By Thom Rainer, President LifeWay Christian Resources [img_assist|nid=6602|title=Thom Rainer|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=79|height=100]My wife and I were in a conversation recently about our years together. We will celebrate 33 years of marriage this year, and we dated for almost six years. The simple math was a surprise. We have been dating or married for nearly four decades! It was a good conversation. But I had my moments of regret: times that I was too busy for my family, my tendency to want to win an argument with my wife rather than resolve the problem, and failure to slow down and enjoy life. I then reflected on my years when I served as senior pastor of four churches. I have often said that I wanted to write a book entitled “Mistakes I Made in Ministry.” Then I realized it would have to be a multi-volume series! There are no “do overs” in life and ministry. But there are always opportunities to learn, correct and improve. So I decided to share with you seven of the key mistakes I made as a senior pastor. Obviously, the list is not exhaustive. Seven just seemed to be a good, biblical number. As I just began thinking about the mistakes I made as a pastor, I realized how gracious most church members … [Read more...]

By Andy Johnson, Pastor Cross Roads Baptist Church, Farmerville [img_assist|nid=6053|title=Andy Johnson, Pastor Cross Roads Baptist Church, Farmerville|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=75|height=100]In 1775, America was in the beginning stages of the Revolutionary War with Great Britain. General Washington was attempting to summon a rag-tag group of soldiers to fight against the British forces. It was a time of great patriotism and faith in God, with many preachers feeling the call of God to leave their pulpits to fight the British on the battlefield. Churches experienced a lack of spiritual leadership due to pastors joining to fight in the revolution. As a result, the Great Awakening of the first part of the century died down and gave way to immorality, drunkenness, profanity, gambling, robbery, and sexual promiscuity. There was also a strong anti-Christian sentiment that crept into the states because of French liberal infiltration of the newly-established colleges. In the late 1700s, four students at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia – William Hull, Cary Allen, James Blythe, and Clement Reid – decided to meet privately for prayer, Bible study, and theological discussions. When other students found out about … [Read more...]

By Diana Chandler, Regional Reporter HOUMA – Cleaning up the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has been a temporary economic boon for the fishermen employed in the operation, but what will they do to earn a living once the clean-up ends? [img_assist|nid=6605|title=A shrimp trawler assists with the skimming operations on the north side of Barataria Bay.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=56] That’s the opinion and concern of Wayne Hunt, pastor of Coteau Baptist Church here. A Disaster Relief-trained volunteer chaplain, he’s supporting Joe Arnold, Bayou Baptist Association director of missions, in efforts to set up chaplaincy stations to encourage fishermen in Port Fourchon, Point-Aux-Chenes and Cocodrie when the change occurs. [img_assist|nid=6606|title=Coteau Baptist Church Pastor Wayne Hunt is assisting in efforts to set up chaplaincy stations to encourage fishermen.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=66] “The problem’s going to begin when [British Petroleum] pulls out,” said Hunt. “Whenever it is they pull out and that cash flow stops, that’s when the ministry door is going to open.” Some 2,500 who normally make their living fishing in the three communities are now making perhaps more than they’ve ever … [Read more...]

By Quinn Lavespere, Message Summer Staff Writer ELTON – Many Christians take their ministries on the road, and one particular church is putting the proverbial pedal to the medal for Jesus. [img_assist|nid=6609|title=Elton First Baptist Church Pastor Pat Thomas and members of FAITH Riders motorcycle ministry travel across Louisiana preaching.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]Elton First Baptist Church Pastor Pat Thomas and the members of his FAITH Raiders motorcycle ministry travel across Louisiana preaching the message of Christ and supporting the people they visit. “We want this ministry to give people across Louisiana a chance to come and know the Lord,” Thomas said. “We also want this to be an enjoyable fellowship between those of us who are doing it.” Thomas came to Elton First after moving from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, after he completed a master’s degree in Christian Education. “I came to know about Elton through word-of-mouth,” Thomas said. “Truthfully, we know God sent us here. I had pastored a church in southwest Georgia before going to Fort Worth, Texas. That’s where I got my bike as a graduation gift during grad school. I was also a youth pastor in … [Read more...]

[img_assist|nid=6610|title=A Coast Guard swimmer rescues a woman from the roof of a house surrounded by flood waters after Hurricane Katrina.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=58]STATEWIDE – The devastation wrought by Katrina in 2005 remains an oozing gash in the lives of people throughout Greater New Orleans and the North Shore. The storm was a turning point as well for Louisiana Baptists from LaPlace north to Shreveport, Monroe, and more; and west to Lafayette, Lake Charles, Leesville and more, who opened their homes and hearts to Katrina survivors. “My friends in Florida who went through Andrew tell me it’ll be 10 years before we’re back to normal,” said Lonnie Wascom, North Shore director of missions. That means this Aug. 29 will be about the half-way point. The Baptist Message plans a five-year retrospective for the Aug. 19 issue, and wants your input. Looking back, how did Katrina change you? What did God teach you through this horrific storm? Who do you want to thank, and why? Email your responses by Aug. 9 to karen@baptistmessage.com, or email them to Katrina Stories, Baptist Message, PO Box 311, Alexandria LA 71303. 0 … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA – Paul Allbritton was named manager of the Baptist Employees of Louisiana (BEL) Credit Union at a specially called board of trustees meeting July 27. “We were drawn to him primarily because we felt he was the right person for the job,” said Arnold Norsworthy, chairman of the search committee. “Through education and work experience, he’s well-suited to credit union work.” [img_assist|nid=6612|title=Paul Allbritton|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=67]Allbritton, a 1991 LSU graduate, has held three positions at credit unions since 1988: Alexandria USDA Credit Union in Pineville, where he was vice president of lending until 2006, when he joined the Willis-Knighton Federal Credit Union in Shreveport as president/CEO. Three years later, in October 2009, he moved to the Heart of Louisiana Federal Credit Union in Pineville, (formerly Alexandria USDA FCU) where he was collections manager. “We need someone of his caliber to lead the credit union,” said Ray Ford, chairman of the BEL Credit Union board of directors. “We want to be the credit union that best serves our constituents. We’re not interested in being the biggest. We’re staying true to our charter.” BEL Credit Union was organized in 1975 for Louisiana … [Read more...]

