Unlike most Hispanic immigrants, Carlos and Cristina Se La Barra was not looking for a prosperous life when they arrived in the United States 14 years ago. They were seeking a more fulfilling one. Unlike most Hispanic immigrants, Carlos and Cristina Se La Barra was not looking for a prosperous life when they arrived in the United States 14 years ago. They were seeking a more fulfilling one. Actually, life was quite comfortable for the De La Barras and their three daughters in their native Santiago, Chile, where Carlos owned a computer company. “For years, we made really good money,” De La Barra says. “We traveled all around the world. But after a while, again and again, I had the same feeling of emptiness. I tried to kill this emptiness by working 20 hours a day, seven days a week.” However, even that was not enough. It was only when De La Barra met a Southern Baptist missionary who was starting a church in the area that he says he began to realize he was empty spiritually. During the next year, the two families became friends, sharing meals together regularly. Then, during a Saturday morning breakfast at a hotel restaurant, De La Barra prayed with the missionary pastor to receive Christ as his … [Read more...]

The Cooperative Program and First Baptist Church of Tehuacana, Texas, both were started in 1925 – and both continue to serve as beacons of God’s light throughout the world. The Cooperative Program and First Baptist Church of Tehuacana, Texas, both were started in 1925 – and both continue to serve as beacons of God’s light throughout the world. One would not expect the Texas congregation to be characterized as such. After all, it sits in a town of about 300 persons. A few years ago, it was down to just three members – and only about 30 attend now. Still, its vision is large. “We have a strong belief in missions,” says Dale McDaniel, pastor of the small Texas congregation. “We feel that by our giving (to missions), we who cannot go into all the world can send those who can.” The church gives at least 10 percent of its annual undesignated offerings through the Cooperative Program, the cornerstone method by which Southern Baptists share support for missions work state by state and around the world. The church sends similar sums to its local association and to a nearby youth camp. At the same time, First Baptist Church focuses on local ministry, fellowship and community needs. One of its projects was … [Read more...]

With the deft skill of a trained artisan, Terrell O’Brien selects a With the deft skill of a trained artisan, Terrell O’Brien selects a sculpting tool and places it on the subject. As he cuts here, smoothes there, adds clay or takes it away, the design he has in mind begins to take shape. When he has completed the sculpture in this small version, he is ready to begin work on a larger-than-life version. O’Brien is an artist who produces monument-size sculptures for clients across North America. Subjects may include historical figures, children, Western themes, biblical characters or wildlife – his favorite. “After completing the clay models, I make the molds which a foundry will use to cast these works in bronze,” he says as he takes a break from his work. However, when the phone rings and he begins talking with church members, his real love comes into play. His calling to bivocational ministry drives his life, and his love of art provides his income. Without Terrell’s studio it would be difficult to support his wife, Vickie, and family in a state where jobs are hard to find. The couple live in Wyoming, where they serve as Mission Service Corps missionaries with the Southern Baptist North American … [Read more...]

From its overseas missions trips to the 1,500 persons who worship in its church plants each Sunday, Eastwood Baptist Church in Haughton adamantly is committed to obeying Acts 1:8. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter From its overseas missions trips to the 1,500 persons who worship in its church plants each Sunday, Eastwood Baptist Church in Haughton adamantly is committed to obeying Acts 1:8. “Because of what Eastwood does about birthing churches, we may have 500 people on our campus each Sunday but impact 2,000 people on Sundays with all of the mission churches,” says Scott Teutsch, pastor at Eastwood Baptist Church. “That’s unbelievable.” Since the early 1990s, the northwestern Louisiana congregation has sponsored six mission-type churches, one of which is now a self-supporting church. This has created a domino effect, as some of those missions have helped sponsor other missions. “Our philosophy is God intends for his kingdom to grow by multiplications,” Teutsch says. “Eastwood can’t reach everyone because not everyone can drive to Eastwood. If they can’t get here, Eastwood may start a church there.” Ken Goodman agrees. “We are following a missions-minded pastor who answered the call in … [Read more...]

Louisiana College trustees spent five hours last week, focusing squarely on actions designed to address accreditation concerns at the school. Louisiana College trustees spent five hours last week, focusing squarely on actions designed to address accreditation concerns at the school. Trustees approved a number of steps in response to governance and academic freedom concerns cited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The national accrediting agency placed the Louisiana Baptist school on one-year probation in December for a variety of perceived concerns about school operations. The college has a year to address the concerns or face another year of probation or even loss of accreditation, which would represent a severe blow to the school. College officials say they are confident concerns can be addressed in a satisfactory manner – and last week’s actions represented a large part of that process. In summary, during their extended scheduled session last week, trustees voted to: • Work together – and within established procedures – to conduct school business. • Serve – and listen to – all Louisiana Baptists, while guarding against any undue influence from others. • Establish separate task … [Read more...]

