The Cooperative Program is among God’s blessings at West Conroe Baptist Church. CONROE, Texas (BP) – The Cooperative Program is among God’s blessings at West Conroe Baptist Church. “The Cooperative Program teaches [West Conroe members] to be givers,” said James T. “Jay” Gross, pastor of the Conroe, Texas, congregation. “I think our people see that our church is investing in the Kingdom of God, so they give. “It’s not like we’re trying to stockpile it for ourselves or to build our kingdom here in Conroe,” the pastor said. “And as a result of this attitude about giving to further God’s work, God has blessed us in the local ministry here, financially. “It’s the law of the sower: You always reap more than you sow,” Gross said. The sowing is continually expanding at West Conroe, where 1,300 or more people attend Sunday morning worship. “We try to think outside the box,” Gross said. “For example, I really have a desire to get a missions center in our church – medical, dental, food and clothing, and folks there to share the Gospel. We do it on mission trips; there’s no reason we can’t do it here.” West Conroe’s heart for ministry that meets people’s needs is reflected in its commitment to give 10 percent of the … [Read more...]

So often individuals, called to the ministry, are put into positions because of their faithfulness to God but often times lack the necessary training or haven’t been fully equipped to carry out their responsibilities. WISNER – So often individuals, called to the ministry, are put into positions because of their faithfulness to God but often times lack the necessary training or haven’t been fully equipped to carry out their responsibilities. Brian Crain can relate. “There is so much to learn … to understand,” Crain said. “But it takes time to gain that understanding and knowledge. Sometimes you just have to turn it over to God and learn all you can on the job.” Crain has gotten his on-the-job training while serving as the youth minister at Wisner Baptist Church for the  past four years, during which time he attended the University of Louisiana-Monroe. He plans on attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Forth Worth Texas as of Aug. 17. “When students at Wisner began surrendering to the ministry, it got me to thinking about what I could do to help better equip them for the job ahead,” Crain said. “I sat down with a friend of mine – Ryne Hester – and we had a brainstorm session to see what we could come … [Read more...]

COMINGS AND GOINGS -Joe David Smith resigns as pastor at Doyle Baptist, Livingston. -Freddie Arnold new as Associate Associational Missions Coordinator of Eastern Louisiana Baptist Association. -T. J. Bordelon resigns as pastor at Green Oak Baptist, Merryville. -Tommy Shipp retires as pastor of First Baptist, French Settlement. DEATHS -Walter Mangham, retired minister of music, died June 26. He served First Baptist, Monroe for 32 years. -Inez Weatherford, wife of retired pastor Claude Weatherford, died June 24. She is survived by her husband, a daughter and son. AVAILABLE -Glenmora Baptist has 100 1991 edition Baptist Hymnals available; call Chad Foster at 318.452.7373. NEEDED -Pastor at Green Oak Baptist, Merryville; send resumes to Pastor Search Committee, PO Box 476, Merryville LA 70653. -Bi-vocational Director of Music at First Baptist, Jonesboro; call 318.259.4467 or send resume to First Baptist Church, 500 S. Cooper Ave., Jonesboro LA 71251; Attention: Director of Music Search Committee. HOMECOMINGS -PLAIN DEALING – Salem Baptist: 165th Homecoming 11 a.m. Sunday, July 12; Leslie Creek, speaker; 12 p.m. lunch; 1 p.m. Brad Mount, guest singer; R. W. Brown, pastor. -JONESBORO – McDonald … [Read more...]

The percentage of births to unmarried mothers is increasing worldwide, and nearly four in 10 U.S. births were to unmarried women in 2007, according to a recent report by the National Center for Health Statistics. WORLDWIDE (BP) – The percentage of births to unmarried mothers is increasing worldwide, and nearly four in 10 U.S. births were to unmarried women in 2007, according to a recent report by the National Center for Health Statistics. Birth rates have risen considerably for unmarried women in their 20s and over, the report said, and nonmarital birth rates are highest for Hispanic women followed by black women. The study, released in May, said births to unmarried women in 2007 totaled 1.7 million, which was up 26 percent from 2002. Sixty percent of births to women ages 20-24 were to unmarried women, up from 52 percent in 2002, and 32 percent of births to women ages 25-29 were to unmarried women, up from 25 percent in 2002. Among the 14 countries analyzed in the report, the percentage of all live unmarried births in the United States – 40 percent – ranks somewhere in the middle. USA Today noted the U.S. figure is up from 18 percent in 1980. The National Center for Health Statistics said nonmarital births are at … [Read more...]

Year-to-date contributions through the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program are 2.74 percent below the same time frame last year and 1.85 percent off budget for 2009, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Morris H. Chapman. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Year-to-date contributions through the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program are 2.74 percent below the same time frame last year and 1.85 percent off budget for 2009, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Morris H. Chapman. As of May 31, the year-to-date total of $134,612,737.23 for Cooperative Program (CP) missions is $3,789,056.39 below the $138,401,793.62 received at the end of May 2008. Designated giving of $152,197,788.11 for the same year-to-date period is 10.78 percent, or $18,383,632.71, below gifts of $170,581,420.82 received at this point last year. Monthly CP receipts totaled $18,386,153.68, while designated gifts received last month amounted to $19,785,487.42. Month-to-month swings reflect a number of factors, but largely result from the timing of receipts from state conventions. The end-of-month total represents money … [Read more...]

