When Joe Baugh, Director of Missions for Washington Baptist Association, makes a commitment, his allegiance and enthusiasm are unflagging, say pastors in his association.         When Joe Baugh, Director of Missions for Washington Baptist Association, makes a commitment, his allegiance and enthusiasm are unflagging, say pastors in his association.   That started as a tenth-grader, when Baugh surrendered to Christ. In his first year at Mississippi College, he answered the call to the ministry.   "My conversion was a life-changing experience for me," he said. "Those first years with God were really great. When God called me [to preach], I literally had cold chills."   Forty years later, after serving God in the same region for the duration of his ministry, Baugh said he still gets chills when he thinks about the privilege of serving His God.   The other relationship that gives him goose bumps is the one he committed to in 1965, when he married Barbara Spencer. He met her while a student at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Working at his job in Maison Blanche, a building that is now part of the NOBTS complex, he served a young woman who came in to buy a present as a thank you to her … [Read more...]

When Chris Tomlin was asked to write an additional part to the hymn         AUSTIN, Texas (BP) — When Chris Tomlin was asked to write an additional part to the hymn "Amazing Grace" – for the movie released in late February about the life of British abolitionist William Wilberforce – he wasn’t so sure he wanted to change the popular song.   "I was completely floored when they asked of all people – me – to write a new verse for one of the most sacred and recognized hymns of all time," Tomlin told Baptist Press. "At first, I was like, ‘No, you don’t mess with that.’ But then, God got me thinking about slavery, and these words just came out: My chains are gone,   I’ve been set free   My God, my Savior has ransomed me   And like a flood His mercy reigns   Unending love, Amazing grace. After doing some research, Tomlin discovered that the hymn has withstood previous additions.   "Even the famous last verse – ‘ when we’ve been there 10,000 years’ – was written after John Newton wrote the poem," Tomlin said. The songwriter found the original last verse – the earth shall soon dissolve like snow – and incorporated it into the new rendition of the classic hymn entitled, "Amazing Grace (My … [Read more...]

Louisiana State University Baptist Campus Ministry students spent their Mardi Gras break in disaster relief ministry on two fronts: teams traveled to New Orleans and Jay, Okla.         BATON ROUGE – Louisiana State University Baptist Campus Ministry students spent their Mardi Gras break in disaster relief ministry on two fronts: teams traveled to New Orleans and Jay, Okla.   The BCM at LSU – recognized as the nation’s only BCM that is NAMB-certified as a chain saw disaster relief team – has participated in at least 23 disaster relief projects since Katrina.   "We’ve found that our students want to take every break they can to serve the Lord," said Steve Masters, collegiate ministry director at LSU.   "The missionary culture that exists at the LSU BCM is a result of the leadership of Steve Masters and his vision for reaching the world for Christ, and challenging students to come alongside him," said Mark Robinson, LBC’s BCM strategist.   Masters led a team to his hometown, Jay, Okla., over Mardi Gras. The Northeast Oklahoma community received "extensive damage" in a recent ice storm.   Thousands of trees fell in the storm, and left many homes without electricity and water for as long as two … [Read more...]

The pastor of one of Baton Rouge’s largest Southern Baptist churches preached his farewell sermon March 4, before moving to a megachurch in Houston. BATON ROUGE – The pastor of one of Baton Rouge’s largest Southern Baptist churches preached his farewell sermon March 4, before moving to a megachurch in Houston. Stephen Trammell, senior pastor of Florida Boulevard Baptist Church for six years, will become pastor of leadership and care at Champion Forest Baptist Church, a 10,000-member church. Trammell’s departure will leave three of Baton Rouge’s largest Southern Baptist churches looking for new pastors, noted the Rev. Rodrick Conerly, executive director of the Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge. Istrouma Baptist and Parkview Baptist are also without lead pastors. Trammell’s decision to move came unexpectedly, after the Rev. David Fleming, Champion’s senior pastor and Trammell’s longtime friend, extended an invitation several weeks ago to join that ministry. "My wife, Tonya, and I have always kept ‘our yes on the altar’ and said ‘Lord we’ll go where you want us to go and do what you want us to do,’" Trammell, 37, said Wednesday in his now-empty office at Florida Boulevard Baptist Church. "I wasn’t shopping for other … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE – Kingsville Baptist, sponsoring Upwards Soccer, still has openings for coaches. Experience not necessary; just love for the Lord and kids. One practice per week and one game on Saturdays for the season. Next training for coaches is March 18. This is a community ministry, not just a Kingsville one. Contact Kathy Doolittle for applications: 318-449-4231. WALKER – At Walker Baptist Church, the 11th annual Women’s Conference March 16-17, with Cyndi Graceas guest speaker. $20 cost ($15/advance) includes Friday supper, Saturday pastries and luncheon. Child care provided. To register or for information, call 225-6654-8368. Richard Blue, pastor. LEESVILLE – Gil Arthur, pastor of East Leesville Baptist, writes in a recent issue of the East Leesville Encourager about giving offerings for a new student facility. Groundbreaking for it had been the previous week. "We are not just paying off a building, we are giving to honor God and bring Him the glory," Arthur wrote. "To not give or to give for other reaons opposes the purposes of God.. I for one, don’t want to do that." The Encourager also notes an upcoming meeting for a Mexico mission trip, Upwards Awards Program at 3 p.m. March 10, VBS teachers/workers meeting at 4 p.m. … [Read more...]

