New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has announced the establishment of the Robert S. Magee Doctoral Fellowship in honor of the late Robert S. Magee for his fifty years of pastoral ministry to Southern Baptists, including thirty-four years as pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, La. NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has announced the establishment of the Robert S. Magee Doctoral Fellowship in honor of the late Robert S. Magee for his fifty years of pastoral ministry to Southern Baptists, including thirty-four years as pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, La. The fund, the first of its kind for NOBTS, will award fellowships to new and currently enrolled students in the institution’s research doctoral program. Awards will be based upon the student’s academic achievement and scholarly potential. NOBTS administrators believe the fund will help in recruiting top quality students. As a man who distinguished himself in preaching, his major field of study during his doctoral work, Magee served as a mentor to many in vocational ministry. “He was a model for ministry for me and for dozens of other men who felt called into ministry through his decades as pastor of … [Read more...]
Guidestone plans to launch
GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention is expanding its investment choices for eligible participants with the Jan. 2 launch of MyDestination Funds. DALLAS (BP) – GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention is expanding its investment choices for eligible participants with the Jan. 2 launch of MyDestination Funds. These five registered date target funds will be managed to specific retirement dates and may be suitable for investors of all ages looking to create or maintain a diversified age-appropriate retirement choice in a single fund. Each of the MyDestination Funds is a diversified “fund-of-funds” with an asset allocation that gradually becomes more conservative as an investor approaches retirement. The five funds are managed to specific target dates and 15 years after retirement in 10-year increments – 2015, 2025, 2035 and 2045 – allowing investors simply to choose the year closest to their planned retirement. The funds are designed for investors willing to bear additional expenses in exchange for automatic rebalancing. By investing in the MyDestination Funds, participants will incur the expenses of the funds in addition to those of the underlying … [Read more...]
“Nativity” brings biblical story to life
ad to say, “Christian” films often do one (or both) of two things – they either make Christians look silly or they misinterpret the Bible. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Sad to say, “Christian” films often do one (or both) of two things – they either make Christians look silly or they misinterpret the Bible. When I was invited to an early screening of The Nativity Story in mid-October, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Thankfully, the feature film about the events of Christ’s birth, which opened nationwide Dec. 1, portrays “the greatest story ever told” with compelling acting, beautiful cinematography, moving music, cultural authenticity and, best of all, biblical accuracy. It’s a Christian film with all of the “wow” factors you want from a Hollywood production (realistic costumes, impressive locations, believable characters and dialogue) and none of the “ugh” factors you often find in films of the genre (sappy dialogue, cheesy costumes, preachy/melodramatic characters). Both the Mary and Joseph characters are complex and fallible – necessary qualities in a good protagonist. They’re not perfect, which makes their accomplishments all the more inspiring. I found myself reciting the biblical … [Read more...]
KALEO conference assists students
Discerning God’s call can be difficult no matter how old a person is, but it can be especially difficult for teenagers and young adults. NEW ORLEANS (BP)--Discerning God’s call can be difficult no matter how old a person is, but it can be especially difficult for teenagers and young adults. A conference held at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Nov. 17-18 sought to help students with their call into ministry. The theme of the inaugural KALEO conference was, appropriately, “God called. You answered. Now what?” KALEO: New Orleans was the first installment of an annual conference sponsored by the North American Mission Board’s Missions Prep Network focused on helping students identify and commit to a specific calling to serve God vocationally. “God has something very special in mind for the rest of your life,” Donald King, director of the conference, told the more than 300 students and leaders. “You won’t have all the answers when you leave here, but we want to help you know where you can go with your questions and who you can talk to.” King, also a senior consultant for NAMB, added, “Your call to ministry is not about you. It’s about what God is going to do through your … [Read more...]
Artist displays talent used in unique outreach
More than 300 students and leaders with a call to ministry descended on the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary campus Nov. 17-18 for the inaugural KALEO: New Orleans conference. NEW ORLEANS (BP)--More than 300 students and leaders with a call to ministry descended on the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary campus Nov. 17-18 for the inaugural KALEO: New Orleans conference. KALEO: New Orleans was the first installment of an annual conference sponsored by the North American Mission Board’s Missions Prep Network. Speakers and activities focused on helping students identify and commit to a specific calling to serve God vocationally. God can use a variety of gifts and talents for His glory, students were told. “If God has called you and you answered Him, your ministry began when you said, ‘Yes Lord. Here am I,’ Every individual’s call is very unique and very different,” said Donald King, senior national consultant for the North American Mission Board and conference director. “You are very special and God has something special in mind for you.” The weekend included practical help for students wading through a call to ministry. Students not only heard that their call is unique but … [Read more...]
