A 20-year-old dream became a reality seven months ago at Hope Mission in Many.   For 20 years, Louisiana Baptist Church and Community Ministries Director John Hebert and others have attempted to start a church out of a care and hope ministry, previously known as storefront ministries. A 20-year-old dream became a reality seven months ago at Hope Mission in Many.   For 20 years, Louisiana Baptist Church and Community Ministries Director John Hebert and others have attempted to start a church out of a care and hope ministry, previously known as storefront ministries.   However, the vision never panned out until Hope Mission’s birth on June 8.   With that launch, Marshall Ingle accomplished accomplished what other Louisiana Baptists before him could not do - plant a church out of a care and hope ministry.   Ingle is director of the House of Hope care and hope ministry in Many. During his first six years there, more than 60 people who receive help from the ministry in the form of clothing and food accepted Christ as their personal savior.   However, those new Christians felt they could not find a Baptist church home, Ingle relates. Still, a survey conducted … [Read more...]

Truly great preachers have a close personal walk with the Lord; some might even be called mystics. Some had this walk from childhood; some turned to the Lord in a sudden and dramatic conversion. Others were changed later in life by a "deeper experience." Note: The following article is the 10th in a series on "Characteristics of Great Preachers." The ongoing series was commissioned by the Louisiana Baptist Message from Austin Tucker of Shreveport, a former Louisiana Baptist pastor who now teaches and writes on religious subjects, He also is a frequent pulpit guest in churches and is a member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board.   Austin B. Tucker, Freelance writer   Truly great preachers have a close personal walk with the Lord; some might even be called mystics.   Some had this walk from childhood; some turned to the Lord in a sudden and dramatic conversion. Others were changed later in life by a "deeper experience."   Augustine (A.D. 354-430) was one who turned to the Lord in a dramatic conversion. Before that, he led a wild life that included a long-term affair with a mistress who bore him a son.   But he came under deep conviction. In his … [Read more...]

Protestations by the Louisiana College board of trustees that the new textbook selection policy contains nothing to fear is reminiscent of Dr. Jerry Rankin’s promise that missionaries would not be required to sign the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. Protestations by the Louisiana College board of trustees that the new textbook selection policy contains nothing to fear is reminiscent of Dr. Jerry Rankin’s promise that missionaries would not be required to sign the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. I’m sure we all remember the firings, forced resignations and forced early retirements of missionaries who refused to sign that creed.   Superficially, the textbook selection policy seems innocuous, but "appropriate in context and purpose" statement is a real Trojan horse. Textbooks supporting viewpoints "recognized by others in the discipline as appropriate for the subject matter" - but which disagree with the trustees’ narrow interpretation of the Bible - will simply be excluded using the "appropriate in context and purpose" provision. Precedent at other Southern Baptist institutions controlled by ultraconservatives strongly suggests that the trustees’ personal opinions will prevail - and opposition will fall on … [Read more...]

For the week of January 8, 2004 Potpourri   • HAYNESVILLE - First church: Men's Wild Game Supper; Jan. 10, 6 p.m.; Gene Hoyt and David Fortenberry, guest speakers; free; call (318) 624-0214 for reservations; Shelby Cowling, pastor.   • JACKSON - Judson center: Valentine's Couple's Retreat; Feb. 13-14; $100 per couple; limited to 19 couples; Donald and Margaret Davis, retreat leaders; to register, call (888) 490-8263; Debbie and Eugene Morris, camp managers.   • BOYCE - St. Clair church: Brian Free and Assurance in concert; Jan. 9, 7 p.m.; Joey Rudisill, pastor.   • ALEXANDRIA - Louisiana Convention Center: Louisiana Agricultural Missions Fellowship Annual Meeting; Jan. 17, 9:30 a.m. registration; $10 catered luncheon; Jim Wagoner, guest speaker; to register, call Tracey Ostrander at (318) 448-3402; or email tracey.ostrander.@lbc.org.   • PINEVILLE - Kingsville church: Hot Hearts Student Conference; Jan. 30, 5:30 p.m. registration; Jan. 31, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.; 7th grade and up; Neil McClendon, guest speaker; Stephen Smith Band, musical guest; $18 per person, after Jan. 9, cost is $25; to register, call Brian South at (318) 640-1019; Jim Spencer, … [Read more...]

A study committee has recommended that the Southern Baptist Convention withdraw from the Baptist World Alliance, primarily due to theological concerns. A study committee has recommended that the Southern Baptist Convention withdraw from the Baptist World Alliance, primarily due to theological concerns.   Meanwhile, a Baptist World Alliance leader has said such a move would represent "a sin against love" and a "triumph of ideology over doctrine."   Even so, the decision about Southern Baptists’ future in the alliance now rests with convention leaders and messengers. The SBC Executive Committee will consider the matter in February. If approved there, it will go to the annual convention in June, where messengers will determine the final action to be taken.   It is likely the decision to leave the Baptist World Alliance will be approved at both points.   In proposing the move, the ongoing convention study committee cited theological concerns as the core reason. The proposal accuses the alliance of questioning biblical inerrancy, promoting women as pastors and downplaying the doctrine of salvation only through Jesus Christ.   "Continuing to allow presentations that call … [Read more...]

