Week of June 19, 2006 Potpourri POLLOCK – Pleasant Hill church:   “Great American Weekend of Worship” event; July 1, 6 p.m.; Harold Danley and Mark Lanier, worship leaders; July 2, 11 a.m. patriotic worship followed by dinner on the grounds, Joseph Odenwald, pastor. DENHAM SPRINGS – Gray’s Creek church: Ministers Conference; July 10, 10:30 a.m.; for pastors and ministerial staff members; Carl Sullivan, pastor. MANSFIELD – First church: Ivan Parker in concert; July 16, 6 p.m.; Thumper Miller, pastor. MONROE – North Monroe church:  “Encouraging the Encourager” conference; July 18, 6:30 p.m.; Dennis Swanberg, guest speaker; New Liberty Boys, musical guest; free admission; Bill H. Dye, pastor. COVINGTON – First church: “Life to the Fullest” adult 55+ rally; July 10, 9 a.m.-noon; Calvin Miller, guest speaker; Bill Baker and Candy Foster, entertainment/musical guests; $4 per person/includes lunch; to register by July 6, call (985) 892-2149 or email aharris@fbccov.org; David Rockett, minister to adults 55+; Waylon Bailey, pastor. FLORIEN – Pleasant Hill church (Toro community): HIS in concert; July 1, 6:30 p.m.; Chuck Withers, song leader; Jimmie Evans, pastor. Revivals LIVINGSTON – Red Oak church: July … [Read more...]

MONROE – Jerry Price hopes an upcoming bass tournament hooks some lost souls for Christ. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer MONROE – Jerry Price hopes an upcoming bass tournament hooks some lost souls for Christ. Scheduled for July 7-8, the Northeast Louisiana Baptist Association Bass Tournament will feature a fish fry, pro angler Glenn Chappelear and the tournament itself. “Since we began this event four years ago, we’ve seen men saved,” Director of Missions Jerry Price said. “When you put two men in a boat – one who’s Christian and one who’s lost – hopefully the Christian will witness to that lost person. “And that’s the whole purpose of this event.” A 6:15 p.m. fish fry meal at Loch Arbor Baptist Church in Monroe kicks off the weekend festivities. The featured speaker for the event will be Chappelear, who will share his latest fishing techniques as well as share outdoor experiences. “He’s an excellent speaker and fun to watch,” said Jerry Price, NLBA director of missions. “It’s amazing how he can do such things as cast a lure from your specific pocket at a long distance.” A professional bass fisherman on the Bassmaster Tour and the Forest L. Wood tour, Chappelear’s accolades include the … [Read more...]

GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – The late Adrian Rogers, longtime pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church and three-time president of the Southern Baptist Convention, was honored with separate personal and video tributes June 12 and 13 at the Greensboro Coliseum, during the SBC Pastors’ Conference and, then, the annual meeting. By Allen Palmeri Baptist Press GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – The late Adrian Rogers, longtime pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church and three-time president of the Southern Baptist Convention, was honored with separate personal and video tributes June 12 and 13 at the Greensboro Coliseum, during the SBC Pastors’ Conference and, then, the annual meeting. In the first video tribute, Rogers was shown in various stages of his 33-year pulpit ministry at the suburban Memphis church. The video ended with Rogers stating in his distinctively deep voice that “the burning ambition in my heart is to finish well.” The second video tribute came from past SBC presidents, culminating with a prayer by Jimmy Draper as he stood alongside Rogers’ widow, Joyce, and current SBC President Bobby Welch. “He taught us how to be gracious, how to be convictional, how to be passionate yet kind,” Draper, retired president of … [Read more...]

Those who know and love her call her Granny Mildred. She is one of those people who is hard to keep up with, even though you know where she will be – somewhere serving her Lord. Those who know and love her call her Granny Mildred. She is one of those people who is hard to keep up with, even though you know where she will be – somewhere serving her Lord. On most Wednesdays you can find Granny Mildred at a store front ministry visiting with the patrons, bagging items, or just giving an encouraging word. Other days she can be found at the parish prison, passing out snacks to the inmates and urging them to seek Christ. Even though she maintains a busy schedule, Granny Mildred finds time to read to senior adults at the local nursing home. And she is active in her local church, particularly with Women on Mission. What drives this 85 year old bundle of energy to do all she does? Granny Mildred will tell you it’s because she loves her Lord and Savior and wants as many people as possible to know him as well. At a young age Mildred was greatly influenced by two pastors and their wives. They instilled in her the importance of reaching others with the Good News of Jesus Christ. When disease threatened Mildred’s … [Read more...]

On Tuesday, July 4, we will celebrate the 230th birthday of our nation. Similar to the biological process that produces new life, the United States experienced a period of gestation and labor before it emerged as an independent and free country. On Tuesday, July 4, we will celebrate the 230th birthday of our nation. Similar to the biological process that produces new life, the United States experienced a period of gestation and labor before it emerged as an independent and free country. Years of unjust treatment at the hands of King George III caused colonist leaders to conceive the idea of independence. Over time the embryo of liberty matured. Events such as the Boston Massacre and the subsequent Boston Tea Party served to cultivate the concept of independence. Labor pains began in earnest the spring of 1776. On June 7, Richard Henry Lee addressed the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, Pa. The delegate from Virginia proposed a three-part resolution that would declare the colonies independent from England, form foreign alliances, and prepare a plan of confederation. After days of debate the Congress decided to form separate committees to deal with each of the three points of … [Read more...]

