People have wanted to respond to God for a long time - but many churches have not provided them the opportunity, Richard Blackaby told Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference participants last week. Instead, too many pastors and church staff members are so busy pushing their own agenda, they push aside Gods, warned Blackaby, president of the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Alberta. People have wanted to respond to God for a long time - but many churches have not provided them the opportunity, Richard Blackaby told Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference participants last week. Instead, too many pastors and church staff members are so busy pushing their own agenda, they push aside Gods, warned Blackaby, president of the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Alberta. The root problem is that Christians need to become "reoriented" to God, he said. Referring to Luke 9, Blackaby noted that every time Jesus announced His agenda, the people around Him discouraged Him and explained their own agendas instead. Blackaby said while Jesus ministry was drawing people to God, His disciples ministry was sending them away. While Jesus … [Read more...]
Weekly Announcements
For the week of February 7, 2002 Potpourri EUNICE - Acadian center: mens retreat; Feb. 22-23; $42/lodgers, $15/commuters, includes meals; Argile Smith, guest speaker; Richard Strahan, music; for information call (337) 457-9047; James Newsom, camp manager. SHREVEPORT - Broadmoor church: Christian Performing Arts Festival; Feb. 22-23; $50 per person; Clay and Erin Guiltner and Wesley Brainerd, special guests; contact Julie Woodrum (LBC) at 1-800-622-6549 for more information; Chuck Pourciau, pastor. SHREVEPORT - Broadmoor church: "Learning How to Handle Gods Money- Gods Way" financial peace seminar led by David Ramsey; Feb. 23, 12-5 p.m.; $10 per person; for information call (318)868-6552; Chuck Pourciau, pastor. LAFAYETTE - First church: Darko, a Christian artist, in concert; Feb. 24, 6:30 p.m.; Perry Sanders, pastor. PLEASANT HILL - Clara Springs camp: "SOS Weekend" youth retreat; Feb. 22-23; $30 per person; 7-12th grades; for information call (318) 256-5655; Wade Penfield, Joe Wood, retreat leaders; Randy Festervand, camp manager. WOODWORTH - Tall Timbers Conference Center: "Keeping Your Church Out of Court and Conflict" conference; … [Read more...]
Women urged to be radically involved with missions
For national Womans Missionary Union President Janet Hoffman, the challenge confronting the Southern Baptist organization is clear. "As long as there are persons on this shrinking globe who have never heard the name of Jesus, much less experienced his love; as long as there are local churches needing resources to educate and lead members to be on mission with God For national Womans Missionary Union President Janet Hoffman, the challenge confronting the Southern Baptist organization is clear. "As long as there are persons on this shrinking globe who have never heard the name of Jesus, much less experienced his love; as long as there are local churches needing resources to educate and lead members to be on mission with God; as along as there are missionaries depending on our prayerful and monetary support; as long as there are children and youth to train to be the next generation of missionaries and missions supporters; and as long as the Great Commission remains an imperative, WMU must continue to challenge Christian believers to understand and be radically involved in the mission of God," Hoffman recently reminded national and state Womans Missionary Union … [Read more...]
Foundation focuses on helping people commit ‘random acts of kindness’
Most people probably have seen the bumper sticker that urge - "Practice Random Acts of Kindness." But many people may not know the words represent more than just a feel-good slogan. Random Acts of Kindness actually is a Denver-based foundation that uses its $5 million annual budget to promote kindness. Most people probably have seen the bumper sticker that urge - "Practice Random Acts of Kindness." But many people may not know the words represent more than just a feel-good slogan. Random Acts of Kindness actually is a Denver-based foundation that uses its $5 million annual budget to promote kindness. And it is working. Random Acts has offshoots in 135 countries, helping schools, churches, civic organizations, bridge clubs and individuals focus their random-acts projects. The ideas come from the people. The foundation then helps people organize their projects, teaching them how to deal with the media, enlist volunteers and raise money. The materials and advice are free. The Denver philanthropist who gives the $5 million annually prefers to be known only to Random Acts staff. The foundations downtown Denver headquarters makes its only other … [Read more...]
Couple caught outside two languages had a special need
The dark-complexioned man seemed to know what he wanted, but his language kept him from explaining what he needed to others. He wandered from station to station without his paper. In the often confusing rush of the medical crusade in Maracaibo, Venezuela, the paper was essential. English-speaking and Spanish-speaking medical worker after medical worker tried to help the man find whatever he was looking for, but he spoke only the Guajiro native language. The dark-complexioned man seemed to know what he wanted, but his language kept him from explaining what he needed to others. He wandered from station to station without his paper. In the often confusing rush of the medical crusade in Maracaibo, Venezuela, the paper was essential. English-speaking and Spanish-speaking medical worker after medical worker tried to help the man find whatever he was looking for, but he spoke only the Guajiro native language. The Tower of Babel really created a challenge for folks trying to work across language barriers. On the medical crusade covered in last weeks and this weeks Baptist Message, language became a double barrier. Not only were North American English-speaking folks … [Read more...]
