By Dan Warner, Special to the Message   Biblical archaeology has always been a critical tool for the study and understanding of the Bible, primarily because archaeology has been our foremost source of new information.   For the last 150 years, biblical archaeology has continually supplied a rich array of texts and cultural materials that have assisted in the contextualization of the Bible.   This is strategic, since teachers of the Bible are responsible to make sure that what they teach is accurate and true to the biblical text. There are rules for interpreting the Bible.   [img_assist|nid=7133|title=Gezer Dig|desc=Dr. Dan Warner, right, and Dr. Jim Parker take measurements in the ancient water system in Gezer, Israel. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is leading an expedition at the site during the next two summers. Archaeologists hope the dig will help them better understand the Canaanite city of Gezer.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=478]One of the strategic rules is context. Basically this requires knowing what the original writers of scriptures meant and what the hearers of that day understood.   This is basic. How can we know these things? Good question; … [Read more...]

By Bill Warren, Professor of New Testament and Greek   Question: What do we know about the personal prayer life of Jesus?   Bill Warren response: The Gospels mention several occasions when Jesus prays and also contain passages reflecting general Jewish prayer practices, thereby giving a solid picture of Jesus’ prayer life. The content of Jewish prayers often came from the Old Testament, ranging from the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:5-6) to passages from the Psalms to “blessings” thanking God and seeking God’s favor. For example, Jesus prays on the cross by citing Psalm 31:5, “Father, into your hands I place my spirit” (Luke 23:46).   First-century Jewish daily prayers (two or three times daily) are addressed specifically in Matthew 6:5-13. Jesus criticizes those who use the daily prayer times for gaining status by religious showmanship versus truly addressing their prayers to God. As a way to keep the daily prayers focused on God, Jesus teaches his disciples the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus would have been raised praying daily at set times and most certainly would have keep this daily prayer emphasis throughout his life, with it being his assumed practice even when not emphasized explicitly.   Jesus … [Read more...]

By Diana Chandler, Regional Reporter NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans VooDoo Arena Football team, which drew many loyal fans during its last season here, gets short shrift when compared to the National Football League. [img_assist|nid=7137|title=Ben and Cherry Blackwell|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=70|height=100]But Ben and Cherry Blackwell, founders of Lagniappe Ministries and the team’s new volunteer chaplains, see in the team opportunities for sharing family fun and modeling the love of Jesus. The Blackwells kicked off their ministry to the team by leading volunteers in a prayer walk through the New Orleans Arena before the first scrimmage in February, and will continue to have an active presence at each of the team’s nine home games, beginning with the March 11 match against the Tampa Bay Storm. The Blackwells assemble, for each of the home games, teams of 25 volunteers to serve as runners for media and coaches, help with post-game autograph sessions, man VIP entrance points and assist where needed. They are lining up churches and groups to sing the National Anthem. The Blackwells will focus on building relationships with the team, reaching players, coaches and support staff by providing welcome bags, snacks, Christian … [Read more...]

By Quinn Lavespere, Message Intern Staff Writer   PINEVILLE – As he cleaned up in preparation for a lunch break, Wesley Brainard refused to let a nagging cough hinder his pleasure at what was transpiring.   The ministering artist had just finished a class in which he taught Drama and Music Festival attendees about the art of miming, and he could not deny how pleased he was with both the talented members of his class and the overall direction of the festival.   “There’s been a really good energy amongst attendees at this festival, and the classes have been filled with eager students,” Brainard said. “That makes it a real joy and pleasure to teach a class of eager students.”   Brainard, along with other conference leaders, helped put together the 10th annual Drama Festival, which was once again hosted by Louisiana College. This year it merged with the Louisiana Baptist Church Music Conference to create the first-time Drama and Music Festival.   [img_assist|nid=7140|title=Drama Festival|desc=Participants at this year’s Drama and Music Festival go through creative movement as part of five main sessions in elements of drama.|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]The Festival, … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   WINNFIELD – A focused view of missions led Jeremy Albright, youth pastor at First Baptist Winnfield, to search the Internet.   As a result, he discovered a variety of simple, effective mission “projects” any individual can become involved in.   “We talked on a Wednesday night about our mission as a church,” Albright said. “We talked about how easy it is to say the right words, the right Bible answers, but it’s difficult to do the things to back up what we’re saying.   [img_assist|nid=7142|title=First Winnfield Youth|desc=The youth group at First Baptist Winnfield show off gift cards they collected for a ministry. The group are learning about missions through simple but effective mission “projects” such as the gift card ministry.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=427]“We tossed out ideas of what we’d like to see happen,” the youth pastor continued. “Not on a church-wide scale, but individually.”   Albright spent several days searching the internet for mission projects teens could do on an individual basis. He found 15, like Toms Shoes – www.tomshoes.com – which gives a pair of shoes to an underprivileged child for every pair of shoes … [Read more...]