Arkansas’s been here a year
With one year of experience under his belt as project coordinator for the Arkansas Baptist Builders in New Orleans, Jackie James said he wouldn’t trade his volunteer position for any other job. NEW ORLEANS (BP) – With one year of experience under his belt as project coordinator for the Arkansas Baptist Builders in New Orleans, Jackie James said he wouldn’t trade his volunteer position for any other job. James and his wife, Linda, put the business that had been in their family for more than 50 years in the hands of a friend last October and went to New Orleans to join the Arkansas disaster relief team. In January, the Arkansas Baptist Builders were set in place for the rebuilding of homes in New Orleans, with James leading the team. They joined Baptists from other states in restoring a city devastated by Hurricane Katrina. As the supervisor for a growing workforce now numbering more than 1,400 volunteers, James and the Arkansas Baptist Builders have completed 44 homes, are working on 312 homes on an active construction list and have a waiting list of homeowners that is six pages long. They have seen 50 professions of faith. “Our primary goal is to rebuild lives,” James said. “Rebuilding … [Read more...]
Grief grabs First Slidell
“My daughter’s been riding a wave of emotion,” said one mother at First Baptist Church here. “She’ll be fine – playing and happy – and then she’ll be crying. They say that’s normal; it’s a process. Everyone grieves differently.” SLIDELL – “My daughter’s been riding a wave of emotion,” said one mother at First Baptist Church here. “She’ll be fine – playing and happy – and then she’ll be crying. They say that’s normal; it’s a process. Everyone grieves differently.” The First Baptist church family is grieving the death of 9-year-old Savannah Scharfenstein, who in less than 10 seconds – while her parents, sisters and many others from church were watching – fell during the local fire department’s Christmas parade Dec. 10 and was pulled under the wheels of a utility trailer being used as the church’s float. Savannah was in the parade to pass out flyers and application forms for First Slidell’s Upward Basketball program; about 900 youngsters participate each winter. She apparently was trying to climb onto the trailer when her foot got caught, the local media reported. Her dad had Savannah cradled in his arms within seconds of the accident, friends said; EMTs were onsite and bending over the child within … [Read more...]
Highland hosts Bread of Life
Highland Baptist church here takes Luke 14:12-14 seriously NEW IBERIA — Highland Baptist church here takes Luke 14:12-14 seriously. Since 2002, the church has been serving those in need in their community by offering a Christmas dinner on Christmas day. They call it the Bread of Life. “I wanted us to provide in a small way for the emotional and physical needs of people in our community,” said Keith White, chairman of the deacons at Highland and coordinator for the Bread of Life Dinner, who began organizing the event in 2002. “I wanted to show them that we care, and at the same time present the gospel.” The pastor, David Denton, plans to provide a 15-minute message, sharing the gospel and the meaning of Christmas with those who attend the dinner. He and other counselors also stand ready for any who would like to talk further. Last year, because the church was financially supporting several families whose homes were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina, Highland did not host the event, but in 2004, they served about 150 of their neighbors, said Tina Martin, church secretary. By advertising in the local paper, the church encourages those who want to attend to call ahead of time, … [Read more...]
Seafarers receive Christmas
Seafarers who port in Louisiana in December this year are likely to be met with gifts and parties. MULTI-CITY – Seafarers who port in Louisiana in December this year are likely to be met with gifts and parties. All five of the states ministries to seafarers have plans for special outreach to crews whose ships port in Louisiana during December this year. Many of the seafarers will have been away from their families for months. GONZALES “If [the seafarers] were at home at Christmas, they’d get a special dinner and some kind of gift,” said Pat Caudill, director of the Gonzales Seaman’s Ministry. “But the men are away from home and missing their families so much,” added Dianne Caudill, wife to Pat and his assistant and coordinator in the ministry. “So we make the effort to reach out to them like family.” The Gonzales Seaman’s Center serves 42 docks. “The most we’ve had this year in one night was 73 boats,” he said, though they’ve been known to go three or four days without any boats. Three to four churches in the community will be conducting Christmas parties complete with games and stories, especially about the birth of Christ. In addition, seafarers porting … [Read more...]
The manger and the mall
In his book “God With Us: The Miracle of Christmas,” John MacArthur relates the following: “I read a haunting newspaper story several years ago about a wealthy Boston family who had a christening party for their new baby. In his book “God With Us: The Miracle of Christmas,” John MacArthur relates the following: “I read a haunting newspaper story several years ago about a wealthy Boston family who had a christening party for their new baby. They invited all their friends and relatives to their magnificent home to celebrate the birth of their precious infant. A half-hour into the party, when it was time to bring the baby out for everyone to see, the mother made a tragic discovery. The large bed where she had left the baby asleep was piled high with the coats of the guests. The baby was lying dead underneath the mound, suffocated by the carelessly discarded wraps.” MacArthur goes on to draw a parallel between the horrible scene in that Boston bedroom and the manner in which America’s consumer culture “celebrates” the birth of Jesus Christ. “Lost is the realization that Christmas is first of all the birth of the Savior,” MacArthur writes. “He is all but forgotten....” I concur with MacArthur’s … [Read more...]
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