Statistics from the Southern Baptist Annuity Board reveal people who cared for Louisiana Baptists are not being cared for.   Presently, 736 retired persons, the vast majority ministers, who live in Louisiana receive annuitant payments from the Annuity Board. Statistics from the Southern Baptist Annuity Board reveal people who cared for Louisiana Baptists are not being cared for.   Presently, 736 retired persons, the vast majority ministers, who live in Louisiana receive annuitant payments from the Annuity Board.   Here are the heartbreaking segments of those statistics.   Of the 736, 34 receive from one to 50 dollars per month. Seventy-eight receive from $51 to $100 per month. One hundred and twenty six receive $101 to $200 per month. There are 108 annuitants who receive from $201 to $300 per month.   These figures mean 346 retired Louisiana Baptist ministers receive less than $300 per month in retirement pay from the Annuity Board. Only 390 receive more than $301 per month, or an average of $505. Even with maximum Social Security benefits added to these amounts, the funds do not provide a comfortable retirement.   Frequently, there is added tragedy. … [Read more...]

One pair of blue jeans may not mean much to most teenagers, but for Courtney Haynes, Miss Teen Louisiana 2001, that article of clothing shaped the rest of her life.   While a sixth grader, Haynes’ family experienced a financial crisis, and she was left with just one pair of jeans to wear the entire year. One pair of blue jeans may not mean much to most teenagers, but for Courtney Haynes, Miss Teen Louisiana 2001, that article of clothing shaped the rest of her life.   While a sixth grader, Haynes’ family experienced a financial crisis, and she was left with just one pair of jeans to wear the entire year.   "Before that, I was a cheerleader, popular and well-off," says Haynes, a member at First Baptist Church of West Monroe. "I lost everything, and that’s when I started to realize it wasn’t about the way I looked but the hero that’s inside me."   That time in Haynes’ life inspired her to develop the "Hero Inside" program, which was her platform during the Miss Teen Louisiana Pageant. The program is designed to instill self-esteem and confidence in young students as they face challenges in their teenage years.   Only 16-years-old, Haynes has accomplished more than … [Read more...]

He heard the whispers as soon as he drew near to anyone.   "There he is - the tax-collecting scoundrel!"   "That’s him. I hope he falls and breaks his head!"   "May God curse him with a sad life!" He heard the whispers as soon as he drew near to anyone.   "There he is - the tax-collecting scoundrel!"   "That’s him. I hope he falls and breaks his head!"   "May God curse him with a sad life!"   Of course, the crowd would not allow him up front where he would have been able to see. No one wanted to be around him, much less help him by providing him a place to stand.   That is when he saw the tree and decided it would be an advantageous spot. One, he could see. Two, he would not have to listen to the vile comments of the rest of the people.   And that is where Jesus saw him.   And wonder of wonders - Jesus spoke to him.   And Zacchaeus could not believe - unlike every other comment he had been hearing and overhearing for who knows how long now, these words were kind.   Mark Twain once theorized that the difference between the right word and the almost-right word was the difference between … [Read more...]

Work continues in the effort to build or upgrade chapels at all Louisiana prisons, with the first of three such facilities planned for the state penitentiary in Angola to be dedicated this month. Work continues in the effort to build or upgrade chapels at all Louisiana prisons, with the first of three such facilities planned for the state penitentiary in Angola to be dedicated this month.   "There’s a tremendous amount of ministry taking place in these prisons," said Ross English, executive director of the Louisiana Prison Chapel Foundation, the non-profit group leading the charge to build the chapels. "We’re not just building chapels for chapels’ sake. We’re trying to provide a place for what’s already happening in the prisons."   That there is a need for ministry - and chapels - on Louisiana prison grounds is clear.   There are 15 state adult prison facilities in Louisiana. More than 38,000 state prisoners are housed in the state institutions, with the number growing each year. Indeed, Louisiana ranks second in its per capita incarceration rate.   More than one-third of inmates are sentenced for violent crimes - and one-third of them are in their 20s went sent to … [Read more...]

