President George Bush confirmed the news in an impromptu news conference on Nov. 15 - the imprisoned aid workers in Afghanistan had been rescued.   That same evening, the father of Dayna Curry received a telephone call that began with her words, "Dad, I’m free." President George Bush confirmed the news in an impromptu news conference on Nov. 15 - the imprisoned aid workers in Afghanistan had been rescued.   That same evening, the father of Dayna Curry received a telephone call that began with her words, "Dad, I’m free."   Curry and Heather Mercer and six other western aid workers were in Pakistan, after being rescued in pre-dawn Afghanistan, having been freed amid an anti-Taliban uprising in the city of Ghazni.   The workers had been taken to the city by Taliban forces retreating from the nation’s capital as U.S.-backed Northern Alliance forces were advancing.   Sixteen Afghan aid workers who also had been held by Taliban authorities were freed when Northern Alliance forces entered Kabul, news reports indicate.   The aid workers are affiliated with the German-based Shelter Now International ministry. They were arrested in August on Taliban … [Read more...]

Most members of churches in the 12 largest denominations in America have beliefs that "fall far short of orthodox Christianity," T.C. "Tommy" French told messengers to the Louisiana Baptist Convention. He based the statement on the recently-released finding of a Barna Institute survey. Most members of churches in the 12 largest denominations in America have beliefs that "fall far short of orthodox Christianity," T.C. "Tommy" French told messengers to the Louisiana Baptist Convention. He based the statement on the recently-released finding of a Barna Institute survey.   These "shocking" statistics "represent only the surface of a deeper crisis of faith and practice within the Christian faith and our Southern Baptist Zion," French said during his presidential address to last week’s annual meeting.   French’s texts for his message - entitled "Another Generation" - were Judges 2:6-10 and Hosea 4:6. They record the "transition from a godly to an ungodly generation of Hebrews that was ignorant of God’s Word and of his mighty works," he said. "They were uneducated in God’s Word and in their historical relationship with God. ...   "Have we raised up a new generation that knows … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists must live Christian lives worth something for God, Wayne VanHorn stressed last week.   "It’s all about using this Word (the Bible) to get us to the ultimate Word, so we can be a living Word, so lost people can come to Jesus," said VanHorn, pastor at First Baptist Church of Columbia, Miss. Louisiana Baptists must live Christian lives worth something for God, Wayne VanHorn stressed last week.   "It’s all about using this Word (the Bible) to get us to the ultimate Word, so we can be a living Word, so lost people can come to Jesus," said VanHorn, pastor at First Baptist Church of Columbia, Miss.   VanHorn led Louisiana Baptists in three Bible studies during last week’s annual state convention in Westwego. During them, he emphasized the nature of the Bible, challenged Louisiana Baptists to live worthy lives and called on the nation to return to God or face peril.   In his first study, VanHorn reminded persons that the Bible provides the answer for all the troubles and problems of life.   "No matter what shape your life is in, this book will straighten you out," he said of the Bible. "It’s easy to follow. It gives few and uncomplicated … [Read more...]

In addition to handling business last week, Louisiana Baptists also took time to fellowship and hear a challenge to demonstrate Christian love to a lost and needy world   Louisiana Baptists have the necessary message for these uncertain times, but they must truly love one another if they hope to reach people with it, W.D. "Step" Martin warned. In addition to handling business last week, Louisiana Baptists also took time to fellowship and hear a challenge to demonstrate Christian love to a lost and needy world   Louisiana Baptists have the necessary message for these uncertain times, but they must truly love one another if they hope to reach people with it, W.D. "Step" Martin warned.   "We live in perilous times, ..." noted Martin, pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Shreveport. "Devastation is everywhere. If there’s ever an opportunity for us as Baptists to step up and stand up, it’s now.   "What an opportunity is before us - and we have the message. But we have to get the message across to the hearers," Martin said during the convention sermon at last week’s annual meeting of Louisiana Baptists. "And sometimes, I’m afraid that we lose the message in our struggles and … [Read more...]

Creede, Colorado, has two faces.   In the summer, people from across the South find their ways to the area around this mountain village. Ceede’s luxurious mountain setting, cool evenings and mild days are magnets for heat-weary Southerners. Creede, Colorado, has two faces.   In the summer, people from across the South find their ways to the area around this mountain village. Ceede’s luxurious mountain setting, cool evenings and mild days are magnets for heat-weary Southerners.   The Rio Grande River’s birthplace is only thirty miles up the Rio Grande Valley. The river provides excellent trout fishing for those thirty miles west, and another twenty miles east of Creede. Plus, you need more than your fingers and toes to count the trout-filled lakes. Countless creeks - with names such as Deep Creek, Rat Creek, Miner’s Creek - are nestled in almost every valley of size. People who have been going to Creede for decades have not managed to fish every place touted as "excellent." Two of the busiest businesses are the fly-fishing shops.   Just to the west of Creede is the Weminuche Wilderness Area. Backpackers roam the millions of acres there knowing the pristine experience will … [Read more...]

