WOODWORTH – Hay bales, handcrafts and all manner of livestock – stuffed, of course – combined to set the stage for a “down home” kind of annual gathering for ministry assistant professionals in Louisiana Baptist life. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor WOODWORTH – Hay bales, handcrafts and all manner of livestock – stuffed, of course – combined to set the stage for a “down home” kind of annual gathering for ministry assistant professionals in Louisiana Baptist life. The day-long “State Fair” event hosted by the Louisiana Baptist Ministry Assistants fellowship – LABMA – took place in the activities building at Tall Timbers Conference Center, less than an hour south of Alexandria. “It’s a time to get away from the office and hear about new things going on, and to see what’s going on with other ministry professionals,” said Kathy Wallace of Calvary Baptist in Ruston. It was her third year to attend the event, she said. “For me, this event is encouraging and refreshing,” Wallace said. “It’s just good to talk with other women and see they  have similar frustrations, and we can talk here about different ways we can deal with different situations.” The day’s featured speaker was Cindy … [Read more...]

NEW ORLEANS – Painting a wall inside a school may seem like a small task to some, but for Larry Miguez, the job is a major victory in post-Katrina New Orleans. By Brian Blackwell Staff writer NEW ORLEANS – Painting a wall inside a school may seem like a small task to some, but for Larry Miguez, the job is a major victory in post-Katrina New Orleans. With so many tasks to accomplish and so few hours in a day, helping rebuild the city can seem overwhelming at times. “We try to sleep between 3 and 8 a.m.,” Miguez, director of the Rachel Sims Mission and Carver Baptist Center, joked. “Besides that, we answer close to 150 phone calls a day. “We don’t feel like we get much done unless we have finished mudding out a home or putting the last nail onto the boards of a home,” he added. “The missionaries here are tired. There aren’t enough hours in one day.” But Miguez and his staff at the two centers are not alone. Since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, four Southern Baptist Convention centers – Rachel Sims Mission, Carver Center, Brantley Baptist Mission and Baptist Friendship House –  are ministering with a new mission. Among other ministry efforts, all of the centers are housing … [Read more...]

LAKE CHARLES – It’s a cliffhanger moment for those interested in the January 2005 election of Joe Aguillard Ed.D. as president of Louisiana College. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor LAKE CHARLES – It’s a cliffhanger moment for those interested in the January 2005 election of Joe Aguillard Ed.D. as president of Louisiana College. A panel of three judges March 8 heard 20-minute appellate arguments related to the issue, and at the end, the outcome was uncertain. One judge indicated she clearly understood the plaintiff’s position; one indicated he clearly understood the defendant’s position. The third was carefully neutral. “It’s an interesting case,” said Justice Ulysses Gene Thibodeaux in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals after James A. “Jay” Bolen spoke opposing the election process, and Bradley L. Drell spoke favoring the process. Both attorneys are from Alexandria. “We’re going to roll up our sleeves and discuss it,” the judge said, including fellow justices Sylvia R. Cooks and James T. Genovese in his statement. For Baptist Message readers who may not be familiar with the case, Louisiana College’s seventh president, Rory Lee, resigned in March 2004, and as per college bylaws, a … [Read more...]

MINDEN – Cindy Townsend recently challenged approximately 500 first through sixth grade girls and a handful of boys and adults to use their five senses – smell, taste, hearing, sight and touch – for the glory of God. By Brian Blackwell Staff writer MINDEN – Cindy Townsend recently challenged approximately 500 first through sixth grade girls and a handful of boys and adults to use their five senses – smell, taste, hearing, sight and touch – for the glory of God. “God can use you to change the whole world if you’re open to his leading,” the Louisiana Baptist Convention Women’s Missions and Ministry Team leader told the participants attending Missions Jamboree (M-JAM) at First Baptist Church of Minden. A day of missions awareness and fun for Girls in Action and Children in Action, the theme for this year’s M-JAM was “Every Day With Jesus.” Throughout the day, leaders challenged the participants to live for Jesus. “This year, we wanted to take children into the idea of influencing their everyday world for Jesus,” Janie Wise, Louisiana Baptist Missions and Ministry strategist. “My prayer is that a child comes to know Christ as a result of this event. I want them to know God has a plan and if they … [Read more...]

Week of March 13, 2006 Potpourri BATON ROUGE – Istrouma church:  The Florida Boys in concert; March 26, 6 p.m.; love offering accepted; Stuart Rothberg, pastor. WEST MONROE – Forest Glade church:  Gospel singing featuring The Countrymen and Sisters4; March 25, 6:30 p.m.; Donnie Bradley, pastor. DRY CREEK – Dry Creek camp:  Work day; March 25, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; lunch served; everyone welcomed; call (337) 328-7531 to RSVP; Curt Iles, camp manager. MONROE – Parkview church:  Testify in concert; March 19, 6 p.m.; Whit Holmes, pastor. MONROE – North Monroe church:  Gospel singing featuring Southern Grace, Southern Sound, Steve and Martha Boyte, New Liberty Quartet, Blessed Assurance, Glory Road and Brothers In Christ; March 25, 7-10 p.m.; $10 per person; for ticket information, call (318) 343-4730; Bill H. Dye, pastor. SULPHUR – First church:  Antique car show; March 19, 4:30 p.m.; David Holder, pastor. Youth OAK GROVE – First church:  Hosting the Sk8Fusion Skate Team; March 18, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; followed with a concert by Two Empty Chairs at 7 p.m.; Kevin Miles, youth minister; Carl Gulde, pastor. ALEXANDRIA – Calvary church:  “King of the Jungle” children’s musical presented at the Alexandria Zoo; March … [Read more...]

