FERGUSON, Mo. (BP) -- More than 200 Baptist pastors and leaders gathered at First Baptist Church in Ferguson, Mo., on the day violence had broken out in the early morning hours during the one-year anniversary weekend of the shooting death of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer. Baptist leaders from the Missouri and Illinois sides of the Mississippi River met to hear plans for and the challenges of Crossover St. Louis, which will precede the Southern Baptist Convention's 2016 annual meeting, June 14-15 in St. Louis. "This has been a city in crisis for more than a year," SBC President Ronnie Floyd said during the sessions at First Baptist in Ferguson. "When we set up this meeting, we didn't realize it would be the anniversary of that horrible event. But God did. "The entire metropolitan area needs an awakening," Floyd continued. "We need to pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit. God is getting His people ready and this is our moment to make a difference." On Sunday (Aug. 9) after an estimated 1,000 protesters had marched peacefully in Ferguson, police returned gunfire from a suspect around 11:15 p.m., critically wounding the man. Dozens of protesters were arrested throughout the day on Monday, the St. Louis … [Read more...]
Foreign Missions right here at home
By Joe Dupree Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE/PONCHATOULA – Coming from South Korea to the United States of America, more specifically Louisiana, can be quite the culture shock for most people. But not for 50 Korean children, who say it is something they look forward to every year. The children are part of a cooperative area between churches in South Korea and Louisiana. “It is a large cooperative effort here,” said Susan Duke, Camp USA coordinator. “It brings our local churches together, working towards the same thing. It's foreign missions taking place right here at home.” Having around 50 Korean children was a chance for local churches, such as Gateway Baptist, Kingsville Baptist, Faith Baptist, The Gathering Place, and Cross-Branded Cowboy Church to experience their culture and to also share the American culture with the children as the gospel is displayed each day through Vacation Bible School and other activities put on by the different churches. “Most of the children go to church and believe in Jesus,” said BongJun Ko, one of the Korean adult sponsors. “After they spend time here they can take what they have learned and bring it back home to their families and churches.” One local family, who happened to … [Read more...]
Church plants networking statewide
By Joe Dupree Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA - Making disciples that make disciples. That is the goal of the local church. To further grow the Kingdom of God for His glory. Since 2010, Louisiana has seen 114 Southern Baptist new churches spring up across the state. In 2015, Louisiana Baptists have already supported 26 church plants across the state with a projection of 40 new church plants by the end of the year. This summer, Church Planting Network, led by Lane Corley, Louisiana Baptist Convention church planting strategist, hosted luncheons across the state where over 100 leaders attended to get new ideas on how to start more church plants. These leaders learned that the best resource for church planting was the people. The Bible calls believers to go and spread the good news to all people. They learned how to gather, develop, encourage, deploy, and depend upon people. … [Read more...]
Churches may have to cease their BSA sponsorship regarding the new ruling
NASHVILLE (BP) -- The Boy Scouts of America's executive board has voted to lift the Scouts' national ban on gay adult leaders and employees -- a move Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd said may hasten the exodus of Southern Baptists from Scouting. "Sadly and regrettably, I believe churches who stand on the biblical ethic of sexuality will have to cease their sponsorship and involvement in the Boy Scouts of America," Floyd told Baptist Press in written comments. "I also believe it is important that everyone understands that in reality, it is the Boy Scouts of America that is walking away from their historic heritage that has been embraced by the vast majority of Americans." The BSA executive board approved the policy change, which is effective immediately, by a 79-percent majority, the Scouts' website reported. The vote occurred during a July 27 conference call. The BSA will continue to allow troops chartered by religious organizations to exclude gays from volunteer leadership positions if homosexual behavior is incompatible with chartering organizations' religious beliefs. One Baptist leader told The Washington Post that concession may only be temporary, and churches could be forced eventually to accept … [Read more...]
Trail Life USA, alternative to Boy Scouts, warns churches before BSA vote on gay leaders
By Gregory Tomlin Christian Examiner ORLANDO, Fla. – Trail Life USA, the organization founded as an alternative to the Boy Scouts of America after that organization voted to accept gay scouts in 2013 has issued a warning to churches in advance of the BSA's formal vote next Monday to accept gay adult leaders. The warning, in the form of a lengthy legal memorandum describing the legal challenges that will face churches enforcing a conservative Christian membership policy, was sent in an email to Trail Life USA supporters July 23. It was also posted to the group's website. In a note accompanying the memorandum, the organization's CEO Mark Hancock said his organization's board, staff and members have "no desire to dishonor the tremendous legacy of the Boy Scouts of America." "However, our love for God's church and our concern for the welfare of boys compels us to release the following statement and accompanying position paper," Hancock said. The statement Hancock referenced included comment from John Stemberger, Trail Life's chairman of the board and an attorney in Orlando, Fla. Stemberger was instrumental in founding the BSA alternative. He said the organization was greatly saddened by the BSA's resolution, which will be the … [Read more...]
