By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Former First West Monroe pastor David Uth is returning to the state, this time as the keynote speaker for this year’s E4 preaching conference. Uth – who is pastor at First Baptist Orlando, Fla. – will present the message “Blessed … It’s Not What You Think” over the course of three main sessions at the conference, scheduled for Sept. 13-14 at First Baptist Pineville. In addition to Uth’s sermons, the conference will also feature breakout sessions on such topics as proven principles for church revitalization, the power of encouragement through preaching, creating a culture of evangelism from the pulpit and how broken preachers can deliver effective sermons. Jana Endris, wife of Matt Endris, pastor of Fairview Baptist in Coushatta, will lead the minister’s wives track sessions. “The conference is valuable for ongoing improvement for a preacher, any preacher,” said Stewart Holloway, pastor of First Baptist Pineville and conference organizer. “Whether you have a seminary degree or not, you can be reminded of things that you already knew and earn things you didn’t know. And the ability to talk with the professors and other preachers and focus on the effective preaching is where … [Read more...]

By Staff, World News Magazine NEW ORLEANS – When the City of New Orleans passed a ban that kept Troy Bohn’s ministry from preaching in the famous French Quarter, the group found an unlikely ally – the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Months after the ministry’s initial run-in with New Orleans police, city council members recently lifted the ban. Raven Ministries has worked on Bourbon Street since 1960. But in October 2011, the city passed a ban on disseminating “any social, political, or religious message between the hours of sunset and sunrise.” Even so, the ministry continued holding “street church” on Friday and Saturday nights. They don’t “chase people,” Bohn said. They set up shop, and talk to people who are interested. Trouble didn’t come until this past September, when police showed up and arrested Bohn and two of his coworkers. Bohn called the ban “a blatant violation of First Amendment speech.” Police gave the evangelists a citation and held them for a couple of hours. Bohn told officers people needed to hear his message and insisted he would be back the next day.  That’s when the ACLU contacted the ministry, and said it wanted to take the case. Bohn said the man on the phone admitted he didn’t agree with the … [Read more...]

By Michael Foust, Writer Nashville, Tenn. One of the greatest moments as a father is walking into the house and seeing your smiling children jump in joy at your mere appearance. My youngest son, at 19 months, will blare out “Daaaaad!” at the top of his lungs, often winning the “loudest” and “biggest smile” contest. His brown-eyed twin sister, just as excited, will run to me, ponytail swaying back and forth, wanting me to pick her up and kiss her. And my eldest son will squeeze me tight, excitedly telling me about the frog he caught that day or the unidentified bug he trapped. Those are the moments when you want to stop time and treasure, forever. Then there are those not-so-great moments when you mess up as a father. Once, I sent my eldest son to his room when I misunderstood the situation and he in fact had done nothing wrong. Another time, I failed to follow through on a promise I had made to him. Still another time, I raised my voice when it wasn’t warranted. As parents, we have several biblical roles. One is to rear our children in a loving home and to teach them to obey, thereby preparing them for a life of obeying a holy God who loves them even more. Another role, though, is to model for them the life of a Christian. … [Read more...]

To the Editor   Many Christian publications use the term “gay” as a synonym for homosexuality. Phrases such as “Gay marriage” and “gay rights” appear frequently. Christians should thoughtfully consider using the proper term “homosexual” in their discussion of this subject. The word “gay” means “joyful”, “carefree” or “happy”. The last decade of the 19th century was “The Gay Nineties” due to the perception of this an era as a time of prosperity and freedom. Restaurants, radio shows, popular songs, movies, books, and even works of art and television programs incorporated the word “gay” as a way to recall the nostalgia of this period of American history. A generation of parents named their daughters “Gay” and the word was even used by men as a shortened form of “Gabriel”. By the 1960s, the word “gay” became a synonym for homosexuality.  According to a June 1976 article from The Times, the term was preferred as an alternative to some of the derogatory terms for homosexuality. So, a word that originally described a happy, carefree person was now synonymous with homosexuality simply because it sounded less offensive. Since then, if we are to believe the polls, homosexuality has slowly become more acceptable. As … [Read more...]

By Archie England, NOBTS Question: Why is Abigail, the wife of the wealthy businessman Nabal, praised for going behind her husband’s back, defying his publicized intentions, and concealing her actions (until it suited her)? Archie England reponds: Let’s examine 1 Samuel 25 for the answer. Nabal was a wealthy rancher, managing large herds of sheep and goats. Such wealth, however, doesn’t fit the story’s beginning because his name indicates that something is amiss. It means, “foolish.” Nabal was obstinate and foul in business dealings (25:3). His wife, Abigail – whose name means, “my father’s joy” – however, is described as his opposite: She’s stunning and smart. As the story rapidly unfolds, Nabal roughly addresses David’s emissaries (who arrived on a festive day seeking supplies), berating David’s name and family; and, he gives them nothing! Two different reports occur next. First, David’s emissaries inform David of the insults. Second, a household servant informs Abigail of Nabal’s folly. Abigail gathered up a large load of festival provisions (25:18) and hurried to meet David. By God’s providence, they met, and she graciously entreated him to forgive the foul Nabal – foolish people do foolish things. Not only did Abigail … [Read more...]

