Evoking at one point the “kinder and gentler” phrase that identified his presidency, George Herbert Walker Bush spoke Oct. 26 at the centennial celebration of Louisiana College about the things that matter in life. PINEVILLE, La. – Evoking at one point the “kinder and gentler” phrase that identified his presidency, George Herbert Walker Bush spoke Oct. 26 at the centennial celebration of Louisiana College about the things that matter in life. He talked about friends, family and the satisfaction of public service to a packed auditorium of students, faculty, media and a few selected guests, and gave much the same humor-laced speech at a luncheon an hour later open to anyone who paid $750. “The message I tried to convey as president and the same gospel I try to preach today is that there can be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others,” President Bush said. “You don’t have to be president to be a leader; you don’t have to be first lady to make a difference, to touch the lives of your fellow man,” the former president said. “All you have to do is care, roll up your sleeves and claim one of society’s problems as your own.” One of the most exciting things … [Read more...]

At press time Bill Robertson was unopposed in his upcoming re-election as president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. LAKE CHARLES – At press time Bill Robertson was unopposed in his upcoming re-election as president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. Other business during the LBC’s annual meeting, set for Nov. 13-14 at Trinity Baptist Lake Charles, includes voting on incorporating the state convention. The business of the convention is important, says Anne Hurst, a messenger from First Baptist in Kentwood. “The business of the convention is very important,” Hurst said. “I go there to hear what’s going on in our state convention. Decisions made at the state convention will influence what is discussed at the national convention, and I am very seldom able to get to the national convention.” But that’s not the only reason Hurst attends the LBC annual meeting each year. “I’ve been going for more than 40 years,” Hurst continued. “I meet old friends and make new ones, and enjoy the food at the widows’ banquet.” She was referring to the annual luncheon of the Fellowship of Louisiana Baptist Retirees and Widows, set for noon Tuesday, Nov. 14 at Trinity Lake Charles, site of … [Read more...]

True Christianity is to be discussed next week at Riverside Baptist here, where Larry Hubbard is pastor. DENHAM SPRINGS – True Christianity is to be discussed next week at Riverside Baptist here, where Larry Hubbard is pastor. Guest presenters from the Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University and from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary have been invited by Eastern Louisiana Baptist Association to speak on “What is True Christianity?” Monday, Nov. 6, with sessions starting at 1 p.m. and concluding about 7:30 p.m. “As evangelism director for our association, I wanted to have an event that would provide historical and theological insight into our purpose for evangelism,” Hubbard said. “We’re going to look at true Christianity from Jonathan Edwards’ perspective and  an historical Baptist perspective. Our hope is that this discussion will help us have a clearer understanding of the biblical and historical foundations of our faith.” Jonathan Edwards was a theologian – some say America’s first and most distinctive theologian – who in the late 1700s wrote Religious Affections. “He was trying to show the desperate need for spiritual self-examination,” Hubbard said. “Christians today … [Read more...]

In some circles it is called “grinding.” An earlier form went by the name “dirty dancing.” Whatever it is called, when it shows up at a public school dance it is always controversial. In some circles it is called “grinding.” An earlier form went by the name “dirty dancing.” Whatever it is called, when it shows up at a public school dance it is always controversial. The aforementioned dance trend consists of two people, and sometimes more, rubbing their bodies against one another in a sexual or sexually suggestive manner. As a result, many schools have banned it. Some students and parents disagree with the dance ban. They say that the problem stems more from a generation gap and that grinding is no different from the jitterbug or disco. Some have tried to compare the gyrations of Elvis Presley to the current dirty dancing. There is no doubt that for his time, Elvis was risqué. However, his was a solo shimmy. Those who defend grinding on the grounds that it is like the dances of previous eras are, at best, very naïve. There is no comparison. While suggestive dances have come and gone, few – if any – have included the physical contact of grinding. The physical familiarity of grinding coupled with the erotic … [Read more...]

Have you heard what Louisiana Baptists are doing?” Overheard recently were a couple of Louisiana Baptists sharing a juicy bit of news at church. “Have you heard what Louisiana Baptists are doing?” Baptist Bob asked. “No. What?” Saint  Sam asked. “Well, I don’t want to spread rumors, but you need to know what is going on.” “Really? Are you sure?” “Yes you need to know, and besides that I saw it with my own eyes.” What in the world were these Louisiana Baptists talking about? It’s not what you might expect. One had just returned from a tour of the Children’s Home in Monroe. Let me share the rest of the conversation with you. “When I visited one of the cottages I met Bryan,” Baptist Bob began. “Bryan came to live at LBCH in the fall of 2004, when his mother became ill and needed to be placed in an extended care facility. Every visit day Bryan goes to see his mother at the hospital. “At first, he wasn’t doing very well in school. Soon, however, Bryan made a complete turnaround. With help from the Home’s tutoring program, he made the sixth-grade honor roll all year and was inducted into the National Junior Beta Club. “Not only that, but Bryan also received a Toys R Us … [Read more...]

