News reports in both the national print and electronic media have unfortunately sown some confusion over where Southern Baptists, and I, stand on the question of immigration reform. News reports in both the national print and electronic media have unfortunately sown some confusion over where Southern Baptists, and I, stand on the question of immigration reform. Like most Americans, Southern Baptists and other evangelicals continue to search for a morally responsible way to address the growing immigration crisis while honoring the rule of law. To date, legislation offering truly comprehensive immigration reform -- legislation that will garner the support of a critical mass of Southern Baptists and other evangelicals -- has yet to be written and introduced in Congress. Immigration reform that is “truly” comprehensive and will earn my support will square with the points covered in a resolution overwhelmingly adopted by Southern Baptists’ elected messengers meeting at their annual convention in June 2006. The reform would: n Insure the federal government provides for U.S. security “by controlling and securing our borders”; n Enforce immigration laws, including oversight of the hiring practices of … [Read more...]
Missionaries: out of sight, but not forgotten
One of the difficulties of serving as a missionary is battling the oppressive feeling that you are laboring alone, buried in obscurity and forgotten. One of the difficulties of serving as a missionary is battling the oppressive feeling that you are laboring alone, buried in obscurity and forgotten. The struggle is harder when you are serving in a country where the general population doesn’t even want you to be there. It grows heavier when friends from home forget to write. The devil tempts you to believe that they have also forgotten to pray and that you are making no difference. The Internet, which provides electronic mail, web cams and even low cost telephone service, makes it much easier to keep in touch today. I remember when you had to schedule international calls in advance. You would sit in a room, much like the department of motor vehicles, and wait patiently for your name to be called. When you finally heard something that sounded vaguely like your name, that was your cue that your call had finally gone through. You would rush to a numbered telephone booth and shout back and forth through static and echoes for as long as you could afford - which wasn’t very long. Mail was worse. The long … [Read more...]
Prison minister carries on Jesus’ love
The 634 inmates at Madison Parish Correctional Center and Madison Parish Detention Center here – both facilities are located on the same campus – have the opportunity to worship in regular, weekly church services, thanks to Johnny Magnuson, pastor of Willow Bayou Baptist Church in Tallulah, and his wife, among others. TALLULAH – The 634 inmates at Madison ParishCorrectional Center and Madison ParishDetention Center here – both facilities are located on the same campus – have the opportunity to worship in regular, weekly church services, thanks to Johnny Magnuson, pastor of WillowBayou BaptistChurch in Tallulah, and his wife, among others. On Friday evenings, Magnuson preaches to the inmates at MPDC, and on Monday evenings he preaches to the inmates of MPCC. His wife, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, all of whom minister through music, assist Magnuson. I really feel that it’s important to carry on a prison ministry,” Magnuson said. “The love that the Lord Jesus Christ placed in my heart for all men is what inspires me to do prison ministry.” Marques Smith, inmate chaplain at both facilities, assists Magnuson by setting up the sound system and chairs before each service. In addition, he often leads in … [Read more...]
Close bonds strengthen Madison Baptist Association
Uniting seven churches in the parish by the same name, this Baptist association ministers in a sparsely-populated part of Northeast Louisiana that borders Mississippi. MADISON BAPTIST ASSOCIATION – Uniting seven churches in the parish by the same name, this Baptist association ministers in a sparsely-populated part of Northeast Louisiana that borders Mississippi. The largest town, Tallulah, with an estimated population of 8,000, also is the parish seat. The majority of the parish is farmland and wooded areas, with agriculture the primary occupation, said Jay Morgan, Director of Missions for the association. Cotton, corn, soybeans, rice, crawfish, and cattle are the chief crops. The parish population of about 12,450 occupies 624.1 square miles. The area is rich in Civil War history as well as outdoor activities that are supported by the Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to black bear. “Because of our small size, we have the opportunity for a real close bond between the churches,” said Morgan, who indicated that the seven churches often function as one large church in many ways. “They know each other and have close relationships across churches. Being small has its good … [Read more...]
DOM’s call affects family
Changing from being a bi-vocational pastor to a full-time pastor can be a test of faith – to say the least, said Director of Missions of this Baptist association. MADISON ASSOCIATION – Changing from being a bi-vocational pastor to a full-time pastor can be a test of faith – to say the least, said Director of Missions of this Baptist association. Called into the ministry at the age of 37, Jay Morgan surrendered to preach in December 1996. Then, just five short years later, God’s call on Morgan’s life became more demanding. “I had prayed about being a full-time pastor, but I didn’t know that meant I would have to move,” said Morgan, who said the change was more difficult for his family. “It required me to move my family, caused my wife to have to change her job, my children had to change their schools, make new friends and we had to trust on the Lord totally for my income,” he explained. “They knew as well as I knew that to be used by God you have to be willing to move and be obedient to Him and His calling on your life,” Morgan said of his family’s reaction to God’s call for him to go into full-time ministry. “They never once questioned me once they knew God had called me to that ministry.” Morgan, … [Read more...]
