You are walking across campus having just attended a Bible study on Jesus’ parable on ministry to “the least of these my brothers” (Mathew 25). You have learned that your response to “the least of these” is a response to Jesus himself.   You are walking across campus having just attended a Bible study on Jesus’ parable on ministry to “the least of these my brothers” (Mathew 25). You have learned that your response to “the least of these” is a response to Jesus himself. As you approach an intersection, you observe two scenes on opposite corners. On one corner is a panhandler asking for “spare change” from the passers-by. Some give him a few coins. Others, repelled by his dirty condition, move across the street. Still others mock him. On the other corner stands a man with a large Bible. He is fervently preaching the gospel. Some people have paused to listen. Most hurry past. Others are taunting him.  You sense a compulsion to do unto Christ by doing unto the least of these his brothers.  Which of the two men should you help? If you had been reading my mail since January 1, you would say the answer is easy: Help the needy panhandler! Numerous articles have come across my desk, from various sources, … [Read more...]

Even though political campaign ads on television have yet to outnumber the ads for prescription drugs, the 2008 presidential race sometimes seems to be in full swing.   Even though political campaign ads on television have yet to outnumber the ads for prescription drugs, the 2008 presidential race sometimes seems to be in full swing. The past has shown us that now is the time for citizens who are concerned about the direction the country is heading to communicate their value-driven convictions to those who would like to occupy the White House. As illustrated by their shifting positions, politicians are not immovable objects; they can be enlightened. And one of the greatest opportunities to impact a politician is while he or she is still a candidate. They are especially open to perspectives other than their own during the primary campaign season, when viewpoints are still being formed and positions staked out. Some have been known to switch positions completely. In a piece he wrote for the Weekly Standard (Feb. 26, 2007), Fred Barnes observes that when politicians switch positions they “usually stay switched.” He notes that when Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush became pro-life, they stayed … [Read more...]

By unanimous vote, trustees of the North American Mission Board elected church planting missionary Geoff Hammond as president of the North American Mission Board today (March 21).   ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – By unanimous vote, trustees of the North American Mission Board elected church planting missionary Geoff Hammond as president of the North American Mission Board today (March 21). The vote came after trustees met in executive session Tuesday, March 20, to review Hammond’s nomination and interact with the candidate and his wife Debbie. “It’s a long way from Ogbomosho, Nigeria, to Atlanta, Ga.,” Hammond said, referring to his birth to missionaries in the African nation. “And I am not here today because of anything I have done, but because of who He is.” In brief remarks to the trustees after the vote, Hammond outlined his vision for NAMB and the need for the Gospel in North America. “I grew up as a kid looking at North America as a place that already had the Gospel,” Hammond said. “That was until I came here. The longer I am here, the more I am convinced that we need to see North America as a mission field.” Hammond is the son and grandson of missionaries and currently serves as a NAMB … [Read more...]

It’s clear from media reports that religion is in the spotlight more today than in previous decades, but it seems that a majority of Americans are unprepared to discuss the topic with adequate knowledge.   NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It’s clear from media reports that religion is in the spotlight more today than in previous decades, but it seems that a majority of Americans are unprepared to discuss the topic with adequate knowledge. According to a report in USA Today March 7, Americans would receive an “F” in religion if they were graded on their ability to answer questions correctly. In fact, the newspaper said 60 percent of Americans can’t name five of the Ten Commandments and half of high school seniors think Sodom and Gomorrah were married. “More and more of our national and international questions are religiously inflected,” Stephen Prothero, chairman of the religion department at Boston University and author of the book “Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know – and Doesn’t,” told USA Today. “If you think Sunni and Shia are the same because they’re both Muslim, and you’ve been told Islam is about peace, you won’t understand what’s happening in Iraq. “If you get into an argument about … [Read more...]

Little Anatoliy Odnoralov often came home after school with a bloody nose – the result of just another day as a Christian at his school in the North Caucasus region of the old Soviet Union.   DENVER, COLO. – Little Anatoliy Odnoralov often came home after school with a bloody nose – the result of just another day as a Christian at his school in the North Caucasus region of the old Soviet Union. “Since early childhood, I knew the price for my convictions,” he says. Anatoliy was the third-born son of an ordinary shoemaker, who, along with his wife, were faithful believers in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, they were believers living in a godless, atheistic nation dedicated to the persecution of Christians. As the family grew to 13, the senior Odnoralov continued to draw his family together, reading them stories from the Bible and urging them to pray.   With his meager cobbler’s pay, he would later purchase some musical instruments – a guitar, an accordion – and taught himself and his children to play.  He even formed a family band – pretty easy with 13 children in the house. “The school where we were studying mocked us for our convictions and belief in God,” recalls Anatoliy, today 43 and a North … [Read more...]

