It came and went quietly, but the human race just passed a significant milestone: It came and went quietly, but the human race just passed a significant milestone: On Feb. 25, at 7:16 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, the world’s population reached 6.5 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It happened less than seven years after the number of people worldwide reached 6 billion. That total, in turn, was reached only 12 years after the 5-billion mark was surpassed. The new count of 6.5 billion is more than twice the size of the population in 1960 -- and four times the number of humans alive at the beginning of the 20th century. Global population is not speeding toward the huge, unsustainable masses some demographic doomsayers have long predicted. But it continues to grow. The 7-billion mark will be reached in 2012, according to forecasters. More than 9 billion people will walk the earth by 2050, they estimate, before the global total begins to level off. A few trends and specifics: -- On average, 4.4 babies are born each second. -- Most population growth continues in the nations of the global South and East. “Virtually all of world population growth now takes place … [Read more...]

Churches in at least three Louisiana cities are using snow to reach out to the people who live in their community. STATEWIDE – Churches in at least three Louisiana cities are using snow to reach out to the people who live in their community. First West Monroe, Woodlawn Baton Rouge and Donahue Family in Pineville each are doing a “snow event.” “We’re looking for any opportunity to pull people closer to the church,” said Barry Haire, communications pastor at First West Monroe. “Actually, the purpose is two-fold. We’re looking for opportunities to bring the unchurched to our church, to make them familiar with the church. We’re also doing this as a gift to the community, but our primary purpose always is to reach the unchurched with the gospel.” Turns out making snow is a thriving year-round business in the South. Think of a sno-cone – finely chopped ice – on a massive scale. Woodlawn used about three tons; Donahue anticipates using 60 tons each of its two nights. To look at each church’s snow event is to see how one idea can be adapted in a variety of ways, in churches of varying sizes. First West Monroe This is, by all accounts, a ‘big’ church. Despite the fact that the pastor … [Read more...]

Despite a hurricane and its leftovers, like 20 inches of muck clinging to everything, and despite being pastorless, First Slidell holds true to its commitment to be an Acts 1:8 church. SLIDELL – A year ago First Baptist Church here sat in up to 20 inches of muck left over from Katrina’s keelhauling of the region Aug. 29, 2005. Vivid memories persist of dead fish rotting on the gym floor and strewn across what had been a spacious area of green grass and parking enough for the pre-Katrina congregation of about 850. Further testing the church, seven months after Katrina, the pastor left. But five years ago the congregation had agreed to be an Acts 1:8 church with simultaneous mission work going on locally – the church’s Jerusalem; Greater New Orleans – Judea; the rest of the continent – Samaria; and globally – the ‘ends of the earth.’ They determined to not let anything – not Katrina; not their pastor of 19 years following God’s call to Florida – sway them from their quest. “We have been called to missions; we are a mission-sending church,” said Carroll Townsend, missions pastor at First Slidell. “We are a mission-sending people and no matter what, we do not need to shrink from … [Read more...]

Southern Baptist missionaries David and Tami Wood rumble down a deserted dirt road somewhere in the southwestern corner of Burkina Faso. All they can see from their truck are hills and high grass. BURKINA FASO, West Africa – Southern Baptist missionaries David and Tami Wood rumble down a deserted dirt road somewhere in the southwestern corner of Burkina Faso. All they can see from their truck are hills and high grass. With a map and Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment in hand, they’re searching for the Senufo people group. Right now, any signs of life would be good. In this part of West Africa, a good sense of direction and four-wheel drive take them only so far. But with a different language and culture around nearly every mud hut, there is one thing that links most of the people they encounter – a need for faith in Jesus Christ. “(Some groups) live every day in fear of spirits and forces that are beyond their control,” says David Wood, who has served with his wife in West Africa for more than 12 years. “They sacrifice chickens and goats, and they (waste) the little bit of money they’ve got ... on charlatans.” As members of the “engagement team,” the Woods are researching … [Read more...]

The tenth annual production of the Twin Living Christmas Trees at Jefferson Baptist Church here started the Christmas season glowing inside me. BATON ROUGE – The tenth annual production of the Twin Living Christmas Trees at Jefferson Baptist Church here started the Christmas season glowing inside me. I attended Dec. 2 the second of eight performances and was enchanted throughout. The Victorian New England set and its special effects, the believable plot with its natural presentation of the gospel, the characters – including dancing bears and a regiment of wooden soldiers doing close order drills – and the music, all thrilled my soul. The traditional music took me back to the wonder of childhood Christmas. A blessing to me! The 30-person full orchestra flawlessly supported the choir’s renditions of what for the most part were Christmas ‘standards’ – from Deck the Halls to Come On, Ring Those Bells to the Hallelujah Chorus and more, which transported me back to “those innocent days of yesteryear,” when Christmas was a wonder to behold, rather than the stress-filled season it can become for harried adults. I was in Baton Rouge for the Turning Hearts tour – read about it in the Dec. 29 issue of the Message – … [Read more...]

