Powerful preaching from some of the nation’s leading speakers characterized the 2007 State Evangelism Conference.   NEW ORLEANS – Powerful preaching from some of the nation’s leading speakers characterized the 2007 State Evangelism Conference. "It was extremely powerful," said Wayne Jenkins, Louisiana Baptist Convention evangelism and church growth team leader. "Many have said it is the best conference they have ever been to. I heard that over and over." The emphasis was on revitalizing existing churches, Jenkins said. "The majority of the people on the program were people who had taken a church and revitalized it," Jenkins said. "Frank Page did that with three churches. James Walker took a church from 170 to more than 4,000. Steve Joiner? From 30 to 400. And even Fred Luter," the evangelism leader continued. "Fred went to an all-white church that was down to a handful and out of it came the great church Franklin Avenue." With Ken Hemphill speaking three times over the five-session event, the Evangelism Conference also helped launch EKG-Louisiana. Louisiana is the first state in the nation to do this model, to assist churches with resources to help them develop a kingdom world view, said … [Read more...]

More than 180 people registered for the state’s first Bible Drill Training Retreat at Tall Timbers Conference Center the weekend of Jan. 19.     WOODWORTH – More than 180 people registered for the state’s first Bible Drill Training Retreat at Tall Timbers Conference Center the weekend of Jan. 19.   "Bible Drills skills and thrills" is a longtime slogan.   Last year’s state winner for the Speaker’s Tournament, Phillip Vincent, was on hand during the weekend to help give pointers to this year’s youth. Involved in Bible Drill since fourth grade at First Baptist Lake Charles, Vincent is a freshman at Louisiana College.   "He is the epitome of what Bible Drill does for preparing kids for leadership," said Linda Aguillard, state Bible Drill consultant.   Vincent won the Speaker’s Tournament all three years that he competed, which landed him a scholarship to the state’s Youth Evangelism Celebration the first year, a scholarship to LC the second year, and the chance to represent the state at nationals the third year.   "I think that you spend so much time with the scripture that you develop a desire to learn more," he said of his experience with Bible Drill. "The Bible is yes, a historic account, but it is very pertinent to … [Read more...]

About 1,700 people participate in Sunday worship services at Broadmoor Baptist here. Together they gave more than $1.1 million to missions in 2006.       SHREVEPORT – About 1,700 people participate in Sunday worship services at Broadmoor Baptist here.   Together they gave more than $1.1 million to missions in 2006.   "We’ve just always been mission-minded and supported missionaries and missions efforts," said Donny Durr, minister of business administration. "We know that’s why God continues to bless us."   Broadmoor’s giving starts with 10 percent of undesignated offerings – $510,250.12 – to missions through the Cooperative Program, Southern Baptist’s acclaimed way of financing global missions.   Receipts for the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions totalled $202,067.09.   Hands-on missions is a passion of Pastor Chuck Pourciau, Durr said, so 2 percent of the budget is designated for ‘Missions Participation.’ This totalled $98,000 in 2006, parceled out for individuals involved in mission endeavors locally, statewide, throughout North America and across the world.   "The task before us is to use the abundant resources He has provided to accomplish the mission He has given us, the Great … [Read more...]

Bible Drill grounds students in scriptures, say program leaders here. ALEXANDRIA – Bible Drill grounds students in scriptures, say program leaders here. Bible Drill is a discipleship training tool for students in fourth through twelfth grades, said Linda Aguillard, LBC’s Bible Drill state coordinator. Bible Drill is designed to help students increase their knowledge of the Bible, develop skills in locating Bible books and key passages, memorize the names of the books of the Bible in order as well as Bible verses and key passages, while also learning to apply the Bible to their lives, she explained. In Youth Bible Drill, seventh to twelfth graders also learn to use scripture references to document basic beliefs and ethical convictions. Bible Drill rotates through three color-coded cycles, one cycle per year. This year, students are using the blue cycle. The most important goal of Youth Bible Drill is to learn to use the Book of Life to make a difference for today and tomorrow, the promotional material on Bible Drill said. Also included under the umbrella of Bible Drill is the Youth Speaker’s Tournament for youth in grades 10 through 12 who are active members of youth training … [Read more...]

Elizabeth Luter lost everything in Katrina except her trust in God. Despite the dispersion of her spiritual family, the destruction of her home and car, and the devastation of the church where she and her husband had ministered for years, she has nothing but praise for God.     PINE – Elizabeth Luter lost everything in Katrina except her trust in God. Despite the dispersion of her spiritual family, the destruction of her home and car, and the devastation of the church where she and her husband had ministered for years, she has nothing but praise for God.   "God has not allowed me to cry or mourn over Katrina," she told a group of women gathered at Pine First Baptist Church to hear her speak on the Highway to Holiness at the 6th Annual Women’s Conference.   She said that God has met their every need, even as they have been vagabonds, sleeping on her daughter’s futon and traveling from place to place, ministering to their displaced congregation.   Luter said preparation for this conference was a growing experience for her. God stretched her understanding of the spiritual path that leads to holiness and helped her to understand that we all have to travel that path alone. Ultimately it is our personal relationship … [Read more...]