If Louisiana Baptists hope to reach the world for Christ, they must understand they are fighting a spiritual battle and use a spiritual weapon to win, David Uth said recently.   "If we try to win people to Christ using the means of the world, we will never see a harvest," Uth said during a dinner prior to the recent Louisiana Baptist Great Commission Prayer Conference in Ruston. Editor’s Note: The following article is from addresses related to the recent Louisiana Baptist Great Commission Prayer Conference. In upcoming weeks, the Baptist Message will present articles related to the conference. This article is based on an address delivered by David Uth at a dinner just prior to the two-day conference. Uth is pastor at First Baptist Church of West Monroe. This article was written by LBM Associate Editor C. Lacy Thompson.   If Louisiana Baptists hope to reach the world for Christ, they must understand they are fighting a spiritual battle and use a spiritual weapon to win, David Uth said recently.   "If we try to win people to Christ using the means of the world, we will never see a harvest," Uth said during a dinner prior to the recent Louisiana Baptist Great Commission Prayer … [Read more...]

News reports of the current special session of the Louisiana Legislature focus on several key items of economic development.   However, measures related to key moral and social issues also are pending. News reports of the current special session of the Louisiana Legislature focus on several key items of economic development.   However, measures related to key moral and social issues also are pending.   Proposed measures include:   • House Bill 3. The bill would establish "In God We Trust" prestige license plates if 1,000 requests are received. Money from the plates would be allocated to the Louisiana chapters of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts the Association of Retarded Persons.   • House Bill 13. The measure would amend the current state law on prayer. Current law establishes the right of students and teachers who wish to observe a brief time of prayer or meditation at the start of the school day. The proposed bill would stipulate that such prayer or meditation be silent.   • House Bill 22. Current law says students attending public elementary or secondary schools cannot be denied the right to participate in voluntary, student-initiated, student-led … [Read more...]

For the week of April 4, 2002 Potpourri   • RUSTON - First church: "Abundant Life: Living Above Your Circumstances" associational women’s conference; April 26-27; cost is $20; Mary Glynn-Peeples, guest speaker; Starla Harbin, music leader; for information, call Andrea Phillips at (318) 2544-5349; Philip Briggs, pastor.   • NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans Seminary: Second annual "Harry Eskew Sacred Harp Sing," April 13, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.; in the Sellers Music Building; includes covered dish luncheon which participants provide; free parking available; for information, call NOBTS music office at (504) 282-4455, ext. 3229.   • DENHAM SPRINGS - Hebron church: The Wilsons in concert; April 7, 6 p.m.; Rob Burns, pastor.   • JACKSON - Judson Retreat center: "Light Maker...Light Keeper" spring women’s retreat; April 26-27; April 15 registration deadline; $35/per person in cabin; $50/per person in motel (2-4 persons in room); Becky Brown and Patti Covington Higginbotham, retreat leaders; to register or for information, call (225) 634-7225; Eugene Morris, camp manager.   • EUNICE - Acadian center: Couple’s retreat; April 19-20; $65/lodgers - $40/commuters; meals included; Marvin and … [Read more...]

Most Christians understand the threat posed by militant Islam, but few are aware of a strain of Hindu radicalism targeting believers in India. Indeed, there is a "well-rehearsed plan for violence" against churches and evangelists in the sprawling sub-continent inhabited by one-sixth of the world’s population, said George Ninan, a South Asia director for Campus Crusade for Christ. Most Christians understand the threat posed by militant Islam, but few are aware of a strain of Hindu radicalism targeting believers in India. Indeed, there is a "well-rehearsed plan for violence" against churches and evangelists in the sprawling sub-continent inhabited by one-sixth of the world’s population, said George Ninan, a South Asia director for Campus Crusade for Christ. "One month ago two of our staff members were beaten up while they were talking to students at the university," Ninan said in an interview with the ASSIST News Service. "They were taken to the police station and the police did the same thing. "These are things that wouldn’t have happened a few years back." However, in recent years, militant groups have arisen that trumpet a Hindu "race" and culture, urging that Hinduism be recognized as the official state … [Read more...]