By Andy Johnson, Pastor Cross Roads Baptist Church, Farmerville In 1775, America was in the beginning stages of the Revolutionary War with Great Britain. General Washington was attempting to summon a rag-tag group of soldiers to fight against the British forces. It was a time of great patriotism and faith in God, with many preachers feeling the call of God to leave their pulpits to fight the British on the battlefield. Churches experienced a lack of spiritual leadership due to pastors joining to fight in the revolution. As a result, the Great Awakening of the first part of the century died down and gave way to immorality, drunkenness, profanity, gambling, robbery, and sexual promiscuity. There was also a strong anti-Christian sentiment that crept into the states because of French liberal infiltration of the newly-established colleges. In the late 1700s, four students at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia – William Hull, Cary Allen, James Blythe, and Clement Reid – decided to meet privately for prayer, Bible study, and theological discussions. When other students found out about the prayer gathering, the campus nearly rioted. The president of the college, John Blair Smith, stopped the persecution, opening his … [Read more...]

By Mickey Noah, Baptist Press ALPHARETTA, Ga. – It was about 6:10 a.m. CDT on Monday, Aug. 29, 2005 when Hurricane Katrina, a huge Category 3 hurricane, made its monstrous landfall in southeast Louisiana.  Packing 125 mph winds with intense central pressure, Katrina would be the third most powerful storm to ever hit the United States – and one of the deadliest. More than 1,800 would perish directly in the hurricane itself or from the unprecedented flooding to follow.  Eighty percent of New Orleans and surrounding parishes were inundated with 15-20 feet of water when levees broke, and the putrid floodwaters – contaminated with sewage, gasoline, oil and chemicals – lingered for weeks. With some 300,000 homes and businesses damaged or destroyed, Katrina left $81 billion in damages in its wake, the costliest hurricane in U.S. history.  Mississippi beach towns like Gulfport and Biloxi – where the surge flooded inland as far as 12 miles – were devastated. One-third of New Orleans’ population moved away and never returned. Today, the North American Mission Board’s Mickey Caison will tell you that just as things in the U.S. were never the same after Pearl Harbor, JFK’s assassination or 9/11, the Gulf Coast and Southern … [Read more...]

By Polly House, LifeWay Communications RIDGECREST, N.C. – Davis Francis and Bruce Raley had high hopes for “Great Expectations.” It turned out a bigger success than they even imagined. “Great Expectations,” LifeWay’s online Sunday school training event broadcast during Sunday School Week at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center, had an online viewership of perhaps 12,000 people from around the world, according to Raley, LifeWay’s director of leadership and evangelism training and events and co-host of the event. “We think it’s the largest group ever gathered for Sunday school training,” he said. The training is now archived and available, along with speaker PowerPoints, at LifeWay.com/GreatExpectations. There is no charge for downloading or viewing. Francis, LifeWay’s director of Sunday school, discipleship, church and network partnerships, served as co-host with Raley. Using an agricultural metaphor, he told viewers and live audience participants that to get a “Great Expectations” Sunday school class, seeds have to be planted. Healthy things, whether plants or classes, will grow. Three characteristics of a “Great Expectations” Sunday school are: They expect new people and a great Bible study experience each week, … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Editor SHREVEPORT – More than one hundred pastors and laymen traveled to Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport Aug. 9 for the specific purpose of learning how to pray more effectively for the lost. The gathering featured Evangelist Lee Thomas teaching the principles presented in his book Praying Effectively for the Lost. Thomas is a former Louisiana pastor having led First Baptist Tullos and Westwood Baptist Church in Westlake. Rod Masteller, president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, and Bill Robertson, director of the Pastoral Leadership Team, spearheaded the LBC-sponsored event. Masteller said he saw the need for the gathering of pastors after conducting seven statewide listening meetings and reading Thomas’ book. “We truly are in desperate times,” Masteller said. “I have listened and I have heard the same from pastors throughout the state. We are past programs to fix our problems. I’m desperate and prayer is really the only answer.” Prior to the meeting, Masteller had never met Thomas, but said, “His book really spoke to my heart.” “Asking is the rule of the Kingdom,” Thomas said quoting Charles Spurgeon. He stressed that the key to winning people to faith in Christ is not just … [Read more...]