Week of October 10, 2005 Potpourri BATON ROUGE – Foster Road church: Mike Canady, guest speaker; Oct. 23, 10:15 a.m.; Huey Moak, pastor. WINNFIELD – First church: “Abducted” Judgement House production; Oct. 26-31, 6-8 p.m.; $2 donation; for tickets, call (318) 628-3544; John Holland, minister of music; Brandon Lewis, minister of youth; Lindsey Burns, pastor. DERIDDER – Westview church: Beauregard Associational meeting on Oct. 13 cancelled due to hurricane Rita; Roy Lee Johnson, director of missions. LIBUSE – Philadelphia church: Emir Caner, co-author of the book “Behind the Veil,” guest speaker; Oct. 19, 6:15 p.m.; Philip Robertson, pastor. PINEVILLE – Pineville Park church: The Harrell’s in concert; Oct. 16, 5 p.m.; Gregory R. Carroll, pastor. Revivals ALBANY – Old Zion Hill church: Oct. 23, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Oct. 24-26, 7 p.m.; guest speakers are as follows: Sunday/Lonnie Wascom, Monday/David Hankins, Tuesday/Ken Taylor and Wednesday/Jeremy Thompson; Glenda Jelks, music; Bobby Stultz, pastor. COTTON VALLEY – Unity church: Oct. 23, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Oct. 24-26, 7 p.m.; Joe Aulds, evangelist; Cecil Marr, pastor. EROS – Oak Grove church: Oct. 16, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Oct. 17-19, 7 p.m.; … [Read more...]
‘Thank God for you – and thank every one of you!’
Another piece about the destruction and terrible impact of sister hurricanes Katrina and Rita hardly seems necessary, but saying “thank you” certainly does. By Lynn P. Clayton LBM Editor Another piece about the destruction and terrible impact of sister hurricanes Katrina and Rita hardly seems necessary, but saying “thank you” certainly does. Again and again, the kindness, compassion and generosity of literally hundreds of thousands – probably millions – of people shown to the victims of the hurricanes have been overwhelming. Institutional generosity has been impressive. It seems every major company in America has given significantly of goods, services, manpower and money to relief efforts, as individuals have opened their hearts and pocketbooks to help. Their financial contributions will total millions upon millions of dollars. And may I say without trying to be boastful, churches and other religious organizations have been incredibly generous with services, goods, money and spiritual and moral support. This editor is bold enough to estimate that outside of government aid, at least one half of all financial and personnel assistance has come through religious organizations or because of Christian … [Read more...]
Katrina opening doors for Global Maritime Ministries to reach evacuees, relief workers
Global Maritime Ministries, the Southern Baptist ministry to the Port of New Orleans and the Port of South Louisiana, has found that the world is truly at their doorstep as thousands of international seamen enter their ports each year. Global Maritime Ministries, the Southern Baptist ministry to the Port of New Orleans and the Port of South Louisiana, has found that the world is truly at their doorstep as thousands of international seamen enter their ports each year. The minstry’s three-man staff often has the opportunity to share Christ with persons from countries closed to missionaries. But the presence of relief workers from across the nation and the prevalence of loss due to Hurricane Katrina have produced a myriad of new visitors and ministry opportunities for the port ministry, even as they deal with their own loss. Though no physical damage was sustained at the two centers and offices operated by the South Louisiana ministry, personal loss was much greater. Philip Vandercook, executive director of Global Maritime Ministries, and his staff returned to the New Orleans port as soon as authorities allowed, providing clothes, Bibles and supplies for those in need, including 15 Harbor Police officers … [Read more...]
Cooperative Program tops budget by $12.5 million; gains to aid in hurricane disaster recovery needs
Cooperative Program giving for national causes during fiscal 2004-05 that ended September 30 finished above 2003-2004’s by $6,083,167, or 3.20 percent, and exceeded the approved 2004-2005 budget for the year by $12,496,728. Cooperative Program giving for national causes during fiscal 2004-05 that ended September 30 finished above 2003-2004’s by $6,083,167, or 3.20 percent, and exceeded the approved 2004-2005 budget for the year by $12,496,728. The Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Board, acting ad interim on behalf of the Southern Baptist Convention, voted that beyond-the-budget contributions for the last fiscal year go to three areas of great need among Southern Baptists caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The amount could be as much as $7 million. Distribution of the money will be: • One-half to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to aid faculty and students recover from losses and to help rebuild the campus. • One-fourth to the three state conventions most affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to keep ministers on their fields and to assist churches in recovery. • One-fourth to North American Mission Board for its extensive hurricane disaster relief operation. The Great Commission … [Read more...]
How was the return to New Orleans? Please, do not ask now
I spent all day Sept. 29 with three good friends, and it was one of the worst days of my life. We were finally able to get into New Orleans and begin the process of checking on our churches with associational worker Freddie Arnold, church builder Ed Jelks and his wife, Glenda. Guest commentary By Joe McKeever Director of Missions Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans I spent all day Sept. 29 with three good friends, and it was one of the worst days of my life. We were finally able to get into New Orleans and begin the process of checking on our churches with associational worker Freddie Arnold, church builder Ed Jelks and his wife, Glenda. We spent the day visiting more than 20 churches. We confined our visits to Orleans Parish. We drove down deserted streets with no traffic lights, with destruction on both sides, downed trees everywhere, homes boarded up, every store and every business closed. Not some and not most – every last one. From the time we entered New Orleans at 9:30 a.m. until we moved into Metairie seven hours later, we did not see one place to buy a Coke or go to the restroom. No birds were singing. One or two stray cats showed up and ran away. We saw an occasional … [Read more...]
