By Kelly Boggs, Baptist Message Editor   On Aug. 28, 1963, an estimated 250,000 people gathered in Washington D.C. for the express purpose of making a unified statement that all citizens of America – regardless of their skin color – should be treated with equality. It was to this mighty throng that Martin Luther King Jr. gave his most memorable oratory. With an economy of words, Dr. King eloquently articulated a vision that still moves people committed to life, liberty and justice for all.   Throughout his “I Have A Dream” speech, Dr. King echoed his vision of a colorblind America where people would “not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”   “In a sense,” he told the crowd, “we have come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”   Dr. King’s words, as well as his actions, helped galvanize a generation on the issue of civil … [Read more...]

By Jason Hiles, Professor of Christian Studies at Louisiana College   If advertisements paint an accurate picture of public sentiment, then Christmas for most people has become little more than an opportunity to indulge in rich foods and expensive products that would otherwise seem extravagant.   The shopping season begins a little earlier each year, encroaching more and more on the only holiday dedicated to expressing gratitude.   Midnight sales, black Fridays, and online specials abruptly interrupt Thanksgiving with promises to deliver happiness in the form of electronic gadgets, sparkly jewelry, and the latest toys.   Thus many Americans are content to indulge in a day of feasting and football followed by a month of feverish buying, a few more days of feasting, and a little more football. In the end closets are packed with more stuff, bellies and waistlines are padded with extra pounds, and credit card accounts are extended beyond the possibility of repayment.   Unfortunately this “eat, drink, and be merry” approach to the holidays fails to satisfy and so the process must be repeated year after year in the hope that at some point lasting satisfaction will … [Read more...]

By Bill Warren, Professor of New Testament and Greek   Question: I’ve heard that Mary and Joseph were engaged, but Matthew 1:19 indicates Joseph is considering divorcing Mary. What was the marriage custom back then that might explain this?   Bill Warren responds: Most marriages in the first century were arranged marriages, with the marriage agreements being made between the two fathers or the older males in the family (such as an older brother if the father was deceased). Girls were generally married between 12 to 15 years of age, with boys in Jewish life generally in their late teens or early twenties.  There was no dating as people do today, since the marriages were arranged. So Mary had been promised to Joseph via an arranged marriage.   When the girl was of the proper age, the marriage itself would become final via a legal document.  The legal marriage agreement would include the names of the two people to be married as well as the names of the people representing them and affirming the document (normally the fathers).  A “bride price” was often mentioned, which was the price to be paid to the family of the bride as compensation for losing a worker due to the bride moving to live with her … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message PINEVILLE – Based on the success last year of the first-ever PreTeen Invasion, leaders anticipate 1,500 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders will invade Louisiana College Saturday, Jan. 7, for this year’s day-long event. PreTeen Invasion is to take place inside Guinn Auditorium and on the LC grounds. “It’s going to be a great way to start off the new year, spending time with friends and the opportunity to commit ourselves and our year to Christ,” said David Anderson,  childhood education strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention. Developed last year as an age-appropriate evangelism conference for children in the upper grades of elementary school, PreTeen Invasion this year has Philippians 2:15 HCSB as its scriptural foundation: Be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world. Landon Dowden, pastor of Trace Crossing in Tupelo, Miss., is to be the main speaker. Female vocalist Yancy is to lead worship. Illusionist Drew Worsham and the Kids Celebration also are to lend their varied talents. “The day is going to be so much fun! All day long it’s going to be interactive and kid-oriented,” Anderson said. … [Read more...]

By Quinn Lavespere, Message Staff Writer   SHREVEPORT – Some bands simply have it in their blood to sing God’s praises and testify to His glory through their music.[img_assist|nid=7797|title=Blake Brothers|desc=The Blake Brothers Bluegrass Band, photographed at Salem Baptist Church in Plain Dealing, travel the state using their music and humor to tell others about God.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=427]   The Blake Brothers Bluegrass Band travels to various places as its members use their music – a mix of traditional bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and Hee Haw style comedy – to tell others about the God who gave His life for them.   “We’re all just country boys who have it in our hearts to share God through our music,” group leader Tim Blake said.  “We’re like one big family who loves sharing Jesus with others.”   The band has been in business since 2002, when Tim Blake and his brother Bruce first performed at a play in Shreveport.   “Me and my brother have been playing music for just about all of our lives,” Tim Blake said.  “I started when I was 12 and he was about 13 or 14 at the time. ... We had played for different bands, but I wanted to start my own, so we started … [Read more...]

