Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board members last week authorized studies of two key areas of denominational life. In one, members agreed to examine the charters of the convention and its agencies to make sure there are safeguards against entities moving to self-perpetuating boards. Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board members last week authorized studies of two key areas of denominational life. In one, members agreed to examine the charters of the convention and its agencies to make sure there are safeguards against entities moving to self-perpetuating boards. In a second, board members agreed to study the structure for directors of missions and how they relate to their associations and the denomination. Board President Philip Robertson is responsible for assigning the studies to standing committees or to name persons to special ones. Robertson is pastor at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville. Motions authorizing the studies were approved without dissent after rules were suspended to allow their presentation. Existing procedure calls for all new business to be presented to the Executive Board president at least 10 days … [Read more...]
Weekly Announcements
For the week of January 24, 2002 People, places and events Potpouri ZACHARY Milldale church: annual camp meeting; Feb. 18-21; Jerry Spencer, Bob Pitman, Herb Reavis, Malcom Ellis, Sonny Holland, Jerry Chaddick, Philip Robertson, Tony Pangle, guest speakers; Sonny Holland and Freedom, music; call (225) 654-8168 or (225) 654-5065 for information or to make reservations; Jerry Robertson, pastor. DRY CREEK Dry Creek camp: couples retreat; Feb. 15-16; $60 per couple/$40 commuter couples; limited rooms; send $10 deposit to: Dry Creek Baptist Camp, P.O. Box 580, Dry Creek, LA 70637 or for information call (337) 328-7531; Ray and Carolyn Wells, leaders; Curt Iles, camp manager. ZACHARY First church: outdoorsman banquet; Feb. 19, exhibits open 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m.; John Hoyt, world champion turkey caller, and David Fortenberry, speakers; $10 for individual tickets/$50 for table of seven; call (225) 654-2755 for ticket information; T. W. Terral, interim pastor. PINEVILLE Louisiana College: theatre presentation, "Female Transport," Jan. 24-27, 31, and Feb. 1-3, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 27 and Feb. 3, 2:30 p.m. matinee; $7 general admission/$4 students; Patrick Trettenero, … [Read more...]
Imagine there are only 100 people in the world, and …
Bron Holcomb has a unique way of bringing the challenge of world missions home to persons who call the United States home. Holcomb urges persons to imagine that only 100 people lived on earth. Of those, seven of the people would possess 59 percent of the worlds wealth, he notes. Bron Holcomb has a unique way of bringing the challenge of world missions home to persons who call the United States home. Holcomb urges persons to imagine that only 100 people lived on earth. Of those, seven of the people would possess 59 percent of the worlds wealth, he notes. "And all seven of them would be Americans," says Holcomb, who serves as a consultant with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. The fact that most of the worlds wealth is possessed by American citizens makes it difficult for Americans to understand the hardships people in other countries experience, Holcomb emphasizes. Indeed, cultural differences related to language, food, beliefs and values can create big challenges when trying to minister in other countries, he says. And Americans who have not traveled outside their own country can be way off the mark when attempting to … [Read more...]
Prayer urged on behalf of captive Christian workers
It has been two months since Christian aid workers Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry were freed from Afghanistans Taliban. But they have not forgotten others who remain in captivity. It has been two months since Christian aid workers Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry were freed from Afghanistans Taliban. But they have not forgotten others who remain in captivity. Crediting their release to worldwide prayer, Mercer and Curry are using their celebrity-type status to raise prayer support for New Tribes Mission workers Martin and Gracia Burnham, currently being held hostage in the southern Philippines. The Burnhams were taken captive last May. They are being held by Abu Sayyaf rebels, a Muslim extremist group linked to Osama bin Ladens terrorist network. "They need a miracle, just like we got one," Curry told a gathering of 4,000 people last month at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she and Mercer received degrees before heading overseas. "I really want to see the same thing happen for them," she added. Curry and Mercer also brought up the Burnhams plight at a December press conference and during a 700 Club … [Read more...]
He was ‘the’ SBC pastor – and he took time to encourage me
I doubt if W. A.Criswell would have liked being called a legend. The Random House College Dictionary defines legend: "A nonhistorical or unverifiable story handed down by tradition from earlier times and popularly accepted as historical" or "the person who is the center of such stories." I doubt if W. A.Criswell would have liked being called a legend. The Random House College Dictionary defines legend: "A nonhistorical or unverifiable story handed down by tradition from earlier times and popularly accepted as historical" or "the person who is the center of such stories." There was nothing fictitious or unverifiable about W.A. Criswell, although his life and ministry certainly took on legendary proportions. He served as pastor of what was then the largest Baptist church in the world. He was always on the record, frequently in Baptists collective face and openly calling them to "the throne of grace." WA Criswell was part of our household conversation when I was growing up. My father was a Baptist preacher - not minister; he preferred preacher - who idolized WA Criswell. My fathers pastorates were never so far away from Dallas that we did not have daily access to the Dallas Morning News, … [Read more...]
