Submitted by philip on Wed, 07/31/2013 - 11:34 Bruce Baker By Rachel Ortego, Regional Reporter LAKE CHARLES – Over the last three generations, church attendance has been “turned on its head,” says Bruce Baker, new Director of Missions for the Carey Baptist Association, and it has resulted in what he calls “the profoundly un-churched” – children, parents and even grandparents who are no longer meeting for worship and discipleship. Baker, who has served churches in Texas, New Mexico and Arkansas as a pastor since 1983, joined the Carey Association as DOM on June 1. He says he is excited about using his strong background in strategic planning and organization to work with local pastors to strengthen ministries on a broader scale, with emphasis on starting new churches and expanding compassion ministries. “We still have traditional churches, but we also have a changing culture where we will need to meet the needs of people in an untraditional manner,” Baker said, adding that in his generation, he could hand out 20 Billy Graham tracts and people would know who Billy Graham was. It’s not so today, in what Baker describes as the “flip-flop” generation. “We need to build the gospel with grace, love and caring to reach … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 07/31/2013 - 11:40 Lane Moore By Brian Blackwell, Marketing Director SHREVEPORT – The new director of missions for Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association is a familiar face for many churches in the area. Unanimously voted on by the association’s executive board on June 27, Lane Moore had been the associate director of the association since 2005. Moore said his familiarity with the churches and the area gives him an advantage in his new position. “During the meeting when I was named to this position, the executive board told me, ‘congratulations, now get to work with what you were already doing this morning,’” Moore quipped. “In some ways, this is a fairly smooth and easy move to this position. “This area is home to me and I’ve developed relationships through the years with pastors and laypeople, so that puts me way ahead of the starting block,” Moore continued. “Since I already have built that trust with many of our people in the churches, that will help me as we move forward.” Prior to working at the association, Moore served on staff at two area churches. He was associate pastor and minister of education at Waller Baptist in Bossier City from 1994 to 2004, and minister of evangelism … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 07/31/2013 - 12:07 Jim Wolfe By Staff, Baptist Message LASALLE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION – For the last nine years, the 34 congregations of LaSalle Baptist Association have worked together without a director of missions. But for at least the next five months – until the end of the year – they’ll have one. Jim Wolfe of West Monroe recently accepted the assignment. “We’re just going to look and see what’s going to develop,” Wolfe said. “I spent this first week making contact with the pastors; we’ll start doing some planning in the next couple of weeks.” Wolfe most recently spent 12.5 years as director of the church ministries department for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention; previously he had pastored Brookstown Baptist Church in Baton Rouge for 10  years. He and his wife Kathy – they’ve been married 38 years – own a 7-acre truck farm near West Monroe, where as a hobby they raise peaches, plums, apples, pears “and a lot of figs” plus muscadine. “We just piddle around with it,” Wolfe said. Another “piddling around with” endeavor is Wolfe’s 1928, two-door, Chevrolet coupe, which is in its original fawn green color. He’s the car’s third owner. “I bought it in 1998 from a guy who bought … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 07/31/2013 - 12:10 First Baptist Grand Isle opened the doors to its sister church, Crosspoint Church, on Hwy. 1 in Galliano in a leased 50 foot by 50 foot space that was formerly a Radio Shack store. By Rachel Ortego, Regional Reporter GALLIANO – Every 2.68 years hurricanes pummel the town of Grand Isle, destroying homes and businesses, driving many to re-locate to the little town of Galliano in LaFourche Parish, 35 miles away. And every Sunday the faithful of Grand Isle Baptist Church, who live in Galliano, drive 45 minutes back to their home church for worship. Now, they don’t have to. In March 2012, First Baptist Grand Isle opened the doors to its sister church, Crosspoint Church, on Hwy. 1 in Galliano in a leased 50 foot by 50 foot space that was formerly a Radio Shack store. The church also has a thrift store ministry to meet the needs of the community; it is open on Thursdays and Fridays and on the second Saturday of each month. “This is something that has been on my heart since Katrina,” said Grand Isle Pastor John Boss. “We had members and key leaders of our church driving 45 minutes one way every Sunday from Galliano to Grand Isle. Because of the hurricanes, and cost of … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 07/31/2013 - 12:12 A young boy, one of 120 who attended the Royal Ambassadors Camp at Tall Timbers Conference Center, practices his skills with a bow and arrow during recreation time. The camp, though, wasn’t just fun and games as 12 boys made professions of faith by camp’s end. By Brian Blackwell, Marketing Director WOODWORTH – Staring at his target from 50 feet away, sixth-grader Jacob Weaver drew back his bow and held his breath as he released his arrow for the target. Excitement and celebration followed – just one example of the fun participants had throughout the week at Royal Ambassador Camp at Tall Timbers Conference Center. “It’s been a pretty fun week and I love playing all the games here,” Weaver said on a balmy late June afternoon. “My friends and I have had a great time.” The youngster from Montpelier Baptist was one of 120 participants from a total of 11 churches at this year’s RA Camp. Twelve young men made professions of faith by camp’s end. In addition to archery, campers also participated in mechanical bull riding, BB gun shooting, swimming, bazooka gun game and a ropes course. However, the camp was not all recreation. The boys and their leaders also took part in … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 07/31/2013 - 13:12 Clark Palmer, pastor of Faith Baptist Tioga, in 2001 created a desktop, flip-through tool to help with memorizing Scripture. By Brian Blackwell, Marketing Director TIOGA – Clark Palmer believes there is no shortcut or quick fix to learning scripture passages. That’s why Palmer created a tool designed to help believers hide Bible verses in their heart, not in just a day but over an extended period of time. “People tend to memorize for Sunday and forget by Monday,” said Palmer, pastor of Faith Baptist in Tioga. “My philosophy is, learn it for life.” In 2001, Palmer created a desktop, flip-through tool to help with the process of memorizing Scripture.  The Learn It For Life one-hour seminar grew out of his experience teaching others how to use the tool. In the seminar the focus is on three principles that Palmer said will help believers recall Bible verses decades into the future. Those principles are long-term repeated use and review of a verse, one minute of focused effort every day on a verse and setting one’s own pace to learn the verse. “Resist the urge to go quickly,” Palmer said. “Take a break. And keep in mind that some verses will take longer than … [Read more...]

