As expected, Southern Baptist convention messengers elected James Merritt, as denominational president last week. Messengers also chose Louisiana Baptist Convention President Tommy French to serve as their second vice president. Merritt was unopposed. As expected, Southern Baptist convention messengers elected James Merritt, as denominational president last week. Messengers also chose Louisiana Baptist Convention President Tommy French to serve as their second vice president. Merritt was unopposed. He is pastor at First Baptist Church of Snellville, Ga. He was nominated by Texas Baptist pastor Jack Graham, who characterized Merritt as a "consensus" candidate. Merritt should be elected because he is connected to the power of God, Graham said. "I believe that he is anointed and appointed for this strategic ministry by the sovereign grace and will of God." A Georgia native, Merritt has served as pastor of his 12,000-member Atlanta-area church since 1985. During his tenure, the congregation has baptized 7,826 people and seen average Sunday School attendance grow from 800 to 3,250. Merritt is the first baby boomer to be elected to the denominational post. In a news conference following his … [Read more...]

The Louisiana Legislature has ended its 2000 regular session - but the danger of an expansion of legalized gambling remains, Ken Ward warned. Indeed, gambling opponents need to be wary - and watchful - of an upcoming special session of the Legislature. The special session is necessary because legislators failed to pass a state budget during their recently-completed session. The Louisiana Legislature has ended its 2000 regular session - but the danger of an expansion of legalized gambling remains, Ken Ward warned. Indeed, gambling opponents need to be wary - and watchful - of an upcoming special session of the Legislature. The special session is necessary because legislators failed to pass a state budget during their recently-completed session. And the gambling lobby is expected to act in full force during that session for favorable legislation that would give them an even stronger hold on the state, said Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. "The thought of a special session by an obviously pro-gambling Legislature is a scary thought for any in our state who are still thinking," Ward insisted. "Concerned citizens should get ready and be prepared to do what they can … [Read more...]

The man gave all the money he had — not because he had to, but because that is what he wanted to do. He had saved every penny for himself, but he gave the small bag of coins to the Lord’s work instead. "I don’t really need them," he said. The man gave all the money he had — not because he had to, but because that is what he wanted to do. He had saved every penny for himself, but he gave the small bag of coins to the Lord’s work instead. "I don’t really need them," he said. But he did — for like the others attending the worship service at the Brantley Center in New Orleans, the man was homeless. But like him, the others at the service also were giving of what little they had. Digging deep into their pockets, the other homeless people contributed, literally one coin at a time. When the Brantley Center started its "Penny for Your Thoughts" campaign, homeless people were not considered among possible contributors. After all, the center shelters and ministers to the homeless. Instead, the Southern Baptist center asked groups and individuals to commit to give one penny for each person sheltered at the center each month. Each month, the Brantley Center shelters about 6,000 of the estimated … [Read more...]

As Southern Baptists examine the proposed changes to the Baptist Faith and Message, one member of the committee that made the recommendations says he thinks many will have an interesting reaction. "I really think that most people probably are more surprised by what’s not in the document than they are by what’s in it," explained Chuck Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Editor’s Note: A pair of Louisiana Baptists served on the Baptist Faith and Message study committee that recently proposed changes in that faith document. Those changes are to be presented to Southern Baptist Convention messengers for approval next month. In preparation for that meeting, the Baptist Message published the proposed changes last week. They also are available on the Internet at www.sbc.net. This week, the Baptist Message offers an interview with Chuck Kelley, president at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and one of those on the study committee. The other Louisianian serving on the committee was Fred Luter, pastor at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans. The Baptist Message was unable to interview Luter last week. C. Lacy Thompson LBM Associate Editor As Southern Baptists … [Read more...]

Phuoc Nguyen will never forget the woman he met the summer of 1973 in Saigon, Vietnam. At 12 years of age, his love of reading drew him to a church library that was open to the public in his neighborhood. During one of Nguyen’s frequent visits there, a "nice lady smiled at me with a mouth that had no teeth," he recalls. Phuoc Nguyen will never forget the woman he met the summer of 1973 in Saigon, Vietnam. At 12 years of age, his love of reading drew him to a church library that was open to the public in his neighborhood. During one of Nguyen’s frequent visits there, a "nice lady smiled at me with a mouth that had no teeth," he recalls. "She witnessed Jesus Christ to me. I can feel it through what she told me," Nguyen (pronounced "Winn") says."The power of Jesus Christ touched me through her story and through her work." Since then, Nguyen’s life and Saigon have changed significantly. Communists took over Saigon and renamed it Ho Chi Minh City, and Nguyen now lives in Central Louisiana as a naturalized citizen of the United States. He recently was ordained to the gospel ministry by First Baptist Church of Pineville, serves as pastor of the church’s international congregation and … [Read more...]

