By Diana Chandler, Baptist Press NEW ORLEANS (BP) - New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is assisting police in the disappearance of John W. Russell, a 39-year-old master of divinity student reported missing April 25th. Russell was last seen April 21 at NOBTS around 7:45 p.m., and last had contact with his mother April 22, NOBTS Director of Public Relations Gary Myers confirmed to Baptist Press. NOBTS informed the New Orleans Police Department of Russell's disappearance after receiving a call from his mother April 25th, Myers said. NOBTS President Chuck Kelley told BP, "At this time we are assisting the authorities in every appropriate way to find John Russell, and we are praying for his safe return to his family." Russell, a commuter student, is described in news reports as 5'9" tall, 190 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. According to New Orleans police, he was last seen wearing a long sleeve blue shirt and jeans, and drives a gray 2007 Chevy Silverado with Louisiana license plate C30-9240. In Facebook and Twitter posts, Russell is described as the son of Jan (Hays) Russell of Memphis suburb Collierville, Tenn. Various friends and family members have asked the public to pray for Russell's safe return. "Pray, … [Read more...]

By Message Staff PINEVILLE - Larry Cordaro believes his purpose is bigger than winning two conference championships in his first two seasons as head coach of the LSU-Alexandria men’s basketball team. Though Cordaro strives to be successful on the court, the Ruston native is also intent on building better men, God’s way. “I’m wanting my players to be champions in three areas – the classroom, the community and the court,” Cordaro said during his message today at the monthly First@First Business Leaders Lunch at First Baptist Church in Pineville. He added that two of his players have been baptized – one before and one after the most recent season. Cordaro said knowing that some of his team will graduate with a deeper relationship with Christ – whether it be accepting Him as their personal Lord and Savior or gaining wisdom through an assigned mentor from the community – makes his role rewarding. "God has given me a passion for coaching basketball and has put me in a leadership role that I am grateful for," said Cordaro, a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria. "My purpose is to equip these young men I am responsible for to enter life after college with Godly values and habits." Since he became head coach at LSU-A in … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message RUSTON – The jobs have faded but the lives touched will never be the same. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief efforts in Louisiana, which were such a godsend in the state’s time of need, are finally starting to wind down. “We, the staff of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, can never say thank you enough to the 30 state conventions that responded and sent volunteers to help our recovery efforts,” said John Hebert, the LBC’s Mission and Ministry Director. “We are very grateful for their partnerships and applaud their commitment to helping people. “Thank you Southern Baptists for caring for Louisiana Baptists in their greatest time of need,” Hebert said. It has been 48 days since Louisiana was ravaged by a historical rainfall and flooding event that left more than 14,000 homes flooded and countless lives affected. Even though more than 85 percent of Louisiana’s DR volunteers were among those affected, churches rallied and rushed to help those in desperate need. The Southern Baptist Convention mobilized and soon DR units from state conventions began making their way into the state to offer their assistance. To those on the front lines, they more than a welcome sight. Unlike other disasters encountered by … [Read more...]

MONROE - The Louisiana Baptist Children's Home has dedicated its first cottage in more than 40 years. Children's Home staff, trustees and others gathered on April 22 for a ribbon cutting at a cottage designed to provide transitional living for women and their children as they prepare for independent living. The HomePlace Cottages at Martin Village provide a place for homeless women and their children to stay for up to one year at no cost to the residents. While there, the women receive a high school equivalency degree, life and employment skills training through the Christian Women Job Corps. Two additional cottages are planned for the near future from proceeds generated by the 12th Annual Roy O. Martin/Brenda Hall Abney Golf Classic. The tournament was created by Roy O. Martin, chairman, and CEO Jonathan E. Martin and his wife, Maggie, in memory of Abney, who passed away in 2005 from a rare form of breast cancer. Abney grew up at the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home in Monroe and attended Louisiana College, where she was figuratively adopted by the Martins in 1983. Over the years, more than $1.7 million has been raised from the golf tournament to support the LBCH.     … [Read more...]

Before the executive board of the Evangeline Baptist Association met on April 18, interim Director of Missions Bert Langley, who is retiring, and former DOM Wallace Primeaux shared a moment with incoming DOM David Carlton. Carlton, a former International Mission Board Missionary who served in various capacities for IMB and was a part of the IMB voluntary retirement initiative program, was the unanimous selection of the executive committee of the EBA on Feb. 22 to become the association’s next DOM. His first official day on the job was April 18 -- the day of the board meeting. Langley (left), Carlton (center) and Primeaux (right) have a combined 140 years in ministry – Primeaux, 69 years, Langley, 46 years, and Carlton 25 years. Primeaux is presently the pastor of Esther Baptist Church.     … [Read more...]

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees elected a collegiate ministry professor and approved a new graduate certificate in counseling ministry during their spring meeting April 13. The board also approved a $24.3 million budget, elected two faculty members to serve in Leavell College (the seminary's undergraduate program), and approved minor curriculum revisions designed to streamline and update graduate degree and certificate programs. Collegiate ministry Beth Masters, former Baptist campus minister and director of Christian Life and Ministries at Mississippi College, was elected to serve in the seminary's growing collegiate ministry program. She earned the master of divinity degree with a specialization in collegiate ministry, master of theology and doctor of philosophy at NOBTS. During Masters' time in New Orleans, she served as associate metro director of Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) in New Orleans and directed BCM programs at the University of New Orleans and Leavell College. Masters currently serves as a leader in the college ministry program at her church, First Baptist Church in Jackson, Miss. Her wide collegiate ministry experience earned Masters a … [Read more...]