When it comes to reaching Muslims with the gospel of Jesus Christ, relationships and conversation can lead to evangelism, George Braswell said.   "The best way to win a Muslim to Christ is through your example," said Braswell, a former missionary to Iran and professor of missions and world religions at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. When it comes to reaching Muslims with the gospel of Jesus Christ, relationships and conversation can lead to evangelism, George Braswell said.   "The best way to win a Muslim to Christ is through your example," said Braswell, a former missionary to Iran and professor of missions and world religions at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C.   It is a simple process - and coupled with a sincere desire to understand Muslims, it is one that can prove effective in leading them to a relationship with Jesus, he said.   Most Muslims live peaceful lives, separated from the violence and terrorism often associated with the faith as reported in the media, Braswell noted. He added that learning to move past negative preconceptions is vital to witnessing effectively to Muslims.   "Both … [Read more...]

For the week of March 20, 2003 Potpourri • DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: "True Contentment" ladies retreat; April 4, 6 p.m.- April 5, noon; Rhonda Kelley,guest speaker; Paulette May, music; $35 per person/lodging, $25/commuters and $15/one day; for information or to register, call (318) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager.   • BENTON - Red River church: "Spring Fling" community block party; March 22, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Brian D. Prucey, pastor.   • FERRIDAY - Lake St. John Community church: "Singspiration" presented by the combined choirs of Lake St. John Community church and Lakeshore church; March 30, 6 p.m.; Carl Wilson, pastor.   • NATCHITOCHES - First church: Sherry Blackwell, guest speaker; April 3, 6:30 p.m.; Clarence Powell, interim pastor.   • HOUMA - Christ church: Leo Humphrey, guest speaker; March 23, 10:45 a.m.; John C. Baye, Jr., pastor.   • COUSHATTA - First church: Red River Association Fifth Sunday Singing featuring the associational choir; March 29, 6 p.m.; Benny Alford, pastor.   • BATON ROUGE - Florida Blvd. church: The Singing Ministers of Louisiana in concert; March 27, 7 p.m; Stephen Trammell, pastor.   • DEQUINCY - Northside … [Read more...]

This has been an issue with me for some time - "my church," "your church," "our church." I hear these statements constantly. Yes, I am guilty also. This has been an issue with me for some time - "my church," "your church," "our church." I hear these statements constantly. Yes, I am guilty also.   The fact of the matter is that the Bible states the church belongs to Christ Jesus. Col. 1:18 says, "He is the head of the body, the church; and he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that he himself might come to have first place in everything." Matt. 18:18 says, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it." In Matthew, as Jesus spoke this verse, there is no other name given. He did not say, "Let us build our church."   My brothers and sisters in Christ, do we have a right to claim the church ours? Acts 20:28 states that Jesus purchased the church with his own blood. What price have we paid to claim the church to be ours?   Even John, when he wrote to the churches in the Book of Revelation, addressed "to the church in Smyrna" and so forth. The Bible addresses the church as being the … [Read more...]

To understand the impact of the current economic situation on the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, one first must understand important facts about how the ministry is funded, Darrell Washam said.   Important fact one - the home receives only about 15 percent of its annual budget through the Louisiana Baptist Cooperative Program.   Important fact two - the home generates only about 12 percent of its annual budget through investments and such things as oil and gas leases on properties. To understand the impact of the current economic situation on the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, one first must understand important facts about how the ministry is funded, Darrell Washam said.   Important fact one - the home receives only about 15 percent of its annual budget through the Louisiana Baptist Cooperative Program.   Important fact two - the home generates only about 12 percent of its annual budget through investments and such things as oil and gas leases on properties.   Important fact three - the home must generate the remaining 73 percent of its budget through another source.   Important fact four - the home has no ready-made channel of revenue that … [Read more...]

Two of the three attorneys participating in a recent hearing related to a federal case challenging Louisiana sales tax exemptions for religious groups and churches left the courtroom encouraged.   That is good news for religious groups that hope to have the exemptions restored - after a federal judge ruled them unconstitutional last year. Two of the three attorneys participating in a recent hearing related to a federal case challenging Louisiana sales tax exemptions for religious groups and churches left the courtroom encouraged.   That is good news for religious groups that hope to have the exemptions restored - after a federal judge ruled them unconstitutional last year.   Attorneys Charles Braud and Greg Erwin both agreed they were cheered by the direction of oral arguments for a reversal of that decision before the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.   "I think it went great," said Braud, assistant district attorney for the state of Louisiana.   "The questions by the judges were encouraging," added Erwin, attorney for the Louisiana Baptist Convention.   The pair of attorneys took the lead in arguments before the three-judge federal … [Read more...]