Is atheism facing its demise? Oxford theologian Alister McGrath thinks so. NEW ORLEANS – Is atheism facing its demise? Oxford theologian Alister McGrath thinks so. The 2007 Greer-Heard Point-Counterpoint Forum of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) to be held February 23-24 on the seminary campus, will address the question of "The Future of Atheism." At the forum, McGrath, Oxford University professor of historical theology, prolific evangelical Christian apologist and author of The Twilight of Atheism, will present his case in dialogue with Daniel C. Dennett, university professor and Austin B. Fletcher professor of philosophy of Tufts University, who will defend an atheistic position. The Greer-Heard Forum provides a venue in which an academically recognized evangelical scholar can engage a non-evangelical scholar on current issues in faith and culture. McGrath holds Oxford University doctorates in both molecular biophysics and Christian theology and has published numerous works on Christian theology and its relationship to the natural sciences. His three-volume work, A Scientific Theology, explores the contributions of science and theology to each other. As a former atheist, McGrath has a passion for … [Read more...]

John Sheehan wears a razor-wire halo with grace.     ANGIE – John Sheehan wears a razor-wire halo with grace.   He ministers inside the chainlink city that is Rayburn Correctional Center. He also lives in RCC, and unlike others in prison ministry, the recipients of his ministry scrutinize his Christian walk every waking hour.   "When you’re living with a group of men, you see more of the character flaws and issues they are dealing with in their lives," Sheehan said. "The reverse is also true. I’m not a perfect person and they see the mistakes I make."   As an inmate chaplain’s orderly, Sheehan is in the full-time ministry. He felt the call of God on his life shortly after accepting Christ as his Savior in a Southern Baptist church in Florida. He was actively involved in lay ministry while seeking to define that call when he was arrested and charged with the death of his wife. She died after his gun discharged while he was cleaning it, he said. What was first treated as an accident eventually resulted in a life sentence.   The new-found hope Sheehan experienced as a child of God was severely tested when he was sentenced to Angola. Despite his circumstances, he refused to descend into the black pit of depression … [Read more...]

February 2007 2-3 – Collegiate Evangelism Conference, First Pineville. Cost: $35. LBC contact: Julia Brouillette. 3 – Area Keyboard Festivals at First DeRidder, NOBTS New Orleans, and First Mansfield. LBC contact: Teresa Thomason. 8 – Paul Timothy Conference, Baptist Building, Alexandria. LBC contacts: Jo Lynn Chesser, Alan Miller. 8 – Singing Ministers and Singing Women Concert at Williams Boulevard, Kenner. LBC Contact: Randy Turner. 8 – CANCELLED: Sunday School Growth Seminar, Alexandria. LBC contact: Lisa Smith. 11-18 – WMU Focus Week. LBC contact: Janie Wise. 15 – CANCELLED: Sunday School Growth Seminar, Hammond. LBC contact: Lisa Smith. 15-16 – Louisiana Preschool/Children’s Ministers Association Retreat, Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center, Woodworth. LBC Contact: Carolle Green. 16 – Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home Board of Trustees meeting; awards banquet; Monroe. 22 – CANCELLED: Sunday School Growth Seminar, Minden. LBC contact: Lisa Smith. 23-25 Louisiana Renewal Reunion, Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center; LBC contact: Ivan Harliss. 27 – Developing a Biblical Process of Discipleship, Temple Ruston. LBC contact: Lisa … [Read more...]

BATON ROUGE – First Baptist plans a Car Clinic ministry from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 3. On Sunday, Feb. 4, the church’s children and students holding soup pots will be stationed at worship center exits to take up a $1/person offering for Souper Bowl of Caring. The offering is designated this year for the Christian Outreach Center. Jan. 14 attendance: 324. Burn Page is pastor. WEST MONROE – The Reaching Across Drama Ministry at Fair Park Baptist is to present "Don’t Touch That Dial!" At 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 16-17 in the Reception Hall. Tickets: $10/person. Child care for babies and preschoolers. Special program for children 5th grade and under for $5/child, including meal. Jan. 14 attendance: 291.   LAKE CHARLES – Despite being without a pastor, 365 people attended Sale Street Baptist on Jan. 7.   JENA – First Baptist is involved in a study of Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby. A special event – Bald Barker and Nanna White – is set for Wednesday evening, Feb. 14 in the church’s family life center. Seven games of Upward Basketball are played at the church each week, three Thursday evenings and four Saturday days. Dominick DiCarlo Jr. is pastor.   OAKDALE – First Baptist has adopted North … [Read more...]

Seeking staff Full-time social worker for Sellers Maternity Home. A master’s degree is required; five years’ experience is desired. Call LBCH’s Perry Hancock at 318-343-2244. Relief cottage couple for Sellers Maternity Home for about 10 days/nights a month. Couples must be able to drive a 15-passenger van and meet other ministry requirements. Call LBCH’s Perry Hancock at 318-343-2244. Revivals and related events Warren Morris is to be guest speaker Tuesday, Feb. 13 at First Baptist Oakdale, where Stephen Laughlin is pastor. A pizza blowout for students in grades 7-13 is to follow the service. Port Hudson Baptist is to meet for revival services Feb. 4-7. Joe Aulds is speaker and Price Harris is to lead music/worship. Joe Thibeau, pastor. Goldonna Baptist is to meet Feb. 11-16 for revival services, with Richard Pickupas evangelist and Fred Gilbert Jr., music. Doyle McGrew is pastor. Concerts, conferences and related events Staci Beauchamp is to be guest speaker at a Ladies Prayer Breakfast Saturday, Feb. 3, at First Baptist St. Francisville, where Joe Ratcliff is pastor. Anniversaries Guest evangelist Nick Holden is to speak Sunday, Feb. 4, at North Shreve Baptist, Founded Feb. 3, 1963. Roy Davis is … [Read more...]