By Bill Warren, NOBTS Question: The Gospels say that a centurion was at the cross when Jesus was crucified and that Cornelius was a centurion. What was a centurion and what role did they have? Bill Warren responds: “Centurion” was a rank within the Roman army, the Legions. A centurion was in charge of 80 men (not 100), with that group divided into 10 groups of 8 men each, with the 8 men thus forming the unit for occupying a tent when such was being used for housing during war. Centurions were promoted normally from the experienced soldiers within the troops, rather than being put into the position based on a political appointment; promotions based on the demonstration of positive characteristics such as discipline, courage, and leadership ability while serving as a legionnaire (regular soldier). To expand a bit on the backgrounds of the Roman legions, in the first century soldiers normally were Roman citizens prior to becoming a soldier, although the practice began of offering Roman citizenship to those who enrolled for long periods of service as soldiers. Upon completing 25 years of service, a soldier could retire with a solid pension, with centurions receiving a substantially more generous pension, (perhaps as much as 15 … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Marketing Director STATEWIDE – Law firms in the state are reporting mixed response so far from Louisiana Baptist churches who may be eligible participants in the multi-billion dollar compensation fund established by the federal court settlement for the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Of the law firms who placed an ad related to the settlement in the Baptist Message, one reported a few inquiries while another reported that around 25 Baptist churches have already responded and completed participant eligibility worksheets. But law firms are urging all churches, non-profit organizations, and small businesses to apply for funds soon, as the deadline to make a claim has only been extended to April 2014.  It matters not where in the state the applicant is located, or whether they experienced an obvious or direct effect from the spill event. “It is certainly advisable for every church to complete the simple worksheet and determine its eligibility,” said Mike Johnson, a Shreveport attorney who has assisted dozens of churches in the process.  “The average church claim amount has been calculated at around $25,000 to $30,000, but some, even in the far northern corners of the state, have been … [Read more...]

By Ann Maniscalco, Special to the Message NEW ORLEANS – Churches that try to create a one-size-fits-all senior adult program are not considering the diversity among the 55-plus age group, said Amy Hanson, Ph.D., at a recent four-session event at NOBTS. Hanson is author of Baby Boomers and Beyond: Tapping the Ministry Talents and Passions of Adults Over 50. In the “Ministry with Boomers and Beyond: Re-tooling our Ministries for Maximum Impact” session, Hanson divided aging adults into three groups: the “young-old” (ages 55-74), the “old-old” (ages 75-84) and the “oldest-old” (ages 85-plus). She said the focus of this particular conference would be on the youngest group. “We must rethink how we do senior adult ministry and even create new ministries and programs to reach the 78 million Baby Boomers who do not want to participate in the traditional seniors’ potluck luncheon or bus trip,” Hanson said. When planning ministries and programs, she suggested covering the bases of physical health, mental health and engagement with life, while being careful to always include the faith perspective. The second session focused on “Service: the Linchpin of a Successful Ministry”. Using Psalm 92:14a (“They will still bear fruit in old age”), … [Read more...]

By Karen Willoughby, Managing Editor First Baptist Church of Montgomery will again this year be part of Camp USA. Because of scheduling issues last year, the church did not participate. However, despite Pastor Ray Teal’s recent health issues, the church is eager to be a part of this intercultural exchange, Teal said. Camp USA is a three-week midsummer American adventure for about 50 youngsters and their leaders from South Korea. Now in its eighth year, it’s a partnership between North Rapides Baptist Association, First Baptist Church of Ponchatoula, and the Korean Baptist Development Board (the Korean version of  LifeWay Christian Resources). The Koreans fly this year on July 19 into the Alexandria airport. They take a chartered bus July 28 to Ponchatoula, and to Houston Aug. 5. While in the North Rapides area, the youngsters will participate in vacation Bible school, English classes, and cultural activities they might not have opportunity to experience in South Korea, such as 4-wheeling. Middle-school students will stay in the Montgomery area, with two youngsters of the same sex staying with one host family, so the Koreans can experience life in an American home. Elementary school students will be in similar arrangements … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 05/22/2013 - 10:10 Graduates in elementary education pose for a photo Saturday, May 11 following commencent ceremonies at Louisiana College. The school graduated 170 students this spring including Joshua Jee, an applied mathematics major from Mandeville, who completed his degree with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. By Al Quartemont, Special to the Message PINEVILLE – After a rather turbulent semester that brought its share of headlines, Louisiana College had the opportunity to simply celebrate its best and brightest Saturday, May 11, with the graduation of 170 students in the college’s spring commencement. In all, 112 undergraduates, 55 masters level and three secondary students comprised the Spring 2013 class. Among the academic standouts: Joshua Jee, an applied mathematics major from Mandeville, who completed his degree with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. “We are conferring degrees on those who will go into the world and change the world for Jesus Christ,” said LC President Joe Aguillard. “Your diploma will give you opportunities in the future,” said Gene Lee, chairman of the LC Board of Trustees. “Take what you’ve learned and enrich those around you.” The commencement address … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 05/22/2013 - 10:13 Life Point Church Pastor Jacob Crawford, (left), visits with church members Jariance Williams, (center), and Joseph Buller, (right) in the church’s Cottonport clothing and furniture resale shop, one of the ministries it operates for the public as well as for at-risk families. By Rachel Ortego, Regional Reporter COTTONPORT – When Jacob Crawford began a church in Avoyelles Parish seven years ago, he had a vision for a modern church, one, he said, that would have “the black ceilings with all the lighting and nice things.” Things changed when he arrived in Marksville to plant Life Point Church.  He found an area where 50 percent of the people live in poverty, 50 percent of high school students drop out, and a parish that leads the state in domestic abuse, suicide and some forms of substance abuse. “It was either go with the nice things, or meet the needs of the people,” Crawford said. “I have a degree in social work and I knew I could minister to high-risk families, small children and youth,” the pastor explained. “God led us to create an environment where someone could come no matter what they looked like, wore or what they had done. I started knocking on doors. For four … [Read more...]

