By Staff, LifeWay Communications NASHVILLE, Tenn. –  Black Church leaders from across the country will gather in Nashville Oct. 22-23 to participate in training sessions specially designed to help strengthen Sunday Schools and address issues within the context of traditions and culture of the Black Church. LifeWay’s National Black Sunday School Conference, held at LifeWay Christian Resources, offers training for every level of church leader including pastors, ministers of education, Sunday School directors and age group Sunday School leaders. The two-day conference combines uplifting worship, dynamic general sessions, and elective seminars. Leaders will learn how to unlock the potential of their Sunday School, the importance of small-group outreach, five key principles for church growth, proven strategies for sharing a vision and motivating others, and practical, step-by-step plans for implementation. The National Black Sunday School Conference provides skills in building strong Sunday Schools in predominately African American churches, and address issues within the context of traditions and culture of the African American church. “We know that an effective Sunday School is measured not just by what happens once … [Read more...]

By MARK KELLY, Baptist Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – God has blessed Baptist work in Cambodia – with 304 churches started since 1993 – but partnership is needed for the work to move forward, the president of Cambodia’s Baptist Union said. Nivath Nhem, who was re-elected in 2010 for a second five-year term as president of the Cambodia Baptist Union, traveled to the United States in August to explore prospects for church-to-church partnerships that would help advance a visionary plan to start 1,621 new congregations in next five years. He was hosted by Albert W. Wardin Jr., emeritus professor of history at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. “We want to see every person in Cambodia accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord,” Nhem told Baptist Press in a mid-August interview. “The goal of the Cambodia Baptist Union is to reach Cambodia with the Gospel of Jesus Christ by planting churches throughout Cambodia.” Nhem led Cambodia’s congregations to set a goal of reaching all 13,871 villages in the country and has challenged each church to reach that goal by starting a new church each year. He also has led them to establish goals of expanding the union’s program of pastor training and starting general education schools for … [Read more...]

NATIONWIDE – Christian youth have the opportunity to be an international missionary without leaving home. The Universal Pen Pal Project of the Fellowship of Baptist Educators is an organization sponsored by the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board. This group is recruiting junior and senior high school students in the United States to be pen pals with same-age students in other countries, especially nations where missionary activity is restricted. “It’s exciting to hear from students here how much they have learned from being a pen pal,” said Kellie Ziesemer, program coordinator. “And of course the students in other nations are always fascinated to learn all they can about America, and to work on their English language skills.” The pen pals communicate via the internet, social networking or through traditional postal service. Through this program, which started in 1991 as Christian Corresponders, many thousands of young people have been a Christian influence in the lives of their international pen pals, Ziesemer said. “Our hope is that we have many Christian youth who would like to have the opportunity to be a ‘missionary’ to that new friend they’ve made in another country from the keyboard of … [Read more...]

COLFAX – Scripture gives clear confirmation that people are called and chosen to accomplish specific tasks, says Kevin Hathorn, pastor of Colfax Baptist Church. “People are gifted with talents that are coupled with their spiritual gifts in order to bring glory to the Father in Heaven as their service is rendered to others,” the pastor said. “Colfax Baptist Church is truly blessed to have one whose spiritual gift of service, coupled with her talents, is bringing warmth to the hearts of those she meets.” Marilyn Shipman’s talents for being creative shows her love of service to others. Out of her calling to the Lord’s service she is sharing her talent of quilting through the making and giving away of lap quilts – a ministry she started earlier this year – which grows with every gift. Through the assistance of other church members, the pictures on the quilt made for Irene Youngbloood, 90, were obtained, the fabric was printed, and Marilyn put her talents to work. “This gift will not only be useful as a lap warmer, but the heart of Ms. Irene will be warmed,” Hathorn said. “The stories that go with each picture will bring fond memories of the life that LeRoy and Irene shared as she fondly reminisces.” Shipman’s lap quilt … [Read more...]

COMINGS & GOINGS Carl Gulde (wife Clarenda), new as pastor Bethel Baptist, Colfax. Ron Flurry resigns New Ebenezer Baptist, Castor. Derrick Addison, new as pastor Christian Baptist, Florien. Doug Allen (wife Marsha), new as pastor First Baptist, Blanchard. ORDINATION POLLOCK – Bob Baptist: Micah Murrell ordained to the gospel ministry Sept. 25. ANNIVERSARIES AND HOMECOMINGS HEBERT – Welcome Home Baptist: Homecoming Celebration Sunday, Oct. 17; 9:45 a.m. Sunday school; worship 10:30 a.m.; Wayne Nelson and Group, music; Bruce McGee, speaker/interim pastor. JENA – Bellevue Baptist:  Homecoming Celebration 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 24; dinner on grounds; 1:30 p.m. music program; Byron Norris, speaker; Brandon Poole, music; Clois Cole, pastor. ELIZABETH – Elizabeth Baptist: 100th Anniversary Celebration 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 24; dinner on grounds; Bill Hines, speaker; William Earl, music; Daniel Perry, pastor. LAFAYETTE – Northside Baptist: 70th Anniversary Celebration 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 31; dinner on the grounds; afternoon program 2 p.m.Wayne Sistrunk, speaker; Karen Broussard, music; Samuel Blaylock, pastor. MONROE – ChristWay Church: Wayne Duncan celebrates 25 years as pastor. SLIDELL – Grace Memorial … [Read more...]

