The National Day of Prayer is slated for May 4. From sea to shining sea, prayer rallies will take place at public venues as well as in churches. It will be the fifty-fourth consecutive year that the observation has been held. By Kelly Boggs Editor The National Day of Prayer is slated for May 4. From sea to shining sea, prayer rallies will take place at public venues as well as in churches. It will be the fifty-fourth consecutive year that the observation has been held. In 1952, President Harry Truman signed into law a bill that established an annual National Day of Prayer. It specified that the President select the day each year on which the event would take place. In 1988, Congress introduced legislation calling for the National Day of Prayer to be held on the first Thursday in May. It was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. Prior to the codifying of the National Day of Prayer as law, days of prayer have been conducted intermittently throughout America’s history. Two of the most notable occasions were in 1775, when the Continental Congress designated a time of prayer in forming a new nation, and Abraham Lincoln’s resolution that called for a day of fasting and prayer during the Civil … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE – When Dennis Dunn accepted the position as head coach of the Louisiana College football team in December 2005, it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream and divine purpose. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer PINEVILLE – When Dennis Dunn accepted the position as head coach of the Louisiana College football team in December 2005, it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream and divine purpose. “God has called me here,” said Dunn, whose great-great-grandfather served on the college’s original board of trustees and even donated land where the school now sits. “I’ve had lots of family who have gone to school here,” continued the 43-year-old head coach. “So I believe God has allowed me this opportunity to reap the seeds sown a hundred years ago by my great-great-grandfather.” Success seems to follow Dunn wherever he has gone. Dunn is best known as the coach who turned Evangel Christian Academy into a national powerhouse. During his 14 seasons at the Shreveport high school, Dunn’s teams won 13 district titles, nine state titles and one national championship. He coached 19 prep All-Americans there. And when he was head coach of Woodlawn High School, Dunn won three district titles in five … [Read more...]

Week of May 1, 2006 Potpourri WINNFIELD – First church:  Dino Kartsonakis, America’s piano showman, in concert; May 7, 6 p.m.; Lindsey Burns, pastor. DRY CREEK – Dry Creek camp:  Couple’s retreat; for married couples of all ages; May 12, 6 p.m. - May 13, 2 p.m.; Marvin Douglass, guest speaker; $60 per couple/$40 for commuters; to register, call (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager. DRY CREEK – Dry Creek camp:  Church counselor workshop; for those attending a week of summer camp as a cabin counselor; May 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; no charge; lunch provided; casual dress; for information, call (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager. MONROE – College Place church:  “Becoming a Titus Woman” Ladies retreat; May 6,  8:30 a.m. registration - 3 p.m.; Tracey Baker, guest speaker; $12 per person/includes light breakfast and box lunch; nursery provided upon request; for tickets, call (318) 343-3180; tickets are available at the door; Jimmy Pitson, interim pastor. MINDEN – First church:  “The Promise” a pageant on the life of Jesus Christ, presented May 7, 7 p.m.; free admission; Todd DuBose, minister of music; Wayne DuBose, pastor. SHREVEPORT – Kingston Road church:  J. C. Clement, guest speaker recognizing … [Read more...]

DEVILLE – One of the hardest things for me to do lately is to get to church at the right time. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor DEVILLE – One of the hardest things for me to do lately is to get to church at the right time. But somehow, God is in control and I end up in the place where God wants me to be. One recent week I set off for First Tioga, following my plan of one week attending a church in the local area, and the next week, out of the area. By the way, I’m glad to come visit your church. Just invite me! And tell me what time the service starts. Someone had good words to say about First Tioga Pastor David Cranford, so I thought to go hear him preach, but when I arrived at 10:25 a.m., the church sign said services started at 10 a.m. I had passed Paradise Baptist, Ball, and had seen their church started at 10:30 sign, so doubled back there, and was blessed first by the gift of a crocheted bookmark produced by the WMU, and later by the preaching of Farrell McMorris as well as the generous outpouring of love the congregation shared with each other and me. Last week I drove out Hwy. 28, passed one church that has been written about a lot in the Message, but then got worried that I … [Read more...]

