NEW ORLEANS (BP) – It would be difficult to overstate the importance of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s 88th commencement exercise May 13. The ceremony not only marked the first graduation on the main campus since Hurricane Katrina, it served as a joyous testimony of God’s grace and provision. By Gary D. Myers NOBTS public relations NEW ORLEANS (BP) – It would be difficult to overstate the importance of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s 88th commencement exercise May 13. The ceremony not only marked the first graduation on the main campus since Hurricane Katrina, it served as a joyous testimony of God’s grace and provision. “Hearing the stories of what God has done to see everybody through is just a reminder that there isn’t a circumstance in which God cannot work,” NOBTS President Chuck Kelley said following the service. “There is no heartbreak so great that God cannot mend and heal and we’re celebrating that mending and healing today.” Once again the campus teemed with activity as graduates and their families packed Leavell Chapel. The pain and hardship of the last nine months was softened with joy and thankfulness. A total of 241 certificates and degrees were awarded to the … [Read more...]
McInnis again garners golf grand championship award
“Great place to play golf and one of the best courses in the state” was the sentiment expressed by participants of the spring Baptist Golf Fellowship Tournament. The course received rave reviews from its 84 participants. By Joanne Brechtel Staff Writer “Great place to play golf and one of the best courses in the state” was the sentiment expressed by participants of the spring Baptist Golf Fellowship Tournament. The course received rave reviews from its 84 participants. “The tournament attracts all levels of golfers from high-handicappers to more accomplished players, and one pro,” Message Editor Kelly Boggs said. He noted there are championship and five flights for ministers and championship and four flights for laymen during medalist play on the first day of the two-day tournament. Although there was a possibility of threatening weather, those who observed the golfers gathering at the course around noon on Monday only saw the distinct blend of delicious casual humor and gumbo of personalities ready to embark. Carts were being readied, practice shots taken and sustenance for the trip consumed. Some players had impressive credentials and others not so impressive, but it wasn’t to be a trip where … [Read more...]
Baptist Builders swarm statewide
OBERLIN – A $1 million church complex is rising here from the ashes of an arsonist’s fire last June that destroyed a structure built about 50 years ago. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor OBERLIN – A $1 million church complex is rising here from the ashes of an arsonist’s fire last June that destroyed a structure built about 50 years ago. The cost of the new 16,000 square-foot worship center, education wing and fellowship hall would nearly double, if it were not for the work of the volunteer Louisiana Baptist Builders, who started April 24 by getting the ground ready. They were setting forms and laying pipe last week, and expect to complete the project by the end of the year. “No words can express our gratitude for the Louisiana Baptist Builders,” said Shane Nugent, pastor since 2002 of Oberlin Baptist. “The builders work their bottoms off all day long, and they work hard to get the best prices for what we need to buy.” Oberlin is one of 18 construction projects volunteer crews of Louisiana Baptist Builders are working on over the next 24 months. At the top of the list this summer: A new worship center for Ban Suk Korean Baptist Church in Bossier City is nearing completion. Global … [Read more...]
Youth Speakers’ Tournament stimulates spiritual maturity
PINEVILLE – During the wee hours of Sept 24, 2005, Phillip Vincent faced his own “shadow of death.” By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer PINEVILLE – During the wee hours of Sept 24, 2005, Phillip Vincent faced his own “shadow of death.” As the twelfth grader witnessed through a television screen Hurricane Rita cause destruction to his hometown – Lake Charles – Vincent began to think about life from an eternal perspective. “As the storms of life come and the winds shake us to our very foundation, we stand in the rubble of our lives with eyes fixed upon the heavens,” the Lake Charles resident recently told hundreds of state Bible Drill and Youth Speakers’ Tournament participants at Louisiana College in Pineville. “Waiting for some miraculous show of might to save us, we, like Elijah, must wait for the silence and the whisper – peace that can only come from God, the strength of conviction that allows us to say, ‘I have faith in a God who’s much bigger than any of this.’” One of two twelfth graders who participated in the Youth Speaker’s Tournament, Vincent captured first place among those in his grade level. In all, seven teenagers participated in the tournament. The Youth Speakers’ Tournament is … [Read more...]
Danger inherent in entertainment
Charles Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship, expressed concern in recent commentary about a trend in Christian radio that is replacing teaching and issue-oriented programs with programming that is more entertainment oriented. By Kelly Boggs Editor Charles Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship, expressed concern in recent commentary about a trend in Christian radio that is replacing teaching and issue-oriented programs with programming that is more entertainment oriented. “One station canceled my four-minute BreakPoint commentary,” Colson wrote, “saying that four minutes is the equivalent of one song.... Besides, the station manager allowed, BreakPoint is too serious and not contemporary enough.” It is not only his radio commentaries that Colson is concerned about. “Several stations recently -– many acting on the advice of a leading consulting firm –- have dropped serious programming in favor of all-music formats,” he reported. “For example, a major station in Baltimore has dropped four talk shows in order to add music.” American society and even Christians, it seems, are surrendering to the insatiable desire to be entertained. Our quest for amusement has become not only a national pastime, it has … [Read more...]
