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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home names new leader

Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home trustees last week unani-mously elected seminary associate professor/dean Perry Hancock as the agency’s new executive director.   "God showed us this was the man - no doubt in our minds," said Lindsey Burns, pastor at First Baptist Church of Winnfield and chair of the home’s search committee. Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home trustees last week unani-mously elected seminary associate professor/dean Perry Hancock as the agency’s new executive director.   "God showed us this was the man - no doubt in our minds," said Lindsey Burns, pastor at First Baptist Church of Winnfield and chair of the home’s search committee.   "We believe he will be able to build on the legacy of the home ... and continue to take us on. ...   "He’s the guy for a time like this."   Hancock, 46, comes to the children’s home from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he has served as dean of graduate studies and associate professor of discipleship, occupying the Broadmoor Chair of Discipleship.   "It is evident that this is where God wants us to be, ..." Hancock said, standing with his wife, Tonya. "We feel blessed, and we are excited to … [Read more...]

Weekly Announcements

For the week of May 29, 2003 Potpourri • SHREVEPORT - Pinecroft church: The Crusaders in concert; June 8, 10:45 a.m.; Marty J. Wright, pastor.   • GONZALES - Central church: The Morrison Heights Junior Choir, directed by John Langoworthy, in concert; May 30, 7 p.m.; Jay Avance, pastor.   • WINNSBORO - New Zion church: Pastor Appreciation Day; June 1, 11 a.m.; Alan Miller, guest speaker; Tommy Basco, pastor. Youth • JACKSON - Judson camp: Summer camps available; Boys’ Mission Camp (1st-6th grades) - June 16-20; Girls’ Mission Camp #3 (1st-6th grades) - July 21-25; Girls Mission Camp #4 (1st-6th grades) - July 28-Aug. 1; all camps begin with registration from 9-10 a.m. on Monday and end with short program at 9:30 a.m. on Friday; $120 per person/includes t-shirt and concessions, $15 horseback riding fee; must pre-register by calling (225) 634-7225; Eugene Morris, camp manager.   • MINDEN - Harris Assembly: Summer camps available; Girls Mission Camp (1st-6th grades) - June 9-12; Children’s Camp (boys/girls ages 8 through 6th grade) - June 16-19; both camps begin with 1 p.m. registration on Monday and end with evening program on Thursday; $75 per person; for information or to register, … [Read more...]

Leader proposes annual offering for SBC seminaries

Southern Baptist theological seminaries are facing a crisis of funding - and Chuck Kelley has a solution.   An annual offering for the seminaries should be established - and the discarded capital needs budget of the convention should be re-established, said Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Also, the percentage of Cooperative Program funds that the six seminaries receive each year should be increased from 21.4 percent to 22 percent. Southern Baptist theological seminaries are facing a crisis of funding - and Chuck Kelley has a solution.   An annual offering for the seminaries should be established - and the discarded capital needs budget of the convention should be re-established, said Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Also, the percentage of Cooperative Program funds that the six seminaries receive each year should be increased from 21.4 percent to 22 percent.   "Something must be done if the (Southern Baptist) seminaries are going to be healthy and affordable in the 21st century," Kelley said in a recent "white paper" published at www.baptistcenter.com.   "The physical condition of the campuses and the low … [Read more...]

Mice today – humans tomorrow? New research sounding alarm bells for many

Success with mice has scientists believing that someday they will be able to create human eggs in the laboratory - thus allowing homosexuals to have "biological" children and creating a host of ethical concerns.   As reported in the journal Science, researchers have used mouse embryonic stem cells to create mouse eggs. The eggs were created from both male and female cells - indicating males have the biological capacity to produce eggs. Success with mice has scientists believing that someday they will be able to create human eggs in the laboratory - thus allowing homosexuals to have "biological" children and creating a host of ethical concerns.   As reported in the journal Science, researchers have used mouse embryonic stem cells to create mouse eggs. The eggs were created from both male and female cells - indicating males have the biological capacity to produce eggs.   If duplicated in humans, homosexual couples theoretically could attempt to have their own biological child - with one man supplying the sperm and the other man supplying the laboratory-produced eggs having his biological material. A surrogate mother would be necessary to carry the baby.   Such a concept … [Read more...]

Buckle up, Louisiana Baptists – transition time is here

Tran-si-tion, n.1. movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc. to another; change . . . Tran-si-tion, n.1. movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc. to another; change . . .   The Louisiana Baptist Convention is undergoing transition. Last week, Dean Doster, announced his retirement as executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, effective at the end of this year. Earlier, Rory Lee announced his departure in May of this year from the presidency of Louisiana College to head up the children’s home work of the Mississippi Baptist Convention.   Only a year or so ago, Perry Hancock became executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s home. And the Louisiana Baptist Convention is taking the rare step of actually selling one of its agencies - the Louisiana Baptist Retirement Center - and redirecting the proceeds from that sale.   In a few years, only folks with good memories will be able to recall which Louisiana Baptists agencies there were and who their executives were in 2004!   The retirement, move and recent election of these three men means that the leadership of the two … [Read more...]