Unlike ministers in some faiths, Baptist preachers do not perform last rites for the dying or offer prayers for the dead.   However, pastor Fred Raney spent nearly two weeks walking the woodlands of East Texas recently, reading Scripture and praying over the recovered remains of each of the seven Columbia space shuttle astronauts.   The goal was to treat the deceased with dignity and provide comfort for those left behind, said Raney, pastor at First Baptist Church of Hemphill, Texas. Unlike ministers in some faiths, Baptist preachers do not perform last rites for the dying or offer prayers for the dead.   However, pastor Fred Raney spent nearly two weeks walking the woodlands of East Texas recently, reading Scripture and praying over the recovered remains of each of the seven Columbia space shuttle astronauts.   The goal was to treat the deceased with dignity and provide comfort for those left behind, said Raney, pastor at First Baptist Church of Hemphill, Texas.   "My main purpose in going was to be able to let the families know we were there for the people they loved - that we remembered them and honored them," he says.   Raney served as a chaplain … [Read more...]

For the week of March 20, 2003 Abortion ban The U.S. Senate has approved a federal ban on partial-birth abortion, apparently clearing the way for the measure to become law after several years of struggle. The Senate approved the Partial-birth Abortion Ban Act in a 64-33 vote. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to easily pass the legislation, which outlaws a procedure that involves the killing of a nearly totally-delivered fetus in the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy. If so, the bill will arrive on the desk of a president who is committed to signing it into law. Indeed, immediately after the Senate’s action, President George Bush said he looked forward to endorsing the ban. Pro-life leaders applauded the vote. Twice before, Congress has approved bans on the procedure - only to have them vetoed by President Bill Clinton. In both 1996 and 1998, the U.S. House of Representatives achieved the two-thirds majorities necessary to override vetoes, but the Senate fell short. Easter crosses For several years, Gene and Lynda Murray of Hoover, Ala., celebrated Easter in a way that displayed their faith to their neighbors. They erected a six-foot cross in their front yard, testifying to passersby that Easter … [Read more...]

For the week of March 27, 2003 Relief for Iraqis   Baptist workers in Jordan have begun ministering to refugees who are fleeing hostilities in Iraq. Working in cooperation with the Baptist Society of Jordan, Southern Baptist workers have distributed diapers, formula for babies and blankets in camps set up along the Iraq/Jordan border. The workers also plan to address hunger, nutritional and medical needs as the situation unfolds. In addition to money to purchase relief supplies, the team is seeking volunteers at this time, leaders report. "We call on all Southern Baptists to join in fervent prayer for the peoples of Iraq, that this time of turmoil and uncertainty might cause them to seek God," a Southern Baptist missions official said. "We ask them to give generously to relief efforts. ... We also call on them to give themselves for work in the region - as living examples of God’s love for the Iraqi people." Contributions for relief may be mailed to: Iraq Response, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230-0767. Make checks payable to International Mission Board and designate "Iraq Response - General Relief." Medical professionals interested in volunteering for medical outreach projects should e-mail … [Read more...]

The live images of the sights and sounds and courage and carnage of war come right into our homes and offices as never before.   The televison news coverage of the Vietnam conflict was at its time astounding. Americans saw the vivid videoed news reports of that war on the evening network news as they relaxed after a day’s work. The live images of the sights and sounds and courage and carnage of war come right into our homes and offices as never before.   The televison news coverage of the Vietnam conflict was at its time astounding. Americans saw the vivid videoed news reports of that war on the evening network news as they relaxed after a day’s work. The images gave Americans direct images of war. They knew although the war was occurring halfway around the globe, they were watching reports of battles that had been fought only hours or a couple of days earlier.   Now, we watch live battles via television. The lens of the television camera become our peephole to war as it occurs.   It is not pretty.   Regardless of the reasons for war, W.T. Sherman was right when he said in a speech, "There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is … [Read more...]

Baptist youngsters and adults have walked the hills of Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center near Woodworth for decades.   If they would confess, many of those young people - and maybe even some adults who attended the conference center - have slinked through the woods and waded the waters of Indian Creek that flows on the north side of the land, pretending they were Native Americans stalking game or hiding from an approaching party. Baptist youngsters and adults have walked the hills of Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center near Woodworth for decades.   If they would confess, many of those young people - and maybe even some adults who attended the conference center - have slinked through the woods and waded the waters of Indian Creek that flows on the north side of the land, pretending they were Native Americans stalking game or hiding from an approaching party.   They might be surprised to know that their imaginations were not so far from what actually happened in that area almost 2,000 years ago.   Louisiana Baptists are not the only ones - nor were they the first - to think the site was an ideal camping spot.   Folks have been camping on the Tall Timbers … [Read more...]