Growing up in Mexico, Dotty Mobley says she dispised the Hispanics there. That was before she became a Christian.   Now, she is teaching Hispanics in Sunday School at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Wisner, a group she says she "can’t get enough of."   A major part of the church’s Spanish-speaking ministry, Mobley was responsible for starting the Bible Study class. Growing up in Mexico, Dotty Mobley says she dispised the Hispanics there. That was before she became a Christian.   Now, she is teaching Hispanics in Sunday School at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Wisner, a group she says she "can’t get enough of."   A major part of the church’s Spanish-speaking ministry, Mobley was responsible for starting the Bible Study class.   The group, mostly from Catholic backgrounds, has been studying the book of John for a year.   "I chose John because I felt that was a good start for them," Mobley explains. "This was because they were mixed up about who God and Jesus were and needed to know praying to idols won’t get you into heaven.   "I was wanting to get them on the right track."   A year ago, Carl Haring, manager of Haring’s Pride … [Read more...]

I am writing in response to a letter posted by Norman and Dorothy Sutton of Shreveport. In this letter, the Suttons point out scriptures that make it very clear that we are to pray in Jesus’ name. I am writing in response to a letter posted by Norman and Dorothy Sutton of Shreveport. In this letter, the Suttons point out scriptures that make it very clear that we are to pray in Jesus’ name.   I totally agree!   However, is it the mere mention of Jesus’name that the scripture is talking about or the spirit in which we pray? I believe it’s the latter. To simply speak the name of Jesus with no reverence in your heart would be as beneficial as praying in the name of Oscar Mayer.   I see nothing wrong with closing your prayer with a simple "Amen," if you know in your heart that you are praying in the name of Jesus. After all, it is this relationship with Christ that allows us to go directly to God, so how else could we truly pray?   Cody Froelich, Knoxville, TN … [Read more...]

For the week of March 14, 2002 Potpourri • ALEXANDRIA - Southern Gospel Showcase will be featured on 31 KLAX - ABC at 6:30 a.m. through March; Mark Lanier and Marcelle Slaughter, showcase hosts.   • BOYCE - First church: "True Love Waits Weekend," March 15-16, cost is $12; for information call Brent or Hannah Romero at (318) 793-4389; Jim Lofton, pastor.   • KILLIAN - First Church: The Believers in concert; March 23, 7:30 p.m.; tickets $5 in advance/$7 at the door; for information call (225) 695-6581; David Whitehead, pastor.   • LONGVILLE - First church: "On Mission Celebration Conference," March 17, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; March 18-20, 7 p.m.; various missionary speakers; Stuart Graves, pastor.   • PRAIRIEVILLE - Dutchtown church: Lottie Stephens Association Winter Bible Study; March 18-20, 7 p.m.; Allan Moseley, study leader; Paul Harris, pastor.   • MINDEN - Webster-Claiborne Association sponsors a Jack Daniels Area Wide Crusade at Minden High School stadium; March 24-27, 7 p.m.; various speakers include Donnie Gay, champion bull rider, Marty Haggard, son of Merle Haggard; Randy Hales, director of missions.   • MINDEN - Emmanuel church: association … [Read more...]

Most ministers’ salary "packages" create a false impression of how much money ministers really take home, Richard Skidmore said.   Thus, it is imperative that ministers and churches plan correctly on compensation matters, stressed Skidmore, a Tennessee Baptist Convention church ministers’ financial support specialist. Skidmore recently spoke at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Most ministers’ salary "packages" create a false impression of how much money ministers really take home, Richard Skidmore said.   Thus, it is imperative that ministers and churches plan correctly on compensation matters, stressed Skidmore, a Tennessee Baptist Convention church ministers’ financial support specialist. Skidmore recently spoke at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   When John Q. Church Member sees an annual line item of $35,000 for the minister’s salary, the inclination is to compare that salary to someone who works in the secular arena, such as Wal-Mart or Saturn, Skidmore explained during a recent address at the Southern Baptist school.   But when one examines the comparison more closely, the minister really is not making the same, he said.   Indeed, … [Read more...]

It used to be so easy for corporate America when it came to time off for religious holidays - everything closes on Christmas, Jewish employees would take off Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and that was that.   But today’s more diverse work force means that more diverse religious beliefs and customs have been introduced into the Christian-dominated American workplace, and companies now must consider time-off requests for a long list of unfamiliar holidays. It used to be so easy for corporate America when it came to time off for religious holidays - everything closes on Christmas, Jewish employees would take off Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and that was that.   But today’s more diverse work force means that more diverse religious beliefs and customs have been introduced into the Christian-dominated American workplace, and companies now must consider time-off requests for a long list of unfamiliar holidays.   What if a Muslim worker wants time off for Eid al-Fitr?   What if someone of the Baha’i faith wants special arrangements for the nine Holy Days during which that religion forbids work?   Or what about Hindus who celebrate a number of holidays that fall on … [Read more...]