Weekly Briefs

For the week of April 3, 2003 Louisianian election New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees have chosen a Louisiana pastor as their new chair. Tommy French was elected to the post during a recent meeting. French is pastor at Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge and a former Louisiana Baptist Convention president. In addition, trustees approved a $1.75 million renovation of Farnsworth Apartments and $2.7 million for expansion of Providence Guest House. President Chuck Kelley said the housing projects are needed because the seminary is on pace to break enrollment records. Officials also noted the seminary has exceeded an initial challenge goal in its ongoing New Horizons fund-raising campaign. To date, the campaign has raised $12.4 million in pledges and gifts, surpassing the $12 million challenge mark. Finally, trustees elected Reggie Ogea as associate professor of leadership and pastoral ministry and director of the doctor of ministry degree program. Ogea has been serving as director of missions for the St. Tammany Baptist Association. War and religion Where do people develop their views of the war on Iraq? Mostly from the media, a new poll indicates. In the mid-March Pew Research Center poll, 41 … [Read more...]

For this LBC church, the weekend was about ‘firsts’ – and experiencing God

Cypress Baptist Church in Benton experienced a series of "firsts" during a recent Experiencing God Together Weekend.   Though Henry Blackaby Ministries has held three other Experiencing God Together Weekends, this was the first time speaker Mel Blackaby, co-author of the "Experiencing God Together" book, taught the newly-released workbook "Your Church Experiencing God Together." Cypress Baptist Church in Benton experienced a series of "firsts" during a recent Experiencing God Together Weekend.   Though Henry Blackaby Ministries has held three other Experiencing God Together Weekends, this was the first time speaker Mel Blackaby, co-author of the "Experiencing God Together" book, taught the newly-released workbook "Your Church Experiencing God Together."   Also, this was the first weekend that the church involved had the opportunity to use the "Your Church Experiencing God Together" workbook and series of videos.   After the weekend, which included small group interactions and the Experiencing God musical, the church began an eight-week study using the workbooks and video.   Mel Blackaby said "Experiencing God Together" has been reformatted for this interactive … [Read more...]

When he looks at his wrist, his first thought is to pray

For many 10-year-olds, the arrival of spring means warmer weather, longer days and time for a few games of catch with dad.   But that will not be the case this year for Zach Gipson, a fourth-grader in Nashville, Tenn. Zach’s dad, Tim, is an activated reservist with the 118th Airlift Wing Division of the Tennessee Air National Guard. He shipped out for Kuwait on March 12. For many 10-year-olds, the arrival of spring means warmer weather, longer days and time for a few games of catch with dad.   But that will not be the case this year for Zach Gipson, a fourth-grader in Nashville, Tenn. Zach’s dad, Tim, is an activated reservist with the 118th Airlift Wing Division of the Tennessee Air National Guard. He shipped out for Kuwait on March 12.   While the separation is undoubtedly difficult and the idea of his dad fighting in a war is intensely frightening, Zach and his family are dealing with the stress the best way they know - by praying.   "I talked to my husband, ... and he said to thank everyone for their prayers," Robin Gipson says. "He knows they’re working because everything has been going so well.   "I can tell that everyone is praying for me, because … [Read more...]

Foundation, Baptist Message handling tight times

Like many others, leaders of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation and Louisiana Baptist Message have watched a pair of frustrating cross trends of late.   Even as fixed costs have increased, they have seen revenue channels tighten. Thus, at a time of rising costs they have no control over, the money flow has slowed. Like many others, leaders of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation and Louisiana Baptist Message have watched a pair of frustrating cross trends of late.   Even as fixed costs have increased, they have seen revenue channels tighten. Thus, at a time of rising costs they have no control over, the money flow has slowed.   With few areas to maneuver, the leaders acknowledge the situation is not an easy one to negotiate.   However, they also report the agencies are in sound financial shape, with good reserves and an ongoing commitment to keep expenses within income.   "The present financial state of the Baptist Message is strong - but tightly run," said Lynn P. Clayton, editor of the weekly statewide newspaper.   "Last year, despite all that’s happening, we managed - with lower income - to spend less than we took in," added Wayne Taylor, executive … [Read more...]

Louisiana Acteens conclude year-long cross-carrying effort

A teenager dressed as a clown twists a balloon into a heart for excited children as puppets perform a musical routine a few feet away.   Another teenager carefully paints colorful designs on a child’s cheek. A young man offers cups of cold water - free - to adults walking along the sidewalk. A teenager dressed as a clown twists a balloon into a heart for excited children as puppets perform a musical routine a few feet away.   Another teenager carefully paints colorful designs on a child’s cheek. A young man offers cups of cold water - free - to adults walking along the sidewalk.   These and numerous other acts of kindness have been duplicated throughout the state of Louisiana since March 2002 by Acteens and Youth on Mission groups participating in a year-long celebration of Jesus Christ’s life and ministry called Crosswalk.   Crosswalk is a statewide awareness and ministry project that encourages youth to become involved in the Great Commission. The project is sponsored by the Southern Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union and is symbolized by a six-foot-tall cross, emblazoned with the words "Acteens Crosswalk."   The cross is passed from church to church, … [Read more...]