Christian schools add God to studies
According to the Louisiana Department of Education, 337 nonpublic schools operate in the state. Editor’s note: First in a multi-part series on education in schools affiliated with Southern Baptist churches in Louisiana. STATEWIDE – According to the Louisiana Department of Education, 337 nonpublic schools operate in the state. The vast majority of those are religiously affiliated, and, according to The Private School Review – www.privateschoolreview.com – 28 have labeled themselves as Baptist. While not all of those are Southern Baptist, at least 19 are, as was revealed through an unscientific phone survey conducted by the Message. A normal day at a Southern Baptist school incorporates prayer and Bible study, plus the acquisition of academic skills – reading, writing, arithmetic and more. The ‘A Beka’ curriculum, which all 19 Southern Baptist schools use, also includes a Christian world-view. “For example, in science the students in middle school will learn all of the theories of creation, the Big Bang, and everything, but also, with greater emphasis, they will learn that, according to the Bible, God spoke,” said Principal Amy Whatley at FirstBaptist ChristianSchool in Lafayette, where Bible study … [Read more...]
Carrier, 70, races for God’s glory
Some people run from the Lord, while others race for His glory. EUNICE – Some people run from the Lord, while others race for His glory. Allen Carrier grew up the son of a Southern Baptist minister and the influence of his parents is still evident in his life even after their deaths. The son of the late Rev. Gabriel and Verdie Lavergne Carrier, Allen is an active member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Eunice. His father Gabriel died in 2004 at the age of 90 after 54 years of ministry, including 34 years as pastor of Lejeune Memorial in Eunice. The pastor also had a radio program on KEUN for 53 years. Carrier was born in Church Point in 1937 and his family lived there; his father was a meat cutter before accepting the call to be the pastor of Lejeune Memorial in 1950. “I remember the Christian background that my mother and daddy had,” Carrier said. “It was mandatory we went to church Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night. That was a must even before he became a minister and we were members of First Baptist Church of Church Point.” Carrier became a Christian at age 15 and was baptized by his father, an event Allen said he will always remember. While the son didn’t follow in his … [Read more...]
Pitcher plays for friend
He’s warming up in the bullpen, and he gets the call from the manager. It’s time to pitch. EDITORS’ NOTE: BP Sports columnist Tim Ellsworth recently visited Florida to do a series of stories on spring training as baseball players get ready to begin a new season. JUPITER, Fla. (BP) – He’s warming up in the bullpen, and he gets the call from the manager. It’s time to pitch. “God in the aggression, with Eric by my side,” Florida Marlins pitcher Taylor Tankersley says to himself. He steps atop the mound and takes his warm-up pitches. “God in the aggression, with Eric by my side,” he repeats. He finishes warming up and stares to the catcher for the sign. “God in the aggression, with Eric by my side,” he says again. It’s a mantra that Tankersley repeats any time he takes the mound, because it reminds him of his two sources of fuel. The “God” part is clear enough. Tankersley, who has been a Christian since he was 14, knows that his talents and abilities come from the Lord. He doesn’t pray for a strikeout or anything like that, but he does ask God to help him use his gifts the best that he can. And being aggressive on the mound is part of that. But who exactly is Eric? “Eric was a buddy of … [Read more...]
Construction ministry changes lives
With a mission strategy of getting plugged into the world, Northside Baptist Church of Greenwood, S.C., has members putting their faith into action in an Acts 1:8 focus that includes a partnership in New Orleans. NEW ORLEANS (BP) – With a mission strategy of getting plugged into the world, Northside Baptist Church of Greenwood, S.C., has members putting their faith into action in an Acts 1:8 focus that includes a partnership in New Orleans. “Instead of looking for ways to get people involved in the church, we began a few years ago to look for ways we could get involved in the world as ministers and missionaries,” Jeff Lethco, Northside’s pastor, said. Since September, five teams from Northside have worked with Operation NOAH (New Orleans Area Homes) Rebuild, a joint initiative of the North American Mission Board and the Louisiana Baptist Convention that is mobilizing a volunteer workforce to rebuild homes and share the Gospel. Twenty-three members from Northside participated in a recent trip to New Orleans. “Working with NOAH is a great opportunity, especially for first-time mission trip participants,” Lethco said. “A lot of people can participate, it’s safe and cost-effective, and you leave with a sense … [Read more...]
Live the call: Making Missions Real Every Day of Your Life
WMU annual meeting was an exciting time of fellowship, teaching and prayer as attendees embraced the mission statement of WMU, “Live the Call.” SHREVEPORT – WMU annual meeting was an exciting time of fellowship, teaching and prayer as attendees embraced the mission statement of WMU, “Live the Call.” Some 250 gathered at BroadmoorBaptist Church, Shreveport, as missionaries shared powerful testimonies of how the faithful prayers and service of the Women’s Missionary Union has assisted them in ministry and brought encouragement in their lives. “Keep wrestling in prayer for your missionaries because your prayers are making a difference in our lives,” NAMB missionary Diana Lewis said. “WMU plays a vital role in missions not only through prayer and financial support but through missions education as well,” said Lenae Scott, Women on Mission coordinator at Broadmoor Shreveport. “It is my hope that ladies in our churches will recognize the amazing opportunity we have through WMU to join Him in His work After the call to order and welcome it was time to “Embrace the Call” in the Northwest Baptist Association in Louisiana as attendees participated in a prayer walk, mission fair, and helped with mission projects for … [Read more...]
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