Page One News

Listening sessions could spark spiritual fire

By Philip Timothy, Message Staff Writer

ALEXANDRIA – Seeking the match to light a spiritual fire that would sweep the state, Louisiana Baptist Convention President Rod Masteller has begun a series of listening sessions statewide.

Dr. Rod Masteller LBC PresidentAccompanied by Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director David Hankins, and LBC Pastoral Leadership Team Director Bill Robertson, Masteller is attempting to canvas the state.

He’s already held a pair of sessions in Baton Rouge, one in Lafayette and the latest in Alexandria but plans on doing many more.

read more >>

There's no 'containing' God

By Philip Timothy, Message Staff Writer

The Lord will open doors that no man can close, and close doors that no man can open!
 – Revelation 3:8

COVINGTON – When the Lord opens doors of service, boldly walk through.
Over the past 40 years, Johnny Huffman has learned to do so and has been blessed time and time again.

Since 1972, Huffman and his wife, Sissie, have run Fairhaven Children’s Home outside of Covington in rural southeast Louisiana.

read more >>

Seeing a need in Haiti, student springs into action

By Heather Miller, The Daily Iberian

NEW IBERIA – For some, watching the coverage of the devastating earthquake that recently destroyed Port-au-Prince, Haiti, brought a sense of sadness and helplessness.

But for eighth-grade Highland Baptist Christian School student Amy Hayes, the tragedy not only hit closer to home than most, it inspired her to keep alive a mission that could have gone by the wayside when her relative died in the aftermath of the earthquake Jan. 12.

Hayes had never met her cousin’s wife, Jean Arnwine, who was on her first mission trip in Haiti delivering eyeglasses to clinics that treat the eyes of the overwhelmingly poor Haitian population. Arnwine brought with her to Haiti more than 800 used pairs of eyeglasses that she collected through donations.

read more >>

Breaking News

Goldia Naylor leaves a golden legacy of faith

Goldia Naylor leaves a golden legacy of faith

By Keith Collier

FORT WORTH, Texas (SWBTS) -- Born exactly one year after the founding of the seminary her family would later serve and cherish, Goldia Dalton Naylor defined the wife¹s role as a co-laborer and helpmate. Goldia Naylor, wife of former pastor and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary president Robert E. Naylor, died Sunday, Jan. 31, at the age of 100.

read more >>

Plan of Salvation

Remember, Jesus suffered too (unrestricted content)

Life is tough. Even those who put their faith and trust in Jesus have it hard.

read more >>

The choice is yours (unrestricted content)

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by choices?

You go into McDonalds or Burger King knowing exactly what you want, until you see the menu. Then, you decide you want something else.

read more >>

Experience your independence (unrestricted content)

A compelling movie of the 1980s was “The Mission” with Robert DeNiro as a slave trader who in an act of repentance put all his slave-trading gear into an overstuffed net that he dragged behind him

read more >>

Editorials

Prayer needed before GCRTF recommendations

By Kelly Boggs, Editor Louisiana Baptist Message

The much anticipated Progress Report of the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force was presented to the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention on Feb. 22, in Nashville, Tenn.

The report outlined six “components” or recommendations the task force believes will enable the SBC and its entities to operate more effectively and efficiently.

Kelly Boggs, Editor Louisiana Baptist MessageIf all the recommendations are implemented in their current form, the way the SBC operates will change dramatically. Depending on your perspective, that may be good or that could be bad. 

read more >>

'I'm unhappy with our Pastor'

The most common complaint denominational people and guest preachers hear when they call on local churches is, “I’m unhappy with our pastor.” Invariably, it’s some lay leader of the church speaking.

Joe McKeever Pastor, cartoonist and retired DOM BAGNOLet’s state the obvious here: some pastors we ought to be unhappy with. I’m thinking of one preacher who was known to curse, tell shady stories, gamble, and drink. When he was forced out of the pulpit, no one shed a tear.

read more >>

Debate over Tebow ad shows an obvious double-standard

Kelly Boggs, Editor Louisiana Baptist MessageBy Kelly Boggs, Editor Louisiana Baptist Message

The game between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts is surely the most anticipated aspect of Super Bowl XLIV.

