NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – More than eight in 10 Americans say the country’s moral values are getting worse, although Democrats and Republicans differ greatly on what specifically is morally acceptable and what is morally wrong, a new Gallup poll shows. By Michael Foust Baptist Press Staff Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – More than eight in 10 Americans say the country’s moral values are getting worse, although Democrats and Republicans differ greatly on what specifically is morally acceptable and what is morally wrong, a new Gallup poll shows. The 81 percent of adults who say the nation’s “state of moral values” is getting worse is a record high for the question, which was first asked in 2002. It registered at 67 percent in each of the first two years and 77 percent in 2004 and 2005 before inching even higher this year. Only 11 percent of Americans say the nation’s moral values are getting better. The 10-point spike between May 2003 and May 2004 (when the polls were conducted) came during a time in which “gay marriage” was legalized in Massachusetts and several Canadian provinces, Janet Jackson was exposed on nationwide television during the Super Bowl and the story broke about abuses at the Abu … [Read more...]

LAFAYETTE – On the day he was born, Perry Sander’s grandfather laid his work-hewn hands on the infant’s head, and said to the child’s mother, “Mary, this is the preacher I’ve been praying for all these years.” By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor LAFAYETTE – On the day he was born, Perry Sander’s grandfather laid his work-hewn hands on the infant’s head, and said to the child’s mother, “Mary, this is the preacher I’ve been praying for all these years.” Infant Perry was Thomas Clayton’s fifteenth grandchild. His mother didn’t tell Perry of the pronouncement until after 16-year-old Perry announced his call from God to preach. Perry Sanders was honored May 28 for 62 years in the gospel ministry, the last 47 as pastor of Lafayette’s First Baptist Church. The two-and-a-half hour service included presentation of a framed letter from President G.W. Bush and – for the hip Sanders broke just before he preached his final sermon in mid-May – a “boo boo bunny” from preschoolers at the church, among many accolades and gifts. “By encouraging the celebration of faith and sharing the message of God’s love and boundless mercy, you have helped put hope in people’s hearts and a sense of purpose in their lives,” … [Read more...]

Editor’s note: 34 members of Calvary Baptist in Alexandria went to New Orleans recently on a construction mission trip. The following are some of their post-trip thoughts, thanks to Cliff Stewart, missions committee staff adviser, who sent their missives to the Message. Editor’s note: 34 members of Calvary Baptist in Alexandria went to New Orleans recently on a construction mission trip. The following are some of their post-trip thoughts, thanks to Cliff Stewart, missions committee staff adviser, who sent their missives to the Message. “We helped three families continue their recovery from the effects of Hurricane Katrina,” Cliff Stewart wrote. “The group tore out Sheetrock and ceilings, removed flooring, carried out items damaged by the flooding, and listened to the families share their stories of struggle and hope. We prayed with them and gave them a Bible signed by everyone who went.” Ginger Hisaw Our team was greeted at our first location with two smiling young girls donning Krispy Kreme hats, their father with two dozen piping-hot donuts for us to enjoy before we began our work! Our assignment: empty the house completely and pile its contents on the side of the street. Few items were … [Read more...]

Lionel Roberts pastors the mission across the street from the locked-down and ruined St. Bernard Housing Development. With the assistance of several adoptive churches, his church has been restored and Lionel began holding worship services there on Easter Sunday. By Joe McKeever BAGNO Director of Missions Editor’s note: The following is excerpted from Dr. McKeever’s blog. For more up-close-and-personal news of  New Orleans, see www.joemckeever.com. It’s updated sometimes daily. Lionel Roberts pastors the mission across the street from the locked-down and ruined St. Bernard Housing Development. With the assistance of several adoptive churches, his church has been restored and Lionel began holding worship services there on Easter Sunday. Problem is, he never knows who’s going to be in church. Attendance ranges from 20 to 50. Last Sunday, when church time came, eight people sat in the sanctuary and most of them were the pastor’s family. They waited a few minutes, then got underway anyway. That’s when something happened outside. I’ve told here about the unhappy, ousted residents of St. Bernard, who threatened to break through the fence last Saturday in order to return to their homes, and decided … [Read more...]

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – It’s a new record that’s reaffirming an old commitment. $137,939,677.59 – that’s what Southern Baptists gave to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions in 2005, making it the single most successful year in the offering’s history. By Tom Strode Baptist Press RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – It’s a new record that’s reaffirming an old commitment. $137,939,677.59 – that’s what Southern Baptists gave to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions in 2005, making it the single most successful year in the offering’s history. The $137.9 million marks a 3.03 percent increase over 2004’s $133.9 million Lottie Moon offering, not to mention a 1.28 percent gain over the old record set in 2003 – $136.2 million. More than 5,100 International Mission Board missionaries depend on the annual offering, of which every penny is used to support their work sharing the Gospel around the world. “This historic level of giving will enable us to send an increasing number of God-called missionary candidates moving toward appointment,” IMB President Jerry Rankin said. “It will enable us to push forward in fulfilling the vision of bringing all peoples to saving faith in Jesus … [Read more...]