Boy Scouts of America await decision regarding homosexual leadership
By staff reports *DISCLAIMER* As of right now, the Boy Scouts of America executive committee has yet to reach an agreement on the allowing of homosexual male adults as leaders within the BSA. DALLAS -The Boy Scouts of America is expected to end its ban on gay adult leaders on Monday, dismantling a policy that has deeply divided the membership of the 105-year-old Texas-based organization. The Boy Scouts National Executive Board will consider a resolution that was unanimously approved by the organization’s executive committee on July 13. The organization is urging an end to the ban because of "sea change in the law with respect to gay rights." The decision would follow the landmark ruling in late June by the U.S. Supreme Court allowing same-sex marriages nationwide. In May, the Boy Scouts' president, former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, called the ban "unsustainable" and said it needed to change. The Boy Scouts of America is expected to end its ban on gay adult leaders on Monday, dismantling a policy that has deeply divided the membership of the 105-year-old Texas-based organization. The Boy Scouts National Executive Board will consider a resolution that was unanimously approved by the organization’s … [Read more...]
Former NFL kicker Chris Boniol comes home as Louisiana College’s new special teams coordinator
By Staff Baptist Message What’s more important … winning football games or building men? “They are both important,” according to Alexandria native and former NFL kicker Chris Boniol, who was formally introduced as Louisiana College’s new special team’s coordinator and running backs coach July 24 at a press conference at the school. “Chris is a great fit for our coaching staff, and I have every confidence in what he brings to the game as a special teams and running backs coach,” said Louisiana College’s Athletics Director and Head Football Coach Dennis Dunn. “But more than that, I am thankful to God a man of this caliber -- professional and personal -- will be a role model not only for our athletes, but for anyone else whose life he touches. “Louisiana College’s Athletic department is grateful to have someone like Chris Boniol join the Wildcats football coaching squad,” said Dunn. “His NFL record speaks for itself, and we couldn’t be happier about that. He is taking over for Josh Bonadona, who left to become the video coordinator at Southeast Missouri State. “I’m driven to succeed,” said the 43-year-old Boniol. “I want to see the fruits of our labor and hard work pay off. I want to see results. There are no … [Read more...]
Interview with new Louisiana College special teams coach, Chris Bonial
by Norm Miller Louisiana College Media Responding to his new assignment at Louisiana College, Coach Chris Boniol, who was named the Wildcats’ new special teams coordinator and running backs coach, sat down with LCNews and shared his thoughts in the following interview. “As a kicker in the NFL, I was judged on results only,” Chris Boniol said. “If you miss a big kick, there won't be much forgiveness from the critics. Jesus Christ, on the contrary, gave us a life-long contract of forgiveness when he died on the cross.” “For me, it is not about a Super Bowl ring; it's about my wedding ring. It is not about treasures on earth; it's about treasures in heaven. It is not about adoring fans; it's about my adoring family,” Boniol said. “Every year there is a new Super Bowl Champion,” he added. “Jesus Christ was crowned our Eternal Champion when he died for our salvation. I pray that others find the same unfailing peace that I have found in Christ.” LC president Rick Brewer said, “Chris Boniol fits the model of a Louisiana College professional. If you want to talk about relevant, relational and rigorous, then Coach Boniol has to be part of that conversation. Few things are more relevant to college life and the fabric of … [Read more...]
Georgia Barnette Conference Center progressing well
By Joe Dupree Message Staff Writer WOODWORTH - The building infrastructures of the new Georgia Barnette Conference Center are looking well as the weeks go by. Volunteers from across Louisiana and Texas have worked tirelessly through the summer heat on the campus of Tall Timbers Conference Center. We are still looking for some construction volunteers to help us build the Georgia Barnette Mission Conference Center at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth, beginning July 20 through August 28. Volunteers will be needed throughout the year until the building is completed. If youcan help between now and August 28, please contact Tall Timbers at (318) 445-6797 for more information. You can help build for the future! Meals will be provided for the volunteers as well as 24 RV hook ups will be available with limited housing at nearby Camp Brewer and/or The Wesley Methodist Center in Woodworth. Housing at Tall Timbers will be available in limited quantities after August 8 (no cost). Hotels/motels are also available in Alexandria. For cost and availability of housing, contact Julia Parker at Julia.Parker@LouisianaBaptists.org or Bill & Joyce Temple, on-site construction coordinators, at BJTemple71241@AOL.com. … [Read more...]
Churches coming together for the Kingdom
By Joe Dupree Message Staff Writer FOREST HILL – A helping hand from a sister church help make Vacation Bible School one to remember. More than 20 teenagers and adult volunteers from Kingsville Baptist Church in Ball helped to Forest Hill Baptist Church with its VBS recently. "I believe this is one of our best VBS's we have had here," said George Marshall, pastor of Forest Hill Baptist Church. "Our people have really come together and having Kingsville help was such a blessing to us." Averaging 30 children throughout the week, Forest Hill Baptist began each day with worship rally where the children sang songs and watched a video on the day’s lesson. After worship, there was Bible study before the children rotated between crafts, recreation, snacks and missions. Throughout the week, in the evening, the teens and college students from Kingsville would be there helping Forest Hill teach the children about Jesus and showing, by example, what it meant to come together for the sake of the gospel. "This is what it's all about. Larger churches helping smaller churches," said Marshall. "When a church comes to help with VBS, it's really great for us." And the congregation at Forest Hill didn’t mind sharing their … [Read more...]
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