I would like to express deep appreciation to our many friends across the Louisiana Baptist Convention. My wife, Genny, and I were truly touched as we received word that messengers attending the recent LBC meeting paused to pray for Genny. For those who were unable to attend the annual meeting, or for those who are not aware of our current situation, Genny and I were displaced, like many others who resided in St. Bernard Parish due to Hurricane Katrina. I would like to express deep appreciation to our many friends across the Louisiana Baptist Convention. My wife, Genny, and I were truly touched as we received word that messengers attending the recent LBC meeting paused to pray for Genny. For those who were unable to attend the annual meeting, or for those who are not aware of our current situation, Genny and I were displaced, like many others who resided in St. Bernard Parish due to Hurricane Katrina. Our home was destroyed as well as most of the buildings and facilities of our church. Our entire community and church family were evacuated and displaced across the United States. On Nov. 11, approximately six weeks after Katrina made landfall, my wife underwent emergency brain surgery at Our Lady of the Lake … [Read more...]

“I think we should approach bringing this parish back as a ‘church plant,’” Freddie Arnold said, “because this is what we’re doing – starting a new church in a ‘new’ community.” “I think we should approach bringing this parish back as a ‘church plant,’” Freddie Arnold said, “because this is what we’re doing – starting a new church in a ‘new’ community.” Arnold, church planting specialist for the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans, was addressing several pastors from the metro parish that, alongside New Orleans, also suffered catastrophic damage from Hurricane Katrina. “So, we’ll need to think outside the box,” Arnold said during a recent gathering to begin discussing the future of Baptist work in the area. “We need multi-purpose buildings and new vision for the facilities and sites.” The churches that emerge from Katrina, he also said, likely will have multi-ethnic memberships. “We have five issues here” in the parish’s restoration, Arnold noted, citing “schools, government guidelines, insurance, what kind of community will we end up with, and the churches providing for themselves and others.” Most of the parish’s churches have not been able to hold services since the hurricane and subsequent … [Read more...]

From as far away as Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and as close as Houma, La., volunteers are giving their time and energy to help restore New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. From as far away as Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and as close as Houma, La., volunteers are giving their time and energy to help restore New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The efforts of these volunteers have seminary officials convinced many of the campus housing units will be available as early as April. Volunteers have completed the initial clear-out on all but a few second- and third-floor housing units. Groups will go back through each building cleaning and preparing the apartments for painting. Many of the volunteers who are working at the seminary were motivated to serve in the city shortly after the storm. Rocky Bishop, who had been trying to get to New Orleans since September, finally made it in mid-November. Bishop watched the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina unfold on television from his home in Saskatoon, Canada. He had no connection with the city, but wanted to help out. “I heard a nurse being interviewed on CNN. She was crying, wanting anyone with experience to come,” Bishop recalls. “I am a nurse, so that really … [Read more...]

For almost 34 years – six years as editor of the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptist’s Baptist Digest and 27 1⁄2 years for the Baptist Message – I have had the privilege of writing editorials supporting the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions, or International Missions as we now say. For almost 34 years – six years as editor of the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptist’s Baptist Digest and 27 1⁄2 years for the Baptist Message – I have had the privilege of writing editorials supporting the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions, or International Missions as we now say. During that time, I have had the opportunity of reading hundreds of stories about who and what the offering supports. So many that they could not all be published because of the limitation of paper and ink. These stories have been inspirational and enlightening, causing me to believe more strongly in international missions and promote their support with more confidence each day I was on the job. And, I have been able to visit some of the places where these ministries occurred, although not as many as I desired. I have seen missionaries who held out the Light of Jesus Christ in what would otherwise … [Read more...]

James Darby told students attending last month’s Youth Evangelism Celebration in Alexandria that Christians should not rededicate their lives, but instead repent of their sins. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter James Darby told students attending last month’s Youth Evangelism Celebration in Alexandria that Christians should not rededicate their lives, but instead repent of their sins. “In America, our minds are messed up,” said Darby, pastor of Body of Faith Church in Houston, Texas. “There’s no reverence for him. There’s no respect. “You think you can come to God on your terms?” he continued. “God is sovereign. Has anybody told you it’s not about us, but it’s all about God.” Darby said repenting may involve changing their comfortable lifestyle. “But if following God does not cost you everything, you’re not following God,” he said. Citing 2 Timothy, Darby challenged students to use what God has given them in order to change America for Christ. But in order for that to happen, Darby said Christians must do three things. • First, Christians must have a clear conscience. • Second, Christians must be broken before God. “He recalls the tears that you shed when you call out to him,” he … [Read more...]

