For the first time since Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba, a Cuban Baptist medical team was given permission to participate in a medical crusade outside the island nation.   Four members of the Baptist Medical and Dental Fellowship of Cuba of Western Cuba joined a medical team from the United States in a January medical crusade in Maracaibo, Venezuela. The Cuban team consisted of two physicians, a dentist and a nurse. They joined the Baptist Medical and Dental Fellowship team that came from Louisiana, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. For the first time since Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba, a Cuban Baptist medical team was given permission to participate in a medical crusade outside the island nation.   Four members of the Baptist Medical and Dental Fellowship of Cuba of Western Cuba joined a medical team from the United States in a January medical crusade in Maracaibo, Venezuela. The Cuban team consisted of two physicians, a dentist and a nurse. They joined the Baptist Medical and Dental Fellowship team that came from Louisiana, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.   Baptist Cuban physicians have helped with medical projects as parts of other meetings, … [Read more...]

Hundreds of women, small children and older men wait in the line that forms down the hot, dusty street.   Some have been there for more than an hour. They will remain in the line for up to six hours as the tropic sun turns hotter and hotter. Infants cry. Children grow restless and play. No one complains. Hundreds of women, small children and older men wait in the line that forms down the hot, dusty street.   Some have been there for more than an hour. They will remain in the line for up to six hours as the tropic sun turns hotter and hotter. Infants cry. Children grow restless and play. No one complains.   The small, people-packed bus pulls up and scrubs-clad people begin filing out at the edge of the line. Looking at the crowd, the medical personnel know it is going to be a hectic, hot, hard day.   When the workday is over six hours later, they will have diagnosed, treated and given medicine to 595 patients and given them a chance to accept Jesus Christ as savior. In addition to countless routine cases, they will deal with at least two medical emergencies. No one complains.   Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and their assistants have come to Maracaibo, Venezuela … [Read more...]

Four fourth-year students at Louisiana State University Health Center in Shreveport learned a thing or two the hard way recently.   But they say they are pleased with what they learned - and the way they learned it. Four fourth-year students at Louisiana State University Health Center in Shreveport learned a thing or two the hard way recently.   But they say they are pleased with what they learned - and the way they learned it.   The four students recently spent a month doing short-term medical missions, working in primitive conditions and with little more equipment than they could pack into a suitcase. They worked among the poorer people of tropical Maracaibo, Venezuela, in buildings with metal roofs, no insulation and no air conditioning. Each team member saw about 50 patients a workday.   "The practice of medicine tends to make you very self-centered and selfish with your talent," student Joseph Nida reflects. "This kind of thing is very important."   The students practiced basic medicine six hours a day, four-days a week as part of a crusade that sought to bring medical and spiritual healing to four communities of this sprawling city of 2.4 million to 3 … [Read more...]

Unprecedented concern about the growing influence of religion in China underscored speeches by top Communist Party leaders at a recent Religious Work Conference in Beijing.   President Jiang Zemin himself set the tone, stressing the importance of religion in world affairs. He warned that the impact of religion on the political and social life of the world could not be underestimated. Unprecedented concern about the growing influence of religion in China underscored speeches by top Communist Party leaders at a recent Religious Work Conference in Beijing.   President Jiang Zemin himself set the tone, stressing the importance of religion in world affairs. He warned that the impact of religion on the political and social life of the world could not be underestimated.   Jiang stressed the Communist Party’s work to control religious affairs was linked to China’s social stability and national security. He warned that no one would be allowed to abuse religion in order to sabotage the party, socialism or national security.   While exchanges between Chinese and foreign religious societies would be encouraged, infiltration by overseas forces using the cover of religion would be … [Read more...]

On Super Bowl Sunday, churches across the nation once again will raise money for the poor by participating in the "Souper Bowl of Caring."   Meanwhile, Southern Baptists will be given an additional opportunity to raise money for their own World Hunger Fund. On Super Bowl Sunday, churches across the nation once again will raise money for the poor by participating in the "Souper Bowl of Caring."   Meanwhile, Southern Baptists will be given an additional opportunity to raise money for their own World Hunger Fund.   Southern Baptists are being urged to donate $1 in large soup pots as they leave church on Super Bowl Sunday, said Steve Nelson, director of hunger concerns with the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.   All of the money raised among Baptists will go directly to the hunger fund, which supports ministry evangelism initiatives across the nation and the world led by Southern Baptist missionaries and volunteers.   "We want to specifically challenge youth groups and churches to take part in this Souper Bowl of Caring emphasis," Nelson emphasized.   The Souper Bowl of Caring is a nondenominational grassroots effort to raise … [Read more...]

For the week of January 31, 2002 People, Places and Events Potpourri • WEST MONROE - Highland church: "Rekindle the Flame" marriage enrichment seminar; Feb. 8, 7 p.m.; Feb. 9, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; led by Mark Sutton; $55 per couple; Gordon "Skip" Dean, pastor.   • LIVINGSTON - Colyell church: Carolina Boys Quartet in concert; Feb. 6, 7 p.m.; Craig Forque, music minister; Sanford Sherman, pastor.   • WEST MONROE - McClendon church: Breakin’ New Ground in concert; Feb. 8, 7 p.m.; Rick Crandall, pastor.   • LORANGER - Living Waters Assembly: "Grace in Your Face" youth winter retreat; Feb. 10-12; $50 per youth; for ages 7th grade thru college; Youth Project, retreat leaders; for more information call Tom Long at (985)863-3363 or email at adventurerec@aol.com; David Willoughby, camp director.   • MINDEN - First church: associational missions rally; Feb. 17, 6 p.m.; Wayne L. DuBose, pastor. Revivals • WEST MONROE - Highland church: Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m.; Feb. 11-13, 7 p.m.; Mark Sutton, evangelist; Price Harris, music; Gordon "Skip" Dean, pastor.   • BOGALUSA - First church: senior adult revival; Feb. 11-13, 10 a.m. fellowship, 10:30 a.m. service, 11:30 potluck lunch; … [Read more...]