Disaster relief units from across Louisiana remain at “alert readiness” status at press time, reports Gibbie McMillan, men’s ministries/disaster relief director for the Louisiana Baptist convention. ALEXANDRIA – Disaster relief units from across Louisiana remain at “alert readiness” status at press time, reports Gibbie McMillan, men’s ministries/disaster relief director for the Louisiana Baptist convention. The media surged over the weekend with reports of flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where floodwaters swamped 1,300 city blocks and forced 24,000 people from their homes; breached levees and flood stages at  more than double their design capacity; a 500-year “event” swirling chest-high to a tall man. It’s a disaster the likes of which Louisianians know only too well, and of a scope that stretches across more than five states. Louisiana Disaster Relief volunteers are eager to help, McMillan said. And while they wait for assessments by the Southern Baptist Convention’s National Disaster Relief teams, they’re busy at home. World Changers – crews of Southern Baptist teenage repair teams on mission to spruce up neighborhoods – are in the state,  and associational disaster relief trailers – laundry, shower and feeding … [Read more...]

Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention on the first ballot, leading a slate of officers that included two new vice presidents and two re-elected secretaries. INDIANAPOLIS (BP) – Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention on the first ballot, leading a slate of officers that included two new vice presidents and two re-elected secretaries. Bill Henard, pastor of Porter Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky., was elected first vice president, and John Newland, pastor of Fall Creek Baptist Church in Indianapolis, was elected second vice president. John Yeats, director of communications for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, was re-elected SBC recording secretary – a position in which he has served since 1997. Jim Wells, director of missions for the Tri-County Baptist Association in Nixa, Mo., was re-elected registration secretary for the sixth consecutive year. John Marshall, pastor of Second Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo., was elected to preach the convention sermon at the 2009 annual meeting in Louisville, Ky. Larry Wynn, pastor of Hebron Baptist Church in … [Read more...]

“Hide and watch,” my dad used to say. When my father said this he was indicating that if I would be quiet and observe, I might learn something. “Hide and watch,” my dad used to say. When my father said this he was indicating that if I would be quiet and observe, I might learn something. Those who did hide and watch a recent government hearing concerning the effectiveness of abstinence-only- sex-education learned that some so-called sex-ed experts are nothing more than ideological hypocrites. Under the guise of hearing objective testimony from a panel of experts the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, chaired by Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman, was subject to a barrage of ideological attacks on abstinence sex-ed. Though Waxman indicated in his opening remarks that government policy must be based “on the best science and evidence, not ideology,” it was clear that the panel was little more than a stacked deck of rabid supporters for “comprehensive” sex-education which includes instruction on sexual activity as well as information on contraception. The committee convened the week that a new Heritage Foundation review of 21 abstinence education programs showed that a solid majority of them – 15 – showed … [Read more...]

I was raised in the mountains of East Tennessee. I was never very conscious of the sky because, frankly, I couldn’t see it without looking straight up. The view of the sky over the mountains is very limited. As a teenager on a family trip driving through the flat cornfields of the Midwest, I suddenly realized something had changed. The sky had grown. It was enormous. I was raised in the mountains of East Tennessee. I was never very conscious of the sky because, frankly, I couldn’t see it without looking straight up. The view of the sky over the mountains is very limited. As a teenager on a family trip driving through the flat cornfields of the Midwest, I suddenly realized something had changed. The sky had grown. It was enormous. Although it is obvious that the sky hadn’t really grown, nor was it falling, a similarity can be found between that experience and overseas missions. What once seemed so far away and distant years ago is now more accessible than ever through advances in technology and travel. The opportunities for us to take the Gospel to the nations have grown. In fact, they are enormous. Churches of like faith and practice formed the organization that is today the Southern Baptist Convention primarily for the … [Read more...]

Dr. Paige Patterson’s response to the LifeWay study on the decline of baptisms and church membership stimulated my own concern about this issue. We must follow our Lord’s instructions Dr. Paige Patterson’s response to the LifeWay study on the decline of baptisms and church membership stimulated my own concern about this issue.  For many years my concern has been the fact that Southern Baptists have been afraid to acknowledge that the key to success in evangelism is in our following the instruction of our Lord to wait until we are endued with power.  The final words of the Lord Jesus before his ascension are recorded in Acts 1:8: But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  The power of the Holy Spirit came to the disciples at Pentecost and that power has not been withdrawn.   We as Southern Baptists have allowed those who have distorted the work and power of the Holy Spirit to rob us of the power to succeed in evangelism. We have substituted gimmicks and our own schemes for the plan that our Lord Jesus gave us.  Jesus clearly told us in His words recorded … [Read more...]

