Some 2,000 years ago, Jesus offered some final instruc-tions that his disciples were to go into all parts of the world to proclaim his Good News.   Year after year, Louisiana Baptists continue to heed the call, often spending summer vacations and time off in missions efforts in their own backyards and others backyards around the nation and world. Some 2,000 years ago, Jesus offered some final instruc-tions that his disciples were to go into all parts of the world to proclaim his Good News.   Year after year, Louisiana Baptists continue to heed the call, often spending summer vacations and time off in missions efforts in their own backyards and others backyards around the nation and world.   This year was no different, with Louisiana Baptist members and churches engaging in a host of missions efforts.   Some engaged in efforts through organized Southern Baptist programs, such as World Changers, which gave young people an opportunity to engage in hands-on ministry and missions around the nation and world.   Others organized their own church efforts, identifying a need and mobilizing to meet it.   Still others made use of the various missions … [Read more...]

While many college students soaked up sun on the beach or worked in an office building this summer, some Louisiana college students took the trip of a lifetime in the United States and overseas.   "I honestly went to Africa because I felt like it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see another part of the world and to do ministry at the same time," says Louisiana Baptist Campus Ministry President Chad Gilbert, who served in Burkina Faso. While many college students soaked up sun on the beach or worked in an office building this summer, some Louisiana college students took the trip of a lifetime in the United States and overseas.   "I honestly went to Africa because I felt like it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see another part of the world and to do ministry at the same time," says Louisiana Baptist Campus Ministry President Chad Gilbert, who served in Burkina Faso.   A senior sociology major at Louisiana College in Pineville, Gilbert was one of 93 college students from 17 campuses in Louisiana to take part in Baptist Collegiate Ministry summer missions.   Students served in a variety of roles, such as church planter, English as a Second Language … [Read more...]

For the week of October 17, 2002 Support for Iraq action Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission President Richard Land recently affirmed to President George Bush that military action against Saddam Hussein’s regime would be justified. Four other Christian leaders joined Land in the letter, sent on Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission letterhead - Bill Bright of Campus Crusade, Chuck Colson of Prison Fellowship, James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Ministries and Carl Herbster of the American Association of Christian Schools. The leaders said they believed a military campaign against Iraq would fit within the guidelines of a "just war," as outlined by Christian theologians centuries ago. Some just-war advocates have not expressed as much assurance, while other religious leaders have voiced opposition to a military effort. "We believe that the cost of not dealing with this threat now will only succeed in greatly increasing the cost in human lives and suffering when an even more heavily armed and dangerous Saddam Hussein must be confronted at some date in the not too distant future," Land and his cosigners said. They questioned how the 20th century might have been different had Adolf Hitler been … [Read more...]

Why did God let Hurricane Hugo hit our town? Why didn’t he let the storm dissipate instead of destroying so much?"   Struggle as we might, our finite minds are simply not capable of answering adequately these questions. The best we can do is say God gave mankind the mind to protect ourselves against the storm. Note: The following editorial by Editor Lynn P. Clayton first was published in the October 5, 1989 issue of the Louisiana Baptist Message. It is reprinted in this issue as Editor Clayton continues to recover from successful surgery on a brain abscess. The editorial seemed particularly fitting as South Louisiana residents recover from Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili.   Why did God let Hurricane Hugo hit our town? Why didn’t he let the storm dissipate instead of destroying so much?"   Struggle as we might, our finite minds are simply not capable of answering adequately these questions. The best we can do is say God gave mankind the mind to protect ourselves against the storm. The "why" of the storm will have to wait until we no longer "see dimly through a veil." We may not like coming against such a brick wall of intellectual limitations, but there is little else we … [Read more...]

There is not much to do in the interior Alaskan village of Nenana during the cold winters that begin in October and end as late as May.   By mid-winter, the town’s 412 residents see only three to four hours of daylight each day.   And with temperatures dipping as low as minus-60, teenagers from both native and Anglo backgrounds often retreat into the darkness of alcohol, drugs, spiritism and hopelessness. There is not much to do in the interior Alaskan village of Nenana during the cold winters that begin in October and end as late as May.   By mid-winter, the town’s 412 residents see only three to four hours of daylight each day.   And with temperatures dipping as low as minus-60, teenagers from both native and Anglo backgrounds often retreat into the darkness of alcohol, drugs, spiritism and hopelessness.   That is why Nenana Community Church again sponsored a Crossfire basketball camp this year, aimed at presenting rural teens with the opportunity not only to improve their basketball skills but also to encounter the hope-filled message of the gospel.   The church was started two years ago by Virginia natives Russ and Alice Sharrock, who took … [Read more...]

