The Wednesday afternoon Royal Ambassadors session at Johenning Baptist Center in Washington, D.C., begins with the basics.   "Give me a verse," says Wes Garrett, director of the center.   "Joshua 1:9 - Do not be terrified, because your God will be with you wherever you go," one of the boys answers. The Wednesday afternoon Royal Ambassadors session at Johenning Baptist Center in Washington, D.C., begins with the basics.   "Give me a verse," says Wes Garrett, director of the center.   "Joshua 1:9 - Do not be terrified, because your God will be with you wherever you go," one of the boys answers.   "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is the light of my salvation. Whom shall I fear?" another responds.   If there is a common thread to those choices, it is not entirely coincidental. Fear is a significant issue in the Washington Highlands neighborhood of Southeast District of Columbia, where illegal drugs are the dominant industry.   However, Garrett insists that the more influence he can have through Royal Ambassadors and other ministries, the more likely young people and others are to discover Christ as the ultimate solution to the problems … [Read more...]

Annual North American missions emphasis calls Southern Baptists to prayer and giving - and to using their lives as a means of sharing the truth of the Christian gospel with others Annual North American missions emphasis calls Southern Baptists to prayer and giving - and to using their lives as a means of sharing the truth of the Christian gospel with others In the gospel of John, Jesus proclaimed to his disciples and others a simple truth that he is "the way and the truth and the life" - and the sole way to God. Since then, Christians have focused energies on passing along that word to others. For Southern Baptists, that focus has led them to engage in missions and ministries throughout the world. However, they have not neglected their own land as well, sending out workers across North America with a gospel charge. Each year, Southern Baptists recognize those workers during a week of prayer and focus on the task of North American missions, set for March 3-10 this year. During that time, they also emphasize the Annie Armstrong East Offering for North American Missions, which has a goal of providing some $52 million for missions efforts this year. But the annual emphasis is more than a time of prayer and giving. … [Read more...]

Nathan Bland is just six foot tall - but he still stands out to those he meets in Karamay, China.   Part of it is a natural reaction. While Chinese residents are used to having Americans visit their city to teach at Karamay Arts and Science College, they are not so accustomed to African-Americans. Nathan Bland is just six foot tall - but he still stands out to those he meets in Karamay, China.   Part of it is a natural reaction. While Chinese residents are used to having Americans visit their city to teach at Karamay Arts and Science College, they are not so accustomed to African-Americans.   "They’re getting used to me now," says Bland, one of three Louisiana College graduates currently in the Karamay area.   "Most thought that I was an African when they first saw me."   However, that is not the only reason Bland stands out, observers note. He also has become known for his impact on the Northwest China city. "There’s a new star in Karamay, and it is Nathan Bland," notes Zhan Wu Sheng, deputy president of Karamay Arts and Science College.   Indeed, even after Bland got a vehicle to drive, he did not qualify for a Chinese license, Sheng relates. … [Read more...]

One day, a friend stopped by Jerry Cupp’s house and asked him to take a ride - there was something he should see.   The friend drove to nearby Picayune, Miss., where the two men saw signs proclaiming, "Jesus is Lord of Picayune." One day, a friend stopped by Jerry Cupp’s house and asked him to take a ride - there was something he should see.   The friend drove to nearby Picayune, Miss., where the two men saw signs proclaiming, "Jesus is Lord of Picayune."   The signs gave Cupp an idea for his own town of Franklinton - but he could have had no idea what his decision would involve.   Indeed, Cupp’s decision to put "Jesus is Lord of Franklinton" signs up in his city has resulted in a lawsuit against the city and has sparked a grassroots movement that already seems to be spreading to other areas.   "It was just one of those things that I felt like the Lord wanted me to do, ..." he says.   "I never thought putting signs up on the road would cause such a fuss. ... But it’s just like the Bible says, as long as God gets the glory, that’s what it’s there for. Whatever anybody else thinks of it is between them and God. But I did it for the glory of … [Read more...]

For the week of February 21, 2002 Potpourri • WEST MONROE - Ridge Avenue church: Jake Hess, Ed Enoch, Golden Covenant in concert; Feb. 24, 6 p.m.; Robbie Freeman, music director; David Maxwell, pastor.   • ALEXANDRIA - Louisiana Baptist Convention: NET Training sponsored by LBC in conjunction with NAMB; March 19, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; if interested in becoming a NET pilot church call the Evangelism office at 1-800-622-6549 or (318) 448-3402.   • MERRYVILLE - Calvary church: women’s conference; March 15-16; Kathryn Presley, guest speaker; $15 registration fee due by March 9; mail to: Calvary Baptist Church, 424 Hwy 111, Merryville, LA 70653; nursery provided for ages three and under (specify if needed); Ricky Gallien, pastor.   • PINE PRAIRIE - First church: Higher Faith in concert; March 3, 6 p.m.; Ken Keller, music minister; David Plunkett, pastor.   • IOTA - First church: Rory Lee, Louisiana College president, will be guest speaker; Feb. 24, 10 a.m.; Bob Bollich, pastor.   • HEBERT - Welcome Home church: Blessed Assurance in concert; Feb. 24, 11 a.m.; Bill Gueringer, pastor.   • WALKER - Walker church: associational ladies conference; March 15-16; Renee … [Read more...]

