MOSCOW (BP) – In a land marked by political and cultural transition, churches can grow stronger and reach future generations with the Gospel if they “turn their heart’s affection” toward the Kingdom of God, Ken Hemphill advised Baptist leaders from the countries of the former Soviet Union. By Cameron Crabtree Northwest Baptist Witness MOSCOW (BP) – In a land marked by political and cultural transition, churches can grow stronger and reach future generations with the Gospel if they “turn their heart’s affection” toward the Kingdom of God, Ken Hemphill advised Baptist leaders from the countries of the former Soviet Union. “God is seeking a people who will embody His name, embrace His mission and obey His Word,” declared Hemphill, national strategist for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Empowering Kingdom Growth emphasis. Hemphill spoke to more than 100 Baptist union leaders who convened outside Moscow to learn how the EKG initiative could make a spiritual impact upon the region’s numerous people groups. EKG blends a spiritual focus on the Kingdom of God with planning tools to help congregations discover their vision, mission and values. “An effort like this helps lay a spiritual foundation for … [Read more...]

WILLINGBORO, N.J. (BP) – Delaware Valley Baptist Church has doubled its participation in Cooperative Program (CP) Missions, from 5 to 10 percent to reach people in New Jersey and around the world, and tripled in attendance, from 100 to 300, in the seven years since James Betner was called as pastor. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor WILLINGBORO, N.J. (BP) – Delaware Valley Baptist Church has doubled its participation in Cooperative Program (CP) Missions, from 5 to 10 percent to reach people in New Jersey and around the world, and tripled in attendance, from 100 to 300, in the seven years since James Betner was called as pastor. “We believe in the Cooperative Program. We believe that together everybody accomplishes more,” Betner said. “... As a first-time pastor, the more I went to [association and state convention] meetings and really understood what we do and how we help churches, missionaries and pastors, the more I knew we wanted to invest in CP Missions. “I have seen the many helps that I personally get and other pastors get when guys like Bob Reccord or Jimmy Draper spend time with us and love on us and encourage us to continue,” Betner said in referencing the presidents of the Southern … [Read more...]

Week of April 3, 2006 Wyoming Baptist staffer killed CASPER, Wyo. (BP) – A Wyoming Southern Baptist Convention staff member and his infant daughter were killed March 26 in an automobile accident during blizzard conditions. David Shane Ewen, 33, and his sixth-month-old daughter, Elizabeth, were killed in central Wyoming when his vehicle collided with another vehicle on Highway 28, some 55 miles south of Lander, Wyo. Ewen’s wife, Cassandra R. Ewen, 32, survived the crash and remains in a Billings, Mont., hospital. The infant was in a child restraint seat. Ewen had served as the Wyoming convention’s church health strategist interim for less than six months. French named SBC committee chair Greensboro, N.C. (BP) – Bobby Welch has named Tommy French chairman of the Resolutions Committee at this year’s Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. French serves as pastor of Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. The committee’s composition must include at least two members who served the previous year, with French and Mississippi retired professor Ida South meeting this requirement. The naming of the Resolutions Committee in late March is in keeping with an amendment to SBC Bylaw 20 approved during … [Read more...]

Week of April 3, 2006 Potpourri WEST MONROE – Northeast school: Golf tournament at Calvert Crossing Golf Club in Calhoun; April 21; 4-man scramble; $100 per person, includes green fees, cart, lunch and prizes; for information, call Johnny Pace at (318) 325-2077; or email johnnypace@centurytel.net; Johnny Pace, development director. MONROE – First church: “Going Deeper With God” Spring prayer conference; April 14, 5-9 p.m.; April 15, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Gregory Frizzell, conference leader; $25 per person/$40 per couple, includes materials and three meals; for information, call (318) 325-3126; Alan Miller, interim pastor. MINDEN – First church: Prayer conference; April 27-28, 7-8 p.m.; April 29, 9:30-11:30 a.m.; April 30, 10:45 a.m.; T. W. Hunt, conference leader; Wayne DuBose, pastor. SIMSBORO – First church: “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World” Spring women’s conference; April 22, 4-7:30 p.m.; Linda Osborne, guest speaker; Tiffany Tripp and Glory Voices, musical guests; $15 per person, registration deadline April 9; for information, call (318) 247-6504; Wilton Wall, pastor. FOREST HILL – Calvary church:  Marvin Morrow in concert; April 8, 7 p.m.; Joel McMickin, pastor. WEST MONROE – Ridge Avenue … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE – Extravagant Grace of Natchitoches is to perform a benefit concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at Kingsville Baptist Church. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor PINEVILLE – Extravagant Grace of Natchitoches is to perform a benefit concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at Kingsville Baptist Church. The concert is to help the Baptist Collegiate Ministries group at the university  raise money for a new or enlarged building. Since becoming a four-year university, enrollment – and BCM participation – have increased significantly, said BCM Director Yvette Palmer. Campus officials have announced plans to construct a new dorm, which is to be ready for occupancy by the Fall 2007 semester. “The current BCM building was constructed in the mid-1906s,” Palmer said. “It has served well but it has not been increased in size by one square foot since then.” The concert could be a fellowship outreach for Sunday school classes,  senior adult groups and more, the BCM director added. Tickets are $10 each. Call 318-473-6510 or 318-641-7309 to order. … [Read more...]

