Leo Endel, former Iowa pastor since May 2002 has been executive director of the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention, which is considered a “New Work” state convention. It will forward 13 percent of its Cooperative Program gifts to SBC national causes this year. [img_assist|nid=6366|title=Leo Endel, Executive Director Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=67|height=100]During the 11 years of Endel’s last pastorate, at Southern Hills Baptist Church in Sioux City, Iowa, attendance grew from 35 to around 500. Southern Hills also sponsored three new churches and increased missions giving while undergoing two building programs. When he left, Southern Hills was giving 13 percent through the Cooperative Program, 3.5 percent to the association and 2 percent to local missions, primarily for church planting in northwest Iowa. Endel holds a master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and a bachelor of science in business administration from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg. He currently is a doctoral student at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo.   [img_assist|nid=6367|title=Jimmy Jackson President … [Read more...]

By Diana Chandler Regional Reporter NEW ORLEANS – It took longtime homeowner Elsie Clark nearly three years to return home after Hurricane Katrina, but she readily offers praises for the blessing. Were it not for a partnership between Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, where she has attended for 30 years, and Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, the 68-year-old Clark says she might still be displaced in Jackson, Miss., nearly four years after the storm. [img_assist|nid=6375|title=Home renovation completed in New Orleans St. Roch neighborhood through Neighborhood Rebuild Project|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]“It’s meant a lot, because I wouldn’t have been able to really come back. I had worked on it some, but it was a long way to go,” said Clark. “They redid my whole house. It was completely destroyed.” Clark is one of 28 home-owners and first-time homebuyers benefiting from the Neighborhood Rebuild Project, a partnership in place since June 2008, to help repopulate an approximate 30-block area of New Orleans’ St. Roch neighborhood. Clark’s home on Eads Street was the first residence completed in the project. “Samaritan’s Purse has been a blessing to this neighborhood,” Clark said, describing the … [Read more...]

LOUISIANA COLLEGE IN FOCUS As we begin summer, it is evident that God has done and is doing magnificent things on our campus. As the only Baptist college in the state of Louisiana, we continue to grow and thrive as a distinctively Christian liberal arts college, grounded in the preeminence of Jesus Christ, the authority of the Holy Scriptures, and academic excellence. Louisiana College graduates are making a difference in our communities as they change the world for Christ. [img_assist|nid=6377|title=The LC Chorale traveled to Taiwan where they performed at several locations in the country.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]The spring semester saw an increase in enrollment with a total headcount of 1,228 which includes both undergraduate and graduate students. This jump in enrollment represents a 10.1 percent increase over last spring. During the spring semester Louisiana College received the largest single gift ever given in the 103 year history of the college and the fourth largest cumulative gift. Other good news included a three percent across the board pay raise for all full-time faculty and staff. [img_assist|nid=6378|title=First graduates of the LC Physical Therapy Assistant … [Read more...]

Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor HEFLIN, PINEVILLE – As many as 200 people might crowd into (and outside of) Evangelist Jack and Alice Daniels’ country home the first Friday night of every month, but I was there the Friday before Mother’s Day, so the numbers were not more than 100. In attendance: people from an hour’s drive or more. Most all had been in a revival meeting where Daniels had preached; most had been before to what he calls a “monthly camp meeting,” so they knew he wouldn’t be preaching, but they came anyway. A camp meeting is different from a Bible study or a revival service. First of all, it starts with food – good country cookin’ potluck. Then comes a prayertime, with various people mentioning needs they know of, and praying led by three men. A camp meeting also involves lots of music, including essentially a “mini-concert “ led by whomever was tapped to lead the singing. On the night I was there, it was 18-year-old David Daniels, a courtly young man with a voice that worships God. He’s coming out soon with his second CD. You’ll want to get in line for it. Yes, this is Jack and Alice’s son, but this isn’t “the Daniels show.” Jack has not yet preached at the camp meeting, and the event is in its … [Read more...]

MILESTONES COMPILED By Joanne Brechtel COMINGS & GOINGS Jason Woodward (wife Christy), new as pastor, First Baptist, Boyce. Michael Greene, new as associate minister of music, Temple Baptist, Ruston. Gibbie McMillan, new as interim pastor, St. Clair Baptist, Boyce. Blaine Stafford (wife Tedra), new as pastor Doyle Baptist, Livingston. Shane Mitchell resigns as minister of music First Baptist, Bastrop, going to Crestview Baptist, Lakeland, Fla. Pam Walker, new as interim minister of music/senior adults at First Baptist, Bastrop. Troy Lee, resigns as transitional interim pastor First Baptist, Winnsboro. NEEDED Pastor at First Baptist, Milton; call 337.856.5402. Youth minister at Glenmora Baptist, Glenmora; send resume to Glenmora Baptist Church, Attention: Pastor Fallis Holloway, PO Box 237, Glenmora, LA 71433. AVAILABLE Roger Whittington available for pulpit supply; call 337.461.2597; 318.481.2415 or emailrl.cwhittington@centurytel.net. GRADUATES Elton Taylor Frost, executive pastor of First Baptist, West Monroe, received D. Min. from MWBTS, May 22. REVIVALS HEFLIN - First Friday Camp Meeting: Jack Daniels Ministries 6 p.m. Friday, June 4; Brad Mount, music; David Hanna, … [Read more...]

