ALEXANDRIA – At least 10 men and women from Louisiana are slated to be on the programs of gatherings related to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, which meets the week of June 11 in Greensboro, N.C. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA – At least 10 men and women from Louisiana are slated to be on the programs of gatherings related to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, which meets the week of June 11 in Greensboro, N.C. “Louisiana Baptists have always served the larger Southern Baptist family with diligence and enthusiasm,” said David Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. “The Louisianans who serve this June will represent us and our Lord well.” The annual meeting for a second year will hold forth the Everyone Can! initiative of SBC President Bobby Welch for SBC churches to baptize 1 million people during the current church year. Information about the number of baptisms in Louisiana will not be available until after Annual Church Profiles come in from the churches this fall, said Sydney Smith, administrative support for LBC’s evangelism and church growth team. “Bobby’s been a great motivator through the years,” said … [Read more...]

GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP)--With the focus on evangelism and the goal of winning and baptizing 1 million people in a year, Southern Baptists will gather at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C., June 13-14, for their annual meeting. By Michael Foust Baptist Press Staff Writer GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – With the focus on evangelism and the goal of winning and baptizing 1 million people in a year, Southern Baptists will gather at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C., June 13-14, for their annual meeting. It will mark the fifth meeting in North Carolina for the denomination, but the first since 1916 (Asheville). Southern Baptists never have met in Greensboro. “My quest is going to be to keep the collective head, heart and eyes of the messengers on our main business of witnessing, winning and baptizing,” Southern Baptist Convention President Bobby Welch told Baptist Press. “... I think that’s especially critical in light of the ACP report.” The most recent ACP, or Annual Church Profile report, showed Southern Baptists baptizing 16,000 fewer people in 2005 compared to 2004. It will be the second consecutive year that Southern Baptists have gathered under the banner of “Everyone Can” – a … [Read more...]

The 2006 Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory. Among the issues creating the most interest is a contested election for president. By Kelly Boggs Editor The 2006 Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory. Among the issues creating the most interest is a contested election for president. Thus far, two men have announced they will be nominated for the post of president of the SBC when messengers gather at Greensboro June 13-14: Ronnie Floyd, pastor of First Baptist Church of Springdale, Arkansas, and Frank Page, pastor of First Baptist Church of Taylors, South Carolina. Adding to the intrigue is a rumor indicating a third candidate may also toss his proverbial hat in the ring. If the scuttlebutt is accurate, it will only add to the debate that the contested election has already produced. And that discussion centers on the Cooperative Program, Southern Baptists’ channel for supporting state, national and international missions and ministry. Make no mistake: Floyd and Page are cut from the same theological cloth. What distinguishes the two men is … [Read more...]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Pending approval by the full Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, two of nine recommendations to strengthen the Cooperative Program will be revised when they are presented to messengers at the SBC annual meeting next month, according to a May 26 announcement by the EC president and officers. By Baptist Press Staff NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Pending approval by the full Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, two of nine recommendations to strengthen the Cooperative Program will be revised when they are presented to messengers at the SBC annual meeting next month, according to a May 26 announcement by the EC president and officers. The announcement followed a vote by teleconference May 25. One of the recommendations now will encourage churches to increase their giving through the Cooperative Program but no longer will specify a 10 percent goal for supporting the missions and ministries of state Baptist conventions and the SBC. Another now will encourage the election of leaders whose churches “are committed to increasing systematically and enthusiastically the percentage of undesignated receipts given through the Cooperative Program,” again without mention of … [Read more...]

ANGOLA (BP) – Whenever Jack Tillery visits death row at Louisiana State Penitentiary, he heads for John’s solitary 6-by-9-foot cell. By Erich Bridges IMB Communications ANGOLA (BP) – Whenever Jack Tillery visits death row at Louisiana State Penitentiary, he heads for John’s solitary 6-by-9-foot cell. Peering through the bars, he often finds John lying face down on the concrete floor, his head up under his bunk. “Who you prayin’ for, John?” whispers Tillery, minister of college students and missions at First Baptist Church Moss Bluff in Lake Charles, La. John’s face emerges from under the bunk with a broad grin. “I’m prayin’ for the Sherpa, Jack,” he answers. “Prayin’ for the Sherpa!” That would be the Sherpa people of Nepal, the Himalayan kingdom wedged between China and India. Sherpa guides have long been renowned for their connection to Mount Everest and the climbers they help reach its world-topping summit. But the Sherpa themselves remain mostly unreached by the Gospel of Christ. Perhaps as many as 50 – out of more than 100,000 – of the overwhelmingly Buddhist Sherpa follow Jesus as Lord. John may be on death row at “Angola,” as Louisiana’s maximum-security penitentiary is known. But … [Read more...]