Wanelle Lowe was only three years old when she sat down at her sister’s piano and begin to play a familiar tune - by ear. It was then that Lowe’s mother - and others - realized the child had a gift for music. It is a gift Lowe has nurtured and used throughout her life - and continues to do so. Indeed, she recently celebrated her 45th anniversary as pianist at First Baptist Church of Pineville. Wanelle Lowe was only three years old when she sat down at her sister’s piano and begin to play a familiar tune - by ear. It was then that Lowe’s mother - and others - realized the child had a gift for music. It is a gift Lowe has nurtured and used throughout her life - and continues to do so. Indeed, she recently celebrated her 45th anniversary as pianist at First Baptist Church of Pineville. Lowe began playing at the church when her husband, Carroll, was serving as the church’s music minister in 1955. Playing the piano is her way of worshiping with fellow Christians, Lowe says. "I hope that I am a vehicle to enable them to have a worship experience," she explains. Lowe confesses she does not remember the incident when she was three years old. It was told to her later by her mother. However, … [Read more...]

Doy Cave New Orleans Seminary He served as a chaplain to American troops stationed in Europe during World War II. He spent the next 37 years ministering to hospital patients, 23 of them at New Orleans Baptist Hospital. During those decades of ministry, Myron Madden said he has learned one essential thing about ministry - the power to bless. He served as a chaplain to American troops stationed in Europe during World War II. He spent the next 37 years ministering to hospital patients, 23 of them at New Orleans Baptist Hospital. During those decades of ministry, Myron Madden said he has learned one essential thing about ministry - the power to bless. "God’s plan is to get himself involved in the process of blessing people," Madden stressed at a meeting in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention. "Only the truth blesses - and only the truth can bless." Madden spoke at the Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counselors Annual Convocation, held earlier this month at First Baptist Church of Orlando, Fla. In addition to serving as a chaplain, Madden is author of several books, including "The Power to Bless," which recently was revised for re-release. Madden has been an influential presence … [Read more...]

Some heard the gospel of Jesus Christ through a massive International Festival at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, while others heard it over hot dogs and chips at neighborhood block parties. Many heard it on doorsteps and in living rooms, while still others responded during late-night encounters on city streets. Some heard the gospel of Jesus Christ through a massive International Festival at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, while others heard it over hot dogs and chips at neighborhood block parties. Many heard it on doorsteps and in living rooms, while still others responded during late-night encounters on city streets. Southern Baptists engaged in a variety of efforts to meet their overarching mission during Crossover Orlando 2000, an evangelistic emphasis held before and during last week’s Southern Baptist Convention. Much of the effort was focused toward "planting seeds" and building relationships that would lead to later evangelistic opportunities. Even so, by week’s end, more than 2,000 persons had made life-changing commitments to Christ. "Overall, I would rate the effort somewhere between outstanding and phenomenal," said James Fortinberry, executive director of the Greater … [Read more...]

This Louisiana Crossroads feature was written by Stacy Whitlow, Baptist Message summer intern. Crossroads features highlight personalities and places throughout the state. This Louisiana Crossroads feature was written by Stacy Whitlow, Baptist Message summer intern. Crossroads features highlight personalities and places throughout the state. The Allen family is taking a long step of faith - all the way from Louisiana to a small mountain town in northern Montana. Indeed, the family will be leaving career, family, friends and the community they have known all of their lives - all for the sake of the gospel. Doug Allen has served as the Eighth Judicial District judge in Winnfield for 15 years, but he is retiring early to become full-time pastor of a church in Cut Bank, Montana, a town of some 3,500 people that lies just a few dozen miles from Canada. Allen has served as bivocational pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Tullos since 1996. Allen, his wife, Marsha, and their youngest son, Peter, are scheduled to arrive this week in Cut Bank. The family will serve at Mountain View Baptist Church, a Southern Baptist congregation with about 10 to 12 active members. The move brings about various … [Read more...]

It is about 20 minutes until classes start when you and your teenage son pull into the half-full school parking lot one morning. Usually, you just circle the lot and drop the kid off at the door. However, today, papers must be dropped off at the office, so you park and get out of the vehicle. The two of you walk across the parking lot. It is about 20 minutes until classes start when you and your teenage son pull into the half-full school parking lot one morning. Usually, you just circle the lot and drop the kid off at the door. However, today, papers must be dropped off at the office, so you park and get out of the vehicle. The two of you walk across the parking lot. "You go that way," your son says nodding ever so slightly toward the sidewalk that runs in front of the school. "I’ll go this way," he adds, nodding again toward the door on the side of the buildings. "You don’t want to walk with me?" you ask. There is an answer — and there is not an answer at the same time. "You can just go that way — and I’ll go this way," he repeats, minus the even slight nods. "Why don’t you want to walk with me?" "Dad," the plea-protest-explanation comes. "You embarrassed to be seen with … [Read more...]