WESTWEGO – Even though his election bid for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention failed, Jay Adkins said he came out a winner in the end. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer WESTWEGO – Even though his election bid for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention failed, Jay Adkins said he came out a winner in the end. Adkins, 33, was one of four candidates for the post. Wiley Drake, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park, Calif., was elected as second vice president with 50.37 percent of the vote. Adkins received 207 votes. “I had several reasons for running,” said Adkins, pastor at First Baptist Church of Westwego. “The convention wanted younger pastors involved. Plus I was pastor of a church that is the size of most congregations. Finally, I wanted to bring to light what has happened to churches affected by Hurricane Katrina.” Even though he lost the election, Adkins was encouraged by the convention’s recent commitment to younger leaders. During the SBC annual meeting, a motion was made that at least one pastor under 40 years of age be appointed to serve on each convention board and committee. Also, younger people were named to the convention boards … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA—The Louisiana State Baptist Convention announced today the appointment of Janie Wise as the acting interim for the women’s missions and ministries. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Cindy Townsend, who is moving to central Texas with her family. Her husband, Bill, accepted the position of Vice President for Development at Mary Hardin Baylor University, Temple, Texas. By John Yeats LBC Communications Director ALEXANDRIA—The  Louisiana State Baptist Convention announced today the appointment of Janie Wise as the acting interim for the women’s missions and ministries. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Cindy Townsend, who is moving to central Texas with her family. Her husband, Bill, accepted the position of Vice President for Development at Mary Hardin Baylor University, Temple, Texas. Wise will continue her responsibilities with Acteen and Girls in Action ministries. She will also serve to give direct guidance to the overall women’s and missions ministries staff who serve to provide training, mission education and inspiration for women in the local Southern Baptist churches and associations. “I look forward to serving Louisiana Baptists however needed” says Wise.  … [Read more...]

GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP)--A motion calling for the relocation of the 2008 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention to hurricane-stricken New Orleans was referred to the SBC Executive Committee, although one of its staff members expressed several concerns about its feasibility. By Kyle Smith Baptist Press GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – A motion calling for the relocation of the 2008 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention to hurricane-stricken New Orleans was referred to the SBC Executive Committee, although one of its staff members expressed several concerns about its feasibility. The motion, proposed by David Crosby, pastor of First Baptist Church in New Orleans, called for the relocation because New Orleans is a city “ripe for the Gospel,” one where Southern Baptists could “dramatically change” the future. “We need the help of God’s people,” Crosby said in a statement from the floor. “It is an opportune moment.... “We didn’t know a year ago that Katrina was going to come and devastate this historic city,” Crosby said, “but we now know what has happened and we know the opportunity we have.” Going to New Orleans in 2008 “is very important as opposed to going later,” he said. “I believe … [Read more...]

GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – Southern Baptists heard four “Points of Challenge” speakers addressing them as individuals, as churches and as a convention during the SBC annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C., June 13-14. By Kay Adkins Baptist Press GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – Southern Baptists heard four “Points of Challenge” speakers addressing them as individuals, as churches and as a convention during the SBC annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C., June 13-14. The challenges underscored SBC President Bobby Welch’s “Everyone Can” campaign to baptize 1 million souls in a year. David Cox, co-pastor of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Fla., first challenged Southern Baptists to win the world to Christ through clearly demonstrated Christian love. “You know if there is one thing that we are missing in our Southern Baptist Convention, something that we need to grasp more of, it is the whole concept of Christian love and loving one another and loving sinners,” Cox said. Preaching from Mark 9:12-13, Cox exhorted messengers to remember that it is not the healthy who need a physician but the sick and that Jesus desires our compassion over sacrifice. “If you’re trying to get a handle like I am on what’s this all … [Read more...]

GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary alumni honored Chuck Kelley for 10 years of service as president during the school’s alumni and friends luncheon at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C., June 14. Three others were honored with distinguished alumni and service awards. “You have been a great blessing to us these 10 years,” Ron McCaskill, national alumni president, told Kelley. “We express our heartfelt gratitude for your leadership. During difficult times, God raises up great leaders. We thank God for sending us a leader who has seen us through the waters.” The capacity crowd responded with a standing ovation, and McCaskill presented Kelley with a love offering collected by the national alumni officers. “Thank you very much ... for this very kind and generous act,” Kelley said. “It truly has been a wonderful 10 years. It has been great to serve this seminary and this body of alumni.” Kelley then presented John Moore, state director of Baptist Campus Ministry for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, and Emil Turner, executive director of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, with distinguished alumni awards. He also gave a special distinguished service award to Joe … [Read more...]

GREENSBORO (BP)–Without America’s moral leadership, the world could easily descend into chaos and despotism, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said June 14 at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C. By Gregory Tomlin Baptist Press GREENSBORO (BP) – Without America’s moral leadership, the world could easily descend into chaos and despotism, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said June 14 at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C. “The weight of international leadership is not borne easily,” Rice said, “but we as Americans are more than equal to this challenge, and we must be, for if we imagine a world without American leadership we are led inescapably to this solemn conclusion: If America does not serve great purposes, if we do not rally other nations to fight intolerance and support peace and defend freedom, and to help give all hope who suffer oppression, then our world will drift toward tragedy.” American inaction will result in the strong abusing the weak and inevitable threats “to the very heart of our nation,” Rice said. The secretary’s 30-minute address followed videotaped comments from President Bush the previous day. … [Read more...]

GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – On the same day U.S. President George W. Bush met in Baghdad for a surprise five-hour visit with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, he spoke for five minutes via a surprise videotape during the first session of the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in the Greensboro Coliseum. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – On the same day U.S. President George W. Bush met in Baghdad for a surprise five-hour visit with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, he spoke for five minutes via a surprise videotape during the first session of the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in the Greensboro Coliseum. Pledging support for pro-life causes, fair judges and faith-based ministries to those in need, Bush first recognized two men – SBC President Bobby Welch and legendary evangelist Billy Graham. “I’m pleased to join you for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention,” Bush told about 18,000 registered messengers and guests June 13, recognizing SBC President Bobby Welch as “a man whose life has been defined by service, as a minister of faith and a soldier in uniform.” Welch, who is also the pastor of First Baptist Church of Daytona … [Read more...]

WASHINGTON (BP) – Broadcasters who transgress the federal government’s indecency standards now will have to pay as much as $325,000 per violation. By Baptist Press Staff WASHINGTON (BP) – Broadcasters who transgress the federal government’s indecency standards now will have to pay as much as $325,000 per violation. President Bush recently signed into law legislation increasing by tenfold the maximum fine for indecency on television and radio. The Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act increases the maximum fine that can be levied by the Federal Communications Commission from $32,500 to $325,000. During the signing ceremony at the White House, Bush commended Congress for sending legislation to him that will “help American parents by making broadcast television and radio more family friendly.” “Parents are the first line of defense [in supervising what children watch and listen to], but broadcasters and the electronics industry must play a valuable role in protecting our children from obscene and indecent programming,” the president told an audience that included pro-family advocates and members of Congress. “Unfortunately, in recent years, broadcast programming has too often pushed the bounds of … [Read more...]

BILOXI, Miss. – Biloxi Pointe Mobile Home Park has had a national audience. It was featured on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition – After the Storm, Mississippi” March 22. The residents were given washers and dryers and a Sears’ gift card by the ABC show. By Teresa Dickens For LifeWay BILOXI, Miss. – Biloxi Pointe Mobile Home Park has had a national audience. It was featured on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition – After the Storm, Mississippi” March 22. The residents were given washers and dryers and a Sears’ gift card by the ABC show. On May 19-21, the FEMA mobile home park was visited by a different “makeover” group. The six-member team from First Baptist Church of Madison, Miss., was on a spiritual makeover mission. They were there to conduct a Vacation Bible School event. On Friday afternoon, the team conducted a carnival-type event and handed out fliers to every unit about a Saturday five-hour Bible club. The weekend event concluded on Sunday with a worship service. The Madison efforts resulted in 13 children coming out for the Saturday event under the shade trees adjacent to the park and six returned for the Sunday morning service. Parents and other adults wandered in and out of the … [Read more...]