An unclear understanding of spiritual maturity may be an underlying reason why there is so little progress in seeing people develop spiritually in the United States, despite overwhelming access to churches and unlimited products and resources, The Barna Group says. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – An unclear understanding of spiritual maturity may be an underlying reason why there is so little progress in seeing people develop spiritually in the United States, despite overwhelming access to churches and unlimited products and resources, The Barna Group says. “America has a spiritual depth problem partly because the faith community does not have a robust definition of its spiritual goals,” David Kinnaman, Barna’s president, said. “The study shows the need for new types of spiritual metrics.” Barna found that most Christians equate spiritual maturity with following the rules described in the Bible. Also, many churchgoers were unable to identify how their church defines spiritual maturity. Most Christians, Barna said, offer one-dimensional views of personal spiritual maturity, giving answers such as having a relationship with Jesus, living a moral lifestyle or applying the Bible. Most pastors struggle with articulating a specific … [Read more...]

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees elected a music professor, created a new counseling specialization and approved a certificate training site during a June 9 meeting of the board’s executive committee. NEW ORLEANS (BP) – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees elected a music professor, created a new counseling specialization and approved a certificate training site during a June 9 meeting of the board’s executive committee. The trustees elected Gregory Woodward to the faculty as assistant professor of conducting. He also will serve as chairperson for NOBTS’ division of church music ministries. NOBTS President Chuck Kelley said of Woodward, “With his vision for the future and his excellent training, we think he will help us prepare students for the 21st century of church music.” Woodward has been director of choral activities at Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Ga., since 2002. He also gained teaching experience serving as an instructor at Florida State University from 1999-2002 and as choir director at Pascagoula (Miss.) Public Schools from 1995-99. An experienced church musician and minister and son of a pastor, Woodward has served as minister of music/worship leader at six Southern … [Read more...]

In the wake of a fatal bus crash, survivors and their families at First Baptist Church Shreveport are leaning heavily on their faith and putting their trust in the power of the Lord. SHREVEPORT – In the wake of a fatal bus crash, survivors and their families at First Baptist Church Shreveport are leaning heavily on their faith and putting their trust in the power of the Lord. “Thank you in advance for your grace and how you work,” FBC Shreveport Senior Pastor Greg Hunt prayed during evening services the day of the wreck, according to the Shreveport Times. “We trust in you and we know your love. ... You are unlimited in all that you can see.” On the morning of July 12 around 10:40, FBC Shreveport’s church bus carrying more than 20 teenagers and adults on their way to Passport youth camp in Macon, Ga., blew a tire, which caused the bus to roll over on Interstate 20 near Meridian, Miss. A teenage boy was killed, six people were hospitalized and several others suffered broken bones. Despite the tragedy, the survivors were quick to give thanks to the Lord. Reannon Batts, one of the survivors of the wreck, was one of those who was   extremely grateful for God’s divine mercy and grace. In an interview on a Shreveport … [Read more...]

“This is not a performance. This is a worship service,” Pastor Stewart Holloway said as he welcomed people to First Baptist Pineville, to hear the final presentation of the 98 members of the 2009 All-State Youth Choir. “May the Lord be exalted.” PINEVILLE – “This is not a performance. This is a worship service,” Pastor Stewart Holloway said as he welcomed people to First Baptist Pineville, to hear the final presentation of the 98 members of the 2009 All-State Youth Choir. “May the Lord be exalted.” Holloway’s wife Rebecca said she felt exhilarated. “I was up there 15 years ago this week,” she said. “The All-State Youth Choir tour was absolutely life-changing for me. … I can hardly believe God brought me back here. I never dreamed when I was standing up there that I’d be married to the pastor!” The All-State Youth Choir is open to any high school student in good standing at a Louisiana Southern Baptist church. Auditions take place early each year. Applicants hear by March if they have made the team. After a three-day workshop, they depart for an eight-day tour that includes as much sharing their faith as it does singing. This year the choir went to Colorado Springs, Colo., where their many musical stints included a … [Read more...]

Music became an avenue for ministry when Summer Grove Baptist Church hosted one of Shreveport’s biggest events of the year – “American Idol” auditions in late June. SHREVEPORT – Music became an avenue for ministry when Summer Grove Baptist Church hosted one of Shreveport’s biggest events of the year – “American Idol” auditions in late June. “American Idol” approached Summer Grove six weeks earlier seeking permission to use the church’s facilities. Because Summer Grove’s campus once was South Park Mall, “American Idol” personnel knew space would not be a problem. Pastor Rod Masteller said the church prayed about and carefully discussed the request before reaching a decision, embracing it as an opportunity to show Christ’s love. “Some people think church is off to the side, its own little community. We want to draw them in,” Masteller said. “We want everyone in this community and the country to know the church is not snobbish. We don’t want to change our beliefs or morals, but we want them to know our doors are open.” Associate pastor Greg Tonjes said the church was able to minister to people in “a very nonthreatening way ... even if it’s just providing a drink of water.” “We’re reaching people that would never … [Read more...]