For family members of released Afghanistan hostage Dayna Curry, Thanksgiving came more than a week early this year.   It arrived Nov. 15, the day Curry made telephone contact for the first time with family members in her home state. Editor’s Note: One of the top stories of 2000 was the plight of Baylor University graduates Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry, who were imprisoned in Afghanistan for preaching the gospel. The events of Sept. 11 and the subsequent war on terrorism heightened concern about the fate of the two women. However, they eventually were rescued from the country. The two articles on this page offer some information about their experiences and how their Christian faith sustained them and their families during the ordeal.   For family members of released Afghanistan hostage Dayna Curry, Thanksgiving came more than a week early this year.   It arrived Nov. 15, the day Curry made telephone contact for the first time with family members in her home state.   Thus began the final leg of a roller-coaster journey that began Aug. 3 when Barbara and Harold Cassell received news that their niece had been arrested in Afghanistan, along with co-worker, Heather Mercer, and … [Read more...]

As of this publication date, 346 blank pages remain in 2002.   What will events etch on these pages of history?   What will bring joy or sadness to the United States during these days? What will happen to further embarrass Louisianians, or bring us a dose of badly needed self-respect? As of this publication date, 346 blank pages remain in 2002.   What will events etch on these pages of history?   What will bring joy or sadness to the United States during these days? What will happen to further embarrass Louisianians, or bring us a dose of badly needed self-respect?   Perhaps we have never been more aware of what future pages of a year can harbor than we are this year. Only the most evil-minded could have imagined that 2001 would explode with September 11. The terrorists’ acts were booby traps that exploded when the calendar turned the page onto that bloody day.   We enter 2002 filled with thoughts about 2001. "We are worn out from looking on the suffering of this (2001) year that is now dying with no last words," wrote Eugene Cullen Kennedy last month, "this long school term of daily examinations less on what we have learned than on whether we have … [Read more...]

Beginning with the next issue of the Baptist Message, the weekly paper will be printed on an improved quality of newsprint, according to Editor Lynn P. Clayton.   "We are delighted to make this improvement," Clayton said. "The improved quality of paper will make the text and photographs clearer and easier to read and see." Beginning with the next issue of the Baptist Message, the weekly paper will be printed on an improved quality of newsprint, according to Editor Lynn P. Clayton.   "We are delighted to make this improvement," Clayton said. "The improved quality of paper will make the text and photographs clearer and easier to read and see."   Clayton said the improvement is made possible by an increased allocation in the Louisiana Baptist Convention Cooperative Program Budget.   "We are thankful for the help of the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Executive Board," Clayton added. "We think the improvement will be money well spent."   The 80-plus congregations that use the Baptist Message’s church newspage service will especially benefit.   "The churches that use the back page of the Baptist Message for their church newsletter will have a better … [Read more...]

For the week of January 10, 2002 Potpourri • HOUMA - Coteau church: the Kellers in concert; Jan. 13, 6 p.m.; Dwight Hazelwood, minister of music; Jerry Stevens, interim pastor.   • RUSTON - Calvary church: gospel music extravaganza featuring various groups; Jan. 12, 6-8:30 p.m.; sponsored by Joe Aulds Evangelism; David Hastings, pastor.   • DERIDDER - First church: southwest Louisiana senior adult celebration; Jan. 19, 2 p.m.; Jubilee Banjo Band and Cross Country, a musical comedy team; cost is $7; call (337) 463-9047 for ticket information; E. Whit Holmes, pastor; Doyle Cooper, minister to senior adults. Youth • COLUMBIA - Welcome Home church: youth revival; Jan. 18-19, 7 p.m.; Jan. 20, 11 a.m.; Eric Hodge, speaker; James D. Bowen, youth minister; Bill Gueringer, pastor. Staff Changes Pastors   • LIVINGSTON - A. L. Palmer to Satsuma church as interim pastor.   Others   • FOREST HILL - Gerald Gates to Forest Hill church as minister of music from Oak Grove church in Eros, Rob McLane, pastor. Available • WALKER - Ivy Ellis; available for revivals, supply or interim pastorate; call (225) 791-0652. Anniversaries • BENTON - Pilgrim Home church: 110th; Jan. … [Read more...]

The reality of news is that some stories dominate frontpage headlines, while others face obscurity from repetition or perceived irrelevance.   Despite increased attention in some circles and despite efforts by watchdog organizations such as Compass Direct, the latter is the case for stories related to Christian persecution. The reality of news is that some stories dominate frontpage headlines, while others face obscurity from repetition or perceived irrelevance.   Despite increased attention in some circles and despite efforts by watchdog organizations such as Compass Direct, the latter is the case for stories related to Christian persecution.   Thus, the following is a list that likely will not appear in a local newspaper or a national news magazine. However, from Compass Direct’s standpoint, the following stories represent the key events related to Christian persecution in 2001 - and important story lines to watch in 2002:   Aid workers freed in Afghanistan   The 15-week saga of eight Western relief workers jailed by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan on charges of propagating Christianity captured wider international media coverage than perhaps any other religious … [Read more...]

