My wife Ellen and I are International Mission Board representatives working as prayer coordinators for part of the North Africa and Middle East region. My wife Ellen and I are International Mission Board representatives working as prayer coordinators for part of the North Africa and Middle East region.   We would like to invite Louisiana Baptists to help us and other IMB representatives end the persecution of Christians in Northern Africa and the Middle East and reach the unreached peoples for Christ. Many persecuted and unreached peoples live in Sudan, Chad, Egypt, Israel, West Bank, Gaza and Jordan. They are unreached because they live in harsh environments, are nomadic, illiterate, with no Scripture in their own language or evangelistic materials. Most are closed to the Gospel due to their belief in Islam.   Many who have converted to Christianity are being persecuted by governments, family systems and Islamic leaders fearful of losing their people and the threat of Christianity.   How can you and others help to stop this persecution and bring the Gospel to these unreached peoples.   In Matthew 5:44 Jesus said, "Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute … [Read more...]

For the week of December 6, 2001 Potpourri • RAYVILLE - Woodlawn church: Parable, a drama team from Louisiana Tech Baptist Collegiate Ministry, will lead a youth worship celebration; Dec. 12, 7 p.m.; Alan Miller, pastor. Revival • PONCHATOULA - Eastside church: Dec. 7-8, 7 p.m.; Dec. 9, 11 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.; Joe Aulds, evangelist; Price Harris, music; Johnny Hernandez, pastor. Ordinations • ZACHARY - First church: Warren Brady, Scott Baudoin, Scott Mankins, Eron Cooper and Mark Cunningham to deacon ministry; T. W. Terral, interim pastor. Licenses • ZACHARY - First church licensed Thomas L. Russell to gospel ministry; T. W. Terral, interim pastor.   • LEESVILLE - Calvary church licensed Herb Rutter to gospel ministry; T. J. Crosby, pastor.     Staff Changes Pastors   • WINNFIELD - Lindsey Burns to First church from First church of Jennings.   Others   • LEESVILLE - Buster Plummer to Calvary church as associate pastor and music director; T. J. Crosby, pastor. Available • CONVERSE - David Cox, available for interim or bi-vocational pastoral work; for information call (318) 567-3695. Youth • EUNICE - Acadian Center youth lock-in, Dec. 21-22; for … [Read more...]

Widespread criticism and calls for an immediate legislative ban greeted the announcement of the first cloned human embryo.Researchers at Advanced Cell Technology, a biotechnology firm in Worcester, Mass., revealed Nov. 25 their success in cloning an embryo. Widespread criticism and calls for an immediate legislative ban greeted the announcement of the first cloned human embryo.Researchers at Advanced Cell Technology, a biotechnology firm in Worcester, Mass., revealed Nov. 25 their success in cloning an embryo.   While the Advanced Cell Technology spokesperson said they produced a number of embryos, only one progressed to the six-cell stage, where it stopped dividing. The researchers said their goal still is to clone an embryo from which to take stem cells to treat various diseases, a process that destroys the embryo. At this time, they said they do not support cloning to produce the birth of a child.   But that assurance did not silence critics from the White House, Congress and a variety of concerned organizations.   President George Bush called the cloning of an embryo bad public policy and morally wrong.   "We should not as a society grow life to destroy it," Bush … [Read more...]

The American Family Association of Michigan has announced it will redeem - in cash - phony $5 bills a pro-homosexuality group plans to distribute to the Salvation Army during the holiday season.   Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians & Gays of Genesee County have vowed to distribute "phony $5 bills" in a campaign against the Salvation Army. The fake bills will be dropped in charity kettles across the state of Michigan, said Mary Scholl, the organization’s president. The American Family Association of Michigan has announced it will redeem - in cash - phony $5 bills a pro-homosexuality group plans to distribute to the Salvation Army during the holiday season.   Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians & Gays of Genesee County have vowed to distribute "phony $5 bills" in a campaign against the Salvation Army. The fake bills will be dropped in charity kettles across the state of Michigan, said Mary Scholl, the organization’s president.   "It is to let the Salvation Army know that their policies (against homosexuality) are unacceptable and that we will donate to other organizations instead," Scholl explained. "We want to let them know that their policies are hurtful to our … [Read more...]

The tire needed changing - that night, so the man could leave on a trip the next morning.   However, it was too late to go to any of the usual tire outlets. This was going to be a problem it seemed.   The man decided to opt for a used tire. After all, there was a service station up the road that he thought sold used tires.   He was right. The tire needed changing - that night, so the man could leave on a trip the next morning.   However, it was too late to go to any of the usual tire outlets. This was going to be a problem it seemed.   The man decided to opt for a used tire. After all, there was a service station up the road that he thought sold used tires.   He was right.   The one-man station had about two dozen used tires - including one in the size he needed. It looked good.   "I’ll take it," he told the station operator. "I have the old tire and rim in the back of the truck. Let me get it."   By the time the man returned, the station operator was busy with another customer. The man carried the tire into the station bay and lifted it onto the tire machine.   The station operator walked by to get something … [Read more...]