However, there is another element of Super Sunday that draws a significant amount of attention – commercials.Because the television audience for the Super Bowl is so huge (last year 148 million people tuned into to watch at least some portion of the game), ad space is not only coveted but is also expensive.

read more >>

Insight

What lessons can we learn from Mark Driscoll?

In recent years, Seattle-area pastor Mark Driscoll has come under a great deal of scrutiny for his past use of foul language and a controversial sermon series on sex.

Page Brooks, Assistant Professor of Theology NOBTSI need not repeat here some of the objectionable phrases and words he has used as they are readily accessible via transcripts on the Internet.

Let me say the following at the outset: I believe our speech and behavior should be above reproach. Therefore, I am not defending Discroll’s use of foul language.

read more >>

Learning to live a prayer-filled life

By David Jeremiah, Pastor Shadow Mountain El Cajon, California

Our victories are gained on our knees. As we turn ourselves, our plans and our problems over to God, He intervenes. When we bow before Him, we’re acknowledging Him as our “Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.”

David Jeremiah, Pastor Shadow Mountain El Cajon, CaliforniaSometimes we make the mistake of not getting on our knees before accepting a job offer, making a purchase, choosing a new church, or making any decision of consequence. People are quietly watching, and they know when we’re living in prayerful obedience or when on the other hand, we act without consulting Him.

It’s also obvious to others when our knees draw down blessings from above. In the January/February 2003 issue of Pray! magazine, Elmer Towns said that he and his wife made it through college by faith, praying together and trusting God to meet their needs. Towns earned a dollar an hour driving a school bus, but his income barely met their needs.

read more >>

Faced with perplexing and tough conundrum

By Jeff Iorg, President Golden Gate Seminary

I need your help. If you can explain the following, please let me know. It really has me stumped.

Jeff Iorg, President Golden Gate SeminaryRecently, I heard a wonderful testimony of a believer who had overcome his struggle with alcohol.

read more >>

Letters to the Editor

Help needed to correct bill impacting children's ministry

Dear Editor,

With so many bills being signed by Governor Jindal, at the close of the 2009 Legislative Session, one got by all of us who serve as family advocates.  

read more >>

We need to stand together on common ground

I am honored to serve as chairman of the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Moral and Social Concerns Committee.  I am encouraged each time I meet with this committee.

read more >>

La. state senator appreciates prayer

I want to thank Pastor Louis Husser for his letter encouraging more prayer and participation at our capitol in Baton Rouge.

read more >>

Theological Thought

The 10 Commandments, Lord's Prayer similar?

By Ed Steele, Associate Professor of Music Leavell College, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

I was reading and thinking through the Ten Commandments in my quiet time this week and began to walk through some interesting insights. Perhaps for many this is old hat, but it was new to me and certainly caused me to pause and think.

Ed Steele Professor of Music in Leavell College at New Orleans Baptist Theological SeminaryIn Exodus 19, we see the fulfillment of what God had told Moses at the burning bush, that He would bring the people out and that they “would worship Him at this mountain.” [Exodus 3:12]

read more >>

Questions We've Pondered

Question: How should Christians handle life’s problems?

Archie England PH D NOBTS Professor of Old Testament and HebrewArchie England responds: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
Well, the going is pretty tough right now. The economy, job market, stock market, banking industry, war on terror, among other societal ills, are all making us fearful about our tomorrow. When there’s so much harm facing life’s way, how should we face such trouble?

Let’s see how David handled the hurts of life in Psalm 27.

read more >>

Worship: More than a feeling of awe

By Ed Steele, Associate Professor of Music Leavell College, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

C. S. Lewis spoke how dogs generally won’t look to what you point at with your finger. Instead, they go sniff the finger, missing your intentions.

Worship, for many, is like that. They begin to focus on worship itself, rather than the God to whom all worship belongs.  

