By Uyen Phan Special to the Message The Vietnamese Baptist Church, the only Vietnamese Baptist church in the metropolitan New Orleans area, was also one of the first churches to reopen and one of the only churches to begin holding spiritual services in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. For two years before Katrina, the Vietnamese Baptist Church operated without a pastor.  So when the storm hit, Rev. Thuong Le was eager to reach out to parishioners who had been without a spiritual leader for so long. On Sept. 14, just two weeks after the storm, Le flew from his home in Orange County, Ca. to Baton Rouge to visit with parishioners. “Everyone went to Baton Rouge,” Le said of his decision to stop by Baton Rouge first. He stayed for three days before heading down to New Orleans on Sept. 18 to “check on the church,” which received some roof damage in the back.  Luckily the front of the church remained intact. The damaged roof allowed water to seep into the building.  “Water came in so termite damage went faster,” Le said.  A few parishioners are volunteering their time on the weekends to fix two of the termite-damaged rooms. With the church bearing just minor … [Read more...]

Although small in physical stature, Rev. Thuong Le’s jovial nature and courageous spirit make him a spiritual leader and a man worth looking up to. By Uyen Phan Special to the Message Although small in physical stature, Rev. Thuong Le’s jovial nature and courageous spirit make him a spiritual leader and a man worth looking up to. Le’s journey in search of political and spiritual freedom has been amazing. Although Le, 48, grew up in south Vietnam during a time of war and political upheaval, Le’s dedication and belief in his faith remained unwavering. “My dad was a pastor of a church in Da Nang,” Le explained. “I was Sunday school director and music director there.” Le received a Bible College degree at Nha Trang Bible Institute in 1974, but just two years later, the Communist Party took control of all schools. Because Le was still young, the party considered Le a “volunteer” and prohibited Le from being hired. So, in 1979, Le moved to Can Tho, where he eventually met his wife and started a family. In the years that followed, the Communist Party’s hold on Vietnam worsened. “They didn’t want us to practice (religion),” Le explained. “So they said I wasn’t qualified to lead” a church. Tired of … [Read more...]

Longtime missions workers Sophia and Hyland Packard in late October received a plaque honoring their years of service through Love-n-Care Mission in Natchitoches, which they founded nearly 10 years ago. NATCHITOCHES – Longtime missions workers Sophia and Hyland Packard in late October received a plaque honoring their years of service through Love-n-Care Mission in Natchitoches, which they founded nearly 10 years ago. The plaque was presented by John Hebert, an LBC Regional Mission Strategist. “To save one’s life he must lose it, to be exalted we must humble ourselves, and to live we must die to ourselves,” Hebert said. “No one knows this  any better than the people who minister in Jesus’ name. Hyland and Sophia Packard have given the last ten years of their lives to ministering through Love-n-Care Mission. And for that I am here to say thank you from the 1,600 plus churches of the Louisiana Baptist Convention.” The couple, who were the first directors of the mission, starting it in May of 1997, are retiring for health reasons. Located on Washington Street off of Front Street, the mission distributes food and clothing and is open Monday and Wednesday mornings. “Ms. Sophie [is] … [Read more...]

Average compensation for fulltime Southern Baptist pastors increased more than $3,400 since 2004, according to a biennial ministers’ compensation study. By Trennis Henderson Baptist Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) – Average compensation for fulltime Southern Baptist pastors increased more than $3,400 since 2004, according to a biennial ministers’ compensation study. The data also showed that ministers’ compensation increases over the past decade have significantly outpaced inflation. The study was coordinated by Don Spencer, director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention’s church financial benefits department, in cooperation with financial benefits directors in state Baptist conventions throughout the nation and GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. The study included responses from 17,350 pastors and church staff members from more than 7,000 Southern Baptist churches in all 50 states. It is designed to provide detailed information for local church leaders responsible for recommending ministers’ compensation packages. Bob Henry, who heads GuideStoneís financial solutions and services for churches, said GuideStone officials “are excited about partnering … [Read more...]

When lives get turned upside down by tragedy, missionaries at the Baptist Friendship House in New Orleans have seen that God has a way of opening new doors. By Amy Whitfield Baptist Press RIDGECREST, N.C. (BP) – When lives get turned upside down by tragedy, missionaries at the Baptist Friendship House in New Orleans have seen that God has a way of opening new doors. They were excited about the way God was working through their ministry in 2005. But on Aug. 29, 2005, the doors shut at the Friendship House. The missionaries evacuated with their residents to Columbia, Miss., just before Hurricane Katrina unleashed her fury, the levees broke and floods ensued. “We had a great year before the storm,” Friendship House missionary Karina America said to a gathering of 750 women and men at Woman’s Missionary Union’s recent national missions event. Now more than a year after the storm, there is hope. Assistant director America and executive director Kay Bennett, both NAMB appointed missionaries, returned three weeks later to find the Friendship House near the city’s famous French Quarter without damage. In fact, none of the four Baptist centers in New Orleans were harmed, America … [Read more...]