By Louisiana Baptist Children's Home MONROE – Since 1899, Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries has been providing love, care and a positive Christian witness to children and families in need. Over the years, God has enabled the Children’s Home to expand its Residential Child Care ministry in Monroe to include Sellers Maternity Ministries in Baton Rouge and Granberry Counseling Centers with eleven locations across the state. Since 2003, Dr. Perry Hancock, President & CEO, has been focusing on the question, “Where are the children who need us and how can we meet their needs?” Answering that important question has created many new opportunities for the Children’s Home to move forward with its mission. More recently, the answers to that question have provided three new life-changing ministries. Where are the children  who need us? [img_assist|nid=7144|title=Mobile Pregnancy Care Center|desc=In May 2011, the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries will launch its Mobile Pregnancy Care Center.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=253]1 They are homeless with their mothers. Louisiana has one of the highest child homelessness rates in the nation. Single mothers with children are the fastest … [Read more...]

By Louisiana Baptist Children's Home   MONROE – Tryon Edwards, a nineteenth century American theologian, once said, “Every parting is a form of death, as every reunion is a type of heaven.”   If that statement is true, former residents of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home will experience a little taste of heaven this June 10-11.   Every three years, about 150 former residents of the Children’s Home gather on the beautiful Monroe campus to reminisce and to visit with current residents and staff. LBCH alumni will enjoy two delicious fellowship meals, a story telling contest, horse and buggy rides on the campus grounds, sharing old photographs, a memorial service, and an open house to make new friends and encourage current residents.   [img_assist|nid=7146|title=Reunion at the Children's Home in 1970|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=344]This year’s Reunion will feature gospel music recording artist Ben Waites in concert. Ben is a recent graduate of Louisiana College. After three solo CDs and a duet album with his late grandfather, Ben is an accomplished singer. In spite of his severe physical limitations, he has been performing at various venues since his call to … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, Regional Reporter   [img_assist|nid=7148|title=GMM Mission Ministry Day|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=68]NEW ORLEANS – Laughter lit the faces of Louisiana teens and a seafarer from India as a small puck bounced around the international tabletop game Carrom, then skipped past the pocket.   The shot was a “miss,” but the first-ever Acteens/Youth On Mission Ministry Day at Global Maritime Ministries in New Orleans was a definite hit.   “It’s been a great experience for them,” said Kimberly Aguillard, Children/Youth Mission Education Strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention.   The group of nearly 60 youth and sponsors stuffed envelopes for the monthly newsletter, prepared food, and visited one-on-one with men and women from around the world. Crewmembers from cruise ships visit the center when docked in New Orleans.   “Most are from different religions,” said Will Owens, an eighth grader from First Baptist Church in Bogalusa. “I asked one man if he ever thought about God.”[img_assist|nid=7148|title=GMM Mission Ministry Day|desc=Louisiana teens and a seafarer at Global Martime Ministries play an international tabletop game called Carrom. The … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   COUSHATTA – Girls in Action at Fairview Baptist Church in Coushatta, wearing bright pink new GA t-shirts, and Royal Ambassadors, wearing royal blue new RA t-shirts, stood with in the worship center with their GA and RA leaders Sunday, Feb. 20.   Earlier in the 9 a.m. worship service designed to celebrate Fairview Coushatta’s Acts 1:8 global missions involvement, RAs and GAs had carried in flags of the 18 places around the globe where the church has a missions involvement.   It’s a presence that starts locally – Toledo Bend and BCM at NSU among others – and moves out to southern Louisiana and elsewhere in the United States, plus internationally, such as Brazil.   [img_assist|nid=7150|title=Fairview Coushatta Acts 1:8 Day Celebration|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=427]Gordon Fort of the International Mission Board was the morning’s guest speaker. The service was followed by a missions fair.   Matt Endris is pastor of Fairview Coushatta. … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   Comings, Goings and Kudos   Albert Hagen died Feb. 20 in Dry Creek. He was state RA leader for a time, and for 30 years was manager of Dry Creek Baptist Camp. Memorial service is set for 1 p.m. March 5 at Dry Creek Baptist Camp’s tabernacle.   First Milton: New Pastor Beau (wife Olivia) Guidry. Installation service is March 6.   First Bastrop: New Minister of Music and Senior Adults: Phil (wife Fran) Smith. Pastor: Jim Ingram.   Shiloh Bernice: New Pastor Scott Scallan.   Raina Futrell, member of Fair Park West Monroe, on Feb. 11 received the Charles E. Dunbar Jr. Career Service Award, the highest honor Louisiana state employees can receive.   Needed/Giving   First Iowa: Full-time Discipleship/Assimilation Pastor. Send resume to Iowa First Baptist Church, PO Box 577, Iowa LA 70647.   Pine Grove Ruby: Part-time youth minister needed. Seeking young man or couple. Salary DOE. Send resume and letter of recommendation from pastor to: Pine Grove Baptist Church, PO Box 37, Ruby LA 71365.   Sorrento Baptist in Sorrento, Baton Rouge Association, has two pianos to donate to ministry. Pastor: Eugene … [Read more...]