When World War I erupted in 1914 to launch the first great European war of the 20th century, soldiers on both sides were assured they would be home by Christmas to celebrate victory.   That prediction proved to be false. When World War I erupted in 1914 to launch the first great European war of the 20th century, soldiers on both sides were assured they would be home by Christmas to celebrate victory.   That prediction proved to be false.   The men on the fronts did not get home for Christmas as the war dragged on for four years. During that time, some 8,500,000 men were killed, with hundreds of thousands more dying from injuries.   The "war to end all wars" took a horrific human toll and transformed Europe.   However, on Christmas Eve in December 1914, one of the most unusual events recorded in military history took place on the Western front.   On the night of Dec. 24, the weather abruptly turned cold, freezing the water and slush of the trenches in which the men in both armies bunkered.   On the German side, soldiers began lighting candles. British sentries soon reported back to commanding officers that there seemed to be small lights … [Read more...]

He was driving home from work early one evening - and most definitely was not in a good mood.   The radio was reporting on the ongoing war on terrorism and the continuing fallout of the September 11 attacks on America. He was driving home from work early one evening - and most definitely was not in a good mood.   The radio was reporting on the ongoing war on terrorism and the continuing fallout of the September 11 attacks on America.   However, the words were background as his mind mulled the report from the mechanic - and the high repair bill he faced.   He shook his head at the timing - just a matter of days before Christmas.   A light turned green, and he fell in behind a van with large, celebratory writing across the back window.   Newlyweds, he figured.   Wrong.   "Just divorced," the writing proclaimed. "Congratulate me." Smiley faces were drawn in each corner of the window.   He found himself shaking his head in disbelieving amazement.   Then, his cell phone rang.   It was his wife - with bad news.   Her office had downsized. She was out of a job, effective … [Read more...]

The 2002 Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference has been scheduled for January 28-29 at Louisiana College in Pineville. The theme of the conference is "Touching Heaven, Changing Lives. The theme is based on the scripture passage in Habbakuk 3:2, which reads: "I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew then in our day." The 2002 Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference has been scheduled for January 28-29 at Louisiana College in Pineville. The theme of the conference is "Touching Heaven, Changing Lives. The theme is based on the scripture passage in Habbakuk 3:2, which reads: "I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew then in our day." Organizers are characterizing the two-day gathering as a prayer and spiritual awakening conference. A host of speakers are scheduled, as well as a presentation of the "Experiencing God - The Musical" by a statewide mass choir during the final conference session. The conference is set to begin on Monday at 1:15 p.m., with another session set for 6:15 p.m. On Tuesday, three sessions are planned - at 8:30 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Lodging is available at several area motels, including:   • Best Western Inn & Suites. $58. 2720 West … [Read more...]

"Even if you do not believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Christmas is still a wonderful time of year," said Garrison Keillor, host/writer/producer of Prairie Home Companion on Public Broadcast Radio. The remarks made during his monologue on Lake Wobegon, his mythical hometown, grabbed my thinking driving down the interstate last Saturday night. "Even if you do not believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Christmas is still a wonderful time of year," said Garrison Keillor, host/writer/producer of Prairie Home Companion on Public Broadcast Radio. The remarks made during his monologue on Lake Wobegon, his mythical hometown, grabbed my thinking driving down the interstate last Saturday night. Is that true? If it is true, why is it true? Christmas is a wonderful time of year, except for those with psychological wounds or scars associated with the major components of Christmas that interfere with the experience for them. But if Christ were not divine, would there be a Christmas? Would we celebrate the birth of a person, who, if he were not divine, was certainly delusional? If he were not divine, would his disciples have been martyrs to keep His message alive? There are easier ways of starting a religion or a … [Read more...]

When Mary Kay beauty consultant Bobbie Hardin did a makeover on a homeless woman at the Brantley Baptist Center in New Orleans, the young woman could hardly believe her eyes.   She broke out crying, saying, "I have never looked so beautiful." When Mary Kay beauty consultant Bobbie Hardin did a makeover on a homeless woman at the Brantley Baptist Center in New Orleans, the young woman could hardly believe her eyes.   She broke out crying, saying, "I have never looked so beautiful."   Looking closer into the mirror, she exclaimed, "You can’t see my scars."   Excited about the woman’s response, Hardin took the opportunity to share about Jesus with her new client.   "Make-up can hide the scars on the outside, but only Jesus can heal the scars on the inside," the beauty consultant of 29 years told the woman.   It was a message Hardin had come to New Orleans to deliver. Along with 17 other senior adults from Immanuel Baptist Church in El Dorado, Ark., Hardin was participating in hands-on ministry sponsored by the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s Senior Adult MissionLab. The MissionLab offers custom-tailored programs matching the needs and abilities … [Read more...]