Week of March 13, 2006 Suspects of Alabama church fires arrested BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) – Law enforcement officials announced March 8 the arrests of three men in connection with a string of Alabama church fires that had terrorized the state since early February. According to press reports, two men are students at Birmingham-Southern College and one is a student at the University of Alabama. The suspects said they started the fires as a joke and it got out-of-hand. Officials filed criminal complaints against the three men in connection with arson at nine Baptist church fires in February. Four of the nine were Southern Baptist. It is not known if officials believe the men are connected with a 10th church fire that was set in late February. NAMB commissions missionaries, chaplains Alpharetta, Ga. – Calling the United States the fourth most “unchurched” nation in the world, Robert E. “Bob” Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board, spoke March 5 during a commissioning service for 143 new missionaries and chaplains at First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, S.C. The missionaries and chaplains will serve in 31 different states, in four Canadian cities – Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton and Okotoks – … [Read more...]

SALEM, Ore. (BP) – What Capital Baptist Church’s pastor saw firsthand made him a believer. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor SALEM, Ore. (BP) – What Capital Baptist Church’s pastor saw firsthand made him a believer. “It was my privilege to serve on the executive board of the Northwest Baptist Convention for a term on the Finance Committee,” John Lipton said. “In so doing I observed our convention’s absolute commitment to sound principles of stewardship, accountability and integrity. “An increase in Cooperative Program giving is a good step in the direction of Kingdom-building,” the pastor said. “God’s Kingdom is the most worthwhile investment that any church can make.” In January, Capital Baptist voted to increase their Cooperative Program giving to 10 percent. This despite the fact that the church, where about 180 people attend Sunday morning worship, anticipates hiring a second staff member this year, is involved in a major evangelistic outreach locally, and didn’t make its $263,389 budget last year. “The way I look at the Cooperative Program and have for a kazillion years is that the Scripture commands us to tithe and, in my way of thinking, the Cooperative Program is like the … [Read more...]

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (BP) – As a pastor and former missionary, Calvin Wittman wonders how many more people could be reached if churches expanded their participation in Cooperative Program (CP) Missions. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (BP) – As a pastor and former missionary, Calvin Wittman wonders how many more people could be reached if churches expanded their participation in Cooperative Program (CP) Missions. “A pastor has to ask, what could we do in impacting the lostness in our world if every person would get involved in the Cooperative Program? How many more people could be reached?” Wittman, pastor of Applewood Baptist Church in Wheat Ridge, Colo., said. “What could we do if every church cooperated the way they want their members to cooperate?” Wittman continued. “If we’re not as a church giving at least 10 percent to the Cooperative Program, how can we ask our members to tithe? “I know there are other ways of doing missions, but there is no better way than the Cooperative Program. I’m talking to you as a former missionary,” said Wittman, Applewood’s pastor since 1999 and an IMB career missionary in Spain before that. “The Cooperative Program is the most effective … [Read more...]

DEWEY, Okla. – On March 12, America was introduced to the White family, courtesy of Ty Pennington, ABC’s hit show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and a brand new house. And LifeWay Christian Resources was there behind the scenes to help make it happen. By Russ Rankin LifeWay Christian Resources DEWEY, Okla. – On March 12, America was introduced to the White family, courtesy of Ty Pennington, ABC’s hit show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and a brand new house. And LifeWay Christian Resources was there behind the scenes to help make it happen. John White, a second-generation pastor in Dewey, Okla., was known as a tender pastor with a big heart and a big family. John, his wife, Danna, and their five children filled the parsonage of Bluestem Baptist Church and were known throughout the small community 45 minutes north of Tulsa as selfless people who exemplified and lived the two greatest commandments. In April 2005, joy turned to tragedy when John’s earthly life ended with a massive heart attack on the day of his 19th wedding anniversary. Instead of a celebration, Danna was made a widow, and Sarah (17), Esther (16), Zeb (15), Rebekah (14), and Ruth (13) lost their father. With John’s meager life … [Read more...]

Week of March 20, 2006 Plans to condemn SBC church proceed LONG BEACH, Calif. – Another step was taken toward the destruction of the Filipino Baptist Fellowship building March 13 when the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency Board voted 6-0 to condemn the church in order to build condominiums, despite testimonies from community members regarding the public good that flows from the religious institution. During the hearing, the redevelopment agency voted to authorize the city attorney to begin condemnation proceedings. The next step will be for the city attorney to file a complaint to condemn the property, which includes demonstrating that it meets the statutory requirements for condemnation. Among the requirements is proof that the property seizure is necessary for public use – based on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June 2005 regarding eminent domain – and John Eastman, who is defending the church, said that proof would be rather easy to show since a church is tax-exempt and a housing project would bring in more revenue for the city. The decision could be challenged in court, and Eastman said he believes city leaders are nervous about the prospects of litigation over the issue. Police arrest … [Read more...]