If you are struggling today, wondering why your talents are overlooked or underused, set aside your feelings and questions, and spend time in His presence. If you are struggling today, wondering why your talents  are overlooked or underused, set aside your feelings and questions, and spend time in His presence. God made you and blessed you with talent and abilities. He knows where you are, and He knows your heart’s desire. The most important step in unlocking your potential will always be spending time in His presence. John 15:7-8: [Jesus said] If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to  be My disciples. 4 Qualifications for Service: God uses ordinary people who choose to spend time in His presence. God uses ordinary people who are willing to pay the cost necessary to fulfill their purpose in God’s kingdom. God uses ordinary people who are willing to do God’s work, God’s way, in the places God sends them. God uses ordinary people who do not glory in the moment, but recognize that they are being used by the One whom they will serve … [Read more...]

Declaring their intention to “give voice to younger leaders across the Southern Baptist Convention” who support the SBC’s conservative resurgence and its emphasis on biblical inerrancy, over 40 pastors and seminary professors met just outside Orlando recently for the first of a two-day meeting dubbed “The Joshua Convergence.” By Joni B. Hannigan Florida Baptist Witness WINTER PARK (FBW) — Declaring their intention to “give voice to younger leaders across the Southern Baptist Convention” who support the SBC’s conservative resurgence and its emphasis on biblical inerrancy, over 40 pastors and seminary professors met just outside Orlando recently for the first of a two-day meeting dubbed “The Joshua Convergence.” Presenting seven “Principles of Affirmation” in the context of a worship service, young leaders from throughout the country spoke of truth, gratitude, service, holiness, unity, identity and mission. The document expresses “deep thankfulness for those who have taken [our] Convention back to its theological and spiritual moorings,” crediting “godly men and women” with the furtherance of “seminaries that champion God’s Word, evangelistic mission agencies, and a Convention committed to the … [Read more...]

Potpourri EPPS – Epps church:  Sponsoring the McKameys, southern gospel quartet, in concert at Thomas Jason Lingo Center in Oak Grove; Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m.; $15 per ticket; tickets can be purchased by calling 318-926-5748 or at the Thomas Jason Lingo Center; Johnny Smith, pastor. LAKE CHARLES – Mid-America Theological Seminary Louisiana Alumni association:  Annual luncheon during lunch break of the LBC pastor’s conference; Nov. 13; at Steamboat Bill’s restaurant; can call the restaurant at 337-494-1070 for directions; all alumni, family and friends invited; Joe Wiggins, president. WEST MONROE – New Chapel Hill church:  Don Piper, author of 90 Minutes in Heaven, guest speaker; Nov. 20-21, 7 p.m.; Charles Dupree, pastor. WALKER – Judson church:  His By Grace in concert; Nov. 12, 10:30 a.m. and 6:15 p.m.; Craig Pourciau, interim minister of music; Merelin McCon, pastor. HAMMOND – First church:  Veteran’s Day celebration; Nov. 12, 11 a.m.; Jim Lancaster, pastor. MANY – First church:  The Heart of Thanksgiving musical/drama; Nov. 19, 11 a.m.; Phil Smith, music minister; Steve Kelly, pastor. Revivals MARION – Litroe church:  Nov. 17-18, 7 p.m.; Nov. 19, 11 a.m.; Joe Aulds, … [Read more...]

He is not retiring. He is not even slowing down after more than 50 years in the ministry. In fact, he is busier than he has ever been with a full schedule for the next three years. By Martine G. Bates The Alabama Baptist HARTSELLE, Ala. (BP) – He is not retiring. He is not even slowing down after more than 50 years in the ministry. In fact, he is busier than he has ever been with a full schedule for the next three years. Why then did well-known evangelist Junior Hill write his autobiography now? “I was 69 when I started the book,” Hill said. “I wanted to write it while I could still remember things. As you get a little older, things fade in your mind. It just seemed like an appropriate time to do it.” Hill is guest speaker at the LBC annual meeting Nov. 13-14 at Trinity Lake Charles. “Constructing your life is difficult,” Hill said. “I tried to get the important things in the book, but you can never get everything in it.” Laughing, he displayed a characteristic flash of humor. “Some things you don’t want to tell.” The book, They Call Him Junior, chronicles Hill’s life and ministry. It also includes a touching letter his wife, Carole, wrote to a young evangelist … [Read more...]

Hosted by the International Mission Board, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Celebration Breakfast is a way to thank churches for their faithful support of the Lottie Moon offering, every penny of which is used to support more than 5,000 IMB missionaries. By Don Graham Baptist Press GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – Hosted by the International Mission Board, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Celebration Breakfast is a way to thank churches for their faithful support of the Lottie Moon offering, every penny of which is used to support more than 5,000 IMB missionaries. Though 2005’s offering set a record, IMB President Jerry Rankin opened the event with a solemn reminder. “Four years ago we found ourselves in a crisis with a severe shortfall in giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering,” Rankin said. “For the first time since the Depression years of the ‘30s we actually had to defer the appointment of missionaries. “As we sought the Lord, we were convicted of three things: that God did not want us to trust in our own resources and the affluence of Southern Baptists but [to] walk by faith ... He also taught us that we needed to be better stewards of the resources that we did have ... He … [Read more...]