Louisiana Baptist women were urged to "discover the joy of missions" during the recent state Woman’s Missionary Union annual meeting.   "The desire to obey (God) has got to be stronger than anything else in our lives, ..." Southern Baptist missionary Patty Higginbotham challenged during the two-day gathering at Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. Louisiana Baptist women were urged to "discover the joy of missions" during the recent state Woman’s Missionary Union annual meeting.   "The desire to obey (God) has got to be stronger than anything else in our lives, ..." Southern Baptist missionary Patty Higginbotham challenged during the two-day gathering at Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge.   "God is preparing all of us for something. We may not know what it is. But we have to ask him to keep preparing us. ... We all need to be prepared."   Indeed, there are needs to be met and opportunities to serve everywhere, another speaker reminded women.   "We have to keep our eyes open," women were reminded during the closing session of the meeting. "We have to keep our hearts open. We have to listen to God. ...   "Don’t say there isn’t anything to … [Read more...]

As Ray Dry encountered the world of the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, he asked one inmate what it felt like to live in prison.   "Lock yourself up in your bathroom for 20 or 30 years and see how it feels," the inmate answered. "I’m in this cell, by myself, 23 hours a day. I’ve got a daughter, 16 (years old). I’ve been here 14 years. As Ray Dry encountered the world of the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, he asked one inmate what it felt like to live in prison.   "Lock yourself up in your bathroom for 20 or 30 years and see how it feels," the inmate answered. "I’m in this cell, by myself, 23 hours a day. I’ve got a daughter, 16 (years old). I’ve been here 14 years.   "Here, see her photo? I miss her. I’ve got 10 more (years) to go."   One who visits the Angola prison is likely to see a little bit of everything, men imprisoned for any range of criminal activity, acknowledged Dry, a member at University Baptist Church in Baton Rouge.   However, late last month, Dry had the opportunity to see something that most people probably would not consider a likely sight in a state prison — an Easter service open to the public.   "I read you guys … [Read more...]

Your prison chaplains, active and retired, surely are some of the most grateful clergy in Louisiana; thankful to God and some of his special people for the chapels completed and those planned for the state’s prisons. Just the presence of a chapel speaks volumes to prisoners about God’s love and about what is important in that prison’s program activities. Your prison chaplains, active and retired, surely are some of the most grateful clergy in Louisiana; thankful to God and some of his special people for the chapels completed and those planned for the state’s prisons. Just the presence of a chapel speaks volumes to prisoners about God’s love and about what is important in that prison’s program activities.   One warden at Angola (Louisiana State Prison) regularly said, "The only thing that will take a man out of this prison and guarantee that he stays out is a genuine conversion to Jesus Christ as Lord."   With 18 years in prison ministry, I know that is true. After seeing that miracle many times, I call myself A God Watcher — like, "Okay Lord, what are you going to do next?" Several inmates have come out of one prison and directly into seminary. One of those will graduate with the master of … [Read more...]

For the week of April 18, 2002 Potpourri • GOLDONNA - Goldonna church: Prayer and Bible Conference; April 26, 5 p.m.; April 27, 8 a.m.; Jerry Chaddick, Eddie Douglas, Jim Hill, Donald Rudd, Ed Smith, Kelley Tingle and Donnie Wise; guest speakers; Hill Family Singers, Kingdom Bound and Mark Lanier, music; all meals provided; sessions and meals are free; to make reservations, call (318) 727-8532; Doyle McGrew, pastor.   • WEST MONROE - Fair Park church: "Church Renewal Weekend" April 26-28; child care provided; Ivan Harless, coordinator; Waymond Warren, pastor.   • LAFAYETTE - First church: Choir and orchestra present "Experiencing God: The Musical," April 28, 8:30 and 11 a.m.; Perry Sanders, pastor.   • RUSTON - Ruston Civic Center: "Abundant Life: Living Above Your Circumstances" Concord Association women’s conference; April 26-27; hosted by Ruston First church; Mary Glynn Peoples, speaker; Starla Harbin, music; $25 per person; to register or for information, call (318) 255-9030; Connie Ward, director of missions.   • GLENMORA - Glenmora church: Disaster relief and mission service water puri- fication course; April 27, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.; lunch provided; led by Dick … [Read more...]

The ghosts of Rwanda’s 1994 massacre still haunt Melanie Uwamaliya — memories of her mother, siblings and cousins, felled by Hutu extremists in Rwanda’s far-off capital, Kigali.   To make things worse, at times, Uwamaliya actually would cross paths with Hutu killers — walking free. The ghosts of Rwanda’s 1994 massacre still haunt Melanie Uwamaliya — memories of her mother, siblings and cousins, felled by Hutu extremists in Rwanda’s far-off capital, Kigali. To make things worse, at times, Uwamaliya actually would cross paths with Hutu killers — walking free. However, last June, Uwamaliya and fellow Tutsi expatriates celebrated a victory of sorts, when a Belgian jury sentenced four Rwandans to jail for participating in their country’s horrific massacre. Now, from her small apartment a few blocks from a Brussels courthouse, 53-year-old Uwamaliya awaits justice in two other genocide-related suits — including charges that Belgium’s former defense and foreign ministers abandoned Rwanda to its fate. She is not alone in turning to Belgium in pursuit of human rights convictions. The country has a unique law that allows individuals to pursue such cases — against just about anybody until recently. Indeed, … [Read more...]

