ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Now there are two needs Southern Baptists across the globe are responding to: Haiti and Chile. Both were devastated by earthquakes. Haiti’s was more severe because the earthquake struck near the nation’s capital city, Port-au-Prince, with its crowded population and structures not designed to withstand earthquakes. Both suffered extensive loss of life. Haiti: perhaps more than 200,000. Chile: 723 at presstime. Both suffered in what was said to be the worst-ever disaster to hit their nations. If all the superlatives already had not been used for Haiti, the situation in Chile would be considered dire. Southern Baptists are responding to needs of people in both nations. HAITI Organizers of the “Buckets of Hope” initiative for Haiti relief estimate that 150,000 food buckets will be shipped to Port-au-Prince to help combat hunger in the earthquake-devastated country. Under Buckets of Hope, which was launched in January, Southern Baptists for about $30 can purchase five-gallon plastic buckets with handle and lid – Wal-mart SKU# 00982650640 – and pack them with a specific list of items described in detail at www.namb.net and several other sites. The food in a single bucket can feed a Haitian family for … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, Regional Reporter NEW ORLEANS – Rebirth and a call to mission was the theme of the recent sanctuary rededication of New Orleans’ Gentilly Baptist Church. The service came four and half years after the facility flooded in Hurricane Katrina. “Welcome to Gentilly Baptist Church, where hope is alive,” Dennis Cole, associate pastor, said to the people in the packed worship center. [img_assist|nid=6137|title=A crowd of more than 275 attended the rededication of Gentilly Baptist Church which flooded in Hurricane Katrina|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=67]The racially mixed congregation stood to sing the words that captured the service’s message: “Greater things are yet to come; greater things are still to be done in this city.” Ken Taylor, pastor, challenged the congregation of 275 to remember that God had called them to take the Gospel into the neighborhood. “If we will work as hard to reach the community as we, and others, have done to rebuild this sanctuary, then God will do great things,” Taylor said. The church took a brief look back to the devastation that engulfed two congregations – Elysian Fields Baptist and Gentilly Baptist – before uniting them in service and mission. Flood … [Read more...]

By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor SHREVEPORT – “I want to challenge the church and pastors to fall on our knees before God and ask for His anointing on Louisiana Baptists.” says Rod Masteller, who holds doctoral degrees in divinity and in sacred theology. [img_assist|nid=6139|title=Dr. Rod Masteller|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=61|height=100]Masteller is Senior Pastor of Summer Grove Baptist Church, a 160-year-old church that now meets in what was one of the largest shopping malls in Shreveport. Masteller said he believes, “the most wonderful people on earth are the members of Summer Grove Baptist Church, who had the faith and commitment to buy this mall and turn it into a church.” Masteller is also president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention – elected in November 2009, for the first of what could be two, one-year terms. Masteller said he wants to encourage Louisiana Baptists to realize, “all of our progress and plans, without the power of God, are useless.”  He said he wants pastors to be on their knees so that God will give His anointing to Louisiana. “I hope to be able to travel to every part of the state, to meet with pastors, hear from them about what’s going on in their lives, give them hope and … [Read more...]

By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor HAMMOND – Three associations in southeastern Louisiana are pondering consolidation of their administrative structure. [img_assist|nid=6141|title=The North Shore Baptist Association office serves the people between Pearl River on the Mississippi state line and Livingston|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]The executive boards of the three Baptist Associations served by Director of Missions and Ministries Lonnie Wascom each voted unanimously in their January meetings to recommend to their churches that they establish a new Northshore Baptist Association at their 2010 annual meetings. In further action, they authorized their associational moderators to establish a transition team to formulate governing and financial documents and policies to be recommended as well, at the fall meetings. The first meeting of the transition team took place Feb. 10. This involves the Chappapeela, LaTangi and St. Tammany Baptist Associations. The recommendations carried two stipulations, Wascom said. All three associations must approve – “We move together or not at all” – and the matter be voted on in 2010 and again in 2011. First to be approved (or not) for the 2010-2011 year, and if … [Read more...]

SLIDELL, HAMMOND – Two congregations that started meeting as mission churches before Katrina, weathered the storm and in recent days both constituted into full-fledged church status. Thompson Road Baptist Church in Slidell, formerly known as Cornerstone Baptist Church, constituted Jan. 17. Randy Boyett is pastor. It meets in a worship center and educational space constructed by the Louisiana Baptist Mission Builders. Crossroads Community Church, which meets in a renovated former movie theater across the street from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, constituted Jan. 31. Asah Hudgins is pastor. THOMPSON ROAD This congregation started in 2003 as a Bible study. After Katrina, the mission church withered from 45 people to six, but they forged ahead with the help of Calvary Baptist Church in Slidell, Louisiana Baptist Convention, Georgia Barnett state missions offering, and the Louisiana Baptist Builders, who constructed a 7,000 square-foot church house on a well-traveled road southwest of downtown. Today, Thompson Road has an ongoing ministry to an orphanage in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, across the border from Laredo, Texas. Thompson Road members use their Mardi Gras break to minister there each year. The church … [Read more...]

