He has been on the road for seven hours and has no way of knowing he was just halfway through his trip. LBM Commentary By C. Lacy Thompson LBM Associate Editor Note: September 25 is designated as Louisiana Baptist Message Sunday, a time to remember – and pray for – the ministry of the state convention newspaper. In recognition of that emphasis, the following commentary by LBM Associate Editor C. Lacy Thompson reflects on the ministry of the statewide weekly newspaper. An accompanying article proposes 10 ways Louisiana Baptists can support the ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Message. He has been on the road for seven hours and has no way of knowing he was just halfway through his trip. Ordinarily, he would have arrived long ago – the drive from New Orleans to Alexandria usually takes just four hours. But this is August 28 – yes, this August 28 as last-minute residents of the New Orleans area flee the approaching Hurricane Katrina.  And he is among them. At this particular moment, traffic on the highway he is driving is at a literal standstill –and has been for awhile. His cell phone rings – as it has been ringing for most of the trip. It is his brother in another state, who … [Read more...]

Louisiana College trustees celebrated good financial and enrollment news last week and focused on meeting accreditation concerns at the school. Louisiana College trustees celebrated good financial and enrollment news last week and focused on meeting accreditation concerns at the school. Trustees were told that headcount enrollment this fall was 1,005, a decline of 80 (7.4 percent) from the previous fall. Later adjustments put that figure at 1,004. Meanwhile, the full-time equivalency total stood at 913, a decline of 80 (8.1 percent) from the fall of 2004. However, the numbers were stronger than expected. Indeed, LC President Joe Aguillard noted that the fall enrollment was 8.8 percent higher than budgeted this year. In March, trustees approved a budget based on a full-time equivalency of 839. In the fall of 2004, Louisiana College posted a full-time equivalency enrollment of 993. That dropped to 870 in the spring of 2005. The drop prompted trustees and administrators to approve a 2.8 percent reduction in the 2005-06 budget. Thus, the fall numbers are a cause for celebration, school leaders said last week. “We all remember what was said would happen (to enrollment after events of the past year), … [Read more...]

As most Louisiana Baptists know, Lynn P. Clayton is preparing to retire as editor of the Louisiana Baptist Message after 27 years of service. As most Louisiana Baptists know, Lynn P. Clayton is preparing to retire as editor of the Louisiana Baptist Message after 27 years of service. His retirement date is set for December 31, 2005. As that time approaches, the Baptist Message will provide some coverage of his career as editor. In addition, the newspaper staff is preparing a book of letters for Editor Clayton. Since the editor is out of town this week, the staff is requesting letters from Louisiana Baptists around the state through the Baptist Message – and do not worry, we will keep him from seeing this particular page! So, do you have a good story to share about meeting Lynn P. Clayton or wish to express some sentiment regarding his years of service for the newspaper and the Louisiana Baptists? Now is your chance. Persons are asked to forward the typewritten or handwritten letters as soon as possible to “LBM Memory Book, P.O. Box 311, Alexandria, La 71309.” If possible, letters should be sent unfolded in manila envelopes. Letters may be from individuals or groups, such as Sunday School … [Read more...]

It did not take long – indeed, the first e-mail came just two days after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the New Orleans area. C. Lacy Thompson LBM Associate Editor It did not take long – indeed, the first e-mail came just two days after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the New Orleans area. “It is more than evident that New Orleans has been judged ... for allowing themselves to become the modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah,” the electronic missive read. In other words, the city got what it deserved. Other e-mails followed along the same lines, blaming the city’s embrace of homosexuality and such. Meanwhile, comments from other directions speculated on the role of God in the whole matter. Was he there? If so, why did he not do something? Some say he did, crediting their rescue to divine intervention. At the same time, others surely prayed for rescue as well, only to be denied the opportunity. What is one to make of it? What is the theological meaning of Hurricane Katrina? That depends, says Fisher Humphreys. professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Ala. Indeed, there are several possible ways to interpret the recent events, the former Louisiana Baptist notes. • One can see the … [Read more...]

Despite facing an uncertain future, Perry Hancock said he believes displaced children under the care of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home will not just survive the recent separation from their families. Despite facing an uncertain future, Perry Hancock said he believes displaced children under the care of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home will not just survive the recent separation from their families. They will thrive in the days ahead. “We’re confident these children will recover,” said Hancock, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist home. “If we didn’t believe that, we’d close our doors.” Soon after Hurricane Katrina devastated South Louisiana, the Children’s Home began accepting children who had been displaced as a result of the storm. Churches in the New Orleans area had worked with residents of inner-city projects in the area, and the parents of those children asked the church members to take their kids along as they evacuated. “Some of the parents had no transportation and thought they would be separated from their children for only a couple of days,” Hancock said. “But it has turned out that some of the children may be under our care for many months to come.” Hancock added that … [Read more...]