Ed Steele Professor of Music in Leavell College at New Orleans Baptist Theological SeminaryAs I teach and converse with students about worship, one of the most common things I find is the fascination of the “feelings” of worship. There is a sense that if they haven’t felt like they had in the past, then it must not have been real worship.

read more >>

Focus

The Sanctity of Human Life

By Jami Becher, Baptist Press

Dawn Pate is director of the Osceola Pregnancy Center, a ministry of First Baptist Church of Kissimmee, Fla.KISSIMMEE, Fla. (BP) – At the age of 17, Dawn was in crisis.

She was pregnant and alone. She couldn’t tell her friends – the gossip and humiliation at school would be unbearable. She couldn’t tell her parents – they would be so hurt and disappointed.

She was a teen facing an adult decision all alone. Is it any wonder she made the wrong choice?Fortunately, Dawn wrestled with her decision a little too long and when she visited a Florida abortion clinic, it was too late to end her pregnancy.

read more >>

Profile

Prayer the foundation of Rod Masteller's life, ministry

By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor

SHREVEPORT – “I want to challenge the church and pastors to fall on our knees before God and ask for His anointing on Louisiana Baptists.” says Rod Masteller, who holds doctoral degrees in divinity and in sacred theology.

Dr. Rod MastellerMasteller is Senior Pastor of Summer Grove Baptist Church, a 160-year-old church that now meets in what was one of the largest shopping malls in Shreveport.

read more >>

Staying Fit For the Lord

By Philip Timothy, Message Staff Writer

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Anyone who has ever played organized sports, been a part of a team, or wished they could right a lifelong regret, should definitely read the Mike Flynt story. Better yet, they should meet the man.

Flynt’s story – simply put – is inspiring.

read more >>

70 Years Ago Love bug bites at the Baptist Children's Home

By JoAnn Carrigan, Special to the Message

BATON ROUGE – Ruby Louise Hilton was born on Dec. 14, 1919, the eldest of five siblings. Jesse Thomas (JT) Halley was born on July 30, 1916, one of four siblings. Jesse married Ruby on Oct. 29, 1939. This is their story – a “happy-ever-after” love story.

Looking back on her life, Ruby says with confidence, “I can see how the Lord had His hand in our lives from the very beginning.”

read more >>

Family Life

The Counseling Connection

By Ruth Garrard, Student Intern Celebration Church, Metairie

How does a parent keep up in the accelerated, technology-saturated, and sexually-charged world of their kids? How do they handle information overload with their children? Whose responsibility is it anyway?

Commit to Take Responsibility

This is a monumental task that must be accepted in order to protect your kids. How does one prepare in a world of over-exposed sex? The principle of “first mentioned” takes effect. The first information received about a subject will form the foundational mindset about that subject.

So, if the first thing our children hear about sex will determine their views on the subject, we must be very sure they hear the truth, and that they hear it from us.

If we do not accept the task, believe me, the world will snatch the opportunity. Talk to your kids early but appropriately.

read more >>

Jennifer Rothschild featured speaker at Fresh Grounded Faith Conference

By Marilyn Stewart, Regional Reporter

NEW ORLEANS – At the tender age of 15, Jennifer Rothschild lost her sight and with it, her dream of becoming an artist.

Today, she is a wife, mother, author of seven books including Lessons I Learned in the Dark, and shares with others how God transformed her loss.

Noted author Jennifer Rothschild is the featured speaker at the national womens conference at First Baptist New OrleansRothschild, who has appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Dr. Phil and The Billy Graham Television Special, is the featured speaker at Fresh Grounded Faith, a national women’s conference to take place April 9-10 at First Baptist Church of New Orleans.

read more >>

The Counseling Connection

By Derek Brown, Adolescent/Family Counselor Celebration Church, Metairie

What is Sexting and Should I Really Be Concerned About My Teen or Pre-teen Actually Doing This?