JERUSALEM (BP) – Significant parts of the biblical Judea and Samaria, known today as the West Bank, may become the next focal point in Israeli-Palestinian volatility following Israel’s parliamentary elections March 28. By Art Toalston Baptist Press Editor JERUSALEM (BP) – Significant parts of the biblical Judea and Samaria, known today as the West Bank, may become the next focal point in Israeli-Palestinian volatility following Israel’s parliamentary elections March 28. The Kadima party led by Ehud Olmert, Israel’s acting prime minister, received enough votes to take the lead in forming a coalition government. The new government, according to Olmert’s statements during the campaign, will aim to secure Israel’s borders and do so, if necessary, by a unilateral pullback from the West Bank that could remove 70,000 of the 250,000 Jewish settlers in the region. “Just so much of Judea and Samaria are kind of on the auction block,” lamented Rich Hastings, a Kansas City, Mo., healthcare executive and Baptist layman with strong ties to Israel. The Kadima party, formed by then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon last November, garnered 28 seats in Israel’s Knesset in the March 28 voting, fewer than had been … [Read more...]

GULFPORT, Miss. (BP) – Members and friends of First Baptist Church in Gulfport bid farewell March 26 to their beloved beachfront facilities brought down by the wind and waves of Hurricane Katrina last year. By William Perkins Mississippi Baptist Record Editor GULFPORT, Miss. (BP) – Members and friends of First Baptist Church in Gulfport bid farewell March 26 to their beloved beachfront facilities brought down by the wind and waves of Hurricane Katrina last year. “The church of Jesus Christ is not at this location,” said Ken Parvin, who was reared in the church and currently pastors Heucks Retreat Church in Brookhaven, Miss. Gesturing to the hundreds of people gathered in and around the large tent pitched alongside the ruins of the church, Parvin said, “I am looking at First Baptist Church. Ladies and gentlemen, never forget that the church of Jesus Christ is in you.” Church members have made the decision to relocate and are searching for land north of Interstate 10, several miles inland from the present location. Karen Simmons, who has worked at the church for 26 years and been a member since 1966, recounted that her parents first met each other 52 years ago while attending Training Union at … [Read more...]

LAFAYETTE – Judy Hathorn of First Baptist Minden likes to be in the background, she said at last week’s Missions Celebration. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor LAFAYETTE – Judy Hathorn of First Baptist Minden likes to be in the background, she said at last week’s Missions Celebration. Never before had she attended one of the WMU’s annual meetings, and she really couldn’t explain why she decided to participate in this one, she said, but she was glad she did. “I felt a renewal for missions this weekend, and I appreciate it,” Hathorn said. “[Speaker] Caroline Jones brought a lot of joy to me today. She showed me [in her talk] that even the small things we do can bring glory to God. This is a recommitment for me.” Hathorn was one of perhaps 800 men, women, Acteens and GAs to participate in the 106th annual session of the Louisiana Women’s Missionary Union and its Missions Celebration, which took place March 31 and April 1 at First Baptist Lafayette. It was a sensory event designed to instill or rekindle a passion for missions, said Cindy Townsend, director of the Women’s Missions and Ministry team for the Louisiana Baptist Convention. “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA - About 55 people attended the Baptist Employees of Louisiana [BEL] Credit Union annual meeting March 23 at the Baptist Building. By Joanne Brechtel Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA - About 55 people attended the Baptist Employees of Louisiana [BEL] Credit Union annual meeting March 23 at the Baptist Building. Manager Matt Marcantel reported assets of $4,516,474 for the financial institution that serves employees of Louisiana Baptist agencies and churches. “In all, 276 loans were granted during 2005 for a total of $1,673,142,” Marcantel said. “At year’s end, there were 413 loans in the amount of $3,099,983.” Over the last 30 years, about 11,800 loans totalling nearly $41 million had been granted, Marcantel added. Marcantel praised the credit union team for what he said was personalized service that may not be available at larger financial institutions. Board member John Moore gave the Nominating Committee report for committee members Jim Gifford, Randall Hargis and Gary Richerson. They recommended Beverly Ingram, Alan Miller and Bobby Bonds to fill three-year term positions on the Board of Directors, which began April 1, 2006. The members present approved the nominations. Others … [Read more...]