God is at work in the world - and he wants each person to join him, Rick Warren insists. Note: The Louisiana Baptist Convention currently is engaged in a pilot program to use "The Purpose-Driven Life" study by Rick Warren in several churches. Plans call for use of the study to be expanded statewide next year. As part of that effort, the Baptist Message is presenting a series of articles based on Warren’s book. This week looks at the last of five purposes in the book and concludes the series of articles.   C. Lacy Thompson, LBM Associate Editor   God is at work in the world - and he wants each person to join him, Rick Warren insists.   In other words, everyone is "made for a mission, ..." Warren writes in "The Purpose-Driven Life," his best-selling study book.   "The mission Jesus had while on earth is now our mission because we are the Body of Christ. What he did in his physical body we are to continue as his spiritual body, the church. What is that mission? Introducing people to God!" (Author’s italics)   The mission delivered to each Christian is critical, says Warren, pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., a Southern Baptist congregation and one … [Read more...]

While some churches in the state chose to participate in overseas missions trips this past summer, one Louisiana Baptist church brought a missions project to their doorstep. While some churches in the state chose to participate in overseas missions trips this past summer, one Louisiana Baptist church brought a missions project to their doorstep.   Located in New Iberia, Highland Baptist Church has sponsored a group of 13 Belarussian children for the past two summers. Families from the church housed the children - whose ages ranged from 7 to 17- for six weeks from early June to late July.   The South Louisiana congregation apparently is the only Louisiana Baptist church to participate in the American Belarussian Relief Organization program.   Since 1991, more than 3,100 Belarussian children have participated in the Rustburg, Va.-based interfaith program "for rest and medical evaluation," notes the Web Site for the American Belarussian Relief Organization.   The Belarussian children suffer medical problems as a result of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion. Experts say the accident released 90 times as much radiation as the bomb that exploded over Hiroshima, … [Read more...]

Louisiana College celebrated its 97th year and honored three friends of the school early this month during annual Founder’s Day ceremonies. Louisiana College celebrated its 97th year and honored three friends of the school early this month during annual Founder’s Day ceremonies.   Founded in 1906, Louisiana College has graduated more than 10,000 students. The only Baptist college in the state, the school is known for academic excellence.   Indeed, just days after the Founder’s Day ceremonies, the college was recognized again for its educational value.   President Rory Lee announced last week that the Louisiana Baptist school is one of only two colleges or universities in the state to be listed in the 2003-2004 edition of "America’s 100 Best College Buys."   "We are obviously very pleased to be named to this prestigious list," Lee said. "Louisiana College is known for providing an excellent education at a cost well below the national average. We are the most-affordable four-year private college in the state of Louisiana and one of the least-expensive private colleges in the nation."   Louisiana College also was one of only six members of the Association of … [Read more...]

Submitted by Staff on Thu, 10/16/2003 - 02:00 Messengers to the 2003 Louisiana Baptist Convention will be asked to consider several changes to denominational documents. As required, those changes are being presented in two issues of the Louisiana Baptist Message prior to the annual state meeting in Lafayette on Nov. 10-11. Messengers to the 2003 Louisiana Baptist Convention will be asked to consider several changes to denominational documents. As required, those changes are being presented in two issues of the Louisiana Baptist Message prior to the annual state meeting in Lafayette on Nov. 10-11. LBC Executive Boar The Executive Board offers a pair of changes to its charter for final approval by convention messengers. Messengers gave preliminary approval to the changes at the 2002 annual meeting. The changes propose: • That Article VIII of the LBC Executive Board charter be deleted and replaced with the following: "The Articles of Incorporation may only be amended with the approval of two-thirds majority of the Executive Board and the approval of two-thirds majority of the membership at the annual meeting, six months notice having been given prior to the annual convention to the president of the … [Read more...]

Weekly Announcements Potpourri   • WINNFIELD - First church: "Judgement House" drama; Oct.25-30 and Nov. 1-2, 6-8 p.m.; John Holland, minister of music; Brian McAllister, interim minister of youth; Lindsey Burns, pastor.   • VIDALIA - First church: LordSong in concert; Oct. 26, 6 p.m.; love offering accepted; Gary Nunn, pastor.   • NATCHITOCHES - Westside church: Deer/Duck Hunting Seminar; Oct. 23, 6-8:30 p.m.; for men, women and youth; $5 tickets, includes meal/door prizes; registration deadline Oct. 19; call (318) 352-2383; Mike Honzell, pastor.   • SLIDELL - Grace Memorial church: "Inspiring Love in the Home and Revival in the Church" Family Conference; Oct. 24, 7-9 p.m.; Oct. 25, 9 a.m.-noon; $10 per family; Oct. 26, concert at 6:15 p.m.; Terry and Barbi Franklin, conference leaders/special music; call (985) 643-6017 to register; Bob Heustess, pastor.   • SHREVEPORT - Emmanuel church: Northwest Associational Drama Showcase; Oct. 23, 7 p.m.; no charge; for information, call (318) 865-5613; Bill Stowell, pastor.   • HOMER - First church: Fall Festival of Friendship Women’s Enrichment Seminar; for girls/ladies; Oct. 28, 6-8 p.m.; Yvette Shaw, guest … [Read more...]

