"I have never been prouder to be a Southern Baptist."   Words in response to a particular action of the Southern Baptist Convention, or the Louisiana Baptist Convention? No. They are the words of a prison chaplain who has watched in amazement as volunteers from Louisiana Baptist churches have opened their lives, pocketbooks and time cards among the inmates of Louisiana State Prison at Angola. Words in response to a particular action of the Southern Baptist Convention, or the Louisiana Baptist Convention? No. They are the words of a prison chaplain who has watched in amazement as volunteers from Louisiana Baptist churches have opened their lives, pocketbooks and time cards among the inmates of Louisiana State Prison at Angola.   Part of the purpose of our penal system is to remove from society people who have committed crimes. The Louisiana penal system does that well when it sends men to Angola. Angola is about as far from the rest of society as it could possibly be in our state. The vast prison ground is at the end of the road, figuratively and literally. State Highway 66 goes east off Highway 61 just south of Saint Francisville and dead-ends 20 miles later right in the middle of a giant … [Read more...]

Southern Baptists have been called to urgent prayer for Christians suffering from Muslim extremist attacks in the Moluccas islands of Indonesia.   More than 4,000 people - most of them Christians - have died in the fighting that broke out in January 1999 after a dispute between a Christian bus driver and a Muslim passenger. Southern Baptists have been called to urgent prayer for Christians suffering from Muslim extremist attacks in the Moluccas islands of Indonesia.   More than 4,000 people - most of them Christians - have died in the fighting that broke out in January 1999 after a dispute between a Christian bus driver and a Muslim passenger.   Since then, a minority of Muslims have declared a "jihad," or holy war, against all Christians in the islands, observers report. The minority is receiving support from Muslim radicals from other parts of Indonesia and other areas of the world.   With 85 percent of its 210 million people following Islam, Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim country. Even so, the population of the Moluccas is almost evenly split between Muslims and Christians.   Since the conflict began, thousands of trained jihad warriors have … [Read more...]

Howard Allan admits his life was a mess. He was going to places he should not have been, doing things he should not have done, with people he should not have associated with.   He had decided he was going to change – get back to the religious training his mother insisted he experience as a younger child. He had promised God he would. Howard Allan admits his life was a mess. He was going to places he should not have been, doing things he should not have done, with people he should not have associated with.   He had decided he was going to change – get back to the religious training his mother insisted he experience as a younger child. He had promised God he would.   But before he got his journey back to Christian living in gear, there was that terrible night. In a place he should not have been, with young men he should have avoided, doing things they should not have been doing, a shot rang out and a man fell to the ground, dead.   That was 20 years ago, when Howard was 17. Howard was convicted for that killing, although the one eye witness who testified against him now has recanted his testimony in an affidavit.   Since his conviction of second degree murder, … [Read more...]

"The reward for doing a job well is to be chosen to do another job."   That saying certainly is not Scripture, but it is definitely true. If you have any doubts, ask T.W. Terral, Director of Missions for Judson Baptist Association and the Baptists of the churches he serves. "The reward for doing a job well is to be chosen to do another job."   That saying certainly is not Scripture, but it is definitely true. If you have any doubts, ask T.W. Terral, Director of Missions for Judson Baptist Association and the Baptists of the churches he serves.   Judson Baptist Association responded well to the requests of Burl Cain, warden of Louisiana State Prison, Angola, as indicated by the major article about the Angola Prison ministry in this issue.   When Warden Cain wanted something else to strengthen the spiritual atmosphere on the massive farm known as the largest land-area prison in America, he turned again to Terral and Judson Association.   "The men tell me they appreciate the New Testaments they have," Cain told Terral. "But they also tell me they want the complete Bible."   Different groups have distributed many New Testament, according to Terral, but … [Read more...]

On this massive farm, the words also carry the bone-chilling realities of legal sentences that hold the 5,100 male-only residents captive.   The vast majority of these men have been sentenced to life in prison, or to death at the hands of the state’s executioner. Here, one’s existence can understandably slip into a mist of never - ending hopelessness and despair. In the state of Louisiana, life means life, with no hope of parole. Never. On this massive farm, the words also carry the bone-chilling realities of legal sentences that hold the 5,100 male-only residents captive.   The vast majority of these men have been sentenced to life in prison, or to death at the hands of the state’s executioner. Here, one’s existence can understandably slip into a mist of never - ending hopelessness and despair. In the state of Louisiana, life means life, with no hope of parole. Never.   There is scant hope for any of these men walking out of the gates of this massive prison a free man. The future for most of these men holds no hope of finding a wife or being physically reunited with one, of ever having children or more children, of ever watching grandchildren play in the yard of their homes. … [Read more...]

Dr. Sarah Anders, Louisiana’s outstanding representative to the world, just completed her tenure as moderator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship at the annual CBF meeting in Orlando, July 1. Dr. Sarah Anders, Louisiana’s outstanding representative to the world, just completed her tenure as moderator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship at the annual CBF meeting in Orlando, July 1.   All of us from Louisiana who were present were very proud of the accomplishment of this outstanding former Louisiana College professor. Dr. Anders presided over the national gathering of moderate Baptists with her usual grace, dignity and pleasing sense of humor.   Dr. Anders has given her life to Baptist causes, and I am confident that all of Louisiana Baptists would join me in saying "thank you" to this outstanding Christian leader.   John W. Goodwin, Pastor Broadmoor Baptist Church Shreveport … [Read more...]

I really have to take offense with the article written about the Baptist Women in Ministry in the July 20 issue of the Baptist Message. I was offended with just about everything they said. I really have to take offense with the article written about the Baptist Women in Ministry in the July 20 issue of the Baptist Message. I was offended with just about everything they said.   First of all, I do not read in my Bible that a woman should be in a pastor’s role in a church. Secondly, to say "her grace" is enough for them is a slap in God’s face. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is not a "her." Thirdly, we shouldn’t put the Bible on a pedestal and leave it there. It was written by humans but inspired by God. Either you believe this or you don’t. If you don’t, "travel on, sister."   The last point I have to comment on is Ms. Yeatts’ view on abortion. She said, "We should be careful when we take the life of a child, but the decision is the woman’s." So, be careful when you kill a child, but it still is the woman’s decision? Is that what she believes? This is murder - period, period, period.   My dear sister, please know that you can leave the family farm. If you feel like this, you should … [Read more...]

What has happened to the grand old name, Baptist? Why are some Baptist churches distancing themselves from the name "Baptist?" Why has the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board changed its name, leaving the word "Baptist" out? What has happened to the grand old name, Baptist? Why are some Baptist churches distancing themselves from the name "Baptist?" Why has the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board changed its name, leaving the word "Baptist" out?   Over the years, Baptists have picked up lots of negative baggage, much of it deserved. Many Baptist churches trying to overcome this negative image are offering a smorgasbord of religious services. You can now have charismatic or traditional preaching, contemporary music or hymns, dress codes from casual to Sunday best.   People don’t automatically join the church or even the denomination where their parents hold membership. This has brought on a new trend, "church shopping." You visit churches until you find one you like or feel comfortable with. Billy Graham, who, incidentally, is a Baptist, recommended this.   Our Baptist Sunday School Board and its affiliates have changed their name. Their new name is "LifeWay." They have already … [Read more...]