TOLEDO BEND, La. – For spunky, fast-talking, fast-walking Mary Gore, it’s just another Saturday in bass-fishing paradise. Gore is busy doing what she does best. She’s out fishing – not for largemouth bass, but for souls. By Mickey Noah North American Mission Board TOLEDO BEND, La. – For spunky, fast-talking, fast-walking Mary Gore, it’s just another Saturday in bass-fishing paradise. Gore is busy doing what she does best. She’s out fishing – not for largemouth bass, but for souls. To say “Miss Mary” – as she calls herself – has a passion for winning others to Christ, is like saying seafood prepared by Louisiana chefs is just another meal. Both fall into the “gross understatement” category. On this particularly gorgeous Saturday afternoon, she’s making the rounds of about 70 campsites at North Toledo Bend State Park, just outside Zwolle. At each campsite, she’s inviting campers – who’ve come from across the nation – to be her special guests at an 8:30 a.m. worship service the next day. Some Sundays, Gore may lead 30-minute worship services in as many as five different campgrounds. The services may take place in one of the lake’s gazebos or in a local bait and tackle shop. A native of Silsbee, … [Read more...]

WOODWORTH – Approximately 145 Louisiana Baptist Acteens recently laid their burdens at a cross – literally. By Brian Blackwell Staff writer WOODWORTH – Approximately 145 Louisiana Baptist Acteens recently laid their burdens at a cross – literally. As Christian recording artist Heather Payne sang “I Surrender All,” clusters of young women from participating churches built 5’ by 3 1/2’ crosses at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth. The Acteens then individually prayed beside the crosses. “This symbolized the girls’ need to follow Christ every day and in every way,” Janie Wise, Louisiana Baptist Missions Friends/Girls in Action/Acteens associate, said. “The world needs more cross bearers and fewer cross wearers.” The theme for this year’s Louisiana Baptist Acteens Conference was “Following Christ Every Day in Every Way 24/7.” Among the highlights of the two-day event were a spiritual gifts inventory, breakout sessions and a missions project for a New Orleans ministry. Above all, the conference reinforced the philosophy that the Acteens should evangelize in their Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. “For the girls, the conference was the idea of helping them think how … [Read more...]

Week of February 27, 2006 Potpourri VIDALIA – First church: Testify in concert; March 12, 6 p.m.; Dan Glenn, pastor. WILDSVILLE – Evangeline church: The Beene Family in concert; March 10, 7 p.m.; free admission; Dennis Baker, pastor. BATON ROUGE – Jefferson church: Jamie Womack, guest speaking at ladies’ event; March 7, 6:30 p.m.; T. C. French Jr., pastor. Revivals DODSON – First church:  March 10-11, 6:30 p.m.; March 12, 11 a.m.; Larry Jinks, evangelist; Tommy Gray, pastor. WEST MONROE – Mount Vernon church: March 12-15, 7 p.m. nightly; Jack Daniels, evangelist; Woody Rimes, pastor. FARMERVILLE – Culbertson church:  March 12, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; March 13-15, 7 p.m.; Casey Johnson, evangelist; Brad Mount, music; Scott Jennings, pastor. WEST MONROE – Bethel church:  March 5, 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m.; March 6-8, 7 p.m.; Milton Wilson, evangelist; Greg Duncan, music; Gene Thomas, pastor. PINEVILLE – Trinity church: March 12, 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; March 13-15, 7 p.m.; Bill Britt, evangelist; The Calvary Singers, music; Darryl Hoychick, pastor. DEQUINCY – New Hope church:  March 12, 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; March 13-15, 7 p.m.; Dwight Singleton, evangelist; Stephen Gibbs, worship leader; Rob Sumrall, … [Read more...]

Week of February 27, 2006 IMB establishes landside relief Web site ... RICHMOND, Va. – The International Mission Board has established a Web site for people who want to give to the relief effort in Guinsaugon, Philippines, which was buried in a Feb. 17 landslide in the small village. The site can be found at www.imb.org/worldhunger. More than 100 bodies have been pulled from the mountain of mud that swallowed 375 homes there; Filipino officials say they fear the death toll could climb as high as 1,500. Though no IMB personnel were in Guinsaugon when the landslide hit, a team has been sent to the village to assess the damage and learn how they can best help. The missionaries ask people to pray for an end to the heavy rains that initially caused the landslide and continue to slow rescue efforts. IMB personnel also have requested prayer for wisdom and safety of the rescue crews as well as the IMB team headed to Guinsaugon. To make a donation to relief efforts in Guinsaugon, visit the IMB relief Web site or make checks out to the International Mission Board, and write Philippines Mud Slide, World Hunger Fund, or General Relief Fund in the memo section, depending on where you would like to designate … [Read more...]

ALBUQUERQUE – First Baptist Church of West Albuquerque doesn’t participate in the Cooperative Program out of obligation, but to pass on the blessing, as pastor Tim Marrow puts it. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor ALBUQUERQUE – First Baptist Church of West Albuquerque doesn’t participate in the Cooperative Program out of obligation, but to pass on the blessing, as pastor Tim Marrow puts it. Originally named Taylor Ranch Baptist Church, the congregation was birthed with Cooperative Program gifts and has given back at least 10 percent of its offerings from the beginning. With its 10th anniversary, the church began increasing its CP Missions gifts upward a quarter of a percent every other year. “God has blessed us so much, we just feel like we could do more than just give a tithe,” Marrow said. As part of its Great Commission focus, First Baptist disciples and equips its members and provides ways they can reach out to those who live in the rapidly growing area west of the Rio Grande River. Nearly 400 people gather for Sunday worship at 7:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 11 a.m., with Bible study for all ages at 8:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. During the school year, while children are in choir on Sunday … [Read more...]

