ALEXANDRIA, La. (BP)--Did Jesus Christ have a wife? Is the Bible a mere compilation of ancient manuscripts? Will the upcoming Sony release of The DaVinci Code create a panic in the Christian community? By John Yeats LBC Communications ALEXANDRIA (BP)--Did Jesus Christ have a wife? Is the Bible a mere compilation of ancient manuscripts? Will the upcoming Sony release of The DaVinci Code create a panic in the Christian community? To confront these questions, the Louisiana Baptist Convention and Louisiana College have produced a DVD titled, The DaVinci Code: Faith, Fact or Fiction? The DVD features Charles (Chuck) Quarles Ph.D. of Louisiana College, vice president for integration of faith and learning and associate professor of religion. LBC produced the DVD in its studio and mailed a copy April 4 to each of the convention’s 1,456 churches to equip pastors and members for the release of the movie. The book and the upcoming film are a concern to the Christian community primarily because of a dialogue between characters Langdon, Sophie, and Sir Leigh Teabing. Teabing is described as a ‘religious historian’ whose life’s passion is research of the Holy Grail. In this dialogue, Teabing claims that the … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA – This year’s Bible Drill had a total of 425 participants. There were 241 Children’s Bible Drillers including 128 Children’s Bible Drillers at Louisiana College in Pineville and 113 Children’s Bible Drillers in regional areas. One-hundred seventy-seven Youth Bible Drillers, and seven Youth Speaker’s Tournament participants, participated at LC. By Juile Woodrum LBC Evangelism/Church Growth Team ALEXANDRIA – This year’s Bible Drill had a total of 425 participants. There were 241 Children’s Bible Drillers including 128 Children’s Bible Drillers at Louisiana College in Pineville and 113 Children’s Bible Drillers in regional areas. One-hundred seventy-seven Youth Bible Drillers, and seven Youth Speaker’s Tournament participants, participated at LC. Youth Bible Drill Seventh grade Bible Drill – There were eight people recognized as winners in four seventh grade groups.  They were: Kimberly Landry - Riverside, Denham Springs; Jonathon Monk - Riverside, Denham Springs; Ashlyn Champagne - Williams Blvd., Kenner; Ryan Cating - FBC, Lake Charles; Graham Waller - FBC, Kenner; Kaci Simmons - Wayside, Pollock; Joshua Jang - Istrouma, Baton Rouge; and Ellyse Wilhelm - Woodlawn, Baton Rouge. Eighth … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE – After four – or more, in some cases – years of years of studying and socializing, 166 students graduated May 13 as the Class of 2006 at Louisiana College. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor PINEVILLE – After four – or more, in some cases – years of years of studying and socializing, 166 students graduated May 13 as the Class of 2006 at Louisiana College. In all, 101 students graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree; two with a Bachelor of Music; 44, Bachelor of Science; 11, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; 3, Bachelor of Social Work; and 5 Bachelor of General Studies. Nineteen students graduated cum laude, with a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.69; 14 graduated magna cum laude, with a GPA of 3.7 to 3.89; and eight graduated summa cum laude, with a GPA  of 3.9 to 4.0. “Devote yourself to the betterment of others, and don’t make that an afterthought,” said David Dockery, Ph.D., guest speaker and president of Union University in Jackson, Tenn. “Let your longterm success be with eternal rewards. Run the right race; run it with enthusiasm and passion, with wholehearted devotion to God and others.” While outside a gentle breeze cooled the sunlit skies, inside Guinn Auditorium … [Read more...]

negative; accentuate the positive.” By Andi Cook Special to the Message BOGALUSA – “Eliminate the negative; accentuate the positive.” The words to the old wartime ditty personify why Pastor Bob Adams of First Baptist Church Bogalusa was named Citizen of the Year for the City of Bogalusa. The post-Katrina activities that helped win him the nomination were an extension of this positive attitude that cinched his selection, according to Carl Cutrer, a member of the selection committee. “He does not condemn, criticize, or complain,” Cutrer explained. “He’s been supportive of all of the good in Bogalusa.” After arriving in Bogalusa a short five years ago, Adams concentrated on unification. He suggested participation in an annual Christ for the City campaign, which brings together many Christian faiths and races in praise of the Savior. This fall will mark the fourth annual event. He also got involved in activities that epitomize Matthew 25:35: education, hospitals, senior citizens aid, and discovering unmet needs in the parish. Adams is a member of the LSU Medical Center Board, served on the Bogalusa School system Task Force, serves on a city group composed of ministers to help in times of … [Read more...]

