Baptists are a peculiar people. We insist that one make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We insist that they be baptized before they can join our church. And, yet, some of us insist upon nothing else once they’re members. By Peter Beck LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--Baptists are a peculiar people. We insist that one make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We insist that they be baptized before they can join our church. And, yet, some of us insist upon nothing else once they’re members. Equally peculiar is the fact that we Baptists claim to be a “people of the book,” putting the Bible before all else when it comes to defining and defending our faith. Yet, we ignore its teaching on church membership. The writer of Hebrews paints a clear picture of what God expects of His children in His church. “And let us be concerned one about another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Notice the three privileges/benefits that we enjoy as members of the church. 1) We are to promote … [Read more...]
Two opportunities to ‘finish strong’
As the season fades from Thanksgiving to Christmas, two entities in Louisiana need help to finish strong. MONROE and OBERLIN – As the season fades from Thanksgiving to Christmas, two entities in Louisiana need help to finish strong: Additional Christmas gifts are needed for youngsters at the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Seller’s Maternity Home; Finishing work and landscaping needs to be done at the Oberlin Baptist Church construction site. “Christmas is an important time in the lives of the children at the Home,” said LCBH spokesman Darrell Washam. “For many, the gifts they receive from Christmas sponsors will be the only gifts they receive for Christmas. It is important for us to show them that they are worthy of our love.” The deadline for requesting children to sponsor at Christmas was Oct. 31, and all the children did receive a sponsor, Washam said. The problem is that some people give perhaps 10 or 12 gifts to a child, while others give just two or three. “We always need miscellaneous gifts,” Washam said. “Some children don’t get as many as the others, and some [sponsors] fall through the cracks.” Open House at the Children’s Home is Dec. 21. That’s when … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptist Convention ministry teams serve churches across the state
The ministry teams at the Louisiana Baptist Convention explained during their reports at the annual meeting how they serve the churches. LAKE CHARLES – The ministry teams at the Louisiana Baptist Convention explained during their reports at the annual meeting how they serve the churches. The Executive Board has planned a multi-year missions renewal emphasis called “Empowering Kingdom Growth-Louisiana” designed to address spiritual renewal, Acts 1:8 mission strategy and stewardship/Cooperative Program education. About 50 churches are involved in a pilot project as the emphasis is fine-tuned to be as effective as possible in Louisiana churches. The Baptist Collegiate Ministry team played musical chairs over the last year. John Moore, who had built the program over the last 30 years, retired to a consultancy with LifeWay Christian Resources. Mark Robinson, a BCM director at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, moved to the state director position. Todd Strain took Robinson’s position, which left his at McNeese University vacant. Keith Cating, moved from New Orleans to McNeese, his alma mater. John Shaffner began a BCM at Southeastern; Reginald Alford did the same thing at … [Read more...]
Crossover brings unity, faith decisions
For the first time in memory, 10 churches in this part of Southwest, Louisiana united to present a gift to their community. SULPHUR – For the first time in memory, 10 churches in this part of Southwest, Louisiana united to present a gift to their community. It was a five-day crusade led by Team Impact, a group of evangelistic bodybuilders affiliated with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. About 1,100 people attended the evangelistic performances each night, and 529 people made professions of faith, organizers said. “From the beginning we prayed there would be a holy buzz,” said David Holder, pastor of First Sulphur, to those who gathered Monday night at Trinity Baptist in Lake Charles for the annual meeting of Louisiana Southern Baptists. “Every pastor in West Calcasieu agreed to be a part of the effort.” The event was only the beginning and a template for what the Spirit can do in Southwest Louisiana, the First Sulphur pastor said. Garren and Grayson Benoit, students in the Sulphur area who saw a Team Impact performance at their school, begged their parents, Russell and Rhonda, to attend Friday night’s Team Impact event. The brothers are two of the 529 who accepted … [Read more...]
More Crossover
From a hand-made choo-choo train big enough to ride on at Bethel Metropolitan Baptist, to a 1930 Model A Ford restored to pristine condition at Westside Baptist in Moss Bluff, Crossover Lake Charles had something for everyone. LAKE CHARLES – From a hand-made choo-choo train big enough to ride on at Bethel Metropolitan Baptist, to a 1930 Model A Ford restored to pristine condition at Westside Baptist in Moss Bluff, Crossover Lake Charles had something for everyone. The events that preceded the Pastors Conference and annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention included the evangelistic Team Impact, an awareness-raising rally at McNeese University, and distribution of the Campus Crusade for Christ’s Jesus film on video in the Grand Lake/Sweet Lake area, in addition to three block parties – the two mentioned above and at Crying Eagle FEMA trailer park. “We were able to cover all but one of the areas we wanted [for the Jesus film distribution], and that was the one furthest separated from the others,” said J.P. Miles, Carey Baptist Association director of missions. “That was about 540 to 580 homes in what essentially is a couple of villages that have grown together.” Two dozen people … [Read more...]