For the week of November 29, 2001 Briefs   World of Religion Religious liberty violators The U.S. State Department has added North Korea to its annual list of the world’s most flagrant violators of religious liberty. The addition of the communist country marks the first time a regime has been added to the "countries of particular concern" since the original list was compiled in 1999. However, the State Department failed to cite three other governments recommended for designation by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. In addition to North Korea, the commission had urged the State Department to designate Laos, Saudi Arabia and Turkmenistan as "countries of particular concern." The State Department acknowledged all three are guilty of major violations of religious freedom but did not add those names. It did keep six other regimes on the list - Burma, China, Iran, Iraq, Sudan and the Taliban of Afghanistan. After a country has been designated, the law provides the president with a range of potential responses - from diplomatic protest to economic sanction. The president also may waive any punishment for national security reasons. The State Department’s report may be accessed at … [Read more...]

Church-planting movements may be the most exciting phenomenon in today’s world, writes Mary Jane Welch, editor of The Commission magazine.   They are powerful. They are biblical. They are of God. However, to avoid sabotaging their potential - or downsizing them into another mission fad - persons should listen to Southern Baptist International Mission Board strategist David Garrison: Church-planting movements may be the most exciting phenomenon in today’s world, writes Mary Jane Welch, editor of The Commission magazine.   They are powerful. They are biblical. They are of God. However, to avoid sabotaging their potential - or downsizing them into another mission fad - persons should listen to Southern Baptist International Mission Board strategist David Garrison:   "A church-planting movement is not an end in itself," Garrison notes. "The end of all our efforts is for God to be glorified."   Thanks to the efforts of Christian workers throughout the world, that is happening. Consider their stories.   "How shall we ask people to pray for the church in China?" some Christian workers asked a Chinese house church leader. He has been beaten and imprisoned many times for … [Read more...]

For the week of November 29, 2001 PPE 11-29 issue   Potpourri   • RINGGOLD - First church: "Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames" drama; Dec. 2-4, 7 p.m.; free admission; for more information call (318) 894-2755; Don Woodard, pastor.   • LAKE CHARLES - Tom Herbert Road Mission church: Constitution service, Dec. 9, 3 p.m.; Chris Fuselier, pastor.   • FOREST HILL - Calvary church: Marvin Morrow in concert, Dec. 2, 6 p.m.; Joel McMickin, pastor.   • DENHAM SPRINGS - Northside church: The Celebrant Singers in concert, Dec. 6, 7 p.m.; Walt Blain, pastor.   • HODGE - Hodge church: Trinity in concert; Dec. 1, 4 p.m.; Dwayne Boudreaux, pastor.   Revivals   • LEESVILLE - Castor church: Dec. 2-7; 7 p.m.; Al Gist, evangelist; Jack Jones, music; David Willis, pastor.   Ordinations   • CONVERSE - Union Springs church: Bob Farmer and Chad Rascoe to deacon ministry; Dec. 9, 2 p.m.; Don Slack, pastor.   Ministers Needed   • JENA - Fellowship church: part-time music minister; send resumes to Fellowship Baptist Church, Attn: Randy Ray, P. O. Box 2438, Jena, LA 71342; Randy Ray, pastor.   • ANGIE - Washington … [Read more...]

Two days after their rescue from Afghanistan by American military helicopters, two Baylor University graduates thanked American troops for their "Hollywood rescue" and said they believed they owed their lives to Jesus Christ. Two days after their rescue from Afghanistan by American military helicopters, two Baylor University graduates thanked American troops for their "Hollywood rescue" and said they believed they owed their lives to Jesus Christ.   Dayna Curry, 30, and Heather Mercer, 24, both of Waco, Texas, met reporters after being sequestered for 24 hours at the American ambassador’s residence in Islamabad, Pakistan.   After more than three months in a Taliban prison in Kabul on charges of preaching Christianity to Muslims in Afghanistan, the two were picked up by American Special Forces helicopters on Nov. 14 outside Ghazni, a city about 75 miles south of the Afghan capital.   God is being glorified by the rescue, said Danny Mulkey, associate pastor at Antioch Community Church in Waco, both Mercer’s and Curry’s home congregation.   "I think this is a huge encouragement to the body of Christ," said Mulkey, who has been in Pakistan for 11 weeks, working for release … [Read more...]

Christian women need to use the openings they have to share the gospel message in their neighborhoods, Jaye Martin emphasized recently.   "We have to be careful about how we come across to non-Christians, but we also have to take advantage of the opportunities that we have," said Martin, women’s evangelism strategist with the North American Mission Board. She spoke during a recent Southern Baptist women’s conference. Christian women need to use the openings they have to share the gospel message in their neighborhoods, Jaye Martin emphasized recently.   "We have to be careful about how we come across to non-Christians, but we also have to take advantage of the opportunities that we have," said Martin, women’s evangelism strategist with the North American Mission Board. She spoke during a recent Southern Baptist women’s conference.   She told the women to ask God what doors he was going to open for them and then to proceed through them.   She related how one of her opportunities came through a Moms in Touch group.   "When I would go to my daughter’s school and ask the principal and the teachers if there was anything I could pray about for them, they were very … [Read more...]