NEW ORLEANS – Three months ago, Billy Graham preached a message of hope to New Orleans. His daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, plans to do the same Aug. 26 specifically for women, inside the same building her father preached in earlier this year. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS – Three months ago, Billy Graham preached a message of hope to New Orleans. His daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, plans to do the same Aug. 26 specifically for women, inside the same building her father preached in earlier this year. Known as “Just Give Me Jesus,” this one-day revival inside the New Orleans Arena is designed to change women’s lives – specifically those from regions affected by Hurricane Katrina. Usually area churches pay for all the revival expenses, but Lotz is underwriting the entire event. Admission will be free of charge. No tickets or registration are required. Joining Lotz will be worship leader and Christian contemporary artist Fernando Ortega, soloist Stephanie Seefeldt and intercessor Sheila Bailey. The revival is set from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. “I’m praying that, through this, the people of New Orleans will come together,” said Frances Autry, co-chairman … [Read more...]

WESTWEGO – Even though his election bid for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention failed, Jay Adkins said he came out a winner in the end. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer WESTWEGO – Even though his election bid for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention failed, Jay Adkins said he came out a winner in the end. Adkins, 33, was one of four candidates for the post. Wiley Drake, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park, Calif., was elected as second vice president with 50.37 percent of the vote. Adkins received 207 votes. “I had several reasons for running,” said Adkins, pastor at First Baptist Church of Westwego. “The convention wanted younger pastors involved. Plus I was pastor of a church that is the size of most congregations. Finally, I wanted to bring to light what has happened to churches affected by Hurricane Katrina.” Even though he lost the election, Adkins was encouraged by the convention’s recent commitment to younger leaders. During the SBC annual meeting, a motion was made that at least one pastor under 40 years of age be appointed to serve on each convention board and committee. Also, younger people were named to the convention boards … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA—The Louisiana State Baptist Convention announced today the appointment of Janie Wise as the acting interim for the women’s missions and ministries. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Cindy Townsend, who is moving to central Texas with her family. Her husband, Bill, accepted the position of Vice President for Development at Mary Hardin Baylor University, Temple, Texas. By John Yeats LBC Communications Director ALEXANDRIA—The  Louisiana State Baptist Convention announced today the appointment of Janie Wise as the acting interim for the women’s missions and ministries. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Cindy Townsend, who is moving to central Texas with her family. Her husband, Bill, accepted the position of Vice President for Development at Mary Hardin Baylor University, Temple, Texas. Wise will continue her responsibilities with Acteen and Girls in Action ministries. She will also serve to give direct guidance to the overall women’s and missions ministries staff who serve to provide training, mission education and inspiration for women in the local Southern Baptist churches and associations. “I look forward to serving Louisiana Baptists however needed” says Wise.  … [Read more...]

GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP)--A motion calling for the relocation of the 2008 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention to hurricane-stricken New Orleans was referred to the SBC Executive Committee, although one of its staff members expressed several concerns about its feasibility. By Kyle Smith Baptist Press GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – A motion calling for the relocation of the 2008 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention to hurricane-stricken New Orleans was referred to the SBC Executive Committee, although one of its staff members expressed several concerns about its feasibility. The motion, proposed by David Crosby, pastor of First Baptist Church in New Orleans, called for the relocation because New Orleans is a city “ripe for the Gospel,” one where Southern Baptists could “dramatically change” the future. “We need the help of God’s people,” Crosby said in a statement from the floor. “It is an opportune moment.... “We didn’t know a year ago that Katrina was going to come and devastate this historic city,” Crosby said, “but we now know what has happened and we know the opportunity we have.” Going to New Orleans in 2008 “is very important as opposed to going later,” he said. “I believe … [Read more...]

GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – Southern Baptists heard four “Points of Challenge” speakers addressing them as individuals, as churches and as a convention during the SBC annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C., June 13-14. By Kay Adkins Baptist Press GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – Southern Baptists heard four “Points of Challenge” speakers addressing them as individuals, as churches and as a convention during the SBC annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C., June 13-14. The challenges underscored SBC President Bobby Welch’s “Everyone Can” campaign to baptize 1 million souls in a year. David Cox, co-pastor of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Fla., first challenged Southern Baptists to win the world to Christ through clearly demonstrated Christian love. “You know if there is one thing that we are missing in our Southern Baptist Convention, something that we need to grasp more of, it is the whole concept of Christian love and loving one another and loving sinners,” Cox said. Preaching from Mark 9:12-13, Cox exhorted messengers to remember that it is not the healthy who need a physician but the sick and that Jesus desires our compassion over sacrifice. “If you’re trying to get a handle like I am on what’s this all … [Read more...]