An International Bible Society statement has denied its new gender-neutral "Today’s New International Version" bows to political correctness.   "There is an academic, linguistic rationale for the translation of every passage - and political correctness is most certainly not one of them," an International Bible Society statement declares. An International Bible Society statement has denied its new gender-neutral "Today’s New International Version" bows to political correctness.   "There is an academic, linguistic rationale for the translation of every passage - and political correctness is most certainly not one of them," an International Bible Society statement declares.   Nevertheless, eight of 12 evangelical leaders who signed 1997 Bible translation guidelines relating to gender have urged a halt in publication of the new translation.   The translation in question is a gender-neutral revision of the 1984 New International Version, for which the International Bible Society is the copyright holder and Zondervan is the U.S. publisher.   Announcement of the revised version has drawn considerable criticism, especially from evangelical leaders who stopped a similar … [Read more...]

Representatives of five world religions compared notes on God, evil and eternity in a recent panel discussion at Houston Baptist University.   More than 250 students attended the three-hour World Religions Forum, which organizers said was planned to foster understanding. At the gathering, speakers addressed three questions: Who is God? Why is there evil and suffering in this life? What is the ultimate destiny of human life? Representatives of five world religions compared notes on God, evil and eternity in a recent panel discussion at Houston Baptist University.   More than 250 students attended the three-hour World Religions Forum, which organizers said was planned to foster understanding. At the gathering, speakers addressed three questions: Who is God? Why is there evil and suffering in this life? What is the ultimate destiny of human life?   The Jewish perspective was represented by Rabbi Stuart Federow, spiritual leader of Shaar Hashalom in Clear Lake City, Texas. He said the Hebrew Scriptures reveal a God who is one, indivisible, unique, without form, omnipotent and different from man.   "We are to love God, obey God, to be ever conscious about God and loyal to God," … [Read more...]

Leaders of Southern Baptist Convention agencies continue to batten down the doctrinal hatches of the denomination. This editor imagines that there are only two or three more hatches to be battened down to complete the purposes of the Southern Baptist Convention leadership.   Jerry Rankin, President of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board, sent a letter to all missionaries under appointment of that agency requiring them to sign an affirmation of the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. Leaders of Southern Baptist Convention agencies continue to batten down the doctrinal hatches of the denomination. This editor imagines that there are only two or three more hatches to be battened down to complete the purposes of the Southern Baptist Convention leadership.   Jerry Rankin, President of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board, sent a letter to all missionaries under appointment of that agency requiring them to sign an affirmation of the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message.   Rankin’s action comes after saying earlier that missionaries would not be required to sign an affirmation of the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. Rather, they would be required to say they will work within … [Read more...]

Parking and Walkways   • Are there clearly-marked accessible parking spaces close to the church building?   • Can one get from a parked car into the building without going up or down steps?   • Are walks at least 48 inches wide with a gradient no greater than 5 percent?   • Do walks have a level platform at the door that is five-feet-by-five-feet and extends at least one foot beyond each side of the door?   Ramps and Stairs   • Do ramps have a slope no greater than one foot in 12 feet and a width no less than 36 inches?   • Do ramps have handrails on at least one side 32 inches above the surface? ... Is your church disability-friendly?   Parking and Walkways   • Are there clearly-marked accessible parking spaces close to the church building?   • Can one get from a parked car into the building without going up or down steps?   • Are walks at least 48 inches wide with a gradient no greater than 5 percent?   • Do walks have a level platform at the door that is five-feet-by-five-feet and extends at least one foot beyond each side of the door?   Ramps and Stairs   • Do … [Read more...]

Removing barriers in church environments - both figuratively and literally - is a crusade Bob Anderson looks forward to on a daily basis.   It is the focus of his work as director of the religion and disability program at Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, Ala., an eight-year-old nonprofit organization addresses issues dealing with individuals with physical disabilities. Removing barriers in church environments - both figuratively and literally - is a crusade Bob Anderson looks forward to on a daily basis.   It is the focus of his work as director of the religion and disability program at Lakeshore Foundation in Birmingham, Ala., an eight-year-old nonprofit organization addresses issues dealing with individuals with physical disabilities.   "Our mission is to provide opportunities for people with physical disabilities to live healthy, active lifestyles and participate fully in their community," Anderson explains.   As the former chaplain at a rehabilitative hospital, Anderson says he became acutely aware of the many challenges individuals with physical disabilities face in the able-bodied world.   He says he especially was in tune with the limited … [Read more...]