For the week of April 17, 2003 Potpourri   • DEVILLE - Longview church: Pine Ridge Quartet and Brothers Redeemed in concert; April 26, 7 p.m.; Donald Lemmons, interim pastor.   • DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: Spring Bible Conference; April 28, 9 a.m. - April 29, noon; Bill Tolar and David Uth, speakers; free; pre-register by calling (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager.   • NEW ORLEANS - Oak Park church: Handbell concert; April 27, 6 p.m.; Ben Caston, minister of music; Paul Brady, pastor.   • MONROE - Loch Arbor church: Florida Boys in concert; April 24, 7 p.m.; Andy Myrick, pastor.   • BUNKIE - New Dawn Fellowship Mission: "The Cruxifixion," a Reader’s Theatre Production; April 27, 6 p.m.; call (318) 346-7723; Gary D. Hostetter, pastor.   • EUNICE - First church: "Beloved Disciple" simulcast; April 26, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Marge Caldwell, speaker at 11 a.m.; $20 per ticket; for tickets, call (337) 457-2361; Michael DeRosier, pastor.   • PROVENCAL - Pine Grove church: One Reason Quartet in concert; April 19, 7 p.m.; Darrell Willis, pastor.   • WEST MONROE - First church: Concert featuring Rebecca St. James, Bid Daddy Weave, Aaron Spiro, … [Read more...]

A recent study concludes that underage drinkers and adult excessive drinkers are responsible for 50.1 percent of alcohol consumption and 48.9 percent of consumer expenditure on alcohol in the United States.   The report in The Journal of the American Medical Association was conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse and is being contested by the liquor industry. A recent study concludes that underage drinkers and adult excessive drinkers are responsible for 50.1 percent of alcohol consumption and 48.9 percent of consumer expenditure on alcohol in the United States.   The report in The Journal of the American Medical Association was conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse and is being contested by the liquor industry.   "The response by the liquor industry does not surprise me," explained Barrett Duke, vice president for research with the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.   "The findings of the report are so devastating to the alcohol industry that they feel compelled to do all they can to discredit it.   "(However) Despite the objections of the liquor industry, I believe this report … [Read more...]

Southern Baptist relief workers expect hunger to be one of the major needs they find in Iraq - and churches across the United States are being challenged to help meet it.   Iraq’s people have suffered under the regime of Saddam Hussein and 12 years of United Nations sanctions have made their lives even more difficult, said Jim Brown, director of world hunger and relief ministries for the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. Southern Baptist relief workers expect hunger to be one of the major needs they find in Iraq - and churches across the United States are being challenged to help meet it.   Iraq’s people have suffered under the regime of Saddam Hussein and 12 years of United Nations sanctions have made their lives even more difficult, said Jim Brown, director of world hunger and relief ministries for the Southern Baptist International Mission Board.   For less than $60, congregations can assemble a box of dry food that will feed a family of five for about a month, Brown said. He is challenging all 42,000 Southern Baptist congregations to mobilize food relief for hungry Iraqis.   "This is a great way for Southern Baptists who can’t actually go themselves to … [Read more...]

For the week of April 24, 2003 Clarifying report The Miami Herald’s implication that a Southern Baptist chaplain offered baptisms as a way for dirty soldiers to get a needed bath has been refuted by the Army Chief of Chaplains office. In its own inquiry, the Army office found that Lt. Josh Llano had not attempted to coerce conversion or baptism. The Miami Herald article appeared April 4 and was picked up nationally. It prompted concern from both Southern Baptist leaders and church-state separation advocates. Essentially, it said Llano was offering baptism to soldiers who had been unable to shower for days. However, an inquiry found that was not the case, saying comments by Llano were not all accurate and were taken out of context in instances. A statement by the Army Chief of Chaplains office cited the exemplary service record of Llano. "I am confident that Chaplain Llano does not, has not and will not use coercion in the exercise of his official responsibilities," said Col. Al Buckner, director of operations for the Chief of Chaplains office. Arizona foundation Investors in the Baptist Foundation of Arizona recently received their share of the $217 million settlement with Arthur Andersen, the former auditor for … [Read more...]

God is SO good! A trio of stories involving Louisiana Baptists in some way tell the tale - how God can make impossible dreams come true, use simple efforts for incredible results and even restore the one who has fallen   Chains have been coming off of prisoners in the Thai-land prison system lately - literally and figuratively - with God using a Louisiana Baptist as the cause. God is SO good! A trio of stories involving Louisiana Baptists in some way tell the tale - how God can make impossible dreams come true, use simple efforts for incredible results and even restore the one who has fallen   Chains have been coming off of prisoners in the Thai-land prison system lately - literally and figuratively - with God using a Louisiana Baptist as the cause.   When Louisianian Jack Martin started the prison ministry in Thailand 31 years ago as a Southern Baptist missionary, few inmates knew Christ as their personal savior.   By the time Martin and his wife, Gladys - known as "Glad" - left the island in 1999, the program had expanded to 30 prisons, with thousand of inmates accepting Christ as their personal savior.   "This small beginning in prison ministry 30 plus … [Read more...]