WESTWEGO (BP) – Louisiana pastor Jay Adkins will be nominated for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention by Joed Rice, pastor of Central Baptist Church in Ashland, Ky., according to a news release. By Baptist Press Staff WESTWEGO (BP) – Louisiana pastor Jay Adkins will be nominated for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention by Joed Rice, pastor of Central Baptist Church in Ashland, Ky., according to a news release. Adkins has been pastor at First Baptist Church of Westwego for four years and graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in May 2007. Adkins, 33, previously served as pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in South Shore, Ky., where he led the congregation from its status as a mission to a self-supporting church. “Jay Adkins exemplifies the best qualities of a number of young leaders now emerging in the Southern Baptist Convention,” Rice said. Adkins is the third nominee for SBC second vice president, following the announcement in early March by Kentucky pastor Bill Dodson that he will nominate Wiley Drake, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park, Calif., and the announcement later that month … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA (BP) – Louisiana Baptist Convention officials recently opened an envelope filled with $854 cash. Receiving cash in an envelope is not that uncommon for non-profit ministries such as the LBC. However, this money was extraordinary. By John Yeats LBC Communications ALEXANDRIA (BP) – Louisiana Baptist Convention officials recently opened an envelope filled with $854 cash. Receiving cash in an envelope is not that uncommon for non-profit ministries such as the LBC. However, this money was extraordinary. The cash was an offering from several citizens who live in a community on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, a region decimated by the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami that claimed an estimated 300,000 lives worldwide. Twenty men from this area of the world, where the average monthly income is around $100, reached deep into their shallow but generous pockets to send aid to Louisiana, which they heard was hit by Hurricane Katrina. During the tsunami disaster, these 20 men experienced first-hand not only the tragedy of the natural disaster but also the help of Southern Baptist disaster relief volunteers from several state conventions. Teams from Louisiana traveled to the tsunami-stricken area to help … [Read more...]

Intercessors for Louisiana support: Intercessors for Louisiana support: HB 860, Rep. Alexander – lengthens the waiting period before a divorce is granted. Passed out of the House Civil Law Committee and now heads to the House Floor. SB 476, Sen. Cain – allows for the display of America’s important founding documents in government buildings in Louisiana. It was passed by the Senate and heads to a House Committee. HB 421, Rep. Burrell – amends the definition of “material that is harmful to minors” to include video games. HB 254, Rep. Crowe  – prohibits selling violent and sexually explicit video games to minors. SB 33, Sen. Nevers – the abortion ban bill; was to be heard in the House Committee of Criminal Justice on May 17 in House Committee Room 6. HB 582, Rep. Crowe – amends Woman’s Right to Know to provide for informing woman that baby will feel pain due to abortion. SB 675, Sen. Malone –  allows citizens of Bossier Parish to have a referendum election on the operation of truck stop casinos. Intercessors for Louisiana oppose: HB 853, Rep. LaFonta – prohibits discrimination based on perceived “sexual orientation.” This bill would give special protection status to a group of people based on … [Read more...]

HAZEN, N.D. (BP – The challenge to witness to, win and baptize 1 million people in the Southern Baptist Convention this year has reached even to rural North Dakota, where residents’ Catholic and Lutheran backgrounds present an additional challenge to communicating the importance of believer’s baptism. By Erin Roach Baptist Press HAZEN, N.D. (BP) – The challenge to witness to, win and baptize 1 million people in the Southern Baptist Convention this year has reached even to rural North Dakota, where residents’ Catholic and Lutheran backgrounds present an additional challenge to communicating the importance of believer’s baptism. Bob Pittman, pastor of Hazen Christian Fellowship in Hazen, N.D., said his congregation wanted to do their part when SBC President Bobby Welch launched the ‘Everyone Can! Kingdom Challenge’ for evangelism last June. Never mind their size, and never mind their location. “We wanted to do what we could,” Pittman told Baptist Press. “We’re just a small church in the convention, but every church counts, I think. As each one of us, small or large, is willing to do our part, then we can do what he has asked us to do. I think it’s a real challenge, and we’re trying to step up to the … [Read more...]

TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--South Carolina pastor Frank Page confirmed May 19 he will allow his name to be placed in nomination for president of the Southern Baptist Convention to set forth a choice in cooperative missions methodology. By Baptist Press Staff TAYLORS, S.C. (BP) – South Carolina pastor Frank Page confirmed May 19 he will allow his name to be placed in nomination for president of the Southern Baptist Convention to set forth a choice in cooperative missions methodology. “It is so,” the Greensboro, N.C., native told Baptist Press. “I can certainly confirm that I am going to allow my name to be recommended in Greensboro,” where the SBC’s June 13-14 annual meeting will be held. Page joins Arkansas pastor Ronnie Floyd in, now, a two-man contest for the convention presidency. Asked his reasons for entering the race, Page said,”Obviously, number one, is, I have a peace from the Lord about it, that I have been seeking and did not have until this morning, that it was OK [to be a nominee].” Second, he said,”I think it is healthy for our convention to have a choice.... “It is [a choice] about methodology,” Page said.  “I just believe that it’s time for people to not only say they support the work … [Read more...]

Week of May 22, 2006 Luter to speak at SBC annual meeting GREENSBORO, N.C. – Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, is among several Louisianians scheduled to appear on the program at this year’s Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C. Luter will deliver his message at approximately 2:40 p.m. on June 13. His wife, Elizabeth, is scheduled to lead the convention in prayer before the sermon. Also on the program is New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley Jr., who will report on the school’s progress nearly 10 months after Hurricane Katrina heavily damaged parts of the campus last summer. Kelley will deliver the seminary report at 10:35 a.m. on June 13. Other Louisiana Baptist personalities scheduled to appear on the program include Lonnie Tucker, pastor of Still Water Baptist Church in Covington, who will lead the messengers in prayer at 6:45 p.m. on June 13; and T.C. French, pastor of Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, who will present the SBC Committee on Resolutions report at 9:10 a.m. on June 14. Baylor study finds casinos increase crime WASHINGTON (BP) – The Washington Post took note of a study by Earl L. … [Read more...]