Editor’s note: Read this article in its entirety on www.baptistmessage.com KANSAS CITY, Kan. (BP) – "The Last Sin Eater," the highly anticipated period drama directed by Michael Landon Jr., is set for a theatrical release on Feb. 9. Released through Fox Faith, Twentieth Century Fox’s faith-themed branch, the film (rated PG-13 for thematic elements and some violence) is based on the Francine Rivers novel and concerns a guilt-ridden adolescent girl who seeks forgiveness by way of an ancient Welsh ritual involving a man known as "The Sin Eater." An outcast, the Sin Eater comes to funerals and completes a ceremony by taking on the sins of the newly departed, supposedly allowing them to rest in peace. So burdened is the young girl that she sets out to find the Sin Eater. Hounded by the child, he relents and performs the ritual over her. But she feels nothing. The guilt remains. Ah, but a wandering minister introduces the youngster to the true Sin Eater. This comes from the offspring of the man who gave us "Little House on the Prairie" and "Highway to Heaven." Michael Landon Jr. offers a fresh story concept and delivers it with skill and competence. What’s more, it is a movie, made by movie people, wherein Jesus is proclaimed as … [Read more...]
Merger benefits both
The merger of First Baptist here with nearby East Leesville Baptist on Sunday, Feb. 11, has George Boswell, pastor of First Baptist New Llano, looking to the future with optimism despite his declining health and a declining church, he said. NEW LLANO – The merger of First Baptist here with nearby East Leesville Baptist on Sunday, Feb. 11, has George Boswell, pastor of First Baptist New Llano, looking to the future with optimism despite his declining health and a declining church, he said. Boswell, who has been taking cancer treatments for about four years, said the church’s decline is due partly to his poor health and partly to troop movements at nearby Fort Polk. Much of the town’s population, affiliated with the Army base in some way, is transitory. "When troops leave Fort Polk, attendance drops," Bos-well said of First New Llano’s recent decline. "But it always built back up. Because of my health, I haven’t been able to get out for visitation to help in building it back up." To solve the church’s problem, Boswell, who preaches every Sunday from his wheelchair, recently initiated a merger – at the suggestion of Vernon Director of Missions E.J. Bradshaw – between thriving East Leesville Baptist Church … [Read more...]
“Ignite 2007” …does just that
On February 2-3, 657 students gathered at FBC Pineville to see old friends, worship the Lord, and to learn how to share the gospel with their high school and college friends. By Michael Stewart PINEVILLE – On February 2-3, 657 students gathered at FBC Pineville to see old friends, worship the Lord, and to learn how to share the gospel with their high school and college friends. According to Tim Stewart, the Shreveport-Metro BCM Director and event coordinator, "all 24 LBC campus ministries were represented and 20 churches brought a number of Junior and Senior high school students." For the past couple of years high school students have been invited to the College Evangelism Conference to help them get a glimpse of college life and to make them aware of Baptist Collegiate Ministry. This year’s event speaker was Paul Mints, a former Youth Pastor at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport and currently a church planter in Mansfield, Texas. The praise team for Ignite was the Todd Field’s Band from NorthPoint Church in Atlanta, Georgia. During each of the worship sessions, Mints preached from the fifth chapter of 2 Corinthians. Mint’s used this text to remind … [Read more...]
Volunteers find niche with seamen
Steve and Ann Corbin say they have the gift of hospitality – a handy gift for entertaining many strangers, especially when the strangers do not speak English. RESERVE – Steve and Ann Corbin say they have the gift of hospitality – a handy gift for entertaining many strangers, especially when the strangers do not speak English. As Mission Service Corps missionaries with Global Maritime Ministries, serving at the port of Reserve, La., the Corbins open their doors weekly to seafarers who come from around the world, bringing the international mission field "to their doorstep." Mission Service Corps personnel are self-funded – essentially ‘faith missionaries’ dependent on the financial support of family, friends, church, retirement income or however God chooses to provide – volunteer missionaries who are commissioned for service by their home church and endorsed by the North American Mission Board. The International Mission Board has a similar group called Global Service Corps. Assignments last from four months to open-ended; MSC volunteers work a minimum of 20 hours a week at their missionary assignment. "We didn’t really know anything about working with seamen," Ann says. "But we knew God was leading us … [Read more...]
First Covington hears Warden Cain
Warden Burl Cain credits moral rehabilitation efforts with the transformation of Angola from the bloodiest prison in America to a peaceful farm. COVINGTON – Warden Burl Cain credits moral rehabilitation efforts with the transformation of Angola from the bloodiest prison in America to a peaceful farm. Centered around six inmate chapels, faith-based classes and worship services provide opportunities for inmates to experience a "heart change." "A prison can change, but only with God almighty and moral rehabilitation," Cain told the members of First Baptist Church Covington in a recent morning service. He was present to challenge the congregation to support efforts to build a chapel at Rayburn Correctional Center in nearby Washington Parish. "They need to have a church at RCC," he said. "A chapel draws them (inmates) like a magnet. They are islands of freedom." Cain said the idea that you can change a prison from the inside out was not his, but was the vision of Chuck Kelly, President of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. NOBTS established a Bible College inside the Angola compound after PELL grants were discontinued and Cain went looking for a way to fund higher education at the prison. He said he had no … [Read more...]
