ST LOUIS - Jason McGuffie had just landed in St Louis, but already was voicing excitemenr about this year's Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. He is pastor of FBC Tallulah. Check back with the Baptist Message for more updates through articles, videos and photos of what's happening at the SBC Annual Meeting, with a special emphasis on Louisiana Baptists. https://youtu.be/C8OiJoC28XQ   … [Read more...]

ST LOUIS - Brad Jurkovich appreciates many things about the SBC Annual Meeting each year, but shared with the Baptist Message what he enjoys the most. "I love what God's doing - the passion for prayer, revival, awakening," said Jurkovich, pastor of First Bossier. https://youtu.be/IRzdMfIgD7o … [Read more...]

ST LOUIS - Mike Holloway shared with the Baptist Message about the role suffering plays in everyone's lives. He was reminded of that during a message at the SBC Pastors Conference. Holloway, who served as president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention in 2008 and 2009, is now the pastor of Ouachita Baptist Church in West Monroe. In the last few months, the church has gained 50 new members and now averages 150 in Sunday morning worship. Since February, the church has baptized 15, with another 16, including 11 children, awaiting baptism.   https://youtu.be/u_3NxgANVUI     … [Read more...]

ST LOUIS - A day before the SBC presidential election, New Orleans pastor David Crosby took a few moments to thank Louisiana Baptists. He is one of three candidates for the office. The election will take place Tuesday afternoon. Crosby is pastor of First Baptist New Orleans. https://youtu.be/XDXVkt-Bx0M … [Read more...]

The Southern Baptist Convention's WMU Mission Celebration/Annual Meeting got underway Sunday in the Ferrara Theater at America's Center in St. Louis. Here are some photos of Louisiana Baptists who were in attendance. Look for more photos and videos of Louisiana Baptists sharing what they thought of the meeting later today. … [Read more...]

By David E. Crosby, Pastor of First Baptist Church New Orleans NEW ORLEANS -- The interstate was jammed with commuters at drive time. I started thinking about my friend, almost 100 years old, and wondering what words of wisdom I would glean as I visited her in the hospital. I determined that I would listen carefully and, if necessary, prompt her with questions. I saw her super-gripper socks when I glanced in the door, and finally her face as I walked past the curtain. Her hair was matted from a night on the pillow, something she would never countenance when healthy. Every hair was in place every time I saw Myrtle Louise Ainsworth—usually even when she was sick. “Hello, Myrtle Louise,” I said. I was the only person in her life who called her by both names, and she often responded by calling me both of mine --David Eldon. “I was wondering where you were,” she remarked dryly. I took a seat at the foot of the bed. “I just had the best breakfast of my life,” she said enthusiastically, “soupy grits, scrambled eggs, toast and jelly.” My ears perked up. Many people are not so grateful for hospital food. “My doctor is so sweet,” she said, and I wondered if all his patients felt the same. I guessed that her statement indicated more … [Read more...]

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS communications Finished. Today we wrapped up the 2016 Tel Gezer Water System Expedition. We removed the last few buckets of dirt and pottery from each of the excavation area and began the clean-up process by 10:30 a.m. yesterday. Today we took final photos of each area, took down the dig tent, and packed all the tools and equipment for storage. This was a great dig season – with important finds that we cannot mention and new questions to answer. Each year we are inching closer to a firm answer about the date of the water system – the primary question we are looking to answer. We collected countless pottery sherds, charcoal samples and ancient material items. Much study will take place in the months to come. Databases of pottery information were created and will be studied closely. The pottery evidence is the most important aspect of our research – the pottery will help us determine the date of the system and who built it. Experts in archaeology have developed finely tuned typologies of pottery in Israel – these experts (like Dr. Eli Yannai) can date a piece of pottery within a 100 years or less. Even with all the research left to close out the books on this season’s dig, before we left the tel today, … [Read more...]

By Gary D Myers, NOBTS communications You may have noticed that the blog has been less active this dig season and especially less active this last week of the dig. There are several reasons – the addition of a third digging location makes this our busiest dig season at Tel Gezer. More people, more pottery, more contemplation, more paperwork, and more work. The extra work leaves us ready for bed much earlier than usual. Another reason for the lack of blogs is the complicated and theoretical nature of our work this season. We are trying to answer complicated questions regarding the dating of the water system construction and we are trying understand the relationship between the water system and fields C and D. It was much easier to blog when we were only focused moving dirt from the tunnel. Once we broke through all the fill material in the tunnel several years back, even the discussions of our progress in the water system became more complicated. The main reason for the lack of blogs is the wonderful season we are having. We have made our best finds to date at the Tel Gezer Water System Expedition. We would love to tell you all about the finds, but we can’t until each has been studied and published. The team is well and we are … [Read more...]