By R. Albert Mohler, Southern Seminary “It is hard to think of any other profession which it is so near to impossible to leave.” That is the judgment of Richard Dawkins, perhaps the world’s most famous living atheist, as he welcomes unbelieving pastors to join the Clergy Project, a group designed to help unbelieving pastors make their way out of the ministry. Apparently, some are not moving out very fast. The Clergy Project, Dawkins explains, “exists to provide a safe haven, a forum where clergy who have lost their faith can meet each other, exchange views, swap problems, counsel each other – for, whatever they may have lost, clergy know how to counsel and comfort.” Dawkins, who once held one of the world’s most coveted academic posts, has now reduced himself to addressing small gatherings of atheists and celebrating a motley crew of pastors who have abandoned the faith – even if some have not abandoned their pulpits. The Clergy Project’s own statement is blunter, describing itself as “a confidential online community for active and former clergy who do not hold supernatural beliefs.” Most people, believers and unbelievers alike, are no doubt in the habit of thinking that the Christian ministry requires supernatural beliefs. … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 08/26/2013 - 10:15 Tennessee evangelist Brent Gambrell was the featuredspeaker at this year’s PreTeen Invasion 3.5 sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention at Louisiana College. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Brent Gambrell believes heroes of the Christian faith such as evangelist Billy Graham are fast becoming a rarity and that students could fill those shoes if they are willing to take a bold stand for Christ in their world. “Where is the next Billy Graham going to come from, if not from this generation?” Gambrell told about 750 youngsters and adults during the recent PreTeen Invasion 3.5 at Louisiana College. “I won’t be the next Billy Graham but I hope someone in this room will be.” Gambrell – an evangelist from Cleveland, Tenn., who regularly travels to Haiti for missions trips – challenged the students to put aside their reputation and spend time with those the world deems as the less desirable. When that happens, Gambrell said, the world takes notice and desires a relationship with Christ. “Jesus is saying follow me now,” Gambrell said. “Don’t wait.” Youth from 51 churches heard Gambrell’s message at PreTeen Invasion 3.5, a Cooperative Program-funded … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 08/26/2013 - 10:18 More than 30 people bring lawn chairs and horses to the services at Cross Creek Cowboy Church on Sundays. By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor ROBERT – Crossgate Baptist Church has a long-term vision to plant 10 cowboy churches. They’re now on number three and two more are already in the early stages. The vision has resulted in God calling out men from the church to lead as pastors or lay preachers, and in spreading the gospel far beyond the city limits of Robert, located between Baton Rouge and Covington. Leaders are looking for country folks – “people in the horse culture” – who want to be part of a church plant in Zachary, Washington Parish and the McComb, Miss./Kentwood, La., areas. “We’re a non-traditional Southern Baptist church,” said Louis Husser, pastor since 1992 of the church where about 150 people participate in Sunday morning worship. Crossgate was First Baptist Church of Robert when it started 50 years ago; Husser led the church into the Louisiana Baptist Convention 15 years ago.  “I saw the strength of the Cooperative Program, the magnitude of the gospel being spread world-wide,” Husser said. “I also saw the growth of church planting through the … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 08/26/2013 - 10:22 Fred Luter, Jr., senior pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church of New Orleans and SBC president, preached on the will of God at First Baptist Church of Zachary on Aug. 5. By Mark H. Hunter, Regional ReporterZACHARY - First Baptist Church was packed to overflowing on Aug. 5, when SBC President Fred Luter, Jr., senior pastor of Louisiana’s largest SBC church, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church of New Orleans, preached the final service of the second annual “Mondays for the Master” summer sermon series hosted by Reggie Bridges.   Bridges, who serves as the pastor of First Zachary, said that around 700 attended the  service, including the entire Zachary High School football team and the cheerleaders. The praise and worship choir from Franklin Avenue Baptist’s Baton Rouge campus, that meets at Florida Boulevard Baptist, opened the service. Several dozen members of that church also got to greet their pastor they rarely see living far from New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina scattered that flock. Another entire audience filled First Zachary’s nearby Crossing building, because the main sanctuary was completely filled, and watched the service on big-screens. “It was an awesome time of … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Message Editor There are many observers who believe The United States is rapidly approaching a point of no return in terms of moral decline, cultural decay and fiscal irresponsibility. Those who believe America is streaking toward a godless, secular abyss believe that if something does not happen soon, if God’s people do not fervently pray, if revival tarries, there are dark days ahead for our nation. In response to the gathering storm, the Louisiana Renewal Project (sponsored by the American Renewal Project), whose purpose is derived from Proverbs 14:34: “Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people,” will be hosting a conference specifically for pastors and their wives. Mark your calendars for Sept. 26-27. The Louisiana Renewal Project’s “Rediscovering God in America” conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge. Pastors, be on the lookout for more information about this very important event. The hour is so urgent and the need is so great that those who direct the Renewal Project have arranged to provide, at no cost to any pastor, the hotel accommodations and all meals during the conference. The only expense a pastor will incur is travel to and from the … [Read more...]