When Russ and Alice Sharrock first came from Toccoa, Ga., to Nenana, Alaska, in 1998 to assist with a Christian radio station, they were struck by the need they encountered.   Specifically, they recall feeling deeply burdened by the need for a new church - a church that would be vitally involved in the sometimes troubled local life of this Alaskan interior river village.   Naysayers predicted it would take five long years to establish a church in such a hardened mission field. When Russ and Alice Sharrock first came from Toccoa, Ga., to Nenana, Alaska, in 1998 to assist with a Christian radio station, they were struck by the need they encountered.   Specifically, they recall feeling deeply burdened by the need for a new church - a church that would be vitally involved in the sometimes troubled local life of this Alaskan interior river village.   Naysayers predicted it would take five long years to establish a church in such a hardened mission field.   But despite such warnings and armed with the support of others, the Sharrocks returned in 2000 as church planters.   Nenana Community Church was born.   "We had a church within four weeks of … [Read more...]

As a duo of horses arrive in the arena at West Monroe’s Ike-Hamilton Exposition Center, a crowd of 300 eagerly anticipate Paul Daily’s afternoon performance of roping a horse. Before Daily enters the arena, the American and Christian flags are displayed, with music such as the National Anthem played in the background. It is around 2:30 when the professional roper makes his way into the pavilion, dressed in his cowboy attire, with the horse he is going to rope standing nearby. This is one of two performances the Jena resident will do on this Saturday afternoon. The first show draws 150. As a duo of horses arrive in the arena at West Monroe’s Ike-Hamilton Exposition Center, a crowd of 300 eagerly anticipate Paul Daily’s afternoon performance of roping a horse. Before Daily enters the arena, the American and Christian flags are displayed, with music such as the National Anthem played in the background. It is around 2:30 when the professional roper makes his way into the pavilion, dressed in his cowboy attire, with the horse he is going to rope standing nearby. This is one of two performances the Jena resident will do on this Saturday afternoon. The first show draws 150. While this may seem like a regular rodeo, … [Read more...]

At one point last week, a volunteer worker walked across the street from the First Baptist Church of Abbeville to talk to the man who lived there about helping to cut up a tree laying in his yard. As the men talked, the local resident acknowledged he was Catholic and had had little use for Baptists through the years. However, he also acknowledged his views had changed. At one point last week, a volunteer worker walked across the street from the First Baptist Church of Abbeville to talk to the man who lived there about helping to cut up a tree laying in his yard. As the men talked, the local resident acknowledged he was Catholic and had had little use for Baptists through the years. However, he also acknowledged his views had changed. He confessed to the volunteer disaster relief worker - "I don’t know what those Baptists are doing or what they got, but I know on Sunday morning, I’m going across the street to that First Baptist there, and that’s where I’m going to church." As parts of South Louisiana shovel and sweep and cut their way out of the effects of Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili, they are finding Baptist after Baptist working alongside them - and they are responding with thanks. "The people … [Read more...]

I was saddened to read that Louisiana Baptists have lost one of their greatest servants and friends with the passing of Earl Mercer. Earl was a devoted Christian and family man who sought to honor God in all he did. He was noted beyond Louisiana for the excellent work he accomplished in service to Louisiana Baptists and children. He was a friend, an encourager and mentor to me as I have followed my calling. I was saddened to read that Louisiana Baptists have lost one of their greatest servants and friends with the passing of Earl Mercer. Earl was a devoted Christian and family man who sought to honor God in all he did. He was noted beyond Louisiana for the excellent work he accomplished in service to Louisiana Baptists and children. He was a friend, an encourager and mentor to me as I have followed my calling.   Earl was a pioneer Christian communicator. Before the bookstores were filled with "how to be a great communicator" books, Earl was writing living volumes of his own as he perfected his craft as the public relations director for the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home in Monroe.   I first met Earl at an association meeting. He presented the Children’s Home report. He guided the attentive … [Read more...]

For the week of October 17, 2002 Potpourri • DEQUINCY - DeQuincy First church: Sportsman’s banquet and deer hunting seminar; Oct. 22, 6 p.m.; David Fortenberry, guest speaker; $5 per ticket; to reserve tickets, call (337) 786-7072; salad, bread, dessert and drinks provided/bring main game dish; Byron Comish, pastor.   • WEST MONROE - Trinity church: Liberty Boys, in concert; Oct.19, 6 p.m.; Wesley Pittman, pastor.   • NEW ORLEANS - Lakeview church: Bob Stewart, guest speaker; Oct. 27, 6 p.m.; David Brown, pastor.   • COLFAX - Hudson Creek church: Annual Fun Day; Oct. 19, 12 noon; Bill Calloway, pastor.   • WOODWORTH - Tall Timbers Conference Center: "Louisiana Health Mission Update" Nursing Fellowship fall retreat; Nov. 1-2; Charles Norwood and Charles Walker, guest speakers; to register, call (800) 622-6549 or (318) 445-6797; Sam White, camp director.   • RAYVILLE - Eastside church: Richland association "Concert of Prayer," Oct. 22, 6:30 p.m.; Dick DeBusk, guest speaker; Mary Ann Parks, associational prayer coordinator; Kyle Coates, pastor.   • BETHANY - Camp Bethany: Senior adult retreat; Oct. 28 (registration at 8:30 a.m.) - Oct. 30 (ends at 9 … [Read more...]