It may be difficult to remember anything about 2001 except the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. But there was other news to consider for the year - and important trends to note.   Based on various studies from the past year, George Barna has offered a look at some of those trends, releasing an annual list of vital statistics related to faith. It may be difficult to remember anything about 2001 except the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. But there was other news to consider for the year - and important trends to note.   Based on various studies from the past year, George Barna has offered a look at some of those trends, releasing an annual list of vital statistics related to faith.   Barna’s list focuses on the most important, most controversial, most surprising and most challenging faith-related insights.   "Based on our on-going assessment of the spiritual climate and religious gyrations in America, these outcomes give a pretty dynamic summary of what happened in the U.S. in its religious life this year," said Barna, president of the California-based Barna Research Group.   "Such lists are always subjective, but the breadth of revelations represented by these … [Read more...]

Following the lead of many other Americans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary students have taken steps to aid disaster relief efforts in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on this country.   But the efforts have not been limited only to this country and its needs. Following the lead of many other Americans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary students have taken steps to aid disaster relief efforts in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on this country.   But the efforts have not been limited only to this country and its needs.   In one instance, students at the seminary’s North Georgia campus raised $1,000 to be used in disaster relief efforts in New York City. Students raised the money by using a fireman’s hat as an offering plate.   The hat was passed around in each class at the North Georgia campus and at chapel services. The money then was forwarded to the Georgia Baptist Convention to be used in relief efforts in New York City.   "It was important that each person actually touch the fireman’s hat," said Jason Young, student body president of the North Georgia campus. The hat belonged to Phil Thomas, another student who … [Read more...]

The name of the church was Almighty God Tabernacle, a strange name some might think.   It was late on a Saturday night, and the pastor of this tabernacle sat at his desk at the church, refining the next day’s sermon. He suddenly decided to call home to check on his wife. He dialed the number and listened to the phone ring ... and ring ... and ring.   Surely, he had called the wrong number, he thought. Where else would his wife be on a Saturday night? The name of the church was Almighty God Tabernacle, a strange name some might think.   It was late on a Saturday night, and the pastor of this tabernacle sat at his desk at the church, refining the next day’s sermon. He suddenly decided to call home to check on his wife. He dialed the number and listened to the phone ring ... and ring ... and ring.   Surely, he had called the wrong number, he thought. Where else would his wife be on a Saturday night?   He called the number again and found his wife at the other end of the line. He laughed when he thought about the person he must have disturbed so late in the evening.   Not long after, the pastor received a call from a man who wondered if a phone call had … [Read more...]

First, the bad news - Louisiana Baptists closed 2001 with Cooperative Program receipts lower than the previous year and $1.3 million behind budget.   Next, the worse news - Louisiana Baptists ended the most-recent year with a report showing statewide baptisms had slipped to their lowest level in 12 years.   Finally, the obvious news - something has to change ... significantly.   "We’ve lost our focus on evangelism and on doing the Great Commission," Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director Dean Doster warned. First, the bad news - Louisiana Baptists closed 2001 with Cooperative Program receipts lower than the previous year and $1.3 million behind budget.   Next, the worse news - Louisiana Baptists ended the most-recent year with a report showing statewide baptisms had slipped to their lowest level in 12 years.   Finally, the obvious news - something has to change ... significantly.   "We’ve lost our focus on evangelism and on doing the Great Commission," Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director Dean Doster warned.   Year-end figures serve as evidence, Doster and LBC Evangelism Director Wayne Jenkins … [Read more...]

For the week of January 17, 2002 Briefs Lottie Moon churches The Southern Baptist International Mission Board recently recognized the top 100 churches that gave through the 2000 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. The top contributor was Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, N.C., which gave $399,064 through the annual offering. Five other churches gave more than $200,000. One Louisiana Baptist church made the top 100 list. Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport gave $100,348.70 through the 2000 offering, ranking it as the 49th-highest contributor. Chuck Pourciau is pastor. Granberry dedication The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home recently dedicated a Granberry Counseling Center in Vidalia, marking yet another addition to the statewide ministry program of the agency. The counseling centers work to address individual concerns as well as family issues for Louisiana Baptists and others. The centers also serve as a resource for Louisiana Baptist pastors and churches by providing seminars and retreats on various topics. Fees at the centers are based on income and ability to pay, with all appointments confidential. For more information, persons may call (877) 345-7411 or by visiting the … [Read more...]