People from more than 60 churches across the United States are expected to participate in post-Katrina construction planning meetings here in March. They’d like you to join them.     CHALMETTE, SLIDELL, LAFAYETTE – People from more than 60 churches across the United States are expected to participate in post-Katrina construction planning meetings here in March. They’d like you to join them.   They need you to join them.   They’ll be at Northshore Baptist in Slidell March 10; First Chalmette March 24; and at the Church Without Walls in Lafayette March 31, to plan, and then back again this summer slinging hammers, nails and God’s blessings.   They’re mission construction volunteers affiliated with the Alabama-based Builders for Christ, a Southern Baptist organization said to be the largest of the 550 or more groups of construction volunteers in the nation.   "We desperately need to find 800 new friends; we may have taken on more than we can do, without their help," said Lawrence Corley, founder of the organization and project manager for First Chalmette. "We don’t believe for a minute that these three churches will have the personnel and resources to finish their building if we aren’t able to. They’re still … [Read more...]

William Wilberforce isn’t a household name in America, but an upcoming motion picture is trying to change that.     NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – William Wilberforce isn’t a household name in America, but an upcoming motion picture is trying to change that.   "Amazing Grace" is the story of Wilberforce, a devout Christian and a member of the British Parliament who, beginning around 1787, sought to do what then seemed impossible – lead the British Empire to abolish the slave trade, what supporters called the lifeblood of the economy. He failed year after year before, finally, in 1807 – 200 years ago – his bill became law, abolishing an evil that had resulted in the enslavement and death of millions of Africans. Shortly before his death in 1833, he learned that another bill – to abolish the practice of slavery itself in the empire – would soon become law   The movie – to be released Feb. 23 and rated PG for mild language – gets its name from Wilberforce’s friendship with John Newton, the author of the hymn "Amazing Grace" and a former slave trader who – several years after becoming a Christian – teamed up with Wilberforce to abolish the trade.   Christian leaders today say the church could learn much from the way … [Read more...]

Editor’s note: Read this article in its entirety on www.baptistmessage.com KANSAS CITY, Kan. (BP) – "The Last Sin Eater," the highly anticipated period drama directed by Michael Landon Jr., is set for a theatrical release on Feb. 9. Released through Fox Faith, Twentieth Century Fox’s faith-themed branch, the film (rated PG-13 for thematic elements and some violence) is based on the Francine Rivers novel and concerns a guilt-ridden adolescent girl who seeks forgiveness by way of an ancient Welsh ritual involving a man known as "The Sin Eater." An outcast, the Sin Eater comes to funerals and completes a ceremony by taking on the sins of the newly departed, supposedly allowing them to rest in peace. So burdened is the young girl that she sets out to find the Sin Eater. Hounded by the child, he relents and performs the ritual over her. But she feels nothing. The guilt remains. Ah, but a wandering minister introduces the youngster to the true Sin Eater. This comes from the offspring of the man who gave us "Little House on the Prairie" and "Highway to Heaven." Michael Landon Jr. offers a fresh story concept and delivers it with skill and competence. What’s more, it is a movie, made by movie people, wherein Jesus is proclaimed as … [Read more...]

The merger of First Baptist here with nearby East Leesville Baptist on Sunday, Feb. 11, has George Boswell, pastor of First Baptist New Llano, looking to the future with optimism despite his declining health and a declining church, he said.     NEW LLANO – The merger of First Baptist here with nearby East Leesville Baptist on Sunday, Feb. 11, has George Boswell, pastor of First Baptist New Llano, looking to the future with optimism despite his declining health and a declining church, he said.   Boswell, who has been taking cancer treatments for about four years, said the church’s decline is due partly to his poor health and partly to troop movements at nearby Fort Polk. Much of the town’s population, affiliated with the Army base in some way, is transitory.   "When troops leave Fort Polk, attendance drops," Bos-well said of First New Llano’s recent decline. "But it always built back up. Because of my health, I haven’t been able to get out for visitation to help in building it back up."   To solve the church’s problem, Boswell, who preaches every Sunday from his wheelchair, recently initiated a merger – at the suggestion of Vernon Director of Missions E.J. Bradshaw – between thriving East Leesville Baptist Church … [Read more...]

On February 2-3, 657 students gathered at FBC Pineville to see old friends, worship the Lord, and to learn how to share the gospel with their high school and college friends. By Michael Stewart   PINEVILLE – On February 2-3, 657 students gathered at FBC Pineville to see old friends, worship the Lord, and to learn how to share the gospel with their high school and college friends. According to Tim Stewart, the Shreveport-Metro BCM Director and event coordinator, "all 24 LBC campus ministries were represented and 20 churches brought a number of Junior and Senior high school students." For the past couple of years high school students have been invited to the College Evangelism Conference to help them get a glimpse of college life and to make them aware of Baptist Collegiate Ministry. This year’s event speaker was Paul Mints, a former Youth Pastor at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport and currently a church planter in Mansfield, Texas. The praise team for Ignite was the Todd Field’s Band from NorthPoint Church in Atlanta, Georgia.                       During each of the worship sessions, Mints preached from the fifth chapter of 2 Corinthians. Mint’s used this text to remind … [Read more...]