Weekly Briefs
For the week of January 31, 2002 Seminary graduates Five Louisiana natives recently received degrees from Southern Baptist theological seminaries. Randy Johnson of Baton Rouge earned a master of divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. His home church is Riverdale Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. Celeste Ford earned a master of divnity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. She is a graduate of Louisiana College in Pineville and the daughter of Ray Ford of Alexandria. Todd Strain also received a master of divinity degree. He is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. Brian Manuel earned a master of arts degree. He is a graduate of Louisiana College and the son of Lee and Betty Manuel of Oakdale. Michael Tullos of Shreveport received a doctor of ministry degree. Missionary appointment Harold and Ginger Junek recently were appointed as Southern Baptist International Mission Board workers. The Johnsons will serve in the Czech Republic, where he will focus on planting churches and coordinating theological education, and she will be involved in outreach through church and home. He is the former pastor at Taylor Baptist Church in Taylor … [Read more...]
Christian leadership must be built on demonstrated love
A frequently-asked question among church members with pastors who are recent graduates of seminary is: What are they teaching these men about the role of a pastor? The question arises because a number of generally younger ministers seem, at least to some of their members, to have what they call a "CEO mentality." A frequently-asked question among church members with pastors who are recent graduates of seminary is: What are they teaching these men about the role of a pastor? The question arises because a number of generally younger ministers seem, at least to some of their members, to have what they call a "CEO mentality." A board of a secular company hires a CEO (Chief Executive Officer) because they believe he knows what is best for the company. The CEO moves to the company helm and makes changes without regard to how things were done before or how employees are going to be affected by such changes. For the CEO, profits, increased profits and company growth are all that matter - just the bottom line. A minister is accused of having a CEO mentality if he comes to a church and immediately begins making significant changes to the churchs operation and ministries. … [Read more...]
Cuban physicians join in medical missions endeavor in Venezuela
For the first time since Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba, a Cuban Baptist medical team was given permission to participate in a medical crusade outside the island nation. Four members of the Baptist Medical and Dental Fellowship of Cuba of Western Cuba joined a medical team from the United States in a January medical crusade in Maracaibo, Venezuela. The Cuban team consisted of two physicians, a dentist and a nurse. They joined the Baptist Medical and Dental Fellowship team that came from Louisiana, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. For the first time since Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba, a Cuban Baptist medical team was given permission to participate in a medical crusade outside the island nation. Four members of the Baptist Medical and Dental Fellowship of Cuba of Western Cuba joined a medical team from the United States in a January medical crusade in Maracaibo, Venezuela. The Cuban team consisted of two physicians, a dentist and a nurse. They joined the Baptist Medical and Dental Fellowship team that came from Louisiana, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Baptist Cuban physicians have helped with medical projects as parts of other meetings, … [Read more...]
Volunteers offer medical aid – and gospel witness
Hundreds of women, small children and older men wait in the line that forms down the hot, dusty street. Some have been there for more than an hour. They will remain in the line for up to six hours as the tropic sun turns hotter and hotter. Infants cry. Children grow restless and play. No one complains. Hundreds of women, small children and older men wait in the line that forms down the hot, dusty street. Some have been there for more than an hour. They will remain in the line for up to six hours as the tropic sun turns hotter and hotter. Infants cry. Children grow restless and play. No one complains. The small, people-packed bus pulls up and scrubs-clad people begin filing out at the edge of the line. Looking at the crowd, the medical personnel know it is going to be a hectic, hot, hard day. When the workday is over six hours later, they will have diagnosed, treated and given medicine to 595 patients and given them a chance to accept Jesus Christ as savior. In addition to countless routine cases, they will deal with at least two medical emergencies. No one complains. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and their assistants have come to Maracaibo, Venezuela … [Read more...]
For these students, medicine opens door to the gospel
Four fourth-year students at Louisiana State University Health Center in Shreveport learned a thing or two the hard way recently. But they say they are pleased with what they learned - and the way they learned it. Four fourth-year students at Louisiana State University Health Center in Shreveport learned a thing or two the hard way recently. But they say they are pleased with what they learned - and the way they learned it. The four students recently spent a month doing short-term medical missions, working in primitive conditions and with little more equipment than they could pack into a suitcase. They worked among the poorer people of tropical Maracaibo, Venezuela, in buildings with metal roofs, no insulation and no air conditioning. Each team member saw about 50 patients a workday. "The practice of medicine tends to make you very self-centered and selfish with your talent," student Joseph Nida reflects. "This kind of thing is very important." The students practiced basic medicine six hours a day, four-days a week as part of a crusade that sought to bring medical and spiritual healing to four communities of this sprawling city of 2.4 million to 3 … [Read more...]
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