MONROE – A year ago, Steve Freeman of Colonial Heights, Va., was scheduled to be the speaker at revival services at Calvary Baptist Church in Monroe. However, on the day before he was to fly out, doctors informed him that the cancer he thought was gone had returned. “When he went in for a routine catscan and blood work, we found out that he had a blood clot in his lung and the cancer had come back,” Lisa Freeman, his wife, wrote on the couples’ Caring Bridge page. “Now the course of action is blood thinner shots for the blood clot, and chemotherapy to treat the cancer. We are hoping to finish up the chemotherapy sometime in mid December.” More than a year later, Freeman, who also has Cerebral Palsy, will finally be able to complete that trip to Monroe. On Oct. 17-20, Freeman and Worship Leader Dick Powell of Shreveport will be leading revival services at Calvary Baptist. “I went to the doctor on Sept. 5 and the CT scans were clean,” Freeman wrote. “My oncologists also called with results of my blood work. He said my tumor markers were good and my numbers were stable, which is really good news. “We are so grateful to God for the way He has protected, provided for, and brought healing to my body through all of this. … [Read more...]

By CHARLES SELL, HomeLife Magazine Sharing his frustration with our men’s group, Tim grumbled: “I don’t always get home early enough to spend time with the kids in the evening. “During the late afternoon, my boss will ask me about a project or give me something to do that keeps me at the office later than I want to be.” [img_assist|nid=6778|title=Family matters|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=59]For decades, working moms have complained about the difficulty of balancing work and family life. Recent surveys indicate that working fathers are now voicing the same concern. Because of the demands of their jobs, many men are having trouble finding the time to play and talk with their kids, to help them with their homework, and to do all the things they believe a great dad does. Unfortunately, according to James A. Levine, author of Working Fathers (Perseus Press), many dads have opted to find time for their children by taking it away from their wives. Neglecting your spouse is not just bad for your marriage; it’s also troubling for your children. Kids hurt when their parents’ marriage suffers, and they often bear the brunt of any ill feelings their parents have toward one another. And when they detect trouble … [Read more...]

By PHILIP TIMOTHY, Message Staff Writer MINDEN – With the help of God, one man’s vision is rapidly turning into reality. Warden John Lewis, a member of First Baptist Church Haughton, wanted a chapel built on the grounds of the Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center, which is located inside the National Guard’s Camp Minden, to help fill a need at the facility. With the help of First Haughton, First Baptist Church in Arcadia, the Louisiana Baptist Builders, some willing volunteers and project coordinators Bill and Joyce Temple the need is going to be met – and much sooner than he had hoped. [img_assist|nid=6780|title=Roof and walls of the new 24,000-square-foot chapel are in place with an expected completion date of November 1.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75] “Work is really coming along well,” Joyce Temple said. “Thankfully, we are building on one of their old basketball courts, so we already have the walls up, the shingles on the roof, vinyl siding on the north and south end and Bill is putting up the drywall right now. “About the only thing we are waiting on are the windows, which should be in Tuesday and we can finish the vinyl siding,” Temple said. “Then it is just a matter of finishing up the work … [Read more...]

By JOANNE BRECHTEL, Administrative Editor ALEXANDRIA – The 2010 Louisiana Baptist Golf Fellowship Fall Tournament recently hosted its two-day event at Links on the Bayou Golf Course in Alexandria. The tournament is co-sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Message and the Louisiana Baptist Foundation. Monday medalist play presented an opportunity to play the round with friends or acquaintances, making it a special time of fellowship as well as presenting challenges. “The greatness of God and the beauty that He has created in His world is re-emphasized during play,” one pastor said. Winners of this event were recorded in the following categories by ministers and laymen. The grand champion winner was Ples Cripps of Dry Prong, a layman. Winners in the minister’s division of the medalist round included: [img_assist|nid=6782|title=Golfers for the Louisiana Baptist Golf Fellowship Fall Tournament take their carts as they prepare to hit the links.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=65] Championship flight: Jim Phaup, Zwolle, first place; Jerry Pipes, Alpharetta, Ga., second place; Harry Forester, Shreveport, third place. First flight: Brian Rankin, Tullos, first place; John Hebert, Pineville, second place; Don … [Read more...]

By MICHELLE LOUVIERE, Director of Counseling Celebration Church, Metairie Question:  I have a daughter who is a preteen. She seems to struggle with self-esteem issues. How can I help her? Michelle Louviere responds: Being a teenager has always been a challenge but never so much as what adolescents currently face today. Where males tend to struggle with purpose and whether or not they have what it takes to succeed in life, females struggle more with how they compare in the area of beauty to their peers. Little girls who twirl around in their pink tutus ask the age-old question – “Am I pretty?” With the media focusing on outward attributes and setting unrealistic expectations for beauty, it is normal that girls struggle with esteem issues. Parents can play a major role in helping their daughters with self-esteem issues. Although the recent push has been to try to teach females to be more aggressive and masculine, the real solution lies more in helping daughters understand their beauty through the eyes of Christ. Scripture paints a beautiful picture for young women as being His princesses, who He has intimately created and delights in. Fathers play a profound role in helping young girls develop a healthy self-esteem. … [Read more...]