DiscipleNow is an at-home retreat that combines big events at the church with small group studies in host homes.   STATEWIDE – DiscipleNow is an at-home retreat that combines big events at the church with small group studies in host homes. Many youth leaders have found that a DiscipleNow weekend helps “reach students for Christ, encourage them in their faith, and get them excited about continuing discipleship,” according to LifeWay’s website In general, students are divided into groups of no more than about 10 and assigned a host home. Many churches prefer the groups to be organized by gender first and then by age, though the actual organization can depend on many factors. Some youth leaders say constructing the small groups is one of the most time-consuming parts of the planning process, as “chemistry” among students is vital for the small group sessions to work. In addition, finding the right time of the year to conduct the weekend can also be a challenge. Many churches choose January, February or March, while others choose early summer for their weekends. In any case, knowledge of community events is helpful in making that decision. Last year, First Blanchard’s D-Now weekend ended up being … [Read more...]

Robert Terrell, youth pastor at Parkview Baptist here, usually writes his own material for DiscipleNow, which he posts on the Internet and loans out to other churches.   BATON ROUGE – Robert Terrell, youth pastor at Parkview Baptist here, usually writes his own material for DiscipleNow, which he posts on the Internet and loans out to other churches. A veteran of D-Now weekends—12 years and counting as a leader—Terrell has been at Parkview for 6 years. Parkview’s weekend is slated for the month of June. “The small groups would be what I would say is the greatest thing [about D-Now], Terrell said. “That seems to be where the most impact comes to kids lives. It’s where people seem to grow the most, leadership wise. “For the kids, they have a chance to ask questions,” he explained. “A lot of times we put them in situations that are sermons or prepared Bible studies,” he said. D-Now at its best provides organized discussion. “It allows feedback, questions, and answers,” he continued. “Sometimes the questions are the best part about it because ultimately we have a faith that requires trust. Faith doesn’t always lend itself to answers. We have a person who is the answer. Sometimes we may never … [Read more...]

Eight years ago, God got Deb Corkern’s undivided attention. Since then He has led this utility clerk in rural Washington Parish to establish an orphanage in India.   WASHINGTON PARISH – Eight years ago, God got Deb Corkern’s undivided attention. Since then He has led this utility clerk in rural Washington Parish to establish an orphanage in India. Corkern was at her Franklinton home, recovering from surgery, when God spoke to her. “It was so loud it would bust your eardrums, but it was total silence,” she said. “He told me I wasn’t a Christian and I was going to hell.” This message contradicted her life. She had been a church member since she prayed with a camp counselor while in the sixth grade. Still, Corkern recognized the truth. Her youthful conversion “was a lie.” Without hesitation, Corkern invited Jesus to take control of her life. Feeling an urgency to make this public, she called her pastor and asked him to meet her at their church, Bethel Baptist just outside of Franklinton. Even though she was not supposed to drive, she joined him at the church and told him of her experience. The following Sunday she was baptized. Her life since then has been a Spirit-filled adventure. “The … [Read more...]

Ganesh Paletti is an honorary member of the Superior Avenue Baptist Church Team Kids, although he lives halfway around the world.   BOGALUSA – Ganesh Paletti is an honorary member of the Superior Avenue Baptist Church Team Kids, although he lives halfway around the world. Team Kid is a  discipleship-based Bible study produced by LifeWay Christian Resources for K-5 through sixth grade, during which God’s word is studied from a practical point of view. A Bible drill, missions study and related play are included in the Sunday evening/Midweek curriculum. The Team Kids adopted the 8-year-old East Indian boy when they chose to be his sponsor and pay the $20 a month needed to feed, clothe, and educate him. The group was looking for a mission project. Their leader, Jo Purvis, was at a meeting when Deb Corkern spoke about the Corkern Christian Orphanage in India. “She passed around pictures of the children,” Purvis said. “As I held that picture, I knew that was what we needed to do as our project.” Purvis took the picture to her Team Kid group of about a dozen first through fifth grade children. When they read the back of the picture, they were touched. “The father and mother of this child are … [Read more...]

Mark your calendar! It’s time for the WMU annual meeting Friday and Saturday, March 30-31. SHREVEPORT-- Mark your calendar! It’s time for the WMU annual meeting Friday and Saturday, March 30-31. This is an event for the entire family to enjoy. “We invite everyone – men, women, boys and girls – We offer something for everyone to live the call and inspire others to fulfill the call,” says current state WMU president Nelda Seal. In 119 years, WMU has not veered from its purpose, which is to pray for, give and do missions locally, nationally and internationally, Seal said. “Annual meeting is a time to celebrate what we do in Louisiana, bring us together for inspiration, and challenge us to take our calling – to take the cause of Christ through missions one step further,” said Janie Wise, interim director of Women’s Missions and Ministry. Throughout the meeting, dynamic speakers, Kaye Miller, president, Woman’s Missionary Union – Southern Baptist Convention; Diana Lewis of the North American Mission Board, and Michael and Madelyn [last name deleted for security purposes] of the International Mission Board, will encourage attendees to continue to ‘Live the Call.’ “We are delighted to have Kaye … [Read more...]