Staff changes Roger Johnson from First Farmerville to Woodlawn Rayville. Jeff Hurst, from Beulah Baptist to Grace Baptist in Bastrop. Leon Cole resigned as music minister at Downsville Baptist. Randy Cole is to serve as interim music minister. Seeking staff Music and/or youth minister resumes sought by Clarence Baptist. Send to Search Committee, PO Box 7, Clarence LA 71414. Harry Bamburg is pastor. Full-time pastor needed: Send resume to First Baptist Church, Attn: Pastor Search Committee, PO Box 205, Castor LA 71016. Minister of Music sought by by Fellowship Baptist, Dubach. Send resumes to Minister of Music Search Committee, 6476 Hwy 151, Dubach LA 71235. Youth minister sought by Mt. Ararat Baptist. Call Adam Riser at 318-982-2937. Churches without pastors in Concord Union Baptist Association: Bethel, Lilllie; Conway; Downsville; First Farmerville; Pleasant Hill, Ruston. Revivals and related events First Baptist Ball, revival at 7 p.m. March 11-14 with Bill Calloway as evangelist and Steve Allenmusic. Youth service Tuesday, March 13. Southern Plainsmen at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, March 11. First Baptist Greenwood, revival March 25-28 with Bill Britt as evangelist. 10:40 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday; 6:30 p.m. … [Read more...]

Southern Baptists are in danger of losing the Gospel itself if they continue the infighting that has characterized the convention in recent years, Union University President David S. Dockery said Feb. 16.         Editor’s note: First in a series of four articles JACKSON, Tenn. (BP) – Southern Baptists are in danger of losing the Gospel itself if they continue the infighting that has characterized the convention in recent years, Union University President David S. Dockery said Feb. 16.   "It is time to move from controversy and confusion to a new consensus and renewed commitment to cooperation," Dockery said. "We need to take a step back not just to commit ourselves afresh to missions and evangelism, as important as that is.   "We need to commit ourselves foremost to the Gospel, the message of missions and evangelism, the message that is found only in Jesus Christ and His atoning death for sinners."   In his address at the Feb. 15-17 Baptist Identity Conference at Union University in Jackson, Tenn., Dockery traced the history of Southern Baptists to show that they have never been a doctrinally uniform group but rather one committed to the authority of Scripture and cooperation in reaching the … [Read more...]

The New Orleans city map in Travis Scruggs’ office at First Baptist Church in New Orleans tells a story of love, hope and hard work in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.         NEW ORLEANS (BP) – The New Orleans city map in Travis Scruggs’ office at FirstBaptistChurch in New Orleans tells a story of love, hope and hard work in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.       Hundreds of brightly colored push pins cover the map. When First Baptist started its home recovery ministry in November 2005, Scruggs, affectionately known as the “disaster pastor,” would place a pin on the map each time volunteers finished gutting a home. As the months passed he had to stop as neighborhoods on the map literally filled up with pins.       With the help of 13,000 volunteers pouring into the area from 48 states and Canada, the church has gutted 1,007 homes. This labor of love saves homeowners thousands of dollars and in the process, the volunteers provide a living illustration and verbal witness of the Gospel.       While not all relief workers fully understand the pain of losing their home, Scruggs does. A master’s degree student at … [Read more...]

Southern Baptist missionaries Carl and Kay Garvin are in stable condition after two robbers attacked them Feb. 23 in Tanzania. NAIROBI, Kenya (BP)--Southern Baptist missionaries Carl and Kay Garvin are in stable condition after two robbers attacked them Feb. 23 in Tanzania.   The two Arkansas natives were airlifted to Nairobi, Kenya, where Carl, 60, underwent surgery for a broken arm and lacerations. He also will have surgery to repair ligament damage to his knee. Kay, 56, was shot in the chest. The bullet entered close to her heart, missing the aorta by half an inch. It went through the lung and nestled against the skin on her back. The surgeon will make an incision to remove the bullet.   "She’s a walking, talking miracle," Carl said from his hospital bed. Despite being shot in the chest, Kay had no damage to her heart or lung.   "We are both living miracles," Kay said, squeezing Carl’s hand. "God was with us throughout the entire ordeal."   A nurse for 30 years, Carl immediately applied pressure to the chest wound and treated Kay, an action that medical consultants say probably saved her life.   He also wrapped his arm and applied pressure to stop his own bleeding.   … [Read more...]

Multiple states are considering proposals to privatize their lotteries, which proves that education benefits have yielded to concerns over how much money they can produce for government, a leading anti-gambling activist says.         SPOKANE, Wash. (BP) – Multiple states are considering proposals to privatize their lotteries, which proves that education benefits have yielded to concerns over how much money they can produce for government, a leading anti-gambling activist says.   Tom Grey, executive director of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, sees an immediate threat of expanded gambling as companies that spend billions of dollars acquiring lotteries seek to recoup that investment.   Two of the leading gaming companies, he noted, are based in Greece and Italy.   "Obviously the evolving practice of this is it no longer has anything to do with the future of children," said Grey, referring to various pro-education statements that were used to advance the creation of lotteries in many of the 42 states that have them. "It has to do with state control of gambling being rented to foreign companies."   Grey said Illinois, Indiana and Texas are the "hot spots" for such proposals, … [Read more...]