Love of kingdom growth and richness of opportunity marked the October 5-6 southeastern Louisiana GPS Vision Tour, an event highlighted by the presentation of $56,000 from the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia to three church plants rebuilding after Katrina. SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA – Love of kingdom growth and richness of opportunity marked the October 5-6 southeastern Louisiana GPS Vision Tour, an event highlighted by the presentation of $56,000 from the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia to three church plants rebuilding after Katrina. Larry Black, Regional Church Planting Strategist for Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia, presented a check for $24,000 each to Fellowship Church in Prairieville and Northshore Church in Slidell, and the first of three checks of $8,000 each to Circle Baptist Church in Baker, La. “We are a church-planting convention,” Black said.  “We want to be engaged partners, not just financial supporters of those hurt by Katrina.” The GPS Vision Tour, from the acrostic for “growing the kingdom, planting new churches and seeing the people,” was hosted by the North American Mission Board, the Louisiana Baptist Convention and the Baptist Association of … [Read more...]

Eastwood Baptist Church in Haughton, Northwest Baptist Association in Shreveport and the Louisiana Baptist Convention are partnering in a unique way here. BOSSIER CITY – Eastwood Baptist Church in Haughton, Northwest Baptist Association in Shreveport and the Louisiana Baptist Convention are partnering in a unique way here. Together they bought a church building near Interstate 20 from a Pentecostal group that was relocating, which the three Southern Baptist entities are making available to mission churches that need a facility in which to meet. “One of the difficulties in starting a new work is finding a place to meet,” said Brian Prucey, administrator of the facility known as Meadowview Mission Center, which is across Shed Road from Meadowview Elementary School in an older neighborhood in east Bossier City that is transitioning from anglo to African American, with a healthy portion of Hispanics. “We also provide various community-wide activities that provide opportunity to meet other people in the neighborhood,” Prucey said. At the present time four congregations meet in the facility, which has a 220-seat worship center and classroom space painted and muraled to attract … [Read more...]

George Herbert Walker Bush, 41st president of the United States, addressed a receptive crowd first in Pineville at Louisiana College’s chapel service celebrating the institution’s 100th year, and then later at a luncheon at the Alexandria Riverfront Center. PINEVILLE – George Herbert Walker Bush, 41st president of the United States, addressed a receptive crowd first in Pineville at Louisiana College’s chapel service celebrating the institution’s 100th year, and then later at a luncheon at the Alexandria Riverfront Center. Bush, greeted by a standing ovation, nodded and, indicating the crowd should cease their applause and sit, showed he was ready to move beyond accolades. His speech, laced with self-deprecating humor, commended Louisiana College and its educators to “build a better future one mind at a time” and encouraged students not to allow the current lack of cooperation between political parties deter their interest in that field. The Louisiana College Chorale heralded the event with “Who Will Be a Witness?” and was joined later in the program by two other choirs, the Louisiana Baptist Singing Women and the Louisiana Baptist Singing Ministers, the latter comprised of music directors … [Read more...]

Potpourri DERIDDER – New Life church:  Vance and Cherry Kirkpatrick, missionaries to Kenya, guest speakers; Nov. 15, 6 p.m.; Lynn P. Clayton, pastor. PINEVILLE – First church of Ball:  Homeward Bound in concert honoring Veterans Day; Nov. 11, 6:30 p.m. with gumbo supper at 5 p.m.; $5 for gumbo supper; Mike Hedrick, pastor. HAUGHTON – Beulah Land church:  The Harrells in concert; Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m. with  a fish fry at 3 p.m.; Gene Gibson, pastor. LECOMPTE – First church:  Community wide Health Fair; Nov. 4, 9 a.m.-12 noon; numerous services offered including a flu shot clinic; includes a children’s clothes give away and activities for children and all ages; for information, call Anita Hathorne at 318-443-3997; John Hebert, interim pastor. Homecoming RAYVILLE – Boeuf River church:  Nov. 12, 10 a.m. with fellowship and dinner to follow; all former friends/members invited; David Herrington, pastor. ATHENS – New Hope church:  Nov. 12, 10:30 a.m.; Joe Aulds, guest speaker; Eddie Balance, pastor. Ordinations HAYNESVILLE – First church:  Steve Lewis, Darrin McEachern and Rocky Daniel to the deacon’s ministry; Shelby Cowling, pastor. SLIDELL – Grace Memorial church:  Lee … [Read more...]