A recent survey by the Barna Research Group indicates a biblical worldview really does make a difference. Unfortunately, the research also shows that few American adults have one. A recent survey by the Barna Research Group indicates a biblical worldview really does make a difference.   Unfortunately, the research also shows that few American adults have one.   A survey of 2,003 American adults found that just 4 percent have a biblical worldview. Also, only 9 percent of those categorized as born-again Christians have a biblical worldview, researcher George Barna said.   "Worldview" is a term used to describe the belief system by which a person understands or makes decisions about the world.   One of the prominent current worldviews is postmodernism - a belief system that rejects the notion of absolute truth. This often is expressed in the statement - "That may be true for you, but it’s not true for me."   Not surprisingly, the Barna research found that adults without a biblical worldview and those with such a worldview had vastly different views of immoral and unethical behavior. For instance, those without a biblical worldview were:   • About 100 … [Read more...]

For the week of January 15, 2004 Louisiana gathering   The Louisiana Baptist Agricultural Missions Fellowship has scheduled its annual meeting for Jan. 17 at 9 a.m. at the Baptist Building in Alexandria. The gathering is set to conclude with a luncheon, catered at a cost of about $10 per person. Scheduled speaker is Jim Wagoner, agricultural missionary to Oaxaco, Mexico, who will report on projects accomplished with $7,000 in funding from the state fellowship. Fellowship members also plan to discuss future funding for the Oaxaco missions effort and talk about the feasibility of a small number of members to travel to Oaxaco in 2004. Members also will be informed on volunteer ministries projects underway in the state. Those planning to attend are asked to contact Tracey Ostrander at (800) 622-6549 or (318) 448-3402 or via e-mail at tracey.ostrander@lbc.org.   Cooperative Program   Gifts through the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program totaled more than $13.5 million last month, an increase of more than $1.1 million (9.2 percent) from the previous December. Three months into the convention’s fiscal year, overall gifts total $45.2 million, an increase of $2.9 million (6.9 percent) from … [Read more...]

The arrival of 2004 means one thing for the American political world - it is another presidential election year. The arrival of 2004 means one thing for the American political world - it is another presidential election year.   The pundits already are at the door - and on the airwaves - predicting, speculating, postulating and posturing as well.   Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson already has announced he believes President George Bush has a divine mandate and will win in a cakewalk.   Others have agreed in principle, voicing concern about whether Democrats can field a viable candidate.   Still others note that with the economy recovering and Saddam Hussein in custody, there are few issues that can hurt the sitting president in his quest for a second term.   Is it that certain?   Well, if a new O’Leary Report/Zogby International poll is any indication, the answer is an emphatic "no."   Based on the findings of the poll, researchers are predicting a deeply-divided presidential race.   Why?   The answer is simple - because the United States is a deeply-divided country.   Indeed, the poll shows a clear division … [Read more...]

Note: The following article is the 11th - and last - in a series on "Characteristics of Great Preachers." The ongoing series was commissioned by the Louisiana Baptist Message from Austin Tucker of Shreveport, a former Louisiana Baptist pastor who now teaches and writes on religious subjects, He also is a frequent pulpit guest in churches and is a member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board. Note: The following article is the 11th - and last - in a series on "Characteristics of Great Preachers." The ongoing series was commissioned by the Louisiana Baptist Message from Austin Tucker of Shreveport, a former Louisiana Baptist pastor who now teaches and writes on religious subjects, He also is a frequent pulpit guest in churches and is a member of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board.   Austin B. Tucker, Freelance writer   The last character quality to mention in the search for the making of great preachers is work.   In the history of preaching, those who excelled at their task were all hard workers, busy preachers, never idle, never slackers. How a Calvin or Wesley or Whitefield could preach every day - and sometimes several times a day - and still find time to … [Read more...]

Louisiana State University’s football team is not the only group on that campus celebrating a number one ranking these days. Louisiana State University’s football team is not the only group on that campus celebrating a number one ranking these days.   Last month, the LSU Baptist Collegiate Ministry formed the largest group of any BCM to participate in a North American missions trip this school year. One hundred fifty-three students and staff from the school’s Baton Rouge and Shreveport campuses traveled to New York City late last year for the eight-day trip.   LSU’s campus ministry in Baton Rouge also led the nation in most students participating in a Southern Baptist International Mission Board trip last year, as 251 students traveled to Mexico.   That is amazing, says Steve Masters, Baptist Collegiate Ministry director at the Baton Rouge campus.   "Missions trips like these are an incredible way for a college student to spend time serving God and drawing closer to God," Masters emphasizes. "Trips such as these are also a great way for an individual to meet and get to know other student participants.   "I’m convinced we ‘catch’ spiritual growth from each … [Read more...]