A little over a month ago, on a Sunday morning, Justin Mixon was part of a patrol escorting a sanitation detail in Iraq when his vehicle was struck by an armor-piercing IED. He died from wounds sustained from the blast. A little over a month ago, on a Sunday morning, Justin Mixon was part of a patrol escorting a sanitation detail in Iraq when his vehicle was struck by an armor-piercing IED. He died from wounds sustained from the blast. Pastor Walter Mixon, his father, released a prepared statement several days after receiving word of his son’s death asking everyone for some privacy “during this time of honoring our son.” “Just as Jesus Christ willingly gave His life for the salvation of this world, Justin willingly gave his for the security of this nation and those whom he loved. Justin was a Christian and today he is no longer suffering, but rejoicing in the Lord. Our family draws comfort from this fact. “Although it is sometimes hard to accept, we know the Lord’s will and timing is always right,” read the prepared statement. “Justin loved serving his country so much that he had recently reenlisted. He had intended to make a career out of serving our nation. We are very proud of him and his sacrifice. He leaves … [Read more...]

First St. Francisville William Wallace Baptist Association ST. FRANCISVILLE – Members of First Baptist Church couldn’t decide which was the greater ministry need – Alzheimer’s disease awareness or dealing with the loss of a loved one, so they developed two conferences set for this summer. An information conference on Alzheimer’s disease is set for 2 p.m. Thursday, July 24, in the church’s multi-purpose building. A two-day conference on “What to do when a loved one dies” is set for July 31 and Aug. 1 in the church’s worship center. “It puts our faith and our commitment in the Lord Jesus to helping the people of our community who are facing the horrible diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and then to help those who are dealing with grief,” said Pastor Joe Ratcliff. “Our commitment to the Lord is found in scripture that is then worked out in practice.” The Alzheimer’s disease awareness conference is a coordinated effort between First Baptist St. Francisville and the Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area. The speaker is to be from Senior Care Services of Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge. This conference is free and open to the public. “Many families of the community and church have concerns about this … [Read more...]

Submitted by Staff on Thu, 07/03/2008 - 02:00 COMINGS AND GOINGS -Eddy Shoemaker, new as pastor, Peniel Baptist,West Monroe. -Kevin Boles, interim minister of music, First Baptist, Jena. -Robbie Isom, new as youth minister, Judson Baptist, Walker. -Marlene Young, new as counseling ministry social worker, Temple, Baptist Ruston. ANNIVERSARIES AND CELEBRATIONS -Fellowship Baptist Quitman celebrates Homecoming 10 a.m. Sunday, July 13; dinner on the grounds; Wayne Morrow, speaker; Monty Horton, music; Don Doughty, pastor. -Ridgecrest Baptist Ridgecrest Gospel Ministry Celebration/Reception honoring Preston Holder and wife, Ruby, for 50 years in the gospel ministry 2 p.m. Sunday, July 13. -Salem Baptist Plain Dealing celebrates Homecoming and 164th anniversary 11 a.m. Sunday, July 13; Milton Sargent, speaker, lunch, afternoon singing, Clayton Dyess, guest singer.  -Doyle Adams, pastor of First Baptist Gilbert, celebrated his 50th year in the ministry April 27 with ceremonies at Temple Winnsboro. ORDINATIONS -Jarred Pellegrin, minister of children, ordination service First Baptist, Blanchard, 6 p.m. Sunday, July 6. James Hill, pastor. REVIVALS -RUSTON – Temple Baptist: Marvelous Monday … [Read more...]

Former Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home resident David Rawls hadn’t been back “home” in 45 years until on June 6 and 7 Rawls, along with his brother Stanley Eisiliones, came “home” to the 2008 Children’s Home Alumni Reunion. MONROE – Former Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home resident David Rawls hadn’t been back “home” in 45 years until on June 6 and 7 Rawls, along with his brother Stanley Eisiliones, came “home” to the 2008 Children’s Home Alumni Reunion. More than 150 alumni, family and friends gathered on the grounds of the Children’s Home in Monroe to share memories and catch up on each others lives. Former resident Frank Messer traveled all the way from Idaho to attend the event while Pam Peden had a trip of just minutes from her home in Monroe. Young and old alike enjoyed a special time of laughter and tears as they reminisced about growing up at LBCH. The homecoming kicked off on Friday evening with a fish fry in the Frank and Mamie Stevens Pecan Grove Park. Special entertainment for the evening included a flute solo by current resident Ryan of Joy Cottage, a number by the LBCH girls ensemble and finally words of wisdom from “America’s Minister of Encouragement,” Dennis Swanberg. Swanberg’s message for the … [Read more...]

It may have seemed a bit awkward – and certainly dangerous – as far as baptisms go. But looking back over 34 years of missionary service, it’s a moment Bill Fudge can describe only as holy.  ROCKVILLE, Va. (BP) – It may have seemed a bit awkward – and certainly dangerous – as far as baptisms go. But looking back over 34 years of missionary service, it’s a moment Bill Fudge can describe only as holy. Fudge was among 55 newly retired Southern Baptist missionaries honored at an emeritus recognition service June 22 at the International Learning Center in Rockville, Va. Emeritus missionaries are those who have served for 15 years or more at retirement. The unusual baptism happened more than a decade ago. It took place in a hotel bathroom within the borders of an oppressive communist government. The person waiting for Fudge to baptize him was Thomas*, a low-level official of that government. He was dressed only in underwear – an extra pair of Fudge’s underwear. “Like most of the people there, he was starving and had nothing,” Fudge recounted. “I had given him all my clothes ... everything except the shirt on my back.” Shivering in the cold water –- the hotel had no hot water – Thomas quietly shared his testimony, … [Read more...]