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – The White House, in a report assessing the response to Hurricane Katrina, praised and commended faith-based organizations including Southern Baptists for their quick and coordinated work to aid storm victims in the Gulf states. By Baptist Press staff ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – The White House, in a report assessing the response to Hurricane Katrina, praised and commended faith-based organizations including Southern Baptists for their quick and coordinated work to aid storm victims in the Gulf states. The 228-page document report, titled “The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina, Lessons Learned,” said “faith-based organizations ... provided extraordinary services. For example, more than 9,000 Southern Baptist Convention North American Mission Board (NAMB) volunteers from 41 states served in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. These volunteers ran mobile kitchens and recovery sites.” Hurricane Katrina was one of the worst natural disasters in American history -– leaving more than 1,300 dead in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, hundreds of thousands homeless and without jobs, and tens of billions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses and the Gulf Coast … [Read more...]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Drawing from the example of Samson’s loss of strength in Judges 16, Southern Baptist Convention President Bobby Welch warned against squandering the opportunities God has given the convention. By Erin Curry Roach Baptist Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Drawing from the example of Samson’s loss of strength in Judges 16, Southern Baptist Convention President Bobby Welch warned against squandering the opportunities God has given the convention. “There is great consequence in the traumatic tragedy of unfulfilled potential,” Welch told Executive Committee members in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 20. He pointed to verse 20, which says Samson “awoke from his sleep and thought, ‘I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.’ But he did not know that the Lord had left him.” Samson had lost his hair and his strength, and the Philistines were upon him. “That must be one of the saddest circumstances imaginable to be out flailing away and the wind of God [is] off your life,” Welch said, adding that a wonderful comeback happened in verse 22 when Samson’s hair began to grow again. Welch, pastor of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Fla., set forth three ways to “rev up a rundown romance … [Read more...]

KENNER – “I didn’t do nothing to do this. Only Jesus did everything,” said David Lema, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Hispana Emmanuel. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor KENNER – “I didn’t do nothing to do this. Only Jesus did everything,” said David Lema, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Hispana Emmanuel. He was studying “Experiencing God,” by Henry Blackaby when three men from Brazil stopped by the church in mid-January. They were meeting in a home for Bible study; they asked if they could meet at the church. “I see the hand of God here,” Lema said with his native Cuba in his voice. “For me it is amazing to see this amount of Brazilians around here. This is the blessing of Katrina.” In three weeks the Brazilian congregation has grown to perhaps 70 men, two women and two pastors – one a Baptist; the other, Pentecostal. Only about a dozen in the congregation started out as Christians; six more made professions of faith at the Feb. 4 service. “Right now we are working with them, watching what they are doing, helping as we can,” Lema said. “They need health care but Charity Hospital is closed. ... If the Lord brings the people here, he will give me the avenue to help them.” Lema knows about … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE – Actors, puppeteers, jugglers, magicians and clowns learned how to use their God-given talents to communicate the gospel at the 2006 Drama Festival, Feb. 24-25 at Louisiana College. PINEVILLE – Actors, puppeteers, jugglers, magicians and clowns learned how to use their God-given talents to communicate the gospel at the 2006 Drama Festival, Feb. 24-25 at Louisiana College. Sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention, the conference drew 227 people – including groups from Alabama, Arkansas and Texas. “There is a huge need or desire in the local church to discover new and unique ways to share the gospel,” Kevin Boles, LBC youth ministry strategist, said. “Churches are finding out that drama ministry is a very creative way to reach an unchurched world and they want to do that with excellence.” The festival featured 50 seminars taught by about 25 national and local professional faculty members. The conference also featured worship celebrations led by mime Wesley Brainard and improv and comedy duo Mad Dogs and Englishmen. Boles said a highlight of the conference was the Cafe Showcase after the Friday evening worship celebration. “We allowed local groups to perform in a late night showcase in … [Read more...]

Week of March 6, 2006 Potpourri ZWOLLE – Toledo Bend Resort Ministry center: Workday; March 11, 8 a.m.; projects include yard work, general cleanup, electrical, plumbing and carpentry; bring appropriate tools; for information, call (318) 645-6601; Mary L. Gore, resort manager. SULPHUR – First church: Florida Boys in concert; March 25, 6 p.m.; $10  in advance/$12 at the door; call (337) 527-5231; David Holder, pastor. ALBANY – Old Zion church:  Southern gospel concert featuring The Barleys; March 18, 6 p.m.; Jerry Chapman, minister of music; Bobby Stults, pastor. COLFAX – Bethel church: Hunter and outdoor extravaganza; March 18, 5-8 p.m.; Phil Robertson, known as the “Duck Commander”, guest  speaker;  The  Blake Brothers Bluegrass Band, musical guest; for information,  call  (318) 627-3131; Robert A. Daniel, pastor. SICILY ISLAND – Pine Hill church:  The Southern Plainsmen in concert; March 12, 5 p.m.; love offering accepted; Dennis Hensley, pastor. OLLA – Wildhorse ministry: Trail ride and auction at the Lazy 2M Ranch; March 11, 9 a.m. with lunch at noon and auction to follow; $10 per person for trail ride/ barbecue plate lunch; for information, call Mike or Linda McCartney at (318) … [Read more...]