Somewhere in a Texas storage shed sits a reminder of the reason Mark Moses left home and headed overseas. It’s a paper Moses, then 11 years old, wrote for a school assignment. The first line reads: “I want too be a misiunary wen I gro up.” RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – Somewhere in a Texas storage shed sits a reminder of the reason Mark Moses left home and headed overseas. It’s a paper Moses, then 11 years old, wrote for a school assignment. The first line reads: “I want too be a misiunary wen I gro up.” “I tell folks my spelling has changed but my calling has not,” jokes the Fort Worth, Texas, native, who has spent the past 22 years as a Southern Baptist missionary in the Philippines. It hasn’t been easy. Between the joys of new believers and churches starting, Moses also has endured bitter disappointments and devastating personal tragedy – including the loss of his wife, Jan, to cancer last year. It’s this deep sense of calling that helps drive and sustain Moses and the more than 5,500 other missionaries who serve with the International Mission Board. CALLED TO PERSEVERE Today these missionaries must hold fast to their calling as they experience the fallout of a burgeoning economic crisis. That’s because missionaries’ … [Read more...]

He’s “J.L.” on his business card. His wife calls him “Mac.” Some friends call him “James,” although he often forgets to stand up when he’s introduced as James. LOS ANGELES (BP) – He’s “J.L.” on his business card. His wife calls him “Mac.” Some friends call him “James,” although he often forgets to stand up when he’s introduced as James. But he’s best known simply as “The Hitchhiker,” especially among Southern Baptists in California. James L. McCollough’s motto is “Sharing the Gospel around the world, one highway at a time.”  A 59-year-old former Marine, McCollough has been hitchhiking all his life—not because he can’t drive or doesn’t own a car. He can and does. Hitchhiking is his God-led ministry, his chosen method to share Christ literally on the highways and byways of life. McCollough is a North American Mission Board (NAMB) Mission Service Corps missionary and works for the Los Angeles Southern Baptist Association. His ministry is aptly named “BlackTop Ministries.” And from California to Mexico to Indiana to Florida, this man has pounded some serious blacktop. “I go out about every day,” says The Hitchhiker, who on this day was in Nevada, dressed in his usual “USMC” reflective orange vest, “Jesus Saves” … [Read more...]

And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)  5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore … [Read more...]

As soon as I finished storing the leftover Thanksgiving turkey in Tupperware, I began putting up the tree and cluttering every surface of our house with nativity scenes, reindeer, poinsettias, and twinkly lights. As soon as I finished storing the leftover Thanksgiving turkey in Tupperware, I began putting up the tree and cluttering every surface of our house with nativity scenes, reindeer, poinsettias, and twinkly lights. Every year our family – like many of you – goes to great lengths to celebrate the birth of Jesus. But do we ever slow down to seriously contemplate why He came? About this time last year, God drew my attention to several statements Jesus made that included the phrase “I came” or “I have come.” Of course, I had read them many times before, but had never considered them in the context of Christmas. As I searched the Gospels I found more than a dozen of these “I came…” statements. As I studied them, Christmas took on a deeper and richer meaning for me.  This year, I would like to share a few of them with you. If you have time, look up the Scripture references and ask God to teach you the deeper meaning of Christmas. First, Jesus made it very clear that He came as a repre-sentative of the Father. He … [Read more...]

As the year 2008 draws to a close, all but 214 churches out of 1,589 have submitted their Annual Church Profiles. ALEXANDRIA – As the year 2008 draws to a close, all but 214 churches out of 1,589 have submitted their Annual Church Profiles. The non-reporting churches are scattered across the state, said Shana Johnson, Information Services Support Supervisor for the Louisiana Baptist Convention. “Nineteen of Louisiana’s 43 associations obtained 100 percent of their congregation’s reporting,” Johnson said. “We want to thank the clerks and directors of missions in those 19 associations for their efforts to obtain that 100 percent score.  The clerks and directors of missions in the remaining associations continue to work diligently to collect the outstanding ACP reports.” There are many reasons a church might not yet have sent in its ACP, Johnson said. Three quickly came to mind: The church might have been between pastors, the pastor might be an extra-busy bivocational wage-earner, or the need to complete the report might have gotten lost with everything else the church was doing this fall. The 214 churches that have not yet completed their ACP are urged to do so within the next month, Johnson said. “It doesn’t take … [Read more...]

