SALEM, Ore. (BP) – What Capital Baptist Church’s pastor saw firsthand made him a believer. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor SALEM, Ore. (BP) – What Capital Baptist Church’s pastor saw firsthand made him a believer. “It was my privilege to serve on the executive board of the Northwest Baptist Convention for a term on the Finance Committee,” John Lipton said. “In so doing I observed our convention’s absolute commitment to sound principles of stewardship, accountability and integrity. “An increase in Cooperative Program giving is a good step in the direction of Kingdom-building,” the pastor said. “God’s Kingdom is the most worthwhile investment that any church can make.” In January, Capital Baptist voted to increase their Cooperative Program giving to 10 percent. This despite the fact that the church, where about 180 people attend Sunday morning worship, anticipates hiring a second staff member this year, is involved in a major evangelistic outreach locally, and didn’t make its $263,389 budget last year. “The way I look at the Cooperative Program and have for a kazillion years is that the Scripture commands us to tithe and, in my way of thinking, the Cooperative Program is like the … [Read more...]

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (BP) – As a pastor and former missionary, Calvin Wittman wonders how many more people could be reached if churches expanded their participation in Cooperative Program (CP) Missions. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (BP) – As a pastor and former missionary, Calvin Wittman wonders how many more people could be reached if churches expanded their participation in Cooperative Program (CP) Missions. “A pastor has to ask, what could we do in impacting the lostness in our world if every person would get involved in the Cooperative Program? How many more people could be reached?” Wittman, pastor of Applewood Baptist Church in Wheat Ridge, Colo., said. “What could we do if every church cooperated the way they want their members to cooperate?” Wittman continued. “If we’re not as a church giving at least 10 percent to the Cooperative Program, how can we ask our members to tithe? “I know there are other ways of doing missions, but there is no better way than the Cooperative Program. I’m talking to you as a former missionary,” said Wittman, Applewood’s pastor since 1999 and an IMB career missionary in Spain before that. “The Cooperative Program is the most effective … [Read more...]

DEWEY, Okla. – On March 12, America was introduced to the White family, courtesy of Ty Pennington, ABC’s hit show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and a brand new house. And LifeWay Christian Resources was there behind the scenes to help make it happen. By Russ Rankin LifeWay Christian Resources DEWEY, Okla. – On March 12, America was introduced to the White family, courtesy of Ty Pennington, ABC’s hit show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and a brand new house. And LifeWay Christian Resources was there behind the scenes to help make it happen. John White, a second-generation pastor in Dewey, Okla., was known as a tender pastor with a big heart and a big family. John, his wife, Danna, and their five children filled the parsonage of Bluestem Baptist Church and were known throughout the small community 45 minutes north of Tulsa as selfless people who exemplified and lived the two greatest commandments. In April 2005, joy turned to tragedy when John’s earthly life ended with a massive heart attack on the day of his 19th wedding anniversary. Instead of a celebration, Danna was made a widow, and Sarah (17), Esther (16), Zeb (15), Rebekah (14), and Ruth (13) lost their father. With John’s meager life … [Read more...]

Week of March 20, 2006 Plans to condemn SBC church proceed LONG BEACH, Calif. – Another step was taken toward the destruction of the Filipino Baptist Fellowship building March 13 when the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency Board voted 6-0 to condemn the church in order to build condominiums, despite testimonies from community members regarding the public good that flows from the religious institution. During the hearing, the redevelopment agency voted to authorize the city attorney to begin condemnation proceedings. The next step will be for the city attorney to file a complaint to condemn the property, which includes demonstrating that it meets the statutory requirements for condemnation. Among the requirements is proof that the property seizure is necessary for public use – based on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June 2005 regarding eminent domain – and John Eastman, who is defending the church, said that proof would be rather easy to show since a church is tax-exempt and a housing project would bring in more revenue for the city. The decision could be challenged in court, and Eastman said he believes city leaders are nervous about the prospects of litigation over the issue. Police arrest … [Read more...]

WASHINGTON (BP) – South Dakota’s enactment of a ban on abortion has boosted hopes the new law might be the vehicle for a reversal of Roe v. Wade, but Associate Justice Antonin Scalia said recently he doubts the current Supreme Court would overturn the 1973 opinion and doesn’t know if it ever will. By Tim Strode Baptist Press WASHINGTON (BP) – South Dakota’s enactment of a ban on abortion has boosted hopes the new law might be the vehicle for a reversal of Roe v. Wade, but Associate Justice Antonin Scalia said recently he doubts the current Supreme Court would overturn the 1973 opinion and doesn’t know if it ever will. Speaking to a gathering of Swiss professors and students March 8, Scalia, whose opposition to Roe is well known, said when asked if the highly criticized ruling would be reversed by the high court, “I have no idea. I have no idea whether it will be. “It is not likely to be overturned with the current court, because there are still five justices on our court who voted in favor of Roe vs. Wade,” Scalia told a group at the University of Freiburg. “So, if I had to guess, I would say, ‘Not yet – maybe not [ever] – but certainly not yet.” Though Scalia said he did not have an … [Read more...]

