Fall has arrived in Louisiana with bright blue skies and the kind of cool weather that the state enjoys too infrequently.   Gone are the worries of Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili. Few stories are found in the newspaper regarding the two storms that lashed the southern part of Louisiana within a week’s time. Fall has arrived in Louisiana with bright blue skies and the kind of cool weather that the state enjoys too infrequently.   Gone are the worries of Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili. Few stories are found in the newspaper regarding the two storms that lashed the southern part of Louisiana within a week’s time.   But that does not mean everyone has recovered from the wind and water pushed into the state in late September and early October. People remain in need.   And that can only mean that Louisiana Baptists remain at work.   By the middle of this week, all of the disaster relief feeding kitchens were expected to be closed. By that time, they would have served close to 250,000 meals in the aftermath of the two storms.   By the start of next week, the major recovery operations could be complete as well, said Buddy Day, director of … [Read more...]

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. 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 … [Read more...]

If Halloween is just around the corner and Thanksgiving is less than a month away, that can mean only one thing - Louisiana Baptists are getting ready to gather for their annual convention.   This year, church members from across the state are preparing to meet in Bossier City at the Bossier City Civic Center on Nov. 11-12 for their annual two-day gathering of business, fellowship and inspiration. If Halloween is just around the corner and Thanksgiving is less than a month away, that can mean only one thing - Louisiana Baptists are getting ready to gather for their annual convention.   This year, church members from across the state are preparing to meet in Bossier City at the Bossier City Civic Center on Nov. 11-12 for their annual two-day gathering of business, fellowship and inspiration.   The annual convention is set to begin with a Monday evening session and conclude late Tuesday afternoon.   However, in those 24 hours and three sessions, Louisiana Baptists will pack a full agenda.   As in past years, election of officers will be a highlight item of business, especially when it comes to president.   However, this year’s top election appears no … [Read more...]

In one way, the numbers tell the story of John Williams’ tenure as executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.   Endowment climbed past $21 million. Some 950 children went through the home during his 16 years of leadership. More than a dozen counseling centers were opened around the state to aid families in crisis.   But those are not the numbers Williams talks about when he reflects on his work at the Louisiana Baptist agency. In one way, the numbers tell the story of John Williams’ tenure as executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.   Endowment climbed past $21 million. Some 950 children went through the home during his 16 years of leadership. More than a dozen counseling centers were opened around the state to aid families in crisis.   But those are not the numbers Williams talks about when he reflects on his work at the Louisiana Baptist agency.   Williams speaks of the one boy who became the first to attend college in his family and now is pursuing a doctorate.   He speaks of the one girl who left the home, got married and now is rearing children of her own in a Christian home.   And he speaks of the … [Read more...]

For the week of October 31, 2002 Missionary affirmations Nearly 99 percent of Southern Baptist missionaries have complied with a request to affirm the 2000 "Baptist Faith and Message," Southern Baptist International Mission Board officials report. Senior Vice President Avery Willis reportedly is talking personally with missionaries who have not yet complied with a January request to sign an affirmation of the faith statement. A total of 26 missionaries have resigned while specifically citing the request as a factor in their decision. Resignations for six others are awaiting trustee action in November. A total of 5,437 international missionaries currently serve with the mission board. Graham crusade Southern Baptist Evangelist Billy Graham broke attendance records for Texas Stadium the last two nights of the Oct. 17-20 Metroplex Mission. Organizers said that 11,097 spiritual decisions were recorded during the crusade. Officials said 4.4 percent of the nearly 255,000 people attending mission meetings made decisions for Christ. A Saturday night service aimed at a youth audience broke the attendance record for the Dallas-area stadium in Irving, drawing 82,000. The following Sunday evening service broke that record … [Read more...]

Chasing rats out of cupboards, painting bars on windows and making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches usually are not thought of as life-changing ministry.   However, Hawaii high school students found out differently when they helped an Oahu church start a Christian Women’s Job Corps. Chasing rats out of cupboards, painting bars on windows and making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches usually are not thought of as life-changing ministry.   However, Hawaii high school students found out differently when they helped an Oahu church start a Christian Women’s Job Corps.   Homelessness and poverty are as common as the sun, surf and sand to many people along Oahu’s Leeward coast. And the First Baptist Church of Nanakuli sees this firsthand every Friday as it feeds as many people as the food on hand will allow.   Sometimes, as many as 200 people receive food in just a few hours, leaders of the Hawaii Baptist church note.   "They say, ‘Thank you,’ and they’re grateful, and we can feed them forever and still not get them out of poverty," pastor Wayne Waterhouse says.   However, with many of the people being single women on welfare or homeless on the beach, the … [Read more...]

