jan. 29 that he will allow his name to be placed in nomination for presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention at the SBC annual meeting this summer when it comes to New Orleans. David Crosby, pastor of First New Orleans, will nominate Luter.|link=none|align=right|width=425|height=640]NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, announced to his church Jan. 29 that he’s willing to be nominated for the presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention when the SBC annual meeting comes to New Orleans June 19-20.   Luter is to be nominated by David E. Crosby, pastor of First Baptist Church in New Orleans.   “Fred has been among Southern Baptists for more than 25 years as a pastor. He has taken a church that was at death’s door to the largest worshipping congregation in the state of Louisiana among Southern Baptists,” Crosby said.   “He has been a great evangelist and has baptized thousands of people through these years of ministry.”   Luter is the SBC’s current first vice … [Read more...]

By Keith Manuel, Evangelism Associate   Conviction wrought the heart of Mr. Miller about his lack of concern for spiritual things.   He had surrendered his life to the Lord years earlier but in recent years, there was no longing for the pleasures of God.   The year was 1857 and the Layman’s Prayer Revival was in full swing. With a heart renewed by the Lord, Miller (we are never told his first name) grew concerned about the spiritual condition of his family. He immediately left New York on a steamer bound for his home state of Massachusetts. Unable to sleep, he stayed awake all night praying for God to do a work in the heart of his elderly, infirmed father.   Upon arriving home, his mother told Miller that his father had grown concerned about the things of God and was saved during the same hour Miller began to pray. Overjoyed, Miller then traveled to see his sister. After sharing the Gospel with her, she too received the Lord.   Next, Miller wrote a letter to his uncle who was not saved. He informed his uncle of the revival in their family and about the believing members of the family who were praying for him. The uncle replied that while they were praying for him some 80 miles … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Baptist Message Editor   Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the well-known and respected breast cancer charity, has been the subject of a serious game of political football. In the end, abortion supporters applied intense pressure and scored a big victory for their cause and a small monetary win for Planned Parenthood.   News broke Jan. 31 that Komen was ceasing grants to Planned Parenthood designated for breast-health related services. The grants totaled approximately $680,000.   Komen officials insisted the decision to defund Planned Parenthood had to do with the fact the organization is currently under congressional investigation, and not with Planned Parenthood’s abortion services.   Those leading the intense attacks on Komen, mostly women’s groups and elected officials – all who are pro-abortion – were unconvinced. They insisted the organization had caved to pressure from pro-life groups and set out to force Komen to reverse its course.   On Friday, Komen apparently reversed its decision to defund Planned Parenthood. “We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants,” Nancy … [Read more...]

By Argile Smith, Louisiana College   The account of Paul’s journey to Thessalonica in Acts 17 warms and then breaks our hearts. A fountain of joy floods our hearts as we read about the church that Paul started there (17:1-5).   As soon as he arrived in Thessalonica, he visited the synagogue and shared the gospel with everyone who would listen to him. Taking them to the Scriptures, he argued that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God, the Messiah promised long ago.   Some of the residents of Thessalonica believed what Paul proclaimed, and they received Christ. Along with the Jewish people who listened to him at the synagogue, Paul shared the gospel with others in the city, and many of them gave their lives to Christ as well.   Paul gathered the new believers together and established a church. He then focused his attention on nurturing them so they would grow to become healthy, vibrant, and resilient disciples.   Our hearts break, however, when we read about what happened next (17:6-15). A handful of jealous Jewish leaders who didn’t take Paul seriously got really angry at him when they saw the impact of the message he preached.   These resentful men put their rage to … [Read more...]