By Jerry Love, LBF Communications ALEXANDRIA – In a spirit of camaraderie and cooperation, the members of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation Board of Trustees met in their regular quarterly meeting April 30 at the Louisiana Baptist Building. One of the primary purposes of the Foundation is receive and manage gifts on behalf of Baptist churches, organizations and ministries. Once a gift is received, the Foundation invests the funds in order to distribute income to the Baptist entity designated by the donor. The Foundation trustees and staff constantly strive to fulfill their fiduciary responsibility to maximize the income paid to ministry while maintaining a stable asset value. In that light, the investment consultant for the LBF, Lee Morris of Graystone Consulting, reviewed changes at the quarterly board meeting that have been made in the portfolio over the last several years. Morris showed graphically how the portfolio looked in 2007 and the changes made through 2012. Over the last five years the Board of Trustees, with the guidance of Graystone Consulting, has moved to reduce the overall exposure to equities by nearly 25 percent. Additional assets classes were added for diversification of the portfolio. Asset classes added … [Read more...]

By Karen Willoughby, Managing Editor MONROE – The mention that revenues were 5 percent over expenses the first quarter of the year was the first of several bits of good news heard by trustees of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home during their May 10 meeting in the Rusker-Austin building’s conference room on the Children’s Home campus. In his report to the trustees, President and CEO Perry Hancock said he was “encouraged by the growing support of our churches.” Income from VBS offerings “continues to grow, year after year,” he added. Online giving is up and the number of givers also is up, Hancock reported, though the specific dollar amounts are down about $7 per gift. Pool renovations are complete, Hancock reported. This includes a new roof, two new restrooms, and the refinishing of the pool walls and floor. The new 40 X 80-foot pavilion near the Children’s Home fishing dock is completed, Hancock continued his report. A ribbon-cutting of the new metal-roofed structure – with two restrooms and a gated outdoor kitchen at the back – took place after the board meeting. As part of their ministry, Campers on Mission earlier in the week had built a railing around the dock. Updating – new flooring, carpet and paint – at Grace … [Read more...]

By Karen Willoughby, Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA – The new digital delivery of the Baptist Message, as well as personnel items, dominated the agenda when members of the Board of Trustees for the Baptist Message met May 14 for their regular spring meeting. Chairman Pat Barber presided. Kelly Boggs, Baptist Message editor, announced that an iPhone/iPad  app, offering a digital version of the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s official newsjournal,  would soon be available. James Lambert, bi-vocational pastor of Bryceland Baptist Church in Gibsland who developed the app, was present to provide board members with a demonstration of the app’s features. Lambert indicated the Baptist Message app is in its final stages of testing. The next step is to secure approval from Apple. Once Apple gives the green light, the app will be available to paid subscribers at no additional cost. Those without a paid subscription can download the app via the iTunes store and purchase a digital subscription for $13.99. Lambert also said the app with be functional across a variety of smart phone platforms. Managing Editor Karen Willoughby announced her impending retirement to the personnel committee, reported Chairman Lane Corley. Willoughby, on staff since … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 05/22/2013 - 10:23 Campers on Mission volunteers recently completed the railing for the LBCH fishing dock. By Staff, Baptist Message MONROE – A “baker’s dozen crew of 13 Louisiana- based Campers on Mission recently descended for their annual visit on the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. Their purpose: To do what they could. So, what could they do? “They built the new railing on the dock,” said Julie Cupples, LBCH director of communication. “They painted bathrooms in three cottages. They painted front doors on some of the cottages. They replaced the shutters on the chapel and helped renovate an office.” Campers on Mission go across the state – and, for some of them, the nation – doing good while enjoying their “leisure years.” They’ll stay on-site and do what they can to help spruce up “the place” – whichever place it is, for the next season. “The campers always enjoy their time on our campus,” said Dale Stone, LBCH director of buildings and grounds. “They love the safe environment and they love to interact with our children and cottage parents.” After having breakfast and morning devotion together, the campers stayed busy throughout each of the five days they were at the Children’s … [Read more...]