“Jesus saves. So come on, Southern Baptists, we can no longer be at ease in Zion while people all around us are dying and going to hell. Therefore, we must repent. Therefore, we must have remorse and do what Israel did in Psalm 80.” said Fred Luter, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, during the President’s Sermon to more than 5,000 messengers June 10 at the Baltimore Convention Center. “... In the name of Jesus we have the victory.” BALTIMORE (BP) -- The Gospel found only in the name of Jesus will change an America that has blown it with God and is quickly becoming more pagan than Christian, Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter told messengers on the eve of his last day in office. Luter drew enthusiastic, soulful responses from worshipers at an evening revival service June 10 during the SBC annual meeting in Baltimore as he preached from Psalm 80:18-19, the meeting's official theme Scripture calling for "Restoration and Revival through Prayer." "As your president for the past two years, my heart's desire has been that God would make us one and that God would send revival and renewal through the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention," Luter said. "Brothers and sisters, the only way that will … [Read more...]
Cooperative Program, other Southern Baptist ‘family’ matters discussed in Baltimore
by Joni B. Hannigan, Baptist Press BALTIMORE (BP) -- A three-day discussion among Southern Baptists became a focal point of the exhibit area of the SBC annual meeting in Baltimore as a procession of diverse, articulate Baptists conversed about core values. The dialogue at the Cooperative Program exhibit took place from casual chairs on a simple platform in a high-tech production area that projected the discussion on a massive two-sided high-definition screen overhead and streamed it on the Internet. Nearly 125 different speakers addressed such topics as Southern Baptists' hallmarks of cooperation, international missions, church planting and theological education as well as matters related to ethnic diversity, social justice and sexuality. C. Ashley Clayton, the SBC Executive Committee's vice president for Cooperative Program and stewardship development, said the June 9-11 Cooperative Program hub evolved in response to the desire to facilitate important conversations amicably without controlling the outcome. Like Southern Baptists themselves, the speakers were from every area of the country -- as well as Cuba. Many were young leaders interspersed among bivocational and mega-church pastors, church planters, seminary presidents … [Read more...]
Kelley: Caskey Center receives $4.5 million in donations
Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/13/2014 - 12:10 Chuck S. Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, gives a report June 11 during the last session of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting. He said NOBTS is shining the light of Jesus in a city that is largely unchurched and desperately needs the Gospel. The seminary is opening a counseling center to provide mental help to the community and introduce people to Jesus, Kelley said. He added that the seminary trained more than 3,800 students last year, has 10 online degrees and has the largest seminary extension center in the southeastern United States. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BALTIMORE, Md. – Two months after the announcement for the formation of a program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to provide free theological education for Louisiana Baptist bi-vocational and smaller church pastors and staff members, $4.5 million in donations has been received for the program. The additional donations have provided an expansion of the Caskey Center for Excellence, which received an initial amount of $1.5 million to support 100 students for the fall. However, additional separate donations of $1.5 million each within a week’s … [Read more...]
Crains share how CP-sponsored BCMs mattered in their lives
Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/13/2014 - 12:13 Jacob Watts, a student at LSU, thanks Southern Baptists June 10 during the Southern Baptists Convention annual meeting, for the opportunity to help plant a church with Brian and Hannah Crain, behind him, on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. Watts and Crain spoke during the Executive Committee report at the Baltimore Convention Center. BALTIMORE – During the first part of the Executive Committee’s report to messengers, Brian and Hannah Crain, who this year planted Progression Church on the campus of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, were welcomed to the stage by Frank S. Page, president of the SBC Executive Committee. The Crains were heavily influenced by the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at University of Louisiana, Monroe, which is supported by the Cooperative Program. “It was through the BCM that I taught my first Bible study, that I preached my first sermon, that I led my first ministry event and the first time I ever led any ministry team,” Brian Crain said. “... The BCM taught me one thing, and they taught it well: They taught me how to make disciples.” Because of Southern Baptist collegiate ministry, Crain said he recognizes that Jesus did not call him to be a … [Read more...]
RA Congress will feature giant robot Gigamaxx March 21-22
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer WOODWORTH – First through sixth grade boys will have an opportunity for an up and close encounter with a 10-foot robot at the upcoming Royal Ambassador Congress. Scheduled for March 21-22 at Tall Timbers Conference Center, RA Congress will feature Gigamaxx, a giant robot who will be focused on what it takes to be transformed into a follower of Christ. Louisiana Baptist Convention President Steve Horn, who serves as pastor of First Baptist Lafayette, will interview Gigamaxx and there will be a time for each RA Lad and Crusader to have interaction with the robot. The robot will coincide with this year’s theme, Be Transformed. “We only have one opportunity to reach these young men and we need to do all we can to make an impression on them of the importance of following Christ,” said Gibbie McMillan, LBC men’s ministry and volunteer strategist. “Traditionally we have RAs from 25 plus chapters from across the state of Louisiana, therefore we must make the most of this time. We will be extremely fast paced for about 20 hours and hopefully they will go home excited about their experience at Congress.” In addition to Gigamaxx, RA Congress will also include Pinewood Derby and soap box races, … [Read more...]