Who did those folks think Baptists are, anyway?
A furor was caused by a recent edition of the Review and Expositor. The journal broke away from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and was published by a consortium of Baptist divinity schools. Now it seems some of the Baptist schools are breaking away from the journal. A furor was caused by a recent edition of the Review and Expositor. The journal broke away from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and was published by a consortium of Baptist divinity schools. Now it seems some of the Baptist schools are breaking away from the journal. The most recent issue of the journal that caused the furor was entitled "Sexuality and the Church." The two articles that caused the most controversy are about the kind of sex education that should be taught in public schools and how the church should interact with homosexuals and, therefore, what the church should teach about homosexuality. The articles on homosexuality, from what this editor has read, seem to indicate the church should give as much credence to "research and knowledge available" as to what the Bible teaches about homosexual behavior. Certainly this is a step away from starting with the supremacy of the Bible in deciding … [Read more...]
This Baptist grandmother found the perfect first-time missions site – the New Orleans French Quarter
Georgia Klier is an unlikely first-time missionary - but two days prior to Super Bowl XXXVI, the retired nurse and grandmother of three was standing on the corner of Bourbon and Conti streets, prepared to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Georgia Klier is an unlikely first-time missionary - but two days prior to Super Bowl XXXVI, the retired nurse and grandmother of three was standing on the corner of Bourbon and Conti streets, prepared to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. A member at Grove Port Baptist Church in Canel Winchester, Ohio, Klier spent more than a week in the Big Easy, working alongside a handful of Southern Baptists who trolled the streets of the French Quarter in search of Super Bowl and Mardi Gras revelers who needed to hear about Jesus Christ. "This was my very first mission trip," Klier admits. "My children are grown, I had to retire from my job because of a back injury and I was willing to serve." So, why not try a less-threatening first-time experience? "Because this is where the Lord told me to go," Klier says. "And Ive learned ... to do what the Lord says to do." With suitcase in tow, Klier rode a bus from Ohio to New … [Read more...]
A ‘Super’ Opportunity ( Part 2 )
If not for a class assignment, Randy Brown might not have found his way to the Vieux Carre Baptist Church in the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter. In 1994, Brown was taking an evangelism class at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, when he learned that one of the requirements of the course was to witness to at least five people and give short summaries of the encounters. The first summary was due the following week, he was told. If not for a class assignment, Randy Brown might not have found his way to the Vieux Carre Baptist Church in the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter. In 1994, Brown was taking an evangelism class at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, when he learned that one of the requirements of the course was to witness to at least five people and give short summaries of the encounters. The first summary was due the following week, he was told. Brown says he already had felt a desire to join a church in the area, but with such a quick class deadline, he decided he needed to find one quickly. He came upon a sign, hanging in his dorm, inviting students to "come worship and witness with us at Vieux Carre Baptist Church." That sounds … [Read more...]
A ‘Super’ Opportunity ( Part 1 )
While New Orleanians rolled out the red carpet for the recent Super Bowl game, Baptists in the area focused on personal ministry and testimony for Jesus Christ February got off to a busy start for New Orleans, as the city hosted the NFL Super Bowl game and conducted its annual Mardi Gras season. While New Orleanians rolled out the red carpet for the recent Super Bowl game, Baptists in the area focused on personal ministry and testimony for Jesus Christ February got off to a busy start for New Orleans, as the city hosted the NFL Super Bowl game and conducted its annual Mardi Gras season. Baptists were right in the thick of things - not to watch the game or attend parades but to share the good news of Jesus Christ and minister to the needs of those in the city. Area Baptists and volunteers from elsewhere participated in various activities during the Super Bowl week, providing a witness of Gods love in the midst of the fanfare. Some assisted in official efforts, which gave them opportunities to witness to fellow workers. Others took the gospel to the streets of the French Quarter, passing our gospel materials and offering a word of personal … [Read more...]
Governor signs pact to allow another Indian casino in Louisiana
Louisianas self-proclaimed anti-gambling governor once again has proven how disingenuous titles can be. Recent news reports indicate Gov. Mike Foster has signed a compact with the Jena Band of Choctaws to allow the tribe to open a casino in the state. Louisianas self-proclaimed anti-gambling governor once again has proven how disingenuous titles can be. Recent news reports indicate Gov. Mike Foster has signed a compact with the Jena Band of Choctaws to allow the tribe to open a casino in the state. Additional news reports indicate the states fifth casino apparently will be located in Vinton, in the southwest corner of Louisiana. The compact signed by Foster and the tribe still must be approved by the federal government, but that is not expected to be a problem. Once approved, the stage will be set for the fourth Indian-run casino in the state. Other tribes already operate casinos in Marksville, Kinder and Charenton. Harrahs operates a casino in New Orleans. Throughout his campaigns for govenor, Foster has proclaimed himself as opposed to gambling. However, he repeatedly has acted in ways that have allowed the continuation and the … [Read more...]
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