In recent decades, teens would pile into skating rinks and football games to meet their needs for social belonging. In today’s world, technology has become the primary venue for communicating with peers. Whether by internet, cell phone, or some other multimedia device, teens are meeting their social and relational cravings through the digital world. 

read more >>

Missions and Ministries

Medical mission team at Good Samaritan hospital heals wounds

By Sarah Hudson, Baptist Message

JIMANI, Dominican Republic – A white two-story building stands under a clear blue sky in front of a beautiful backdrop of mountains. A view of a lake that extends from the Dominican Republic and into Haiti can be seen in the distance. Surrounded by all of God’s creation, here stands Good Samaritan Hospital in Jimani, Dominican Republic.

Before the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti, Good Samaritan stood empty, but had the possibility of becoming a medical clinic. Just days after the earthquake, Good Samaritan reopened and became a trauma hospital for patients of all ages.

read more >>

Changing Lives at Bethel Mission Outreach orphanage

By Sarah Hudson, Special to the Baptist Message

HAITI – Driving into Croix des Bouquets, Haiti, the streets are lined with rubble from the recent earthquake. Haitians sit in front of their homes trying to continue life as usual. In front of unstable and fallen homes often stands a new makeshift home made of cardboard, tarp, sheets or whatever other material is readily available.

Croix des Bouquets is on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince; just a short drive, depending on traffic and the time of the day. Nestled a mile or so off-road, surrounded by Voodoo temples, sits Bethel Mission Outreach orphanage.

read more >>

First West hosts Secret Keeper Girl changing the world, one girl at a time!

By Lisa Hartine, Special to the Message

MONROE – Today’s generation of young girls is experiencing pressure that their moms didn’t begin to know until high school.

Today’s society dictates tight skirts, skinny jeans, midriffs showing, or words printed on the seat of shorts or the front of tees that are often suggestive or otherwise inappropriate.

Secret Keeper Girl addresses issues of modesty and purity in a fun, age-appropriate mannerResearch shows that one in every five teens appears older than she actually is because of the way she dresses.  This could put a young girl in dangerous situations, including early sexual experimentation.

read more >>

Louisiana Churches

Northshore associations explore consolidations

By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor

HAMMOND – Three associations in southeastern Louisiana are pondering consolidation of their administrative structure.

The North Shore Baptist Association office serves the people between Pearl River on the Mississippi state line and LivingstonThe executive boards of the three Baptist Associations served by Director of Missions and Ministries Lonnie Wascom each voted unanimously in their January meetings to recommend to their churches that they establish a new Northshore Baptist Association at their 2010 annual meetings.

read more >>

FBC Chalmette enjoying explosive growth

By Bethany Hales, Special to the Message

NEW ORLEANS – A church that was decimated by Hurricane Katrina is now rebounding in a big way.

First Baptist Chalmette, averaging 300 or more in Sunday School attendance before Hurricane Katrina, lost 97 percent of its membership after the storm.

read more >>

Gentilly Baptist rededicates its sanctuary

By Marilyn Stewart, Regional Reporter

NEW ORLEANS – Rebirth and a call to mission was the theme of the recent sanctuary rededication of New Orleans’ Gentilly Baptist Church. The service came four and half years after the facility flooded in Hurricane Katrina.

“Welcome to Gentilly Baptist Church, where hope is alive,” Dennis Cole, associate pastor, said to the people in the packed worship center.

read more >>

Landscapes and Milestones

Easter musical, events and services are hopping

ALEXANDRIA – Baptist Temple: B.A.L.L. Club Easter Parade 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 22; James Sample, pastor.

ALEXANDRIA – Parkview Baptist: Children’s Easter Egg Hunt 10 a.m. Saturday, April 3; David Shaw, pastor.