ANGOLA (BP) – The Apostle Paul, who delighted in killing followers of Christ before he became one, wrote several of his most powerful New Testament letters on Rome’s “death row.” By Baptist Press Staff ANGOLA (BP) – The Apostle Paul, who delighted in killing followers of Christ before he became one, wrote several of his most powerful New Testament letters on Rome’s “death row.” Some of the letters death row intercessors at Louisiana State Penitentiary write to encourage mission volunteers echo Paul’s immortal words. “I greet you all in the name of Jesus, and I truly desire to be with you at this present time,” one condemned convict wrote to a mission team trekking in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. “Indeed I’m with you all in the Spirit and my prayers are that God bless you with traveling grace, and anoint you for service on this mission you’ve taken,” the inmate continued. “I pray that you all are well and in good health to climb the high hills and mountains of the Himalayas.... Seize the moment, men of God! And enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.” Jack Tillery, minister of college students and missions at First Baptist Church Moss Bluff in Lake Charles, La., is the connection between … [Read more...]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (BP) – Ninety-five Southern Baptists – including a Louisiana Baptist couple – were appointed as International Mission Board missionaries during a recent service at Hoffmantown Church in Albuquerque, N.M. The service was part of an IMB trustee meeting also held in Albuquerque. By Julie McGowan IMB Communications ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (BP) – Ninety-five Southern Baptists – including a Louisiana Baptist couple – were appointed as International Mission Board missionaries during a recent service at Hoffmantown Church in Albuquerque, N.M. The service was part of an IMB trustee meeting also held in Albuquerque. “Your (missionary task) is to bear witness to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and proclaim the Gospel,” IMB President Jerry Rankin told the appointees during the service. “But your mission is much more than just sharing the Gospel. It’s to open the eyes of peoples who are blind to the truth of God’s love and salvation. It’s to turn them from darkness to the light of the Savior – from those who are in bondage to the power of Satan, to release them to the power of God. That’s what it means to do missions.” Rankin warned Southern Baptists not to be blind to God’s truth: blind to the … [Read more...]

Week of June 5, 2006 Potpourri WEST MONROE – Fair Park church: Taylor Fife Band in concert; June 11, 5:30 p.m.; Waymond Warren, pastor. JONESVILLE – East Central association: “Pointing the Way” area wide crusade at the Jonesville football field; June 25-30, 7 p.m. nightly; Bailey Smith, evangelist; for more information, call (318) 339-9974; Ralph Webber, director of missions. DENHAM SPRINGS – Hebron church: His By Grace in concert; June 25, 6 p.m.; Joe Alain, pastor. Youth JONESVILLE – Grace church:  “Kid’s Power Fest” sponsored by East Central association; June 24, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; for children up to 11 years old; free admission; free activities; Ralph Webber, director of missions; Perry Gardner, pastor. Revivals VIDALIA – Sycamore church: June 18-21, 7 p.m. nightly; Jack Daniels, evangelist; Richard Cullum, pastor. LEESVILLE – Mt. Bethel church:  June 25-28, 7 p.m. nightly; Jack Daniels, evangelist; Morris Goins, pastor. Homecomings BAKER – First church: June 25, 10:30 a.m. with  pot-luck  dinner to follow; Dennis Allen, pastor. GIBSLAND – First church: 120th; June 25, 10:30 a.m. with catered dinner to follow; John Blake, musical guest; Bob Jameson, pastor. Seminary Graduates Thomas L. “Lee” … [Read more...]

DERIDDER – A 19-year church leader recently received a silver 2006 GMC pickup from members of First Baptist Church here. By Amy Adams Staff Writer DERIDDER – A 19-year church leader recently received a silver 2006 GMC pickup from members of First Baptist Church here. The church declared the day “Doyle Cooper Day.” Cooper, Minister of Education and Senior Adults started his ministry at FBC DeRidder in 1987 as minister of youth and activities, and became minister of education and senior adults in 1996. “Doyle is greatly loved,” said Jimmie Eaves, Minister of Church Administration. “A group of members organized a surprise celebration for Doyle on April 30 to let him know how much he is appreciated for his hard work, positive attitude, and dedication to FBC DeRidder.” The church honored Cooper after the morning worship service with a barbeque lunch and the pickup purchased through love gifts from the congregation. “The thing that was so neat about it is that they wanted to keep this a surprise and as an honest man he claims to be surprised,” Cooper said. “He’s a dynamic person, relates to the people, evangelistic heart, the kind of guy you can’t help but like, positive person.” … [Read more...]

Week of June 5, 2006 SBC president announces retirement in letter DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (BP) – Bobby Welch, pastor of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach and the president of the Southern Baptist Convention, recently told church leaders he will retire Aug. 27 after 32 years as the church’s senior pastor. A letter from Welch to members of the church explained he was “officially” announcing his retirement plans in the May 28 morning worship services. “The reason I have written you now is because I want you to hear from me before the press and newspapers begin to speculate on the matter. With the Southern Baptist Convention upon us, undoubtedly that would happen,” Welch wrote, noting that he would have preferred a “more personal” communication. Welch said he and his wife, Maudellen, will remain in the church after retirement, including maintaining an office as he becomes pastor emeritus, and will offer assistance to David Cox, Welch’s co-pastor since 2003 who will become senior pastor. A graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a decorated combat veteran, Welch is co-founder of the FAITH Sunday School evangelism strategy and the author of “You, The Warrior Leader.” Graham statue … [Read more...]