Southern Baptist Convention messengers meeting in Indianapolis June 10-11 elected a new president, launched a bold initiative to share the Gospel with every person in North America by 2020, accepted a detailed report from the Executive Committee on the subject of child sexual abuse prevention and adopted a much-discussed resolution on regenerate church membership. INDIANAPOLIS (BP) – Southern Baptist Convention messengers meeting in Indianapolis June 10-11 elected a new president, launched a bold initiative to share the Gospel with every person in North America by 2020, accepted a detailed report from the Executive Committee on the subject of child sexual abuse prevention and adopted a much-discussed resolution on regenerate church membership.  New SBC President Johnny Hunt long has been known among Southern Baptists for his passion for evangelism, discipleship and missions, and those themes dominated his post-election press conference and a brief address to messengers. His election came on the heels of LifeWay’s Annual Church Profile report showing that Southern Baptists in 2007 baptized the fewest number of people in two decades. “I pray that these next two years will be exciting times as we turn the tide and begin once … [Read more...]

Antioch Baptist Tickfaw LaTangi Baptist Association TICKFAW – Lois Oller teaches her Sunday school lesson like a preacher preaches, and she’s been teaching like that continuously for the last 75 years. The 91-year-old Oller began teaching Sunday school when she was only 16. She has pretty much taught all age groups, but she’s taught the seniors adults for the longest period of time. “She is one of the most radiant Christians I’ve ever met,” Charles Bigner, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, said in describing her. “She is a wonderful, wonderful person. A true gift from God.” While a broken hip suffered after a fall several years ago forces her to use a walker, she hasn’t let that stop her, Bigner said. “She doesn’t let her age slow her down, no sir. I’m 71 and she is way ahead of me. Her mind is very sharp and she always has a smile on her face,” Bigner said. “She is truly a joy to know and be around.” On May 25th, Bigner and members of the church showed their appreciation for her faithful service with a birthday party/special recognition day at Antioch Baptist Church, which is located near Tickfaw.  The special day allowed everyone to celebrate Oller’s 91st birthday, but more importantly to recognize and thank … [Read more...]

COMINGS AND GOINGS -A. L. Palmer resigns as interim pastor at Eden Baptist, Denham Springs. ANNIVERSARIES AND CELEBRATIONS -Crystal McCall of Temple Baptist, Alexandria was crowned queen of the Louisiana Nursing Home Association at its annual pageant recently. -Wanelle Lowe celebrates 53 years as pianist, First Baptist, Pineville. -Leonard and Marjorie Cathcart of First Baptist, Benton celebrate 60th wedding anniversary June 29. -Leo and Marianne Dillabunty of Mooringsport Baptist, Mooringsport celebrate 65th wedding anniversary. -First Baptist Baker Homecoming with potluck lunch noon Sunday, June 22. Dennis Allen, pastor. CHURCH AND ASSOCIATION EVENTS -GLENMORA – Yancy Baptist: Community Singing 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 20. Building Fund love offering. -SULPHUR – First Baptist: Senior Adult Luncheon 11:30 a.m. Thursday, June 19. Warden Burl Cain, speaker. David Holder, pastor. -WINNSBORO – First Baptist: All-Church Dinner Sunday, June 22; FirstKids Pool Party Wednesday, June 25. Harry Boyd Jr., pastor. -WALKER – Judson Baptist: Vacation Bible School Prayer Walk 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 22.  Merelin McCon, pastor. -JONESBORO – Ebenezer Baptist: Family Fun Night 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 25. Randy Lee, pastor. -BATON … [Read more...]

We must challenge the next generation of Southern Baptists to “go tell the story of Jesus,” Jerry Rankin told messengers June 11 at the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis.  INDIANAPOLIS (BP) – We must challenge the next generation of Southern Baptists to “go tell the story of Jesus,” Jerry Rankin told messengers June 11 at the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis. Speaking to several thousand messengers and guests, the president of the International Mission Board urged Southern Baptist leaders to “fulfill the mission” by passing on the missions torch. “What about the next generation?” Rankin asked. “Will we nurture in our children and grandchildren God’s heart for missions, or will they simply emulate the self-centered indifference of our generation? “We are seeing God stir in the children, young people and students of today a passion for missions and [a desire] to make a difference in our world,” he said. Messengers watched a video of a vision trip into the Peruvian Amazon that Rankin made with his 12-year-old grandson Zachary. The pair spent time visiting with Xtreme Team missionaries who worked among a remote tribe known as the Yaminahua. “I wouldn’t … [Read more...]

Geoff Hammond, president of the North American Mission Board, unveiled that National Evangelism Initiative to messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention June 10 in Indianapolis. INDIANAPOLIS (BP) – Geoff Hammond, president of the North American Mission Board, unveiled that National Evangelism Initiative to messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention June 10 in Indianapolis. “Just imagine if every believer in North America started sharing the Gospel and every person heard that Gospel by the year 2020,” Hammond said. As part of NAMB’s report and presentation to the convention, Hammond outlined the broad focus of the initiative that has been developed by the mission board working in conjunction with state and local Southern Baptist leaders with the encouragement of SBC President Frank Page. Prior to the annual convention, Page said he thought the most important part of the meeting would be the unveiling of the National Evangelism Initiative, which he believes “is going to have great benefits as churches come together over the next 10 years to push stronger than ever in an evangelistic direction.” Hammond said the initiative will be “multifaceted and flexible. It can be contextualized for your particular mission … [Read more...]