Weekly announcements Youth BATON ROUGE – Broadmoor church: Children’s Christmas Pageant; Dec. 11, 10:30 a.m.; John W. Goodwin, pastor. WEST MONROE – McClendon church: “A Star is Born” musical presented by the children’s choir; Dec. 18, 6 p.m.; Susan Maxwell and Laura Womack, directors; Rick Crandall, pastor. KENTWOOD – First church: “Christmas Joy’ presented by the children’s choir; Dec. 11, 6 p.m.; Wendy Fowler and Majel Dean, directors; Joey Miller, pastor. WINNSBORO – First church: “Three Wise Men and A Baby” presented by the children’s choir; Dec. 11, 6 p.m.; Carolyn Thomas, music director; Harry Boyd Jr., pastor. Christmas Programs CASTOR – First church: “The Spirit of Christmas” musical; Dec. 18, 6 p.m.; written/directed by Pam Guin; Jeff Jinks, pastor. HOMER – Calvary church: Dana Perkins presents Christmas piano recital; Dec. 14, 6 p.m.; “There Is a Bethlehem” musical; Dec. 18, 6 p.m.; Dana Perkins, music director; Brent Shoalmire, pastor. FRANKLIN – First church: “Love Gift” musical; Dec. 11, 6 p.m.; Adam Frederick, music director; J. Paul Vandercook, pastor. HAYNESVILLE – First church: “Shine On Us” musical; Dec. 18, 7:15 p.m.; Jerry Waldron, minister  of  music; Shelby Cowling, … [Read more...]

A Muslim militant connected to the 2002 murders of three Southern Baptist medical workers in Yemen was executed Nov. 27. A Muslim militant connected to the 2002 murders of three Southern Baptist medical workers in Yemen was executed Nov. 27. Ali al-Jarallah was blindfolded and shot in the courtyard of the central prison in San’a, Yemen’s capital, according to the Associated Press and other news services. Al-Jarallah was convicted and sentenced to death in 2003 for plotting the medical workers’ deaths and for the assassination of a prominent national politician, Yemeni Socialist Party leader Jarallah Omar. Yemeni authorities said Al-Jarallah planned the Dec. 30, 2002, attack on the former Jibla Baptist Hospital carried out by gunman Abed Abdul Razak Kamel. Kamel walked into the hospital compound that day and shot and killed hospital director William Koehn, physician Martha Myers and purchasing agent Kathleen Gariety. Kamel, also convicted and sentenced to death for the murders, remains in prison. No date has been set for his execution. Kamel admitted in court to coordinating the attack with al-Jarallah. Yemeni officials believe both are tied to the al Qaeda terrorist network. Police reported finding … [Read more...]

International Mission Board trustees voted to appoint 89 new missionaries during their Nov. 14-17 meeting in Huntsville, Ala., and learned that Southern Baptists last year took the Gospel to 137 previously unengaged people groups and planted the first evangelical Baptist churches among 14 of those groups that had no evangelical work. International Mission Board trustees voted to appoint 89 new missionaries during their Nov. 14-17 meeting in Huntsville, Ala., and learned that Southern Baptists last year took the Gospel to 137 previously unengaged people groups and planted the first evangelical Baptist churches among 14 of those groups that had no evangelical work. Trustees also decided the agency will no longer appoint Southern Baptist missionaries who use a “private prayer language” – a controversial practice related to speaking in tongues.They also elaborated on their policy for the forms of baptism acceptable for missionary candidates. (See adjacent article.) IMB President Jerry Rankin told the board concerning engaged people groups, “We have found that we’re focusing on a moving target.” He explained that at the end of 2004, researchers estimated around the world just over 500 unreached, unengaged people … [Read more...]

The International Mission Board will no longer appoint Southern Baptist missionaries who use a “private prayer language” – a controversial practice related to speaking in tongues and previously practiced by IMB president Jerry Rankin. The International Mission Board will no longer appoint Southern Baptist missionaries who use a “private prayer language” – a controversial practice related to speaking in tongues and previously practiced by IMB president Jerry Rankin. The Southern Baptist Convention agency already excludes people who speak in tongues in public worship from serving as missionaries. But IMB trustees voted Nov. 15 to amend its list of missionary qualifications to exclude those who use a “prayer language” in private. The restriction of “prayer language” – widely understood as a private version of the charismatic practice of tongues-speaking – was approved by a vote of 25-18, according to the IMB’s website. Some trustees did not vote on the issue during their Huntsville, Ala., meeting, the missions agency reported. The policy guideline, which applies only to new appointees, states: “In terms of general practice, the majority of Southern Baptists do not accept what is referred to as ‘private … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Message trustees last week unanimously elected Oregon pastor Kelly Boggs as the agency’s new editor. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter Louisiana Baptist Message trustees last week unanimously elected Oregon pastor Kelly Boggs as the agency’s new editor. Boggs, 45, comes to the Baptist Message from Valley Baptist Church in McMinnville, Ore., where he has served as pastor for the past six-and-a-half years. “I’m excited about the prospect (of serving as editor),” said Boggs, who will assume the position in mid-January. “You folks have been through a lot in this state. “God is doing exciting things here,” he continued. “That’s a story that needs to be told not only in Louisiana, but outside, of the efforts of Southern Baptists. That excites me.” The election comes almost one-and-a-half years after Lynn Clayton announced his plans to retire as Baptist Message editor. During that time, Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director David Hankins proposed moving the Baptist Message within the convention as part of a newly-formed communications team. Trustees initially rejected the idea of the LBC Executive Board but then revisited it a few months later and … [Read more...]