More than 1,000 Christian volun-teers from 21 states traveled to Salt Lake City recently to minister during the Winter Olympics.   And several of the lessons they learned can be applied to special events in local communities, said Beth Ann Williams, director of Global Outreach 2002, the Southern Baptist ministry effort at the Olympics. More than 1,000 Christian volun-teers from 21 states traveled to Salt Lake City recently to minister during the Winter Olympics.   And several of the lessons they learned can be applied to special events in local communities, said Beth Ann Williams, director of Global Outreach 2002, the Southern Baptist ministry effort at the Olympics.   "There are all kinds of festivals," she related. "Anywhere people are gathered and they are excited and they are open, it’s the same principle, basically, of meeting people where they are."   Williams offered three tips for churches looking to minister at special events:   • Look at what is happening. Nearly every community has a local fair, festival or event that draws people together, Williams said. The secret is looking around to see what ministry opportunities are available.   "Put … [Read more...]

Leslie Keyes sits on the edge of a recliner in his living room, handing photographs of an earlier time to a visitor seated on the nearby sofa.   Most are black-and-white snapshots, apparently scanned and reprinted from originals. He offers a sentence or two of explanation with each one.   Keyes and his guest have been talking for almost an hour. The photographs are a way of summing up the conversation - offering glimpses of Keyes’ life in Louisiana and Honduras. Editor’s Note: The following article represents the first in a periodic series in which the Baptist Message will seek to update stories that appeared in earlier issues of the state newspaper. In this instance, the article is based on a story that appeared in the November 12, 1964 issue of the Baptist Message.   Leslie Keyes sits on the edge of a recliner in his living room, handing photographs of an earlier time to a visitor seated on the nearby sofa.   Most are black-and-white snapshots, apparently scanned and reprinted from originals. He offers a sentence or two of explanation with each one.   Keyes and his guest have been talking for almost an hour. The photographs are a way of summing up the … [Read more...]

Former Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director Mark Short died March 20 in Alexandria.   Short was 73. He had been diagnosed with cancer late last year.   The Texas native enjoyed a 47-year career in Southern Baptist life, serving churches, as a seminary professor and as leader of the 1,500-church Louisiana Baptist Convention. Former LBC Executive Director Mark Short dies   Former Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director Mark Short died March 20 in Alexandria.   Short was 73. He had been diagnosed with cancer late last year.   The Texas native enjoyed a 47-year career in Southern Baptist life, serving churches, as a seminary professor and as leader of the 1,500-church Louisiana Baptist Convention.   Short was a graduate of three institutions. After graduating from the University of New York, Short earned a masters degree in business administration from the University of Oklahoma and a doctor of education degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   Short spent 16 years serving five churches in Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas as either minister of music or education.   In 1966, he became … [Read more...]

More than 100 Louisiana Baptist Acteens recently obeyed Christ’s advice, as they took up their cross and followed him - literally.   The theme for this year’s Louisiana Baptist Acteens Conference was "Carry the Cross." At the beginning of the Friday night session, Acteens from Mississippi carried a six-foot wooden cross into Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth, where the Louisiana Acteens were meeting. More than 100 Louisiana Baptist Acteens recently obeyed Christ’s advice, as they took up their cross and followed him - literally.   The theme for this year’s Louisiana Baptist Acteens Conference was "Carry the Cross." At the beginning of the Friday night session, Acteens from Mississippi carried a six-foot wooden cross into Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth, where the Louisiana Acteens were meeting.   The cross remained before the girls in the activities building until the convention’s Saturday morning session, when the participants followed other Acteens as they carried the cross from the building out to the highway.   "My challenge to you is to be ready and willing to do his will," Louisiana Baptist Youth and Young Adult Director Kevin … [Read more...]

In 1969, W.D. "Step" Martin left Alabama to become pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Shreveport.   Earlier this month, Martin left that pastorate, retiring after 33 years of ministry marked by growth and baptisms. In 1969, W.D. "Step" Martin left Alabama to become pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Shreveport.   Earlier this month, Martin left that pastorate, retiring after 33 years of ministry marked by growth and baptisms.   "Calvary Baptist Church has never been about buildings," Martin said during a retirement service attended by hundreds at Bossier Civic Center. "It’s never been about money. It’s never been about budgets. Calvary Baptist Church is about souls."   The numbers bear out the testimony. Since Martin arrived, the church has baptized more than 4,500 and added more than 4,600 members by letter. It has moved from a five-acre site to an 80-acre plant. And its average Sunday attendance has grown from 620 to 1,000.   The church also has begun an on-site academy and established an independent budget to support worldwide missions.   "(Bro. Martin’s) ministry has touched people from Cedar Grove to New Orleans, from New York to Ethiopia," a … [Read more...]