The scheduled meeting of Louisiana College trustees last week was marked by several items of business – and one matter that was not decided. The scheduled meeting of Louisiana College trustees last week was marked by several items of business – and one matter that was not decided. During the session, trustees approved an early retirement option for school faculty and staff, heard a report from President Joe Aguillard, welcomed a new vice president for academic affairs and acted on various other matters. However, they  did not adopt a budget for the 2005-06 fiscal year, which begins August 1. Traditionally, that is a centerpiece action at the March meeting. But this year, school leaders said they needed a bit more time to determine fall enrollment and other key factors affecting the budget. Thus, they set a May 9 meeting to handle the matter, providing more time for gathering needed details. It is not an unprecedented move. Trustees did the same thing in 2003, when they postponed their March meeting until the middle of May for just that reason. However, this year, the anticipation of budget projection is higher than in recent years. Louisiana College has suffered through a tumultuous year with the … [Read more...]

Despite a search process that did not follow established procedure at every point, the election of Joe Aguillard as Louisiana College president is valid, an Alexandria judge ruled last week. Despite a search process that did not follow established procedure at every point, the election of Joe Aguillard as Louisiana College president is valid, an Alexandria judge ruled last week. The ruling by Ninth Judicial District Judge Dexter Ryland ends a lawsuit that sought to invalidate Aguillard’s election as president of the Louisiana Baptist school. The suit charged that Aguillard’s election was invalid because a majority of school trustees did not follow the presidential search procedure as set forth in the governing bylaws. The suit was filed by several alumni and supporters of Louisiana College, as well as one retired faculty member who also was a member of an original presidential search committee. After receiving a full day of testimony in late February and oral arguments from attorneys last week, Ryland agreed that established procedure was not followed in the election of Aguillard as president. However, Ryland added that Aguillard “was properly elected president of the college” – and that election … [Read more...]

Week of March 21, 2005 Gambling votes Gambling forces lost one and won one March 8 in South Florida counties’ referendums on slot machines. A gambling initiative to introduce slot machines into pari-mutuel facilities lost in Miami-Dade County, with nearly 52 percent of voters rejecting the referendum. In turn, 56 percent of Broward County voters authorized the slot machines at its four pari-mutuel facilities. The split decision is considered a setback for the gambling industry, which spent about $7 million in their effort to get slot machines at pari-mutuel facilities in the areas. Advocates claimed that slot machines could raise about $500 million annually for the state’s public education needs, while opponents argued the social costs of expanded legalized gambling far outweighed any projected new tax revenues. Seminary workshop New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has scheduled a first-ever Red Carpet Workshop that will allow extension center students to combine on-campus credit with fellowship. The schedule for the May 23-27 event features several graduate class offerings, undergraduate course and a woman’s ministry certificate course. In addition to these, graduate students may take the free … [Read more...]

Anyone who seriously doubts the sin problem of the world has not read newspapers or heard or seen news broadcasts recently. Anyone who seriously doubts the sin problem of the world has not read newspapers or heard or seen news broadcasts recently. Scott Peterson was convicted of killing his wife and unborn son. While he has not spoken about his crimes, one can draw the conclusion that he did not want his desire to roam freely on the dating scene to be impaired by them, nor did he want the financial responsibility of paying alimony or child support. Brian Nichols, the Atlanta courthouse killer, shot dead four people to escape the consequences of the crime for which he had been charged. In Florida, John Evander Couey reportedly has admitted kidnaping 9-year-old Jessica Marie Lunsford, sexually assaulting her, then killing her. Mourners gathered in a Baptist church where they had last seen her the Sunday evening before her disappearance. Scott Peterson and Brian Nichols seem to have all the advantages of this world. They were both well educated, had good jobs, grew up in good families. Many would say that the cure for murderous actions are good educations, financial security and positive environments. … [Read more...]

A leading evangelical association has issued a call for a broader approach to public policy issues than evangelicals have been known for in the past. A leading evangelical association has issued a call for a broader approach to public policy issues than evangelicals have been known for in the past. The National Association of Evangelicals recently released a document that promises policy efforts related not only to such issues as abortion, marriage and religious liberty but to poverty, human rights, peace and the environment as well. It notes that evangelicals “have failed to engage with the breadth, depth and consistency to which we are called” and lists seven guidelines for political engagement by Christians: • To guard religious liberty and freedom of conscience. • To promote family life and defend children. • To uphold the sanctity of human life. • To gain justice and compassion for the “poor and vulnerable.” • To safeguard human rights. • To work for peace and the restraint of violence. • To protect creation. Nearly 90 evangelical leaders signed on to the document, including Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission; James Dobson, founder of … [Read more...]