Arrivals/Departures John (wife Mandy) Pemberton, new as pastor of Watson Baptist in Watson. John Dee Jeffries resigned July 31 as pastor of First Baptist Chalmette. Clovis Christman, new as pastor of Flowers Landing Baptist in Newellton. Scott Byrd, new as pastor of First Newellton. Chad McClurg, new as BCM director at ULM, from LSU-A. Eric (wife Shiann) Bradley, resigned in mid-June as youth pastor of First Baptist Haynesville. Needed/Giving First Baptist Arcadia seeks a Minister of Music/Worship Leader. Send resume to: First Baptist Church, Attn.: Music search committee. 2249 Hazel St., Arcadia LA 71001 or email: fbcofarcadia@bellsouth.net Mt. Hope Baptist Oakdale seeks a part-time music director. Send resumes to Search Committee, PO Box 544, Oakdale LA 71463 or email mt35hopebaptist@gmail.com. First Baptist Gretna seeks pianist. Email Jody heneghan at fbcgretna@gmail.com for interview. Include resume. First Baptist Greensburg seeks a part-time youth pastor and a part-time worship leader. Send resume and cover letter for either to Search Committees, PO Box 37, Greensburg LA 70441, or emailfbcgreensburgpastor@gmail.com. First Baptist Chalmette seeks full-time pastor. Send resumes to Search Committee, 305 E. St. … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 07/31/2013 - 13:16 Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed HB 2 – a bill banning abortion after 20 weeks – on Thursday, July 18. By Staff, World News Magazine AUSTIN, Texas – The thousands who came to the Texas State Capitol to support or protest a bill banning abortion after 20 weeks knew it would ultimately pass. But they came out anyway in hopes that their voices would influence a growing movement of pro-life legislation around the country. Republicans passed the bill 19-11 just before midnight July 12, with all but one Democrat voting against it. The Texas House easily passed the bill on July 10. Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed the bill (HB 2) on July 18. In addition to banning abortion after 20 weeks, the bill will require abortionists to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital and require all abortions to take place in surgical centers. Only five out of Texas’ 42 existing abortion clinics meet the surgical center requirements, and many clinic owners say they can’t afford to upgrade or relocate, so they’ll have to close their doors. State troopers positioned at each doorway and throughout the rotunda’s three stories, kept close watch on the circus-like throng outside the Senate chamber. … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 07/31/2013 - 13:22 Nearly 300 students received degrees from New Orleans Seminary and Leavell College. Chuck Kelley, the seminary’s president, challenged them to stay connected to who they are as followers of Christ, ministers of the Gospel and alumni of the seminary. By Frank McCormack, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS – Chuck Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, challenged graduates to stay connected to who they are as followers of Christ, ministers of the Gospel and alumni of the seminary. Nearly 300 students received degrees ranging from undergraduate and graduate certificates to associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees when New Orleans Seminary held its spring commencement in Leavell Chapel May 18 and Leavell College held its commencement the previous day. Kelley began his charge to the seminary graduates with a word from the apostle Paul. "He's very special to us here at NOBTS, because we have conclusive evidence that he was one of our earliest students," Kelley joked. Kelley pointed to the fact that Paul often refers to himself as the apostle to the Gentiles. "And who are 'Gentiles'?" Kelley asked. "Clearly, people who live on Gentilly! So … [Read more...]

By Frank McCormack, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley announced details of a $1.5 million gift to NOBTS from an anonymous donor and other scholarship gifts for bivocational and African American students during the trustee executive committee’s June meeting. The trustees also elected six new faculty members and launched several new teaching sites. Kelley told trustees the “providential gift” -- the largest single check during his presidency -- comes at a critical time of need for the seminary. The donor designated the gift be used in four ways. Ten percent of the $1.5 million gift will provide technology upgrades in Bunyan Building and Hardin Student Center classrooms. For only an additional $5,000, presentation equipment in both the Leavell Center and Leavell Chapel also will be upgraded, Kelley said. Bids for the project already are in hand, with work to begin this summer. “This will be the first time in our history that we’ve had all of our media presentation equipment on the same generation. We’re thrilled about that,” Kelley said. The second designation is for $600,000 to be used for the construction of an on-campus community center to house the … [Read more...]