Louisana’s people places and events
Potpourri WEST MONROE – New Chapel Hill church: “Earl and Jane Williams Day” special service honoring Earl and Jane Williams, IBM missionaries; Nov. 26, 10:45 a.m.; Charles Dupree, pastor. ALEXANDRIA – Homewood church: The Mackie Willis Family in concert; Nov. 26, evening service; Mackie Willis guest speaking in morning service; everyone invited; Jimmy Koonce, pastor. Christmas Programs JENA – First church: “One Small Child” musical; Dec. 3, 6 p.m.; Todd Rogers, minister of music; Dominick D. DiCarlo, Jr., pastor. ZACHARY – First church: “Christmas is Forever” musical; Dec. 10, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Billy Causey, minister of worship; Reggie Bridges, pastor. SULPHUR – First church: “Miracle on Main Street” musical presented by Musical Mondays; Dec. 3, 6 p.m. with fellowship to follow; “Wondrous Gift” musical presented by worship choir; Dec. 10, 6 p.m.; Donald Dukes, minister of praise/worship; David Holder, pastor. MONROE – North Monroe church: “The Living Christmas Tree” presented by the children’s choir; Dec. 3, 6 p.m.; Kenneth Clark, minister to children; David McCormick, minister of music; Bill H. Dye, pastor. BATON ROUGE – Jefferson church: “Twin Living Christmas … [Read more...]
Church News Notes connect churches
RINGGOLD – Springhill Baptist honored members age 75 and more with a recent “Greatest Generation” service. As each member’s name was called, he/she was presented with a rose and a bit of his/her history was read. Dinner was served for them, family and friends. Dorothy Kennedy and Anne Flint were instrumental in preparing the event, Pastor Gary Hahler reported. ST. FRANCISVILLE – The 13-week Financial Peace University is to start at First St. Francisville in January. Joe Ratcliff is pastor. Because of construction, the church has cancelled its Live Nativity this year only. MONROE – North Monroe Baptist, where Bill Dye is pastor, also plans to start Financial Peace University in January. To date, $6,179 has been received at North Monroe for the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering. STATEWIDE – Nearly every church newsletter is promoting Operation Christmas Child, the filling of shoeboxes for the Samaritan’s Purse ministry. Please let the Message know your total of shoeboxes via phone – 318-442-7728 – or email: news@baptistmessage.com. TIOGA – The Near and Far Challenge is an end of the year evangelism/missions project for Faith Tioga emailed from Pastor … [Read more...]
“Fear the Lord” is challenge 67 new missionaries hear
One new Southern Baptist missionary knows the fears and anxiety of being in a foreign land, unable to speak the language. By Shawn Hendricks Baptist Press CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (BP)--One new Southern Baptist missionary knows the fears and anxiety of being in a foreign land, unable to speak the language. “My discomfort and feeling of helplessness gave me a taste of God’s power and glory in my weakness,” said the man from Tampa, Fla., who remembers his first volunteer mission trip to Bulgaria in 2001. He and his wife overcame their fears and are headed to an undisclosed location in the Pacific Rim region. They were two of 67 new Southern Baptist missionaries appointed Oct. 31 at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The event, which drew a crowd of about 2,000, brings the total number of IMB missionaries to nearly 5,200. It was part of Missouri Baptist Convention’s annual meeting and the International Mission Board’s trustee meeting held in St. Louis. SBC President Frank Page, pastor of First Baptist Church in Taylors, S.C., spoke briefly during the service. He challenged the missionaries to “remember who you are.” It’s a challenge Page said he often gave his children as they left … [Read more...]
NOBTS announces scholarships for students affected by ’05 hurricanes Katrina and Rita
Because of a generous donation by the Alabama Baptist Convention, new or returning students living in areas affected by hurricanes Katrina and/or Rita (residents of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas) can receive a scholarship to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary or Leavell College (the seminary’s undergraduate college) for the Spring 2007 semester. NEW ORLEANS – Because of a generous donation by the Alabama Baptist Convention, new or returning students living in areas affected by hurricanes Katrina and/or Rita (residents of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas) can receive a scholarship to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary or Leavell College (the seminary’s undergraduate college) for the Spring 2007 semester. The Dec. 15, 2006, deadline to apply is quickly approaching. New main campus students are eligible for the awards if they are: --enrolled as a full-time New Orleans campus student for the 2007 Spring semester; and --lived in the area primarily affected by hurricanes Katrina or Rita at the time of the hurricanes. The primary hurricane-affected area is defined as the geographical area from Mobile, Ala. to Beaumont, Texas, up to 100 miles north of the … [Read more...]
Cooperative Program helps Southern Baptists accomplish God’s plan
Southern Baptists are a fellowship of more than 16.3 million members in about 43,700 churches in all 50 states and Canada. Southern Baptists are a fellowship of more than 16.3 million members in about 43,700 churches in all 50 states and Canada. These churches work together through 1,182 associations, 41 state conventions, 1 fellowship, and the SBC to accomplish through voluntary cooperation far more than each could do alone. The Southern Baptist worldwide missions enterprise is funded in large part through the unique, efficient, and equitable Cooperative Program. A portion of the undesignated tithes and offerings of individuals received by SBC churches becomes Cooperative Program dollars. In 2005, these churches sent more than $522 million through the Cooperative Program to their state conventions to support work within the state and the Southern Baptist Convention. As determined by messengers to the annual session of each state convention, a percentage of these Cooperative Program receipts is sent to the SBC Executive Committee for distribution to SBC entities. In 2005 in Louisiana, 65.5 percent of total Cooperative Program receipts were used for state convention ministries, … [Read more...]
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