Week of June 12, 2006 NAMB names Fish interim president ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – Trustees of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board have called seminary evangelism professor Roy J. Fish to serve as the agency’s interim president. Fish began his part-time responsibilities last week at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C. Fish serves as distinguished professor of evangelism at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, where he has taught evangelism for more than 41 years. As interim president, Fish will travel and represent NAMB at state convention annual meetings, evangelism conferences and other denominational events as well as speak to and encourage NAMB staff. According to Tim Patterson, first vice chairman of the board, Fish will attend meetings both at NAMB and across North America as are beneficial. NAMB Trustee Fred Lowery, pastor of First Baptist Church in Bossier City, La., said, “Roy Fish will bring wisdom that only comes from the number of years he has faithfully served in ministry and evangelism.” Volunteers join quake relief efforts FRESNO, Calif. (BP) – A six-member team of California Southern Baptist disaster relief … [Read more...]

Week of June 12, 2006 Potpourri DENHAM SPRINGS – Live Oak church: His By Grace in concert; June 25, 10:30 a.m.; Howard Turner, pastor. SHREVEPORT – Pinecroft church:  Joe Bob Alexander, guest speaker; June 18, 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Marty J. Wright, pastor. SHREVEPORT – Kingston Road church: Price Harris, Kingdom  Bound Quartet and the Pinecroft church choir in concert; June 17, 6 p.m. with a fish fry at 5 p.m.; $5 per plate; Trey Lewis, pastor. ST. FRANCISVILLE – First church:  Amy Giacone in concert; June 25, 6 p.m.; Joe Ratcliff, pastor. Youth OAK GROVE – First church: Youth revival; June 26-30, 6 p.m. nightly; Courtney Bolding, Andrea Bennett and Karla Robertson, musical guests; Kevin Miles, speaker/youth minister; Carl Gulde, pastor. Revivals SHREVEPORT – Kingston Road church: June 25, 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; June 26-28, 6:30 p.m.; Len Turner, evangelist; Jerry Ables, music; Trey Lewis, pastor. BREAUX BRIDGE – First church:  June 25, 10:15 a.m. and 7 p.m.; June 26-28, 7 p.m.; Lyndon Longoria, evangelist; Price Harris, music; Rod Jackson, pastor. Anniversaries BASTROP – Bethel church: 60th; June 25, 11 a.m. with potluck meal to follow; Charles Harlon, guest speaker; Al Duncan, interim … [Read more...]

NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary celebrated one of the most important graduations in the school’s 89-year history May 13, administrators said. NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary celebrated one of the most important graduations in the school’s 89-year history May 13, administrators said. One hundred and eighty-six graduates received degrees and certificates during a service in Leavell Chapel on the seminary’s Gentilly campus. The event marked the first post-Katrina graduation on the seminary’s main campus. The Dec. 17, 2005 graduation was held in Birmingham, Ala. The following Louisiana students graduated May 13: Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry Preston Cole Gambordella, Alexandria. Olivia Lea, Maringouin. Uriah J. Oxford, Bossier City: Founding Pastor-Teacher, Christ Fellowship, Bossier City. Catherine Ann Swaim, Kenner: Youth Sunday School Teacher, Crossroads Community Church, Kenner. Master of Arts in Missiology Summer Rains Alexander, Moss Bluff. Master of Arts in Worship Ministries Byron Lee Long, Slidell: Worship Leader, The Harbor Church, Mandeville. Master of Arts in Christian Education Grace Jean … [Read more...]

NEW ORLEANS - In the midst of disaster, the staff of the Rachel Sims Center put aside their own destroyed homes in order to minister to the city of New Orleans. By Amy Adams Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS - In the midst of disaster, the staff of the Rachel Sims Center put aside their own destroyed homes in order to minister to the city of New Orleans. Because of the selfless act by the staff of The Rachel Sims Center in downtown New Orleans, the center has been back up and running since Oct. 12. The staff has been working around the clock in an effort to get all their programs ready for the area youngsters as they begin to come back for the summer. “We have a variety of different kinds of ministries that we have gotten back to since Katrina,” said Larry Miguez, director of Rachel Sims Center. “One of them in the  summer time has always been the backyard Bible Clubs with the church groups that came in to work with us.” The Rachel Sims Center’s mission has changed and adapted right along with the city they minister to since Hurricane Katrina, Miguez explained. Since Katrina the center has housed groups of volunteers who have come to New Orleans to help with disaster relief and now the … [Read more...]

PORT SULPHUR - Nine months after Hurricane Katrina there are still places in Louisiana with spotty electricity. Lynn Rodrigue, for example, pastor of Port Sulphur Baptist Church, finally was able to turn on the lights in his FEMA trailer just three weeks ago. By Amy Adams Message Staff Writer PORT SULPHUR – Nine months after Hurricane Katrina there are still places in Louisiana with spotty electricity. Lynn Rodrigue, for example, pastor of Port Sulphur Baptist Church, finally was able to turn on the lights in his FEMA trailer just three weeks ago. But the absence of electricity didn’t stop the pastor from ministering to the people in his community, located halfway down the toe of Louisiana’s famous boot shape. “We have become the grocery store for lower Plaquemines Parish, except everyone gets to shop for free,” Rodrigue said. Port Sulphur Baptist began a food distribution ministry four months ago that assists about 550 people each week. The church provides items such as canned goods, cereal, peanut butter, rice, macaroni and cheese, fruit drinks and chips. The church also gives out perhaps 10,000 pounds of water each week. “There’s various agencies we receive this from, and some churches,” … [Read more...]