Louisianians supply pulpit for pastor sidelined with cancer
Jim Spencer has fought his share of battles throughout his lifetime. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter Jim Spencer has fought his share of battles throughout his lifetime. Six years ago, he underwent a multiple heart bypass surgery – and fully recovered. Today, he faces one of the most decisive battles of his life – a bout with cancer. But if history is any indication, the pastor of Kingsville Baptist Church in Pineville is prepared for the fight – with the support of his church family and Louisiana Baptists, who are preaching for Spencer while he undergoes treatment. “God healed me six years ago, and I know he can now,” says Spencer, who has served at the Louisiana Baptist church for 29 years. “Pastors from all over Louisiana have called and reached out to me. Plus, I’ve received hundreds of cards and letters of encouragement.” Spencer learned May 10 that he has renal cell carcinoma – the most common kidney cancer among adults. During the first two months of treatment, Spencer traveled weekly to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, though now he is treated at the hospital just once every two to three weeks. Soon after Spencer began his medical treatment, interim youth minister … [Read more...]
Despite its challenges, IMB reports God is moving in Africa
Jerry Rankin admits he has a burden for West Africa, which perennially tops other regions in missionary resignations and ranks near the bottom of missionary appointments. Jerry Rankin admits he has a burden for West Africa, which perennially tops other regions in missionary resignations and ranks near the bottom of missionary appointments. “We experienced the heat, life in the villages, bone-jarring travel and saw the challenge of evangelizing this impoverished, disease-ridden, resistant area of the world,” said the International Mission Board president. “Many missionary families live in isolated locations without the amenities of phone service and reliable electricity. “Disease is rampant – the discussion is not whether or not one has contracted malaria, but when you last had an attack and how you are treating it. Missionaries have regularly had to evacuate countries as political coups and ethnic violence exacerbate the instability and danger.” Rankin’s comments about the discouraging environment of suffering in the region came during the recent meeting of International Mission Board trustees. West Africa was one of Southern Baptists’ earliest mission fields. In 2000, Nigeria commemorated 150 … [Read more...]
These Cardinals’ announcers broadcast baseball and God
Listen to a St. Louis Cardinals radio broadcast and you won’t hear broadcasters Wayne Hagin and Rick Horton present the Gospel overtly. Their job is to talk about baseball, not about God. Listen to a St. Louis Cardinals radio broadcast and you won’t hear broadcasters Wayne Hagin and Rick Horton present the Gospel overtly. Their job is to talk about baseball, not about God. But in subtle ways, Hagin and Horton do what they can to reflect God’s grace in their lives – either over the airwaves or in their direct contact with people. “If Christ is in us, there’s going to be an aroma of Christ,” Horton said. “It has nothing to do with me. It’s just God’s grace in our life. I guess I have a hope and a belief that that shows through in ways I can’t even understand.” Hagin is the play-by-play announcer for all the Cardinals radio broadcasts. Horton, a former St. Louis pitcher, does the weekend television broadcasts with Bob Carpenter and also fills in on the radio from time to time for analyst Mike Shannon. For Hagin, the best way for him to share the Gospel with others is to live it. “The best sermon I ever heard was the one I saw,” Hagin said. “People watch how you conduct yourself. Major League Baseball … [Read more...]
Thanks for the words
We found Lynn Clayton’s editorial, “What will Katrina reveal of us? Will we look to God?” in the September 8 issue so logical, so well-thought out, so objective and perceptive. He wrote that all of us are being tested as never before – “Our endurance and patience and love and willingness ... will be tested for ... maybe even years.” He reminds us, at a crucial time, that we need to commit this tragedy into God’s hands, depending on him, not only on our wisdom, strength and goodness. “In Christ we are not victims, but victors!” he proclaims. Also, Lacy Thompson’s article in that issue was so beautifully written, approaching poetry! How true that “no word exists in human language” to accurately describe what recently happened in regions in the South and Texas. “Only God knows the word!” “And in the midst of faith, there is hurt” – and there are tears for the words that fail us. Thanks for words from your heart – sheer poetry – and biblical inspiration that opened up a clear Christian perspective in the midst of such a tragedy, a practical positive approach that so many in our area need now. I plan to read it to the Bridges Builders Bible class Sunday. Polly and A.D. (Danny) Martin Houma … [Read more...]
Time to wake up
I’ve been waiting for somebody to say something. We’ve had 9-11 and the killer wave in Asia and now Katrina. What next? Is God trying to say something? I believe he is. I am not hearing any politicians or preachers or Baptist leaders say America needs to repent and turn to God. I am not hearing that we need to repent and call America back to God. It is time we wake up! God is judging our nation and our world. The civic leaders and powerbrokers met in Baton Rouge and planned a modified Mardi Gras and the rebuilding of the French Quarter. They said nothing about getting right with God. Now, many of our Southern Baptists are departing from the historical faith once delivered to the saints – you will find that in the book of Jude. There is no basis left for God to work from. He is left with the need to judge America, and he is, and he will. Vaughn Denton Southaven, Miss. … [Read more...]