By Lisa Hartine, Special to the Message MONROE – Today’s generation of young girls is experiencing pressure that their moms didn’t begin to know until high school. Today’s society dictates tight skirts, skinny jeans, midriffs showing, or words printed on the seat of shorts or the front of tees that are often suggestive or otherwise inappropriate. [img_assist|nid=6144|title=Secret Keeper Girl addresses issues of modesty and purity in a fun, age-appropriate manner|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=67|height=100]Research shows that one in every five teens appears older than she actually is because of the way she dresses.  This could put a young girl in dangerous situations, including early sexual experimentation. Secret Keeper Girl addresses issues of modesty and purity in a fun, age-appropriate manner. First West – First Baptist Church of West Monroe – recently hosted this event, geared specifically to 8- to 12-year-olds and their moms. With testimonies and fun illustrations, Secret Keeper Girl used the perfect balance of music, motion, and shared moments between moms and daughters to keep participants entertained and also accommodate the shorter attention span of the younger girls. Secret Keeper Girl uses issues … [Read more...]

By Joanne Brechtel, Administrative Editor MINDEN – Youth of Webster–Claiborne and Bienville Associations participated in a mission trip to New Orleans in January. Randy Hales is director of missions. DUBACH – Six members of Fellowship Baptist and First Baptist participated in a Concord–Union Association mission trip to Thailand December 26 through January 9. Barry Joyner is director of missions. RUSTON – Rolling Hills Ministries is accepting donations for its Thrift Store. The ministry reminds everyone that garage sale pickup is available in the Ruston area the week following a sale. Items must be boxed or bagged and ready for pick up. Call Chris at 318.251.0065 to schedule a time. RUSTON – Baptist Collegiate Ministries of Louisiana Tech sent 85 students and staff to Mission Arlington in Arlington, Texas where they helped feed 20,000 plus people for Thanksgiving and lead Sunday services in 25 apartment churches. They also served the poor and needy in the metroplex area by helping with meals, furniture delivery, clothes, medical clinics and other ministries. During spring break March, 2 through March 9, the ministry is to travel to Miami, Florida to participate in Mission Miami 2010. They will assist and support the … [Read more...]

Compiled by Joanne Brechtel NEEDED Pastor at Calvary Baptist Bayou Chicot; send resume to Pastor Search Committee, Attention: Patrick McCoy, Chairman, Calvary Baptist Church, 1059 Calvary Baptist Road, Ville Platte LA 70586 DEATHS WACO, Texas – Helen Cole, 84, died Friday, Feb. 12 in Waco, Texas. She is survived by her husband, James F. Cole, former editor of the Baptist Message, and one daughter. Memorial services were held Monday, Feb. 15 in Waco. REVIVALS OAK GROVE – First Baptist: 10:25 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, March 21; Monday, March 22 through Wednesday, March 24; Wayne Jenkins, evangelist; Danny Terrall, music; Carl Gulde, pastor. SHONGALOO – Union Springs Baptist Church: Sunday, March 7 through Wednesday, March 10. Joe Aulds, evangelist, Aulds Family, music; Larry Buford, pastor HEFLIN – First Friday Camp Meeting: Jack Daniels Ministries 6 p.m. Friday, March 5; Sanctuary Quartet, music; call 318.201.2458 for information. CASTOR – New Ebenezer Baptist: Bible Conference/Revival 7 p.m. March 11 through Saturday, March 13; 11 a.m. Sunday, March 14; David Miller, evangelist. WINNFIELD – Bethlehem Baptist Church: Sunday, March 14 through Wednesday, March 17; Joe Aulds, evangelist; Price Harris, music; … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message ORLANDO, Fla. (BP) – Registration for messengers and local hotels is open for the June 15-16 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. SBC President Johnny Hunt has selected “LoveLoud through the Great Commission” (1 John 3:18) as the theme for this year’s sessions. “We’ve got to ‘Love Loud’!” Hunt, pastor of the Atlanta-area First Baptist Church in Woodstock, declared. “Loud Love moves beyond the four walls of the church. I hope to encourage our folks to roll up their sleeves and get after it. “Our theme verse is clear,” Hunt said of 1 John 3:18, which states: “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” “It is not simply enough to say; we must do!” Hunt said. “We have embraced what we believe. It is now or never to engage this generation with what we believe – the Gospel. “Our nation is lost. We have the answer. Let’s do it!” Registration for the Orlando annual meeting once again will provide churches with the online opportunity to register their messengers at www.sbc.net to avoid waiting at the counter upon arrival at the convention. By registering online, the SBC website provides a … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Press WACO, Texas (BP) – Ken Starr, the former independent prosecutor whose investigative work led to the impeachment of former President Bill Clinton, has been selected as president of Baylor University. Since 2004, Starr has been the dean of Pepperdine University’s law school in Malibu, Calif., where he is credited with dramatically raising the school’s profile. “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Judge Ken Starr as the 14th president of Baylor University,” Dary Stone, chairman of Baylor’s board of regents, said in a news release Feb. 15. “His depth of experience and exceptional record as a university dean and legal scholar, his dedication to the highest ideals of the Christian faith, and his profound commitment to public service and visionary leadership make him the ideal person to lead Baylor at this remarkable time in the university’s history,” Stone said. Starr, 63, was introduced to students during a university-wide meeting Feb. 16, and he is scheduled to assume duties as president June 1. He succeeds John Lilley, who was fired as Baylor’s president in 2008 after less than three years in the position. The university reported that Starr was the unanimous choice of both the … [Read more...]