Closing the back door
RUSTON – The world is hungry for Jesus and the only way they will come to know Him is through Christians’ witness, Darryl Wilson said last week. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer RUSTON – The world is hungry for Jesus and the only way they will come to know Him is through Christians’ witness, Darryl Wilson said last week. “It begins in our community,” Wilson told 39 people attending the “Assimilation: Closing the Back Door” Conference at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Ruston. “If we ever want them to get to Jesus, we’ve got to start there.” One of three such events held in recent days, the conference was for pastors and other key church leaders to receive training so they could strengthen their ability to retain and disciple church members. Eighty-three people attended the conferences, which were sponsored by the Sunday School and Discipleship Ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. Wilson, director of adult Sunday school for the Kentucky Baptist Convention, said assimilation is “connecting people to the body and mission of Christ through relationships, small group involvement, expectations and ministry involvement in order to lead them to become fully devoted followers of Christ.” Churches … [Read more...]
Mill Creek commits to missions giving
GOLDONNA – Mill Creek Baptist Church members voted unanimously at their May business meeting to start giving to missions through the Cooperative Program and Shady Grove Baptist Association. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor GOLDONNA – Mill Creek Baptist Church members voted unanimously at their May business meeting to start giving to missions through the Cooperative Program and Shady Grove Baptist Association. The Cooperative Program is the Southern Baptist Convention’s widely acclaimed method of global missions involvement. “The Cooperative Program offers so many things to not only our church, but the state and nation, and these programs are designed so we are educated to reach out better,” said Craig Stephens, pastor since July 2003 of the church established in 1954, where about 30 people worship on Sunday. “We brought up the church tithing about a year and a half ago,” the pastor said. “It wasn’t received real well then, and in the democratic process we let it go, but a couple of months ago we said we need to be obedient about this. ‘I’m not going to take a vote today,’ I told them. ‘I’m just going to ask if you are willing to be obedient.’ “It’s not just obedience in tithing but every … [Read more...]
Priestess explains her beliefs
NEW ORLEANS – Jars of herbs, roots, and oils lined one wall of the voodoo priestess’s dimly-lit room. The pungent perfumes of candles and incense greeted the nostrils of guests who ventured through the door. By Keith Manuel Regional Reporter NEW ORLEANS – Jars of herbs, roots, and oils lined one wall of the voodoo priestess’s dimly-lit room. The pungent perfumes of candles and incense greeted the nostrils of guests who ventured through the door. I must confess I wanted to meet a very dark figure with an exotic Creole name when Carolyn Curtis of the North American Mission Board and I entered the “Salvation and Magical Pharmacy,” in the Bywater district, not far from the French Quarter. Instead, an average all-American girl transplanted from Kennebunkport, Maine, greeted us. “Hi, I’m Sallie Ann,” she replied after I introduced myself. I still expected a cold, damp hand dripping with an evil potion to reach out and grasp my extended hand What I received was a wide smile and a warm hand from Sallie Ann, who identified herself as a Jew of the reform tradition who went to Haiti to study Voodoo. I did feel more “in the moment” when I realized she had to put down a dried chicken foot to shake my … [Read more...]
Hemphill carries EKG vision to Euro-Asiatic Baptists
MOSCOW (BP) – In a land marked by political and cultural transition, churches can grow stronger and reach future generations with the Gospel if they “turn their heart’s affection” toward the Kingdom of God, Ken Hemphill advised Baptist leaders from the countries of the former Soviet Union. By Cameron Crabtree Northwest Baptist Witness MOSCOW (BP) – In a land marked by political and cultural transition, churches can grow stronger and reach future generations with the Gospel if they “turn their heart’s affection” toward the Kingdom of God, Ken Hemphill advised Baptist leaders from the countries of the former Soviet Union. “God is seeking a people who will embody His name, embrace His mission and obey His Word,” declared Hemphill, national strategist for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Empowering Kingdom Growth emphasis. Hemphill spoke to more than 100 Baptist union leaders who convened outside Moscow to learn how the EKG initiative could make a spiritual impact upon the region’s numerous people groups. EKG blends a spiritual focus on the Kingdom of God with planning tools to help congregations discover their vision, mission and values. “An effort like this helps lay a spiritual foundation for … [Read more...]
Pastor sees value of CP
WILLINGBORO, N.J. (BP) – Delaware Valley Baptist Church has doubled its participation in Cooperative Program (CP) Missions, from 5 to 10 percent to reach people in New Jersey and around the world, and tripled in attendance, from 100 to 300, in the seven years since James Betner was called as pastor. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor WILLINGBORO, N.J. (BP) – Delaware Valley Baptist Church has doubled its participation in Cooperative Program (CP) Missions, from 5 to 10 percent to reach people in New Jersey and around the world, and tripled in attendance, from 100 to 300, in the seven years since James Betner was called as pastor. “We believe in the Cooperative Program. We believe that together everybody accomplishes more,” Betner said. “... As a first-time pastor, the more I went to [association and state convention] meetings and really understood what we do and how we help churches, missionaries and pastors, the more I knew we wanted to invest in CP Missions. “I have seen the many helps that I personally get and other pastors get when guys like Bob Reccord or Jimmy Draper spend time with us and love on us and encourage us to continue,” Betner said in referencing the presidents of the Southern … [Read more...]
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