LIVINGSTON -- When Beech Ridge Baptist Church started a missions education program two years ago for girls, three young ladies signed up to be Girls in Action. This year, there are six, and Mission Friends too. [img_assist|nid=6383|title=GA Faith Johnson and her Missions Friends sister Emma raised $31.41 for missions by selling lemonade during a garage sale|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75] “I asked the girls to make a small box for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, and to save their money to give to the the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering,” said Lisa Henson, wife of the pastor for the last 12 years, Russell Hinson. “The one who saves the most money would get an Annie Armstrong badge,” Lisa Hinsons said she told the girls. The next weekend, Jeff and Amy Johnson of Livingston were having a garage sale, and their GA daughter, Faith, asked to have a lemonade stand for missions. Little sister Emma, a member of Mission Friends at Beech Ridge Baptist, helped in the endeavor, and at day’s end, the girls had earned $31.41 for missions. “Faith was so happy,” Lisa Hinsons said. “Sunday, May 16, I gave her the badge and a certificate. “I just want to let everyone know to keep teaching children about … [Read more...]

BATON ROUGE – Steve Masters, Baptist Collegiate Ministries director at Louisiana State University, suggests mission teams going to Mexico travel through Eagle Pass, Texas. That’s the way he took his 125-person mission team over spring break, and saw/heard/felt no problems with safety. “There are several dangerous areas including Juarez, Monterray, Brownsville,” Masters said. “I really don’t know much about any area than the Eagle Pass area.” … [Read more...]

Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor WOODWORTH – The Executive Board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention listened intently as Executive Director David E. Hankins talked about the Great Commission Resurgence Task Force and the report it plans to present to messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention at the SBC’s annual meeting June 15 in Orlando. The Executive Board had gathered at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center May 4 for its regularly-scheduled spring meeting. “The concern I’ve had all along is that with so much focus on structure that we’d miss the main thing,” Hankins said to the trustees. His words were reported in detail in the SBC Live insert of the May 13 issue of the Baptist Message. Hankins also spoke to the Baptist Message Board of Trustees when they met May 11. The boards of trustees for Louisiana College and the Louisiana Baptist Childrens Home also met recently for their spring board meetings. LBC EXECUTIVE BOARD In addition to Hankins’ report, the LBC Executive Board heard from its administrative, business and finance, missions support, and properties committees,as well as from the heads of each of the LBC’s entities: college, foundation, children’s home, newspaper. After hearing … [Read more...]

By Joanne Brechtel, Administrative Editor ALEXANDRIA – The annual meeting of the Baptist Employees of Louisiana Credit Union convened Thursday, April 22, at the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s building in Alexandria. Unlike other financial institutions, credit union members are encouraged to attend the annual meeting, which is one of the benefits of belonging. Attendance at meetings of other financial institutions is limited to its stockholders. “Our members are what makes us a safe and strong financial institution,” said Credit Union Manager Matt Marcantel. Member loyalty is the backbone of BEL’s solvency and continued success, Marcantel added. As a financial cooperative for employees and families of Louisiana Baptist churches and agencies, the purpose of the credit union is to assist its 1,200 or more members in achieving their financial goals. The membership is a cooperative association that makes small loans to its members at low interest rates and offers other banking services such as savings and checking accounts. Marcantel called the meeting to order and Jim Lofton, board secretary, presented minutes of the annual report for the year ending Dec. 31, 2009. The federal examination conducted by the NCUA rated … [Read more...]

By Chaplain Manuel Biadog Jr., Baptist Press [img_assist|nid=6389|title=Citizens gather to welcome American hero Marine Private First Class Kyle Coutu who was killed in battle in Afghanistan.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=67]NEWPORT, R.I. (BP) – After the long journey from Afghanistan via Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, U.S. Marine Corps Private First Class (PFC) Kyle Coutu is finally back at home in Rhode Island with his grieving family. It was my job as a Navy chaplain to make this final trip with him. Kyle and 10 other Marines were recently killed in action during a major combat offensive against the Taliban in Afghanistan’s Helmand province. [img_assist|nid=6388|title=Citizens in Pawtucket, RI honor Marine Private First Class Kyle Coutu en route to his burial.|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=51] He was assigned with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C. Similarly sad journeys take place almost every day across the United States as America pays tribute to its fallen military service men and women. On a recent cold and rainy afternoon in February, Kyle’s final trip home became a sobering reality for … [Read more...]