Week of March 20, 2006 Potpourri PINEVILLE – Louisiana College: Katerina Zaitseva to present a piano recital; March 23, 7:30 p.m. in the Presser Recital Hall; Joe Aguillard, president. DERIDDER – Emory Wallace Retreat Center: Is now open and accepting retreat reservations after having been closed due to housing hurricane evacuees; for retreat information, contact Kim Hughes at (337) 463-3506; Malvin Wagnon, manager. DUBACH – First church: Associational VBS clinic; April 4, 6:15 p.m.; Terry Ganey, pastor. DENHAM SPRINGS – Calvary church:  Associational VBS clinic; April 1, 9 a.m.-noon; Rhett Major, pastor. ALEXANDRIA – Homewood church:  Associational VBS clinic; April 3, 6 p.m.; Jimmy Koonce, pastor. Youth SLIDELL – Grace Memorial church:  “The Secret of My Sucess” musical presented by the children’s choir; April 2, 6:15 p.m.; Marty Stone, minister of music; Bob Heustess, pastor. DRY CREEK – Dry Creek camp: Preteen retreat; for ages 6-12;  March 31, 5 p.m. - April 1, after lunch; Jerry Chaddick, guest speaker; Glenn Price, music; $45 per person, includes 3 meals and lodging for one night; for information, call (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager. DRY CREEK – Dry Creek camp:  Father/Son retreat; … [Read more...]

BATON ROUGE – Churches should not construct buildings to create a monument, but rather as a tool to accomplish the Great Commission, Gary Nicholson said last week. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer BATON ROUGE – Churches should not construct buildings to create a monument, but rather as a tool to accomplish the Great Commission, Gary Nicholson said last week. “A good user-friendly building will help you accomplish that task,” Nicholson told approximately 85 people who attended the 2006 Louisiana Church Building Conference at Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. “You only have one chance to make that first impression,” said the architect at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tenn. “Right now, for a church in New Orleans to have its lights on is a good impression, but in other places, churches must do much more.” Nicholson was one of several speakers at the conference, which was sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention Cooperative Program and the Church Architecture Department of LifeWay Christian Resources. Throughout the day, participants learned how to lead their congregation in making the best decisions in building, expanding or improving their facilities while fulfilling the … [Read more...]

NEW ORLEANS – Instead of soaking up some sun on a Florida beach during spring break, Georgia Southern University student Merideth Turner spent her week-long vacation clearing debris inside a home in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS – Instead of soaking up some sun on a Florida beach during spring break, Georgia Southern University student Merideth Turner  spent her week-long vacation clearing debris inside a home in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward. “This has brought us all together,” Turner said last week, as she was riding with a van load of her fellow Baptist Collegiate Ministry peers. “It’s amazing how we have worked together and God has blessed what we’ve done.” Turner spoke a day after her team completed a mud-out job inside a home left water-damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The students completed the job in two days. “We cleaned it down to the concrete level,” she explained. “All that’s left is the flooring and framing. We worked our tails off getting this done a day earlier than expected.” However, the Georgia Southern BCM is not alone. Since last October, thousands of BCM students from Louisiana and across the nation have participated in disaster … [Read more...]

NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- After ripping Sheetrock from a moldy closet, Trista Wright was removing the debris when a flash of green caught her eye. By Keith Manuel Regional Reporter NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- After ripping Sheetrock from a moldy closet, Trista Wright was removing the debris when a flash of green caught her eye. Wright, on a spring break mission trip from Armstrong Atlantic University in Savannah, Georgia, reached into the debris and pulled out an old, grubby $100 bill. As she dug around in the debris a little more, she discovered a long-hidden hole in the wall, which served as a makeshift safe, and pulled out another $100 bill, then another and another. “At first, I thought it was Monopoly money. It was just stacks of $100 bills. The money was very old,” she said. “My friend and I were joking just yesterday about finding a secret hole of treasure.” When the students hastily totaled the money, it was more than $30,000. The discovery presented a new problem: “What do we do now?” After consulting with the leaders of the mission trip to New Orleans, the group decided to notify the local authorities. The sheriff’s department came and verified the home had been in the family for several … [Read more...]

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – International Mission Board Trustee Chairman Tom Hatley issued an “open letter” March 7 to all Southern Baptists and a much longer letter to all Southern Baptist pastors, addressing recent decisions by IMB trustees. By Staff Baptist Press RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – International Mission Board Trustee Chairman Tom Hatley issued an “open letter” March 7 to all Southern Baptists and a much longer letter to all Southern Baptist pastors, addressing recent decisions by IMB trustees. The letters accompany detailed background material outlining the trustees’ votes on glossolalia (the practice of tongues), the use of private prayer language by missionary candidates and the candidates’ mode of baptism. Southern Baptists can access both letters, the new policy on use of tongues, the guideline on baptism and additional background materials at www.imb.org, the International Mission Board’s Web site. “I have addressed (the detailed explanation) to pastors because they are the teachers and guardians of the Word for their congregations,” Hatley said in his letter to Southern Baptists. “But feel free to look over their shoulders and read this material. “There has been no small controversy concerning … [Read more...]