week of September 5, 2005 LC enrollment Louisiana College President Joe Aguillard announced last week the Pineville school has extended the registration deadline to assist college students displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The deadline for the Louisiana Baptist school has been extended until Sept. 9 for students affected by the storm. For information, call (318) 487-7259 or (800) 487-1906. Issuing an apology Pat Robertson initially defended, then apologized for remarks he made on national television on Aug. 22, calling for the murder of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The retraction by the conservative Christian broadcaster came after a day of criticism from political and religious leaders across the ideological spectrum, including the president of the Southern Baptist Convention all condemned the comments. During the Aug. 22 broadcast of his Christian Broadcast Network show “The 700 Club,” Robertson said the time had come for United States officials to consider assassinating the Venezuelan dictator. “It’s a whole lot cheaper than starting a war,” Robertson said of killing Chavez. “We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability.” The outcry began … [Read more...]

Oct 7-9, 2005, the Acadia Baptist Academy Alumni Association is hosting an Alumni Reunion at Acadia Baptist Center in Eunice. Oct 7-9, 2005, the Acadia Baptist Academy Alumni Association is hosting an Alumni Reunion at Acadia Baptist Center in Eunice. Acadia Baptist Academy was a Christian boarding high school sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention for 50-plus years. Acadia Baptist Academy had a great impact on those young people who attended the school and, I believe, played a very specific role in spreading the gospel throughout this state. In its earlier years, it was particularly instrumental in training young men interested in entering the ministry. The reunion will be held Friday -Sunday – but the major program will be held on Saturday. Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m., and the “formal” program will conclude shortly after noon. Peggy Watson, Secretary Acadia Baptist Academy Alumni Association … [Read more...]

As I finished reading the letter entitled “An Unmentioned Reason,” by Steve Pruett in the August 18 issue, I almost laughed at the rebuttal of solutions to the SBC’s evangelistic slide. As I finished reading the letter entitled “An Unmentioned Reason,” by Steve Pruett in the August 18 issue, I almost laughed at the rebuttal of solutions to the SBC’s evangelistic slide. The reason given that we are “alienated” by “70 percent of the population” is because that 70 percent of the population believes women should be pastors. I serve a God whose message is very confrontational. Coming to him challenges the natural man to live a new life, contrary to almost everything the world believes. Is it “not fair” that the SBC has no women pastors?  Maybe in the world’s eyes, but since I was saved, I no longer look through the world’s eyes. My opinion on the matter is, “What does the Bible say about women pastors and other confrontational issues?” The passages for the qualifications of a pastor are clearly masculine in nature. The denominations that have accepted women pastors are the ones struggling with the acceptance of homosexual pastors. I do not wish to see the SBC struggling with such issues. One passage for those … [Read more...]

Steve Pruett’s response to the article on “steps to reverse SBC evangelistic slide” was hasty and naive. Steve Pruett’s response to the article on “steps to reverse SBC evangelistic slide” was hasty and naive. To propose an abandonment or weakening of our stance on “divisive culture war issues” would neglect our responsibility to be salt and light. Pruett chides the SBC for “our close association with one political party.” A more accurate observation is that one party has hitched their wagon to the evangelical team. “Cultural” and biblical” issues overlap more often than not. Pruett chose as an example of Southern Baptist’s “alienation” the tired issue of female clergy. He concluded that since 70 percent of Americans support women pastors, we must embrace or tolerate this unscriptural ideology or forfeit our opportunity to evangelize. God’s standards are our plumb line, not fickle opinions of secular society. The cliched mantra “who are we to judge others” is drawn from the well of liberal jargon. Pruett’s use of 1 Cor. 5:12-13 as a command for Christians to silence our mouths to the sin around us is poor exegesis. If we abandon the front line in the “culture wars,”  who will take our place? No one, and … [Read more...]

Week of September 5, 2005 Potpourri DRY CREEK – Dry Creek camp: Senior Adult Retreat; Sept. 19, 9 a.m.-Sept. 20, after lunch; David Holder and Bill Thorn, guest speakers; Jim Reynolds and Margie Nell Walker, music; Boyd Tweedy and R. L. Hillum of Cross Country, special featured guests; $45/full time lodgers, $25/2 day commuter and $15/1 day commuter; to register or for information, call (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager. BATON ROUGE – Istrouma church:  The Signature Sound Quartet in concert; Sept. 18, 6 p.m.; free, love offering accepted; Stuart Rothberg, pastor. MANY – First church: Gene Mills, guest speaker; Sept. 11, 11 a.m.; Steven L. Kelly, pastor. COLFAX – Colfax Civic center: Area-wide crusade; Sept. 9-11, 7 p.m. nightly; Joe Aulds, evangelist. SHREVEPORT – Emmanuel church:  “Becoming Jewels in God’s Crown” women’s conference; Sept. 24, 8:30 a.m. registration - 2 p.m.; Jean Bailey, guest speaker; Laura Crawford and Cathy DeRousse, music; $10 per person/includes lunch; registration deadline Sept. 18; for information, call (318) 686-7548; Bill Stowell, pastor. Youth DRY CREEK – Dry Creek camp:  “See You at the Pole” youth rally; Sept. 17, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Todd Burnaman, guest speaker; … [Read more...]