Trustees of the International Mission Board created a task force to examine future directions for Southern Baptists’ 163-year-old missions enterprise during their June 23-25 meeting in Rockville, Va. ROCKVILLE, Va. (BP) – Trustees of the International Mission Board created a task force to examine future directions for Southern Baptists’ 163-year-old missions enterprise during their June 23-25 meeting in Rockville, Va. The trustees also appointed 72 new missionaries and appropriated $3.2 million from reserve funds to cover expenses not met by last year’s Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Thirty-eight of the new missionaries were appointed at Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond on Wednesday night. The other 34 will be appointed at Southern Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City on Friday. In his report to the trustees, IMB President Jerry Rankin shared some of the challenges missionaries will face and how the IMB must be poised to respond. “Our society ... Our denomination and churches ... Our world is changing,” Rankin said. Rankin cited global events – natural disasters and conflicts, urbanization, Muslim extremism, diversity within the Southern Baptist Convention, declining values and growing technology – as some of … [Read more...]

The legendary Paul Bunyan, who according to folklore hacked through seemingly impenetrable frontier forests to open much of North America, is said to have been based on the exploits of a French-Canadian lumberjack in the mid-1800s. OTTAWA, Ontario, Canada (BP) – The legendary Paul Bunyan, who according to folklore hacked through seemingly impenetrable frontier forests to open much of North America, is said to have been based on the exploits of a French-Canadian lumberjack in the mid-1800s. French-Canadian church planter Rick Lamothe now envisions the same kind of endeavor from one end of Canada’s Eastern Corridor to the other – a 715-mile stretch along the St. Lawrence River populated by more than half of the country’s 33.3 million people. “Rick is one of our best pastors,” said Gerry Taillon, national ministry leader for the Canadian Convention of Southern Baptists. “We have high confidence in him.” Paul Bunyan, according to www.americanfolklore.net, was a symbol to North Americans in the early 1900s of “the willingness to work hard” and “the resolve to overcome all obstacles.” That pretty much sums up the frontier spirit of the visionary planter of Ottawa’s Sequoia Community Church, already one of the leading Baptist … [Read more...]

Alexandria Carl L. Taylor III  # Baton Rouge Karen O. Wagley Bernice Amber LeFaye Urrey Bossier City Lindsey Burns Central Joy Clark Katherine Clark Jacob Forrest Schopp Justin Bryant Schopp  # Columbia Janna Carroll  # Deville Cody Edwards  # Micah Rachelle May  * Shane Middleton  # Trey Miller  # Doyline Brittany Lee Courtny Sulzer Grand Cane Justin Hoell Kennedy  * Greenwell Springs Rachel Oliphant Harrisonburg Grace Jordan Ruth Jordan Sarah Jordan  * Heflin Bethany Daniels David Daniels Jonesboro Hilary Reed Kenner Nathan Michel Graham Waller Joe Waller  * Lafayette Toni LaBiche Lake Charles Mollie Yorks LaPlace Hannah Bergeron Leesville Elizabeth Gautreaux Ashley Hartel Zachary Mueller Livingston Ashlyn Harrell Luling Anne-Marie Laque Marksville Ellen Durand Minden Daniel Hutto Monroe Silver Ringold Justin Woods Morgan City Matthew Powell  # Mt. Herman Jonathan Statham Natchitoches Cammie Recer Marlee Roberts Pineville Katie Boles  # Ashley Cockerham Brittany Jones M’Kayla Love Camille Perkins Jay Purdy Hannah Quarles  # Rachael Quarles  # Kara Ramirez  # Pollock Brett Roussell Ponchatoula Allison Layne Joiner  # Quitman Molly Frances … [Read more...]

The American Family Association on July 3 launched a boycott of McDonald’s, saying the restaurant chain’s corporate leaders refuse “to remain neutral in the culture wars” by promoting the homosexual agenda. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – The American Family Association on July 3 launched a boycott of McDonald’s, saying the restaurant chain’s corporate leaders refuse “to remain neutral in the culture wars” by promoting the homosexual agenda. An official with the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, while not commenting specifically on the AFA boycott, issued a statement to Baptist Press recapping general principles regarding Christian stewardship in their consumer spending. “Discerning Southern Baptists note which corporations support causes or movements which are antithetical to a biblical perspective and then weigh carefully which businesses in good conscience and, perhaps of necessity, they can patronize,” ERLC Vice President Dwayne Hastings said July 7. “In this day of conglomerates and multinational corporations, it is difficult to find a large corporation that does not in some way support something which stands in opposition to what we know to be good and moral,” Hastings added. “Yet as … [Read more...]

When John Hebert and Clovis Sturdivant spent time together at the Baptist Building recently, it was for more than just to share a cup of coffee. ALEXANDRIA – When John Hebert and Clovis Sturdivant spent time together at the Baptist Building recently, it was for more than just to share a cup of coffee. Hebert, Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Region 4 (Central Louisiana) missions strategist, and Sturdivant, director of missions in Jackson, Winn and Shady Grove Baptist Associations, met to discuss chaplaincy ministry in the state. Chaplains are people assigned to be a spiritual leader in a non-church setting such as a hospital, military installation, police/fire department, prison and, increasingly, in the workplace. “I haven’t been able to give chaplaincy any attention,” said Hebert, who is responsible for 50 or more church and/or community ministry centers statewide, and for ministry to an unknown number of chaplains across the state who are affiliated with Southern Baptists, in addition to his work with associations and churches in Central Louisiana. Despite his workload, Hebert did provide assistance at least twice in the recent past to Sturdivant, the DOM said. Sturdivant, certified by the International Conference … [Read more...]