MONROE – David Uth encouraged pastors last week to implement a ministry of humility. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer MONROE –  David Uth encouraged pastors last week to implement a ministry of humility. “The most important word that needs to describe you and your ministry is humility because it is what God honors and believes in,” he told a group of young ministers from across the state attending the inaugural Paul Timothy Conference at First Baptist Church of Monroe. “Humility is the heart of the pastor.” The conference was designed to encourage pastors under 40 years of age to gain leadership insight from a seasoned pastor such as Uth, who serves as pastor at First Baptist Church of Orlando, Fla. “The conference accomplished all our goals,” said Alan Miller, Louisiana Baptist Convention director of pastoral leadership. “Leadership development is the main goal in an event like this. David Uth gave excellent leadership principles that could be life-changing for these pastors if they choose to implement those ideas.” Throughout the day, Uth offered advice on challenges that pastors face each week. Among those challenges are: • Not enough time to accomplish the task at hand. Uth urged … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA – Baptist Message Editor Kelly Boggs and Louisiana Baptist Foundation Executive Director Wayne Taylor said recently that history is in the making as ministers and laymen from across Louisiana find their way to Cypress Bend Golf Resort on Toledo Bend Lake for a two-day golf event May 8 and 9. By Joanne Brechtel Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Baptist Message Editor Kelly Boggs and Louisiana Baptist Foundation Executive Director Wayne Taylor said recently that history is in the making as ministers and laymen from across Louisiana find their way to Cypress Bend Golf Resort on Toledo Bend Lake for a two-day golf event May 8 and 9. The tournament is to be the first jointly-sponsored event between the two Louisiana Baptist Convention agencies, and promises to be even better than its previous 24 or more tourneys. Boggs and Taylor assure registrants that the sights and sounds from the surrounding lake and natural wildlife habitats in the woodlands at the resort are most inviting. “Those who have previously participated in tournaments at this breathtaking location look forward to returning and first timers will enjoy the superior course and accommodations,” Boggs said. “These will be a lingering memory … [Read more...]

NEW ORLEANS – Trustees at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary set a course for the seminary’s future by establishing two degree-granting extension centers, restructuring undergraduate and church music degrees and launching new doctoral specializations during their spring meeting. By Gary D. Myers New Orleans Seminary Public Relations NEW ORLEANS – Trustees at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary set a course for the seminary’s future by establishing two degree-granting extension centers, restructuring undergraduate and church music degrees and launching new doctoral specializations during their spring meeting. The meeting opened with an encouraging report from NOBTS President Chuck Kelley. In his remarks, Kelley presented a positive picture of the seminary’s recovery and future. He called attention to the assistance of Southern Baptists in the seminary’s recovery process. “We are very grateful for the difference the Cooperative Program made in the New Orleans Seminary Hurricane Katrina experience,” Kelley said. “Southern Baptists kept a challenge from becoming a crisis. We are no longer in survival mode. We are in growth and opportunity mode. The SBC threw its full weight into giving us … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA – In their second quarterly meeting of 2006, the Louisiana Baptist Foundation trustees focused on the future while celebrating the present: a positive return on investments. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA – In their second quarterly meeting of 2006, the Louisiana Baptist Foundation trustees focused on the future while celebrating the present: a positive return on investments. The Foundation anticipates a return to the Louisiana Baptist Convention office building, Executive Director Wayne Taylor suggested to the trustees. The current building could be leased for additional revenue for the LBC, Taylor added. A return to the state convention offices could happen within the year, Taylor said in conversation after the meeting. “This proposal is being considered by the LBC Executive Board,” Taylor said. “The move would allow the Foundation to continue receiving ‘free office space’ and generate income to the LBC to address some deferred maintenance issues and update the LBC building.” The bulk of the discussion at the quarterly meeting centered on the possibility that the Foundation could assist churches with capital fundraising campaigns. It’s a service the state … [Read more...]

SAREPTA – Despite what almost seems like a plethora of patriotic songs, America does not have a nationally-recognized ballad for Memorial Day. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor SAREPTA – Despite what almost seems like a plethora of patriotic songs, America does not have a nationally-recognized ballad for Memorial Day. But there’s a growing movement toward one, since city alderman, high school history teacher and coach Tony Mullins wrote “Memorial Day” at the offhand request of the music minister at his church, New Sarepta Baptist. “It’s not like I’m trying to make the “Star-Spangled Banner” or something,” Mullins said with a disparaging grin. “But people keep calling about it.” “Memorial Day” was featured last year at week-long festivities in Waterloo, N.Y., a patriotic village in upstate New York known as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. Ever since, the song has been spreading across the nation via the Internet. “I don’t want to charge anything for the use of the sheet music this year,” Mullins said. “It’s something given to me and I want to share it with others.” Mullins says he can’t sing a lick, doesn’t read music and doesn’t much care for poetry. But one day a couple of … [Read more...]

ARLINGTON, Texas – About 350 disaster relief leaders attended the annual SBC-wide Disaster Relief Roundtable last week at Fielder Road Baptist Church in Arlington. ARLINGTON, Texas – About 350 disaster relief leaders attended the annual SBC-wide Disaster Relief Roundtable last week at Fielder Road Baptist Church in Arlington. Freddie Arnold, a church planting missionary with the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans assigned the Disaster Relief Coordinator role after Katrina, received a Distinguished Service Award for his recovery work. With more than 350 leaders present, Arnold thanked Southern Baptists for their assistance in Louisiana following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. “Thank you for being faithful with the trust we’ve been entrusted with in sharing Jesus Christ,” Arnold said. “You’ve helped establish integrity and respect of Southern Baptists in south Louisiana.” … [Read more...]