Louisiana’s Mission Builders volunteers have been busy all year, and expect an even busier 2009, says Strategist Jeff Woodrich. Volunteers – skilled and unskilled – are always needed. Contact Woodrich at 225.975.0848 or jeff. woodrich@lbc.org for more information. STATEWIDE – Louisiana’s Mission Builders volunteers have been busy all year, and expect an even busier 2009, says Strategist Jeff Woodrich. Volunteers – skilled and unskilled – are always needed. Contact Woodrich at 225.975.0848 or jeff.   woodrich@lbc.org for more information. Christ’s Community Church, Denham Springs, LA – 10,000 sq. ft.  At this time, the congregation is experiencing rapid growth while meeting at a school. The property is now paid for. Bethel Baptist Worship Center, Morganza, LA – 4,000 sq. ft. Pastor Larry Bossier said they are still trying to raise 100 percent of their funds before starting this project, as they do not want their church to be in debt. Northshore Church, Slidell, LA (Katrina rebuild) – 44,000 sq. ft. Mortgage papers have been signed and the church was scheduled to close on their loan on Dec. 22. The kickoff date is mid-January.  FBC-Chalmette, Chalmette, LA (Katrina rebuild) – 28,000 sq. ft. Approximate completion date … [Read more...]

In 1991, Andrew did what dozens of pastors and scholars only hoped to do. My friend Andrew, with no theological training or philosophical expertise, unwittingly but unmistakably showed me the true meaning of Christmas. In 1991, Andrew did what dozens of pastors and scholars only hoped to do. My friend Andrew, with no theological training or philosophical expertise, unwittingly but unmistakably showed me the true meaning of Christmas. After Andrew and I returned to college from our winter break, he asked me what presents I had received for Christmas. I began to tell him about the new clothes, the best-selling books, the popular running shoes and all the other items on the list of precious gifts given me by family and friends. He seemed somewhat impressed, pleased at my apparent holiday windfall. “So, Andrew, what did you get for Christmas?” I asked. Expecting to hear his wonderful list of presents, my roommate instead replied silently, holding up but one small item, an alarm clock that probably cost less than $5 at the thrift shop. “That’s nice”, I answered, thinking that I was sure glad I hadn’t received such a present, seemingly so small and insignificant. Later, as roommates often do during late nights of academic … [Read more...]

“The only hope for the world is for laborers to go to them with the gospel of salvation, and having won them to the Savior, not to leave them, but to work with them faithfully, patiently, painstakingly, until they become fruitful Christians savoring the world about them with the Redeemer’s love,” wrote Robert Coleman in The Master Plan of Evangelism. “The only hope for the world is for laborers to go to them with the gospel of salvation, and having won them to the Savior, not to leave them, but to work with them faithfully, patiently, painstakingly, until they become fruitful Christians savoring the world about them with the Redeemer’s love,” wrote Robert Coleman in The Master Plan of Evangelism. Read the previous eight articles about Jesus’ plan for world evangelization online at www.baptistmessage.com. Search for “evangelism.” Jesus started with 12 men. At the same time that he spread God’s love to the masses, he developed these 12 to do what he was doing. They watched him, listened to him, observed him, learned from him, and then he sent them out on a short-term assignment. They came back and reported in. Jesus fine-tuned them to be even more effective, and sent them out again. They returned and reported … [Read more...]

A gazebo in a southern Louisiana park converts mid-production to a scene from New Testament times. LAFAYETTE – A gazebo in a southern Louisiana park converts mid-production to a scene from New Testament times. A “Ho-Ho-Ho”-ing Santa during a community celebration in the park, confesses after everyone has gone but lonely Justin – whose mom works nights as a waitress – to being just Santa’s helper. (He’s also P.E. teacher Mr. Hemmings.) Lively-stepping Irish lasses delight. Cajun accordionist Hunter Hayes from Breaux Bridge delights. A parkful of people depicting Christmas cheer delight. Festival de Noel in the worship center at First Lafayette delights. It’s wondrous. It’s heart-thrilling. It’s Christmas like we want Christmas to be. It’s family, friends, neighbors – it’s the community we want to live in at Christmas and throughout the year. It’s a brilliantly conceived and flawlessly executed Christmas event under the overall direction of John Frank Reeve, First Lafayette music minister, and Beth Finch, production coordinator. It will not soon be duplicated. What makes it so special? In addition to being musically flawless, the choir and soloists – accompanied by a spot-on orchestra – put their hearts into their … [Read more...]

Zion Hill Baptist Church Winn Baptist Association WINNFIELD – God is doing things at Zion Hill, according to Pastor Bill Wagoner. “We had three baptisms and one moved their letter last week,” Wagoner said. “We average 50 to 70” people each Sunday. Approximately 15 of these people are children. Plus, this congregation is a giving church. He said they put together 47 Christmas Shoe Box gifts for Samaritan’s Purse this year. Besides giving to children overseas, Zion Hill was to perform a Christmas program on Dec. 21 for anyone who would like to attend. “We’ll have special music,” Wagoner said. Wagoner hopes that many will sense God’s presence during the service. He himself has sensed God’s love and presence while pastoring at Zion Hill, he said. In fact, he’s been pastor twice for the church. “First, I pastored there 8 and a half years, from 1980 to 1988,” Wagoner said. He moved onto another church, but the Zion Hill congregation wanted him back. He became the church’s full-time pastor once again in 2005 to the present. Wagoner said he doesn’t really know why God moved him away and then brought him back, but everyone seems pleased. The members say they are pleased with Wagoner and excited about what’s … [Read more...]