Whether they were housing an entire family of 56 persons or allowing parish inmates to wash evacuees’ laundry, Baptist camps in Louisiana have been active in Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief efforts. Whether they were housing an entire family of 56 persons or allowing parish inmates to wash evacuees’ laundry, Baptist camps in Louisiana have been active in Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief efforts. The camps housed evacuees during the first two weeks of the storm, but now, the majority of those displaced storm victims have begun to relocate to other cities. “We’ve been wanting to witness to New Orleans for years and God has sent the people of the city here and to other camps across the state,” said James Newsom, camp director at Acadian Baptist Center in Eunice. Soon after the hurricane hit south Louisiana, 350 evacuees moved to the Acadian Baptist Center, though 125 persons remain at the camp. The makeup of the evacuees included a Venezuelan doctor, a truck driver, a street preacher and seminary students. Due to the influx of evacuees, the camp cancelled its September events so the staff could minister to the needs of the displaced persons, Newsom said. While Katrina did not damage Acadian … [Read more...]

For many years, the editor of The Wall Street Journal was a Tarheel by the name of Vermont C. Royster. That “C” in his name stood for “Connecticut.” And yes, all his siblings likewise were named for states. Guest commentary Joe McKeever, Director of missions Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans For many years, the editor of The Wall Street Journal was a Tarheel by the name of Vermont C. Royster. That “C” in his name stood for “Connecticut.” And yes, all his siblings likewise were named for states. My wife and I were dining in a Birmingham, Ala., restaurant some years back when I happened to notice that our waitress’ name was Auburn. Being the type who likes to jest with the help, I said, “I’ll bet you have a sister named Alabama.” She said, “I have two sisters – Tulane and Cornell.” I shrank back into my chair, certain that she was putting me in my place. “I have four brothers,” she continued. “Stanford, Harvard, Princeton and Duquesne.” For once, I was completely speechless. “My father’s name is Stanford, and my mother is Loyola,” the restaurant waitress added. “They’re from Baton Rouge and were engaged before it occurred to them that they each had colleges as names and decided to do … [Read more...]

Potpourri LAKE CHARLES – Sale Street church: The Continental Singers in concert; Oct. 3, 7 p.m.; Eddie Simmons, pastor. WINNFIELD – First church: Higher Faith in concert; Oct. 2, 6 p.m.; Lindsey Burns, pastor. ELMER – New Hope church: Annual Ladies Conference set for Sept. 24 has been postponed due to hurricane relief efforts; rescheduled date to be announced later; for information, call Melissa Walters at (318) 659-3184; Wilkie Richmond, pastor. NEW IBERIA – Highland church: SpokenFour in concert; Oct. 2, 6:30 p.m.; David Jeffreys, associate pastor. BATON ROUGE – Jefferson church: Live Beth Moore Simulcast; Oct. 7, 7-9:30 p.m.; Oct. 8, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; $30 per ticket for both days; for tickets, call (225) 926-0902; T. C. French Jr., pastor. Youth PINEVILLE – “Shoutfest 05” musical event to benefit hurricane victims; Oct. 9, 1:30 p.m. at Buhlow Lake Recreational area; sponsors include various Baptist churches and entities; featured guests include: JUMP5, ZOEgirl, Krystal Meyers, Jontez, Carried Away, Grits, KJ-52, Logan Sekulow, Joseph Rojas and others; tickets are $10/groups of 10 or more,$14/advance and $17/gate; for information, call Belinda Goodman at (318) 640-3812 or John Frank Reeve at (318) … [Read more...]

Juggling relief efforts in response to two hurricanes may seem like a difficult job, but Southern Baptist Disaster Relief units are ready for the God-sized task, leaders insist. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter Juggling relief efforts in response to two hurricanes may seem like a difficult job, but Southern Baptist Disaster Relief units are ready for the God-sized task, leaders insist. Ever since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita made landfall in the Gulf Coast region, disaster relief teams have been offering a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name. Sixty-nine disaster relief units from 16 states and the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board have responded so far to Katrina relief efforts. Earlier this week, teams from 11 states were en route to ministry sites in Louisiana affected by Hurricane Rita. SBC teams that have responded include feeding, chain saw, shower, mud-out, water purification and communication units. Last week, figures indicated that volunteers had served more than 1,874,000 meals to hurricane victims in Louisiana. However, that number will increase due to Hurricane Rita. “We are facing serious challenges in Louisiana, ...” Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director David … [Read more...]

Tied to a safety harness, Fred Luter leans toward the rescue helicopter’s doorway and scans the water-soaked horizon for the New Orleans church he has led since 1986. Note: Numerous Louisiana Baptist churches have been adversely impacted by Hurricane Katrina. All the stories cannot possibly be told. However, the Baptist Message will make representative articles available when possible. Tied to a safety harness, Fred Luter leans toward the rescue helicopter’s doorway and scans the water-soaked horizon for the New Orleans church he has led since 1986. Joined by Southern Baptist Convention President Bobby Welch and Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director David Hankins, Luter and his companions have faces that express wary curiosity. “I’ve heard 6 feet – I’ve heard 20 feet,” says Luter, answering a question from Welch about the extent to which Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans had been inundated. Luter has served as pastor of the church since 1986, growing it from a handful of members to one of the largest congregations in the state. The helicopter skims across houses with water up to the eaves; silt-covered vehicles scattered askew, gas tanks exuding a rainbow-colored sheen on the dank … [Read more...]