BAKER – First Baptist: Easter play “The Day He Wore My Crown,” 7 p.m. Saturday, April 3; 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 4; Jay Avance, pastor.

read more >>

MILESTONES

COMINGS & GOINGS
Van Edwards (wife Paula), new as pastor at Parkview Baptist, Shreveport
Mitchell Rousse, new as minister of music at First Baptist, Morgan City.

read more >>

Annual egg collection begins March 22

MONROE – Churches of five Louisiana Baptist associations have an opportunity to share with the boys and girls of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home by participating in the Home’s annual egg coll

read more >>

News of the LBC

2010 LBC Transitions Mission Trip Arlington

"Our first ever LBC Transitions Mission Trip was a great success. The participants "served the Lord with gladness". They worked hard, got to know each other better and conncected with each other. I invite and encourage other youth groups to join us for next year's trip." Steve Masters, Baptist Collegiate Ministries Director at LSU

Sarah McAlister, 11th grade
“Mission Arlington has been an awesome experience for me, because I got to know people from other youth groups and got to know the people in my youth group better.  I was also truly amazed by the many operations that go on within Mission Arlington and how the people who work there are so on fire for Christ.  The love of God can be seen everywhere throughout the ministry.”

Taylor Hallum, Freshman

“I really enjoyed the friendships built at Mission Arlington and witnessing God’s blessing on this ministry.  This is such a blessed place, and they truly make the most out of what they’re given.  It’s a very encouraging place.”

read more >>

Mid March Media Buy set for state

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Louisiana Baptist efforts to win the state to Christ will soon get a boost as the North American Mission Board formally launches its GPS evangelism campaign.

The 10-year effort, which will be launched about three weeks prior to Easter with a national media campaign, uses multiple media venues. Starting March 15, the media buy resulted in 1,994 television spots across Louisiana and 86 radio spots on WWL – AM 870, New Orleans.

In Louisiana, people started seeing as early as February 22, digital billboards across the state displaying the Find it Here – Sharing the Peace of Jesus message.

read more >>

Medical team first ever to be sent to Haiti from Louisiana

By Philip Timothy, Message Staff Writer

COVINGTON – A 13-member medical team has helped to usher in a new era for the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Disaster Relief Ministry.

read more >>

News of the SBC

A Call for Sacrificial Giving

By Erin Roach, Baptist Press

read more >>

We should celebrate 'Great Commission Giving'

By Joe Westbury, Baptist Press

read more >>

A new name for giving in Southern Baptist Convention?

By Norman Jameson, Baptist Press

RALEIGH, N.C. (BP) – The irony of life in the Southern Baptist corral is that for most of the past 30 years Southern Baptists have elected to national leadership men who did not demonstrate deep-seated, heartfelt, convictional support of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Norman Jameson Editor Biblical Recorder of North CarolinaThe SBC being a convention with a majority of small churches, bivocational pastors, rural roots and minimal theological education, we’ve almost always elected men from large churches with charisma who could look sharp and speak well on the national stage and make us feel good about the Southern Baptist image.

read more >>

Web Only

Women's Missions Ministry FBC Monroe

By Sarah Sutton, Message Summer Staff Writer

MONROE – For the past year and a half the women of First Baptist Monroe have been working to promote something in their church they felt was seriously lacking– connection.

The Women’s Missions Ministry began in mid 2008, thanks to Sandy Miller, coordinator.

In January 2008 Sandy Miller and her husband Pastor Alan had been at FBC for a little over a year and a half.  It was then, she said, that God gave her a vision for a women’s ministry.

read more >>

Luke Lee Profile

By Sarah Sutton, Message Summer Staff Writer   

SHREVEPORT – Luke Lee began making short films in high school as a fun, on the side hobby.  He said he never planned on making it a career.

Lee works full time as Media Associate, overseeing the video portion of the media ministry, at Brookwood Baptist Church in Shreveport.  However, the 22-year-old filmmaker started producing videos for the church long before he was listed on the payroll.

read more >>

Brookwood's "Renovate" Project

By Sarah Sutton, Summer Staff Writer

    SHREVEPORT – Brookwood Baptist Church in Shreveport is making massive changes in order to further advance their ministry to the people inside and outside of the church.

With the extreme growth Brookwood experienced over the last few years, the church decided that their current facilities were no longer equipped to handle the changing needs.

Once Brookwood assessed these new needs, they created a plan to modify the available spaces, creating the project “Renovate.”

read more >>