Page: hopeful for Cooperative Program uptick
Submitted by philip on Thu, 03/13/2014 - 13:24 Frank Page, president of the SBC Executive Committee, told committee members that Southern Baptists face “challenging days” with Cooperative Program giving. But he also expressed hope for future. By Shawn Hendricks, Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) -- Southern Baptists face "challenging days" with Cooperative Program giving, Frank Page, president of the SBC Executive Committee, told committee members in Nashville, voicing hope for an upswing in giving. While sharing his passion for CP and its role in supporting missions and ministry around the globe, Page said the momentum for the "1% CP Challenge" continues to grow for churches to increase CP giving by 1 percentage point of their budgets. "I have written personal letters to almost 3,000 pastors thanking them for their involvement" in the 1% CP Challenge, Page said Feb. 17. "Our state executives are saying, 'Frank, please don't stop. Our people are just starting to get it.…' We won't stop. "It is my passion that fuels my heart belief in this," Page said. "I supported this before I was paid to support this. As a pastor I strongly supported over 10 percent of our church's undesignated receipts to the Cooperative … [Read more...]
New look to sbc.net launched
By Staff, Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) -- A more visual redesign of sbc.net, the official website of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee, has officially launched, Frank Page announced to committee members in Nashville. While the new website will feature much of the same information and resources that readers have logged on to the site to access, it also will include a variety of new visual updates, said Page, president of the Executive Committee. One of those updates includes a rotating slideshow of images and stories across the top of the site. "SBC.net has a new look," Page told committee members Feb. 17 as he pointed out new features of the site displayed on a video screen. "We believe it's going to be an excellent resource for our convention. "Everything that you've always seen and [that is] important will be on there," he said. Two of the most popular features of the site, he said, allow people to search for jobs in Baptist Life and for cooperating churches. The site also features a daily devotional and a newsfeed of Baptist Press stories. "We want it to be a one-stop shop," Page said. "Anything you need to deal with SBC-wise will be on sbc.net." … [Read more...]
All must become personally involved in ‘Vision 2020’
Submitted by philip on Mon, 01/13/2014 - 12:46 By Steve Horn, Pastor First Baptist Lafayette, President of Louisana Baptist Convention First of all, let me extend my thanks to the Louisiana Baptist Convention for your confidence in electing me to serve you this year as president. I need your prayers and offer my intention to serve our Lord and our Convention well. Together, we have heard and pledged our support to a collective vision framed by a report we have called Vision 2020. Let me be solidly on the record as stating my unequivocal support of this vision. In fact, since a quiet time back in 2006, I have endeavored to build our church’s strategy around similar themes. In the summer of 2006, while reading Psalm 71, the Lord clearly spoke to me through His Word, particularly in verse 18 which says: Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come. Vision 2020 and this Psalm both indicate we must be intentional in sharing the Gospel with the next generation – our “this” generation. We must be intentional with sharing the Gospel with “everyone who is to come.” We have work to do Louisiana Baptists. This … [Read more...]
Captivated by a miracle
Submitted by philip on Mon, 12/02/2013 - 14:30 Ten-month-old Graham Deris, grandson of First New Orleans Pastor David Crosby, smiles and hugs his mother Rebekah Crosby Deris’ neck as he shows no side effects from a near fatal accident on Oct. 9. By Marilyn Stewart, Regional Reporter NEW ORLEANS – Four weeks after falling head first into a bucket of soapy water, ten-month-old Graham Deris, grandson of David Crosby, pastor of First New Orleans, was carried into the pulpit in his grandfather’s arms to the joy of the congregation who had stood vigilant in prayer. The near-drowning that brought thousands to their knees is a story the baby is too young to remember, but one he’ll soon never forget. As news of the Oct. 9 accident exploded on social media, friends from Papua New Guinea to Murfreesboro, Tenn. and coast-to-coast began to pray, first in desperation, then with amazement as a full recovery grew certain. One Minnesota friend posted: “I am captivated by your miracle.” Today, as “Baby Graham” continues to improve and life returns to “normal” – crawling once again and saying “mama” – other lives will never be the same. “You cannot face losing a baby without some permanent change to your perspective,” Crosby … [Read more...]
Messages, worship inspire record numbers of youth at YEC
Submitted by philip on Mon, 12/02/2013 - 14:33 Former Muslim Afshin Ziafat prays for students during an invitation time in the Sunday evening session of Youth Evangelism Celebration in Alexandria. Ziafat, who now is lead pastor of Providence Church in Frisco, Texas, shared his testimony and offered other challenging words during several messages at the event. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Former Muslim Afshin Ziafat knows first-hand the cost of following Christ. The son of a prominent and devout Muslim physician who moved from Iran to Houston, Texas, at age six, Ziafat was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps. However, during his senior year of high school Ziafat converted to Christianity – a decision which led to his father disowning him. And just like Ziafat did when he made a decision to choose following Christ over his father’s faith, Christians must be willing to do the same, remembering there is not only a cost but a great reward for becoming a devoted follower of Jesus. “It may not be the life you have for yourself planned out, but it’s the life you want, it’s the life you need,” Ziafat said. “And I didn’t know that when I first became a Christian. I didn’t know that there was … [Read more...]
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