Seafarers who port in Louisiana in December this year are likely to be met with gifts and parties. MULTI-CITY – Seafarers who port in Louisiana in December this year are likely to be met with gifts and parties. All five of the states ministries to seafarers have plans for special outreach to crews whose ships port in Louisiana during December this year. Many of the seafarers will have been away from their families for months. GONZALES “If [the seafarers] were at home at Christmas, they’d get a special dinner and some kind of gift,”  said Pat Caudill, director of the Gonzales Seaman’s Ministry. “But the men are away from home and missing their families so much,” added Dianne Caudill, wife to Pat and his assistant and coordinator in the ministry. “So we make the effort to reach out to them like family.” The Gonzales Seaman’s Center serves 42 docks. “The most we’ve had this year in one night was 73 boats,” he said, though they’ve been known to go three or four days without any boats. Three to four churches in the community will be conducting Christmas parties complete with games and stories, especially about the birth of Christ. In addition, seafarers porting … [Read more...]

In his book “God With Us: The Miracle of Christmas,” John MacArthur relates the following: “I read a haunting newspaper story several years ago about a wealthy Boston family who had a christening party for their new baby. In his book “God With Us: The Miracle of Christmas,” John MacArthur relates the following: “I read a haunting newspaper story several years ago about a wealthy Boston family who had a christening party for their new baby. They invited all their friends and relatives to their magnificent home to celebrate the birth of their precious infant. A half-hour into the party, when it was time to bring the baby out for everyone to see, the mother made a tragic discovery. The large bed where she had left the baby asleep was piled high with the coats of the guests. The baby was lying dead underneath the mound, suffocated by the carelessly discarded wraps.” MacArthur goes on to draw a parallel between the horrible scene in that Boston bedroom and the manner in which America’s consumer culture “celebrates” the birth of Jesus Christ. “Lost is the realization that Christmas is first of all the birth of the Savior,” MacArthur writes. “He is all but forgotten....” I concur with MacArthur’s … [Read more...]

Come Christmas, Santa had better not overwork his reindeer or he may end up financing some fancy surgery for them. Come Christmas, Santa had better not overwork his reindeer or he may end up financing some fancy surgery for them.  According to Dr. Claus Rehbinder of the Swedish Veterinary College at Uppsala, reindeer suffer from stress and are prone to ulcers.  Studying animals slaughtered during a round-up in the Lapp village of Mittadalen and elsewhere in northern Sweden, Rehbinder found that an astonishing four fifths of them had ulcers. Veterinarians blame the stomach bleeding on nervous exhaustion brought on by modern technology.  Once the Lapps herded the animals by skiing along side them and crooning soothing songs.  Now they use helicopters and the animals become spooked by noise. Nervous exhaustion brought on by modern technology affects people, too – especially at Christmas.  Loud music, long lines, pushy shoppers, a myriad of TV specials, and countless details complicate our already hectic lives at Christmas.  At a time that is supposed to signal joy and peace, many are sad and anxious.  Christmas depression, which is not rare, comes from many sources.  For some, loneliness brought on … [Read more...]

I will never forget the horrible realization three years ago: We would have to defer missionary appointments due to lack of financial resources. RICHMOND, Va. (BP)--I will never forget the horrible realization three years ago: We would have to defer missionary appointments due to lack of financial resources. After all, we are a missionary-sending entity in the world’s largest evangelical denomination with unlimited potential resources. Each of the previous two years more than 1,000 new missionaries had been sent around the world, and more candidates were in the process of appointment than ever before. The critical nature of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering became evident as never before. It is not just providing additional support beyond the Cooperative Program to underwrite the budget of the International Mission Board. It is a vital facet of supporting God-called missionaries to take the Gospel to a lost world. We in America tend to take our salvation experience for granted as most of us have heard the Gospel all our lives. Yet, hundreds of people groups have never had a Christian witness. There is no church in their town or neighborhood and maybe not in their entire … [Read more...]

The coming together of 112 people of assorted ages, races, doctrinal interpretations and worship practices gave host pastors Dwight McKissic of Texas and Wade Burleson of Oklahoma reason to be encouraged after a year in which both have been the center of controversy on denominational trustee boards. ARLINGTON, Texas (BP) – The coming together of 112 people of assorted ages, races, doctrinal interpretations and worship practices gave host pastors Dwight McKissic of Texas and Wade Burleson of Oklahoma reason to be encouraged after a year in which both have been the center of controversy on denominational trustee boards. McKissic welcomed participants to the church he pastors, Cornerstone Baptist in Arlington, for what he called the “Sandy Creek-Charlestonian Convergence” (SCCC), recalling two distinct traditions from which Southern Baptists arose in the Carolinas during the 1700s. Any life that the SCCC has beyond the Dec. 5 roundtable would be for the purpose of networking to “encourage spiritual renewal, theological and ecclesiastic dialogue, fellowship and mentoring in an environment where diverse viewpoints are welcome,” McKissic said. He quickly dismissed any speculation that a new … [Read more...]