By Quinn Lavespere, Message Staff Writer   SHREVEPORT – It was a program that was virtually down to nothing until a determined associate pastor and his children’s teachers decided to get out and do something.[img_assist|nid=7799|title=Ford Park Children's Ministry Team|desc=Ford Park Baptist Church Associate Pastor John Newman (in shirt and tie) and his staff – teachers (from left) Linda Nicholson, Carolyn Gohring and Delene O’Rear (back row from left) Michael O’Rear and Pat Wood – have helped to revive the church’s children’s program.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=480]   Ford Park Baptist Church has seen a major revival of its children’s program since Associate Pastor John Newman and those assisting him began going out into their community and finding more children for the program.   “Ever since we began, we’ve seen so many exciting things happen.  Lives have been changed, souls have been saved, and needs have been met,” Newman said.  “It’s wonderful to see children learn to love the Lord and learn more about the Bible.”   Last spring, Ford Park’s children program was down to only three or four children before Newman and his children’s teachers, Delene O’Rear and Linda … [Read more...]

By Quinn Lavespere, Message Staff Writer   LAFAYETTE – It’s a ministry with a catchy name that serves to accomplish exactly what that ministry’s name represents.[img_assist|nid=7801|title=Servnlove in action|desc=Servenlove volunteer Steven Feehan and Ministry Evangelism Strategist Jeff Cook (right) assists with an outreach to inner city and homeless people on Nov. 19 in Lafayette.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=471]   The Evangeline Baptist Association’s Servnlove ministry meets community needs in Lafayette while feeding the homeless in the city and lifting up souls in need of God’s love.   “This is a great tool to reach out to people and embrace them with the love God wants us to show,” Missions/evangelism Strategist Lonnie Cleveland said.  “Along with our block party trailer, it really is great for spreading the Gospel.”   Servnlove was begun mainly by Jeff Cook, Evangeline Association’s regional strategist for the LBC, with help from others.   “When Servnlove was first created, Jeff and the others put this ministry together with a multi-housing purpose,” Cleveland said. “It was meeting needs in the community, such as feeding the homeless breakfast on Saturday. We … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   [img_assist|nid=7803|title=Kids helping kids|desc=The Pre-K through Second Grade Sunday School class at First Baptist Church of Evangeline participated in the “Tin Cup Challenge” during the months of October and November. They raise $70 to be used to help feed hungry children.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=480]   The Pre-K through Second Grade Sunday  School class at First Baptist Church of Evangeline in the photo above participated in the “Tin Cup Challenge” during the months of October and November.   They collected $70 to be used in helping feed the hungry children in the world.   “How happy they were to help children their own age,” reports Vicki Newsom of First Evangeline.   The Tin Cup Challenge is the new visual reminder of the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s collection of money for the Southern Baptist Convention’s World Hunger Offering, reports Jeff Cook of the LBC missions and ministries team.   “We can all do so much more as we serve together to meet the hunger needs of people in Louisiana and around the world,” according to the website lbc.org/World Hunger.   Tin cups, available at many retailers, can be used … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES   Cory Veuleman resigned as student family pastor at First Mandeville. Pastor: Ken Schroeder.   Randall Gill, new as pastor of Little Caillou Baptist Church in Chauvin.   Rod Masteller: retired as pastor of Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport.   Billy Crosby: new as interim pastor at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport.       Needed/Giving   Paul Carter: Available for supply. 318.381.1315.   Tracy Miller, playing piano for nine years, two at Natalbany Baptist Church, where there are three piano players, is available as a one-time or regular church pianist in/near Hammond. She reads music. Call Carla Miller at 985.320.2465.       Church events/activities   Grace Cloutierville: Community outreach with Paul Daily and his Wild Horse Ministry at 2 p.m. Dec. 10. Pastor: Tim White.   Emmanuel Shreveport: “O Holy Night” at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11. Director: Paul De Rousse; Pastor: Chad Hardbarger.   First Vidalia: We Have Our Savior at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 11, and 6 p.m. Dec. 12. Pastor: Bill … [Read more...]

By Chris Turner, LifeWay Communications   NASHVILLE, Tenn. –While 9 in 10 pastors plan for their churches to host Christmas Day services this year, there may be plenty of space in the pews for those who actually attend.   A recent LifeWay Research study of 1,000 Protestant pastors shows that 91 percent of Protestant pastors plan to have services on Christmas Day while 69 percent said they plan to host Christmas Eve services.   “Having church on Christmas Day when it falls on a Sunday seems as if it would be as much of a given as having Thanksgiving on a Thursday, but this has been an issue of discussion and contention in recent years,” said Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research. “Also, just because an overwhelming majority of pastors think that way doesn’t mean those in their congregations necessarily share their perspective.”   According to a December 2010 LifeWay Research report, 74 percent of Americans agree (strongly or somewhat) that “Christmas is primarily a day for religious celebration and observance,” yet 67 percent of all Americans also agree that, “Many of the things I enjoy during the Christmas season have nothing to do with the birth of Jesus … [Read more...]