On occasion I get asked about an “investment” opportunity that is paying a much higher rate of return than most other investments. Without even looking at the details of the investment offer, I know it is not a sound or safe investment. If it sounds too good to be true – it usually is. That’s an old adage that is brimming with wisdom. In our work at the Foundation, we assist individuals who want to make gifts to Baptist causes and ministries. We also field calls and answer questions regarding investments and finances in general. On occasion I get asked about an “investment” opportunity that is paying a much higher rate of return than most other investments. Without even looking at the details of the investment offer, I know it is not a sound or safe investment. For years I have examined investments promising higher than average rates of return and I also have come to have a solid understanding of investments in general. As a result, I know that an investment opportunity that claims a higher than usual rate of return is either a scam or very unsafe investment. The general phrase I use is that the person or company offering this “special rate” is “either stupid or criminal.” In either … [Read more...]

Louisiana College, your college, has made a choice to stand firm within the roots of our heritage and commitment to Christ Philippians 1:27 says, Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. Louisiana College, your college, has made a choice to stand firm within the roots of our heritage and commitment to Christ, Christian higher education, and the promulgation of our mission – “to provide a liberal arts education characterized by academic excellence, a commitment to the preeminence of the Lord Jesus, an allegiance to the authority of the Holy Scriptures, and a passion for changing the world for Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Will you stand with us? Louisiana College is unified in the delivery of our mission.  This semester the faculty passed a resolution of support for our Board of Trustees and the President of the college. The Academic Council also passed a resolution of support for the Board of Trustees and the President.  In turn, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution of support for the … [Read more...]

Is your church ready to adopt a people group in West Africa? BURKINA FASO, West Africa – Is your church ready to adopt a people group in West Africa? If so, you will need to be prepared for “a total commitment,” says David Wood, a Southern Baptist missionary in Burkina Faso. “These people need the Lord, but it’s going to take an extreme commitment. It’s going to be hard.” Churches that accept this task need to be willing to sacrifice time, money, resources and the comforts of home. And, most importantly, they need to pray. In this part of the world, electricity and running water are considered luxuries. About the only fast food comes from a roadside stand. And just getting to a West African village from the United States involves days of travel. It’s not a job for everyone. “If you have to take a shower every day, this job probably isn’t for you,” Wood says. “If you can’t survive with a little muck and dirt on your feet and hands all day long, this is probably not the place for you.” Other challenges include language and cultural differences. For the best impact, volunteers will eventually need to learn the basics of the language of their people group. However, it’s not … [Read more...]

Potpourri SULPHUR – First church:  The Dove Brothers Quartet in concert; Jan. 4, 2007, 6:30 p.m.; $10 per person/$12 at the door; for tickets, call 337-527-5231; David Holder, pastor. BLANCHARD – First church:  “Revival for Kingdom Growth” prayer seminar; Jan. 6, 2007, 5-8 p.m.; Jan. 7, 10:30 a.m. and 4:45-7 p.m.; Bob Eklund, seminar leader; for information, call 318-929-2346; James D. Hill, pastor. HOUMA – Mulberry church:  Testament to perform; Dec. 17, 10:30 a.m.; Steve Graves, pastor. RUSTON – Temple church:  “Sunday School Growth” conference; Jan. 8, 2007, 6:30-9 p.m.; Josh and Missy Hunt, conference leaders; free/pre-registration required; to register, call 318-255-3745 or emailkaren.sanders@temple-ruston.org; Alan Miller, interim pastor. MANY – First church:  Marty Haggard to perform; Dec. 17, 6 p.m.; Steve Kelly, pastor. Anniversaries SHREVEPORT – Pinecroft church:  Marty Wright, five years as pastor. MINDEN – First church:  Becky Wilson, five years as minister to students; Wayne DuBose, pastor. Ordinations LIBUSE – Unity church:  Dale Winegeart and Donald Dipuma to the deacon’s ministry; Dec. 17, 6 p.m.; Donald Lemmons, interim pastor. BERNICE – Pisgah church:  Larry Smith to the gospel … [Read more...]

About 1,200 people attend Sunday worship at First Baptist here, where John Alley has been interim pastor for about two years. DERIDDER – About 1,200 people attend Sunday worship at First Baptist here, where John Alley has been interim pastor for about two years. The worship center still is big enough, but parking has become a problem. “The church looked at renovation and just made the decision to relocate,” said Bill Pianki, youth minister since May. “We had no parking, no where to expand to.” First DeRidder is on a corner lot next to the parish courthouse. It’s a substantial red brick building with an 1,100-seat worship center and more than 40 classrooms, plus a family life center and a preschool facility. But with a strong interest in reaching more of its 10,000-person community, church members saw the need for expanded facilities. “We bought this property because of its location and the lack of smaller properties on the market,” Pianki said. “It’s beautiful. It’s prime – it has almost 30,000 cars a day go by it.” The pecan grove and pasture land is on state highway 171 South, a major thoroughfare between Shreveport and Lake Charles. First DeRidder accepted … [Read more...]