The Ichthys, or Christian fish, has long been a symbol for Christian communities. For one congregation in Kentucky, the symbol has become a special reminder of answered prayer. MIDDLESBORO, Ky. (BP) – You’ve seen it displayed on car bumpers, printed on posters and worn as jewelry. The Ichthys, or Christian fish, has long been a symbol for Christian communities. For one congregation in Kentucky, the symbol has become a special reminder of answered prayer. Jonathan Hendrickson, associate pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Middlesboro, said the congregation has always been “missions-minded.” They pray for missionaries on a weekly basis and give every year to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. But during the Christmas season last year, Hendrickson wanted to find a way for the congregation to connect with missionaries on the field. “I got the material from the International Mission Board and was thumbing through it, looked, and saw that you could do a teleconference [with a missionary],” Hendrickson said. “I thought, ‘Wow! That might be really interesting.’ “The part that appealed to me was that you’d be speaking to someone who is right there on the field at the time that you’re … [Read more...]

Sharing plates of goodies with neighbors; decorating the home; mailing cards and letters across the nation – all these are Christmas traditions. The staff of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and related agencies maintain these and more: family traditions that glorify Christ. STATEWIDE – Sharing plates of goodies with neighbors; decorating the home; mailing cards and letters across the nation – all these are Christmas traditions. The staff of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and related agencies maintain these and more: family traditions that glorify Christ. The adult offspring in Wayne and Martha Jenkins home – he’s LBC evangelism director – are carrying on Jenkins’ traditions in their families, though Jenkins credits his wife’s family with starting them on a path of Christmas ministry. “When I married into the Jones’ family, they were already doing ministry things at Christmas, like caroling in neighborhoods and to shut ins, and having worship services as a family at  a local prison,” Jenkins said. One year the ministry site became the Central State Hospital in Pineville, where the Jenkins family – which now includes four grown daughters, their husbands and 10 grandchildren – baked cookies … [Read more...]

The Christmas season provides a natural bridge to show Christ’s love in creative and effective ways. Here are ten suggestions. From the newest technical gadget to toys and clothes, the Christmas holidays are naturally associated in our culture with both giving and receiving. Of course, as Christians we understand the real “eternal” meaning goes much deeper and the greatest gift ever was Christ Himself. This is why the Christmas season provides a natural bridge to show Christ’s love in creative and effective ways. Here are ten suggestions. 1. Considering that gas is such a needed commodity, provide a “gas-buy-down” through a local station. Simply get permission from the owner and for two hours on a Saturday afternoon, supplement $.25 off every gallon of gas that is sold (set a limit of twenty gallons per car). For instance, if a gallon of regular is $2.00, the advertised price would be $1.75 for the two hours. Church members serve the community by pumping gas and washing windshields — no strings attached. 2. Secure a local photographer and advertise to the community for a free family Christmas portrait. The community makes appointments through the church and every family will receive a free … [Read more...]

Potpourri SHREVEPORT – Calvary church:  Price Harris Ministries presents “A Grand Reunion” concert; Jan. 5, 7-10 p.m.; The Needhams, The Allen Family and Canaaland, special guests; free admission, love offering accepted; Rick Edmonds, pastor. Youth OAK GROVE – First church:   Bayou Macon associational DescipleNOW weekend; Jan. 5, 6 p.m. with a concert by Two Empty Chairs at 7 p.m. – Jan. 7; Shane Pruitt, guest speaker;  $10 per person/$3 for concert; to register, call Kevin Miles at 318-428-2583 or email kevin@nnym.net; Kevin Miles, associational youth director; Jay Morgan, director of missions; Carl Gulde, pastor. Revivals BOSSIER CITY – Elm Grove church:  Revival Summit presented by Life Action Ministries; Jan. 7, 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Jan. 8-10, 6 p.m.; Jan. 11, 6 p.m. with a ladies’ luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Jan. 13, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Jan. 14, 10:45 and 6 p.m.; Jan. 15-17, 6 p.m.; events for all ages; for information, call 318-747-0089; Brent Shoalmire, pastor. Available MONROE – Kenneth E. Ronaghan available for full-time pastorate or will adjust to meet the needs of the church; can write to:  Kenneth E. Ronaghan, 110 Cambridge Dr., Monroe LA  71203; call … [Read more...]

SLIDELL – You read on page one of the tragic death of 9-year-old Savannah Scharfenstein. The rest of the story follows, as emailed by Pam Polit of the church family: Following the opening moments of the funeral service, Savannah’s mom, Jennifer Scharfenstein, sang “‘How Great Thou Art’ (a Sandi Patti-type version with notes that scaled to the heavens). Then [Savannah’s dad,] Jodi, addressed the packed sanctuary. “In 15 or 20 minutes he opened his heart, sharing personal remarks about the accident, his week, his family, his faith, and his child. He implored spouses and parents who may have allowed walls to build up in their family relationships to tear them down. Life is too short for the trivial, he said. “Next came about 30 minutes of music backing up photographs of Savannah with family and friends. “Then a young pastor (only referred to as Tommy) got up and pointed to King David’s and Job’s responses to losing a child/children – they worshipped God. He told everyone that what had just happened in that service was not “normal” but the power of God and His sustaining grace. The Good News was powerfully presented. “The bittersweet culmination was the video of Savannah singing ‘Happy … [Read more...]