Steve and Ann Corbin say they have the gift of hospitality – a handy gift for entertaining many strangers, especially when the strangers do not speak English.     RESERVE – Steve and Ann Corbin say they have the gift of hospitality – a handy gift for entertaining many strangers, especially when the strangers do not speak English.   As Mission Service Corps missionaries with Global Maritime Ministries, serving at the port of Reserve, La., the Corbins open their doors weekly to seafarers who come from around the world, bringing the international mission field "to their doorstep."   Mission Service Corps personnel are self-funded – essentially ‘faith missionaries’ dependent on the financial support of family, friends, church, retirement income or however God chooses to provide – volunteer missionaries who are commissioned for service by their home church and endorsed by the North American Mission Board. The International Mission Board has a similar group called Global Service Corps.   Assignments last from four months to open-ended; MSC volunteers work a minimum of 20 hours a week at their missionary assignment.   "We didn’t really know anything about working with seamen," Ann says. "But we knew God was leading us … [Read more...]

Warden Burl Cain credits moral rehabilitation efforts with the transformation of Angola from the bloodiest prison in America to a peaceful farm.     COVINGTON – Warden Burl Cain credits moral rehabilitation efforts with the transformation of Angola from the bloodiest prison in America to a peaceful farm. Centered around six inmate chapels, faith-based classes and worship services provide opportunities for inmates to experience a "heart change."   "A prison can change, but only with God almighty and moral rehabilitation," Cain told the members of First Baptist Church Covington in a recent morning service. He was present to challenge the congregation to support efforts to build a chapel at Rayburn Correctional Center in nearby Washington Parish.   "They need to have a church at RCC," he said. "A chapel draws them (inmates) like a magnet. They are islands of freedom."   Cain said the idea that you can change a prison from the inside out was not his, but was the vision of Chuck Kelly, President of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   NOBTS established a Bible College inside the Angola compound after PELL grants were discontinued and Cain went looking for a way to fund higher education at the prison. He said he had no … [Read more...]

On Super Bowl Sunday for the last five years, North Monroe has invited a special guest speaker for what the church calls its "Day of Champions." MONROE – On Super Bowl Sunday for the last five years, North Monroe has invited a special guest speaker for what the church calls its "Day of Champions."    The pre-event started a week early this year. More than 1,000 people in the worship center of North Monroe Baptist Church watched a showing of the new film Facing the Giants Jan. 28. One week later, the church hosted its fifth annual "Day of Champions" with Alex Kendrick as special guest. Kendrick wrote, directed, and starred in Facing the Giants, which was produced by Sherwood Pictures, a ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. Kendrick is Sherwood’s media minister.   The church staff had arranged in October for Kendrick to speak at the Day of Champions event; the invitation was made about a month after the release of the film and before he was inundated with speaking requests, church leaders said.   Kendrick spoke for about 20 minutes in each of three worship services to a combined congregation of more than 1,725 people. He then spoke for another 30 minutes at each of two luncheons that took place in … [Read more...]

The 2007 Princess Retreat sponsored by Lambda Chi Girls’ ministry at First Baptist Church was amazing. With over 165 girls, in addition to their mothers, adult sponsors and several ladies from FBC, the church was full. Not only was it full of people, but it was also filled with learning, laughter, fellowship and the Holy Spirit. NATCHITOCHES – The 2007 Princess Retreat sponsored by Lambda Chi Girls’ ministry at First Baptist Church was amazing. With over 165 girls, in addition to their mothers, adult sponsors and several ladies from FBC, the church was full. Not only was it full of people, but it was also filled with learning, laughter, fellowship and the Holy Spirit.   As everyone registered for the day, girls packed into the fellowship hall to meet new friends and eat about 30 dozen donuts! The day got off to a perfect start with NSU volleyball coach, Brittany Uffelman, getting everyone to their feet with a competitive game of Simon Sez. The winner was able to choose a door prize from the many gift baskets donated by Sunday school classes in the church.   Next, Sara Beth led the girls in a fun song where they were able to "zoom" around the entire sanctuary before settling down with the first speaker, Wendy Troxclair. Wendy … [Read more...]

State Acteens receive national recognition   BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) – Tara Hammett of First Baptist Church, Minden, La. is among the eight teens who have been selected as 2007 National Acteens Panelists by Woman’s Missionary Union, based on their missions commitment and involvement in their school, community and church.   "Without a doubt, these eight young women represent the very best of their generation," said Kym Mitchell, national WMU’s student resource team leader and design editor. "They are not only leaders in their schools and in a variety of community service arenas, but they are also committed to their families, involved in the ministries of their local churches and are strong missional leaders, setting an example for us all as they actively live out God’s call on their lives."   Suzanne Reece, ministry consultant for WMU’s student resource team, said the selection process was very challenging this year, as numerous applicants were involved in an abundance of missions opportunities and experiences.   "Many of them are responsible for initiating, planning and executing mission projects in their own church and community," Reece said of the panelists. "They appear to be a group of girls who will take it upon … [Read more...]