North Monroe hosts fifth annual “Day of Champions”
On Super Bowl Sunday for the last five years, North Monroe has invited a special guest speaker for what the church calls its "Day of Champions." MONROE – On Super Bowl Sunday for the last five years, North Monroe has invited a special guest speaker for what the church calls its "Day of Champions." The pre-event started a week early this year. More than 1,000 people in the worship center of North Monroe Baptist Church watched a showing of the new film Facing the Giants Jan. 28. One week later, the church hosted its fifth annual "Day of Champions" with Alex Kendrick as special guest. Kendrick wrote, directed, and starred in Facing the Giants, which was produced by Sherwood Pictures, a ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. Kendrick is Sherwood’s media minister. The church staff had arranged in October for Kendrick to speak at the Day of Champions event; the invitation was made about a month after the release of the film and before he was inundated with speaking requests, church leaders said. Kendrick spoke for about 20 minutes in each of three worship services to a combined congregation of more than 1,725 people. He then spoke for another 30 minutes at each of two luncheons that took place in … [Read more...]
First Natchitoches hosts annual princess retreat
The 2007 Princess Retreat sponsored by Lambda Chi Girls’ ministry at First Baptist Church was amazing. With over 165 girls, in addition to their mothers, adult sponsors and several ladies from FBC, the church was full. Not only was it full of people, but it was also filled with learning, laughter, fellowship and the Holy Spirit. NATCHITOCHES – The 2007 Princess Retreat sponsored by Lambda Chi Girls’ ministry at First Baptist Church was amazing. With over 165 girls, in addition to their mothers, adult sponsors and several ladies from FBC, the church was full. Not only was it full of people, but it was also filled with learning, laughter, fellowship and the Holy Spirit. As everyone registered for the day, girls packed into the fellowship hall to meet new friends and eat about 30 dozen donuts! The day got off to a perfect start with NSU volleyball coach, Brittany Uffelman, getting everyone to their feet with a competitive game of Simon Sez. The winner was able to choose a door prize from the many gift baskets donated by Sunday school classes in the church. Next, Sara Beth led the girls in a fun song where they were able to "zoom" around the entire sanctuary before settling down with the first speaker, Wendy Troxclair. Wendy … [Read more...]
Louisiana Landscape
State Acteens receive national recognition BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) – Tara Hammett of First Baptist Church, Minden, La. is among the eight teens who have been selected as 2007 National Acteens Panelists by Woman’s Missionary Union, based on their missions commitment and involvement in their school, community and church. "Without a doubt, these eight young women represent the very best of their generation," said Kym Mitchell, national WMU’s student resource team leader and design editor. "They are not only leaders in their schools and in a variety of community service arenas, but they are also committed to their families, involved in the ministries of their local churches and are strong missional leaders, setting an example for us all as they actively live out God’s call on their lives." Suzanne Reece, ministry consultant for WMU’s student resource team, said the selection process was very challenging this year, as numerous applicants were involved in an abundance of missions opportunities and experiences. "Many of them are responsible for initiating, planning and executing mission projects in their own church and community," Reece said of the panelists. "They appear to be a group of girls who will take it upon … [Read more...]
International Digest
A pastor in South Africa who had partnered with North Carolina Baptist volunteers was shot and killed Jan. 22 as he led a Bible study at Masiphumelele Baptist Church in Fish Hoek. From Baptist Press and other sources SOUTH AFRICA PASTOR MURDERED DURING BIBLE STUDY – NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – A pastor in South Africa who had partnered with North Carolina Baptist volunteers was shot and killed Jan. 22 as he led a Bible study at Masiphumelele Baptist Church in Fish Hoek. Phillip Mokson, founding pastor of the congregation, died and a woman was seriously wounded by a man who was baptized in late 2006 but struggled with depression. The woman apparently had rejected his romantic overtures. The gunman, known as Vusi, took his own life after the shootings, according to the Biblical Recorder, newsjournal of the Baptist Convention of North Carolina. Masiphumelele township’s 20,000 residents are predominantly young and poor. As many as 25 percent of them are HIV-positive, according to John Thomas, pastor of Fish Hoek Baptist Church, which sponsors the work Mokson led. The gunman reportedly had attempted suicide at least twice, and on one occasion Mokson had rescued him. TURKISH PASTOR THREATENED, BUILDING VANDALIZED – … [Read more...]
Youth survey expected to reveal crucial information for ministry
Registration opened Feb. 1 for the SBC Youth Ministry Survey, designed to be a comprehensive guide for Southern Baptist churches across the nation to garner crucial, fresh information about teens, their families and youth ministry. FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) – Registration opened Feb. 1 for the SBC Youth Ministry Survey, designed to be a comprehensive guide for Southern Baptist churches across the nation to garner crucial, fresh information about teens, their families and youth ministry. The free survey will be open for people to complete online April 1-8. Coordinators are particularly seeking churches to help provide input from youth, parents of youth, youth ministry volunteers and youth ministers. "Churches and individuals tend to keep doing what they have been doing unless something prompts them to change," said Richard Ross, project coordinator and professor of student ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. "In some churches, if attendance is OK, if parents and teens are reasonably happy with activities, then no one is motivated to think carefully about how ministry should be changed in the future." The survey consists of 125 queries designed to measure each group’s attitudes on subjects … [Read more...]
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