God is SO good! A trio of stories involving Louisiana Baptists in some way tell the tale - how God can make impossible dreams come true, use simple efforts for incredible results and even restore the one who has fallen   If Gabriela Poenar Henson ever doubts whether God is truly good or not - all she has to do is look at her own life for proof. God is SO good! A trio of stories involving Louisiana Baptists in some way tell the tale - how God can make impossible dreams come true, use simple efforts for incredible results and even restore the one who has fallen   If Gabriela Poenar Henson ever doubts whether God is truly good or not - all she has to do is look at her own life for proof.   From living in Romania under a brutal communist regime to teaching in a Christian college in the United States, Henson’s journey has been one of miracles, she says.   "Just like it says in the Bible, what is impossible for men is possible for God, ..." explains Henson, who spoke at the recent Louisiana Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union annual meeting at First Baptist Church of Lake Charles.   Henson acknowledges that achieving her dream seemed very impossible not so many years … [Read more...]

The 2003 Louisiana legislative session continues - with a number of moral and social issues expected to begin moving soon.   Bills have been filed on various issues, including abortion, AIDS, alcohol, gambling, marriage and pornography. The 2003 Louisiana legislative session continues - with a number of moral and social issues expected to begin moving soon.   Bills have been filed on various issues, including abortion, AIDS, alcohol, gambling, marriage and pornography.   Because of the various issues at stake during the legislative session, it is vital that concerned citizens remain alert and aware, emphasized Ken Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation.   "Persons need to be informed and ready to respond appropriately and timely relative as issues are debated and decided in this session of the Louisiana Legislature," Ward said. "Louisiana is fortunate in the sense that the citizens of this state has more access to the legislative than most states in our nation, but the access is only valuable if it is used."   One means of staying informed is through the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation, Ward reminded persons. Persons may e-mail … [Read more...]

For the week of April 24, 2003 Potpourri • MONROE - Loch Arbor church: Southern Charm in concert; May 4, 11 a.m.; Andy Myrick; pastor.   • MONROE - Loch Arbor church: Northeast Association "Growing in Grace" women’s conference; May 3, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Cindy Townsend, guest speaker; Southern Charm, worship leader; Brenda Myrick, coordinator; Andy Myrick, pastor.   • PORT BARRE - First church: 2003 French Rally; April 25, 5:30 p.m. fellowship/supper followed by French singing groups and service at 7 p.m.; Elie Woerner, guest speaker; Lloyd Gibbs, pastor.   • HOUMA - Mulberry church: Adolphe Stagg Associational VBS Clinic; May 6, 6:30 p.m.; Tommy Harrell, pastor.   • SHREVEPORT - Emmanuel church: Northwest Associational VBS Clinic: May 8, 6-8:30 p.m.; Bill Stowell, pastor.   • DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: Couples’ Retreat; May 2, 6 p.m. - May 3, 2 p.m.; Ray and Carolyn Wells, guest speakers; $60 per couple/$40 per commuter; Curt Iles, camp manager.   • COLUMBIA - Columbia Heights church: Associational VBS Clinic; April 26, 9-11 a.m.; Janice Steele, clinic leader; Bruce McGee, pastor.   • BAKER - First church: Spring Keyboard Concert; May 4, 6 … [Read more...]

Southern Baptist International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin has given missionaries who have not yet affirmed the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message until May 5 to do so.   Those who decline are asked to resign by that date or face termination by trustees. Southern Baptist International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin has given missionaries who have not yet affirmed the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message until May 5 to do so.   Those who decline are asked to resign by that date or face termination by trustees.   In a letter sent April 11 to 18 missionary units (31 people), Rankin noted he asked Southern Baptist field personnel to affirm the faith statement more than a year ago. Since then, 98.7 percent of the 5,500 overseas workers have affirmed the document.   Rankin wrote: "I am grateful for your years of service and would be delighted if you should decide to affirm the current Baptist Faith and Message and continue your effective ministry. ... Apart from that, I would like to ask that you consider resigning rather than maintaining a position that would undermine the integrity and credibility of the (International Mission Board).   "If I do not hear from … [Read more...]

A recent Baptist Press profile of U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige has attracted a lot of attention - but not all favorable.   Paige has been hit by critics for comments attributed to him in the profile published April 7. He has fired back by citing the transcripts of his interview - which he taped - and standing by his views. A recent Baptist Press profile of U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige has attracted a lot of attention - but not all favorable.   Paige has been hit by critics for comments attributed to him in the profile published April 7. He has fired back by citing the transcripts of his interview - which he taped - and standing by his views.   Meanwhile, the Southern Baptist Convention news service has announced it has fired one of its contributing writers because of his handling of the story. On April 11, Baptist Press announced it had discontinued use of articles written by Todd Starnes because of "factual and contextual errors" contained in the April 7 release. Starnes is a former Baptist Press reporter who now serves as director of public affairs at Union University in Jackson, Tenn.   The April 7 story offered a personal and professional glimpse at Paige, … [Read more...]