The story of three Shreveport area churches’ relocation is so remarkable there is no doubt "that God was in this," Morningside Baptist Church pastor Terry Lodatto insists.   Lodatto’s congregation recently sold their property to From Bondage to Freedom, an African-American Bossier City church. The story of three Shreveport area churches’ relocation is so remarkable there is no doubt "that God was in this," Morningside Baptist Church pastor Terry Lodatto insists.   Lodatto’s congregation recently sold their property to From Bondage to Freedom, an African-American Bossier City church.   Morningside then bought Brookwood Baptist Church’s facilities with the monies received from sale of its property.   Meanwhile, Brookwood is proceeding with construction of a new church plant.   Until it is completed, Morningside and Brookwood congregations will share facilities - with church offices located across the street from one another.   "All three churches are winners because of this," Lodatto says. "(From Bondage to Freedom) is going to minister to the community we left, we’ll minister to the Brookwood community and Brookwood will have a new … [Read more...]

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Executive Board to clarify the relationship of the Directors of Missions to the various associations and reaffirm the autonomy of the various associations;   BE IT RESOLVED, that the Executive Board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention rescinds any previously adopted recommendation for employing and calling a Director of Missions and adopts the following employment options: WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Executive Board to clarify the relationship of the Directors of Missions to the various associations and reaffirm the autonomy of the various associations;   BE IT RESOLVED, that the Executive Board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention rescinds any previously adopted recommendation for employing and calling a Director of Missions and adopts the following employment options:   Option One: That the associations employ, supervise and pay the salary and expenses of the Director of Missions of their choice.   Option Two: That the associations enter into a contract with the Executive Board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, whereby the Executive Board would employ the Directors of Missions.   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Executive … [Read more...]

Within days, Louisiana Baptists will be asked to approve a revamped director of missions proposal, outlining the role of the state and local associations in the process.   Action on the proposal at the upcoming state convention will culminate some 10 months of study, discussion and debate about how associational directors of missions should be employed, paid and administered. Within days, Louisiana Baptists will be asked to approve a revamped director of missions proposal, outlining the role of the state and local associations in the process.   Action on the proposal at the upcoming state convention will culminate some 10 months of study, discussion and debate about how associational directors of missions should be employed, paid and administered.   And while it appeared a few weeks ago that the issue would be a divisive one, it looks now like the revamped proposal is being viewed favorably by most concerned.   "Any real or perceived problems about the relationship of directors of missions to both the association and state convention have been studied and addressed, and an adequate recommendation has been made," maintained Dean Doster, executive director of the Louisiana … [Read more...]

For the week of October 31, 2002 Potpourri • DENHAM SPRINGS - Hebron church: Marty Haggard in concert; Nov. 2, 5 p.m.; Rob Burns, pastor.   • LAFAYETTE - First church: "In His Hands" seminar for men/women; Nov. 9, 9 a.m. registration; $15 per person/includes lunch; Rachel Norris, Beau Guidry and Mary Langford, guest speakers; for information or tickets, call (337) 233-1774 ext. 3039 or Annette Smith at (337) 981-2352; Perry Sanders, pastor.   • JONESVILLE - First church: Face Down in concert; Nov. 9, 7 p.m.; Gary Norris, interim pastor.   • BENTON - Cypress church: "Judgement House" walk through drama; Oct. 30, Nov. 2-3, 6-9 p.m.; tours begin every 10 minutes; $2 donation; for information, call (318) 965-9233; Richard Young, pastor.   • RINGGOLD - Springhill church: Down East Boys in concert; Nov. 2, 7 p.m.; Eric Hodge, pastor. Revival • RAYVILLE - Eastside church: Oct. 30 - Nov. 3, 7 p.m. with homecoming services Nov. 3, 10:50 p.m.; Ed Blankenship, evangelist; Kyle Coates, pastor.   • WINNFIELD - First church: Nov. 10, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Nov. 11-13, 11:45 a.m. service with lunch to follow and 7 p.m.; Larry Ramsour, evangelist; Phillip Willis, music; Lindsey … [Read more...]