If God’s Word does not have something significant and true to say in New Orleans today, it is not true in the rest of Louisiana tomorrow. If God’s Word does not have something significant and true to say in New Orleans today, it is not true in the rest of Louisiana tomorrow. But God’s Word does have some thing to say in the aftermath of Katrina. God’s Word never fails. It is true in New Orleans today – and in all of Louisiana tomorrow. The Epistle of James gives us the sterling truth that trials and tragedies are tests. We generally do not like tests, but when they come, we are wise to heed carefully what they reveal. For years, the levees that were built to protect New Orleans have been tested, and they failed the tests. People familiar with New Orleans’ position below sea level and the levees that protect it have known that they were not adequate for a Category Four or stronger hurricane. Yet, what the tests revealed was not heeded. All that happened was that different governments argued about whose responsibility it was to strengthen the levees. And then, the test progressed when Katrina burst upon the city as an unwelcome, destructive guest. Would the entities involved be able to move fast enough … [Read more...]

The sound of a trumpet awoke Huey Harris on April 5, 2001, his last night as a drug dealer. Harris says he looked out of his bedroom window in Montgomery, Ala., and saw people of all races running without direction, screaming and crying. The sound of a trumpet awoke Huey Harris on April 5, 2001, his last night as a drug dealer.  Harris says he looked out of his bedroom window in Montgomery, Ala., and saw people of all races running without direction, screaming and crying. Fire appeared to be streaming down from the heavens. Harris felt himself lifted out of his body. “I’m getting ready to destroy this world full of sin,” Harris heard the voice of God telling him. Few believed “Shockey” – as he was known on the street – had truly changed his life, and Harris would have to ignore the taunts of even family and friends as he preached on the same streets he once ruled by intimidation. He would start his own church in Montgomery, and his persistence and testimony would gain national attention, with articles in church publications and appearances on television and at a Billy Graham crusade. On a 90-degree night, the 6-foot-2-inch, 255-pound preacher wipes sweat from his face as he leads Bible study on an asphalt … [Read more...]

If there is a word for what has happened in New Orleans – and elsewhere along the Gulf Coast – during the last 10 days or so, only God knows it. If there is a word for what has happened in New Orleans – and elsewhere along the Gulf Coast – during the last 10 days or so, only God knows it. It does not exist in human language. “Catastrophe.” “Nightmare.” “The perfect storm.” None of them fit. None even come close. There have been other hurricanes. There have been downed trees and powerlines, collapsed buildings and shattered windows, even flooding. But not like this. Even for lifetime South Louisiana natives, this is something on another scale. And there simply are no words. The trees can be cut, the power lines replaced, the buildings and windows restored. Even the flooding can recede and its evidence be erased. But how does one describe the human cost? What word is there for the cries of those in the dark who were trapped and hungry and thirsty and hopeless? What word is there for the suffering children? What word is there for those who waited – and wait still perhaps – unsure if they still had a home? What word is there for those who need not wait, who know their home – and job and … [Read more...]

Hundreds of Louisiana Baptist volunteers are expected to be part of the largest Southern Baptist Disaster Relief operation ever as they serve in the hurricane-ravaged areas of the Gulf Coast. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter Hundreds of Louisiana Baptist volunteers are expected to be part of the largest Southern Baptist Disaster Relief operation ever as they serve in the hurricane-ravaged areas of the Gulf Coast. “Hurricane Katrina has devastated the Gulf Coast in Louisiana, and our neighboring states of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida have been turned upside down with no sign of a return to normalcy in the near future,” said David Hankins, Louisiana Baptist Convention executive director. Hankins urged all Louisiana Baptists to pray for the victims, relief workers and others affected by the killer storm. Furthermore, he added that God still is in control. “May we as his people come together with one voice and lift up all those involved in this disaster so that people not only receive the physical help needed but also the spiritual help and healing that has an eternal impact on their lives,” Hankins emphasized. State officials estimate that it may take months for the affected areas in … [Read more...]

Just 14 weeks after rejecting the idea, Louisiana Baptist Message trustees voted 6-1 in a called meeting on August 30 to dissolve the board of the state newspaper and move the publication back under the control of the convention Executive Board. Just 14 weeks after rejecting the idea, Louisiana Baptist Message trustees voted 6-1 in a called meeting on August 30 to dissolve the board of the state newspaper and move the publication back under the control of the convention Executive Board. The move still must be approved by two-thirds of Louisiana Baptist Convention messengers at the annual fall meeting in November. But if that necessary vote is forthcoming, the Baptist Message will dissolve as a corporation and move within the state convention on Jan. 1, 2006. At that time, it is likely current Oklahoma Baptist Messenger Editor John Yeats will assume editorship of the newspaper. Current Editor Lynn P. Clayton has set his retirement for Dec. 31, 2005. Yeats is scheduled to be proposed as director of communications for the Louisiana Baptist Convention at the September meeting of the state Executive Board. If all holds to approved form, the Baptist Message will become a part of that communications division, … [Read more...]