A Southern Baptist pastor’s dispute with the Internal Revenue Service now threatens to affect the ability of all ministers to participate in a housing allowance arrangement.   Indeed, a federal court in California has requested briefs on the question of whether to allow ministers to have a housing allowance is constitutional or not. A Southern Baptist pastor’s dispute with the Internal Revenue Service now threatens to affect the ability of all ministers to participate in a housing allowance arrangement.   Indeed, a federal court in California has requested briefs on the question of whether to allow ministers to have a housing allowance is constitutional or not.   The case in question involves Rick Warren, pastor at Saddleback Community Church near Los Angeles.   In 1998, Warren sought to deduct $79,999 on his house, relying on a 1921 statute that gives ministers the right to a housing allowance.   The law allows an ordained minister to use a portion of his or her salary to provide for a residence and not claim that money as taxable income.   However, the Internal Revenue Service has ruled that ministers may only claim an amount equal to the fair … [Read more...]

There was a day when Louisiana Baptists could feel they had done at least something to combat the recent sad news from college campuses about student alcohol abuse. One wonders, however, if Baptists have presented recent generations with the good sense behind abstaining from alcohol consumption. There was a day when Louisiana Baptists could feel they had done at least something to combat the recent sad news from college campuses about student alcohol abuse. One wonders, however, if Baptists have presented recent generations with the good sense behind abstaining from alcohol consumption.   Two recently released studies show that college life across the country reflects the culture of our nation that encourages and promotes consumption of alcoholic beverages. The studies also reveal the tragedies that often accompany recreational drinking.   A study commissioned by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism discovered the following occurrences on yearly averages:   *One thousand, four hundred college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die of alcohol-related injuries.   *Half a million students are accidentally injured while under the influence of … [Read more...]

Joe McKeever sometimes leads audiences he is speaking to in a simple exercise - he asks them to laugh for two minutes.   "It’s a world changer," says McKeever, pastor at First Baptist Church of Kenner. Joe McKeever sometimes leads audiences he is speaking to in a simple exercise - he asks them to laugh for two minutes.   "It’s a world changer," says McKeever, pastor at First Baptist Church of Kenner.   McKeever knows of what he speaks. He is known for his cartoons, one of which is featured on the front page of this week’s Baptist Message. He also is recognized for his often-humorous storytelling.   For McKeever, laughter is healthy and helpful - and the right of every Christian.   "Laughter is a vote of confidence in the Lord," he explains. "It’s a way of saying we know he’s in charge. ... Really, Christians are the only ones who have the right to laugh. They are the ones who have settled the major questions of their lives."   As illustration, McKeever cites a practice in overseas churches. On the day after Easter, persons go to church to tell jokes - "because the joke’s on the devil," he says.   Of course, there always are a few people who … [Read more...]

The old line warns people about the dangers of raising the hot topics of religion and sex around the so-called "kitchen table" of life.   Well, if one thinks that is dangerous - try joking about religion. Better yet, have someone begin joking about your religion. And do not even consider laughing about God. The old line warns people about the dangers of raising the hot topics of religion and sex around the so-called "kitchen table" of life.   Well, if one thinks that is dangerous - try joking about religion. Better yet, have someone begin joking about your religion. And do not even consider laughing about God.   Religion-based humor is the touchiest. Anyone who ventures into it must walk an exceedingly fine line - especially in the middle of a conflict over terrorism that has religious overtones.   Just ask Roy Peterson, editorial cartoonist for Canada’s Southam News Service. He has just been hit by a petition signed by more than 300 angry Muslims.   Peterson’s contentious cartoon portrays terrorist Osama bin Laden pointing a video-camera at himself and saying: "Yo, Allah! Smile, we’re on candid camera."   And a voice from above replies: … [Read more...]

Former Louisiana Baptist Convention President and longtime state leader Charles E. Harvey Sr. died April 14, following a lengthy illness.   Harvey was 76.   Harvey was a Louisiana native and spent his entire ministry in the state, beginning with his ordination to the gospel ministry at Ingleside Baptist Church in 1947. Former Louisiana Baptist Convention President and longtime state leader Charles E. Harvey Sr. died April 14, following a lengthy illness.   Harvey was 76.   Harvey was a Louisiana native and spent his entire ministry in the state, beginning with his ordination to the gospel ministry at Ingleside Baptist Church in 1947.   Harvey served three congregations before becoming pastor at Sunset Acres Baptist Church in 1954. He served that Louisiana Baptist congregation for 29 years before retiring from the full-time pastorate in 1983. He was named pastor emeritus.   By the time he left Sunset Acres, Harvey already had been asked to serve as Louisiana Baptist Convention director of evangelism, a position he held until he retired in 1990.   He then served three years as an adjunct professor of pastoral ministries at his alma mater, New … [Read more...]