America’s most notorious Puritan is back in the public eye. However, this time, it is not just hellfire-and-brimstone preachers who are walking in his footprints. America’s most notorious Puritan is back in the public eye. However, this time, it is not just hellfire-and-brimstone preachers who are walking in his footprints.   October marks the 300th anniversary of the birth of Jonathan Edwards, the bigger-than-life theologian, philosopher and pastor who quarterbacked the First Great Awakening in the American colonies. Events at sites from the Library of Congress to the Minneapolis Civic Center will celebrate his life and vast legacy, the extent of which is still being discovered and debated.   Scholars say most Americans know just one thing about Edwards - he once preached the terrifyingly famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." Yet, now, many are discovering the instrumental role he played in shaping the institutions and culture they take for granted.   "Edwards is a person who is largely forgotten about or caricatured," said George Marsden, professor of history at Notre Dame University and author of a book on the preacher. "But Americans need to pay attention to … [Read more...]

First the good news - Southern Baptists set a new record with their Cooperative Program giving in the most-recent fiscal year. First the good news - Southern Baptists set a new record with their Cooperative Program giving in the most-recent fiscal year. Overall gifts through the Cooperative Program totaled $183,201,694 - an increase of $878,583 from the 2001-02 amount. The total also surpasses the convention budget goal by $6.2 million (3.5 percent). Now, the not-so-good news - the increase is just 0.5 percent and gives weight to recent warnings by Southern Baptist leaders about giving trends. In addition, combined Cooperative Program and designated giving to the convention was down $3.2 million (0.9 percent) for the recent year. Leaders emphasize that the 78-year-old Cooperative Program remains a genius of unified funding for worldwide missions and ministries efforts. Through the plan, persons who give to their local churches are able to contribute to local, state, national and global efforts. In addition, Cooperative Program funds help support a host of state agencies - including Baptist colleges and universities - and various national entities - including six theological seminaries across the … [Read more...]

Every month, Lisa Werst goes home from helping in a church ministry to special needs families - amazed. Every month, Lisa Werst goes home from helping in a church ministry to special needs families - amazed.   "When I go home, I can’t imagine what these people do on a daily basis," says Werst, children’s ministry director at First Baptist Church of Colleyville, Texas. "They have amazing strength. We’re just such a small part of ministering to them."   Statistics indicate nearly 53 million Americans have disabilities, 33 million of which are severe. Therefore, 33 million American families deal daily with extra doctor visits, special care and overcoming obstacles to fit in with society.   One obstacle these families often face is a lack of acceptance in churches. Indeed, about 90 percent of special needs families are unchurched, Werst notes.   In response to such needs, First Baptist Church of Colleyville began an Evening Stars Respite Care ministry last fall. The effort is designed to provide temporary relief to the caregivers of special needs children in the community.   Each month, about 38 families bring their special needs children and siblings to the free … [Read more...]

A 20-foot-by-40-foot building may seem small in stature, but for 68 years, the Riverfront Mission has impacted some individuals in the city of Shreveport in a large way. A 20-foot-by-40-foot building may seem small in stature, but for 68 years, the Riverfront Mission has impacted some individuals in the city of Shreveport in a large way.   "The mission filled a need for a group of people who were social outcasts and had no place to go," says Aljean Wright Middleton, who authored the booklet "Story of the Riverfront Mission of First Baptist Church, Shreveport, Louisiana."   "It was a collecting point for them to gather," Middleton continues.   "It’s a relic of the past, because during the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s, lots of people came by (the area) on trains and to the mission to try to get some help."   These hobos, homeless and unemployed persons moved into the area along the Red River during the 1930s, only eight blocks from First Baptist Church of Shreveport at the time. First, Shreveport, has moved to another location in the metropolitan area.   The people were known as the Batture. They lived in abandoned railroad cars along the tracks or in shanties made of … [Read more...]

One of the most important actions taken by messengers at any Louisiana Baptist Convention is the election of state committee and board members. One of the most important actions taken by messengers at any Louisiana Baptist Convention is the election of state committee and board members.   It is these persons who will be responsible for conducting convention business during the rest of the year - for the state offices and various agencies.   Thus, the process of nominating and electing state committee and board members represents an integral part of Louisiana Baptist life.   It begins with convention structure, which includes seven ongoing committees to address areas of Louisiana Baptist life. Also, each convention agency is governed by a separate trustee board. There is an executive board to handle denominational business during the year as well.   A total of 64 persons serve on elected committees, which include - Committee on Order of Business, Committee on Nominations, Committee on moral and Social Concerns, Committee on Louisiana Baptist History, Committee on Credentials and Committee on Convention Arrangements.   Another 179 serve on boards, which include - … [Read more...]