A bit of news has emerged about all those random acts of kindness that are talked about ... and encouraged ... so much these days - it appears that they may not be as "random" as many would like to believe after all. A bit of news has emerged about all those random acts of kindness that are talked about ... and encouraged ... so much these days - it appears that they may not be as "random" as many would like to believe after all. Oh, they surely may be "out of time," so to speak - occurring at unexpected times or in unexpected places or unexpected ways. In that manner of understanding, they certainly are random. But there is nothing unexpected - or random - about who performs them most often. It is people of faith. Indeed, scientists at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago have determined that when it comes to inspiring altruism, nothing matters except faith - not even gender, race, social class, political affiliation or locale. The recent "Altruism in Contemporary America" study indicates that Americans average 109 altruistic acts each year. However, the study also found that persons who attend a place of worship weekly report doing an average of 128 good deeds a … [Read more...]

For the week of August 14, 2003 Retirement center change Bob Nelson has resigned as executive director of the Baptist Retirement Center in Arcadia. Nelson resigned July 30 after meeting with members of the center's executive committee regarding concerns at the center. "Administrative leadership had caused a crisis of instability among the nursing corps, residents and relatives," trustee Chair Bobby Dye reported. "We felt a change was needed. After talking with Bob, he agreed with members of the executive committee that a change was in the best interest of the center and submitted his resignation." Dye said interim administrative leadership was secured immediately. Also, the board of trustees was scheduled to meet earlier this week to determine the direction of the center. Cooperative Program Gifts through the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program totaled almost $13.3 million last month, a decrease of $211,788 (1.6 percent) from the previous July. With just two months left in the convention's fiscal year, overall gifts total $152.3 million, an increase of $362,769 (0.2 percent) from the same time last year. The total also stands more than $4.8 million (3.3 percent) ahead of budget at this time. Meanwhile, … [Read more...]

Last week at Louisiana College, 67 campers showed it is more blessed to give than to receive. The Campers on Mission members participated in Work and Worship Camp, an annual week of repairing and renovating campus buildings, worshipping nightly and hearing faculty- and staff-led devotionals. Last week at Louisiana College, 67 campers showed it is more blessed to give than to receive. The Campers on Mission members participated in Work and Worship Camp, an annual week of repairing and renovating campus buildings, worshipping nightly and hearing faculty- and staff-led devotionals. "We normally take home more than we leave," said Warren Hopkins, president of Louisiana Campers on Mission. "We always receive a blessing." A national fellowship of Christian campers who share their faith while they camp, Campers on Mission is sponsored by the Adult Volunteer Mobilization unit of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board. Two-hundred fifty individuals make up the Louisiana chapter, which is divided into five regions. Prior to Work and Worship Camp, the Central Louisiana chapter held a rally on the Pineville campus. The week also included an appreciation banquet that featured keynote speaker … [Read more...]

Two weeks ago, Louisiana Baptist Children's Home Executive Director Perry Hancock unveiled his vision for the ministry at the board of trustees meeting in Tallulah. Two weeks ago, Louisiana Baptist Children's Home Executive Director Perry Hancock unveiled his vision for the ministry at the board of trustees meeting in Tallulah. Hancock assumed the role of executive director on July 1. Since then, he said he has developed four specific ministry objectives for the 2003-2004 fiscal year. They are: . To develop relationships with all constituencies, including the trustees, staff, children and alumni of the home; Louisiana Baptist churches; Louisiana Baptist Convention staff members; and community leaders and donors. "I have to be with the people, churches, alums and donors," said Hancock, the former dean of graduate studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. "People in South Louisiana know me well, people in Central Louisiana know me somewhat and people in North Louisiana don't know me at all." In order to accomplish the objective, Hancock said he hopes to meet with Louisiana Baptist pastors, church staff members and convention leaders, as well as with all his staff in formal and … [Read more...]

I cannot believe I read that! Actually, I cannot believe I read that, that and that. The first article that engendered disbelief was in the Alexandria Daily Town Talk. I cannot believe I read that! Actually, I cannot believe I read that, that and that. The first article that engendered disbelief was in the Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Governor Mike Foster established the Governor's Program on Abstinence. The program has had a tinge of controversy because some say the program promotes a particular moral view of sex and the state should not be in the business of promoting a particular moral view. Now, is that not quaint to think that sex has a moral component! The program has helped teenagers who may not have been persuaded about the wisdom of abstinence on a moral basis understand abstinence makes great sense. Just two of the reasons are the increasing numbers of sexually- transmitted diseases and unwanted teen pregnancies. One wonders if the course also teaches the emotional damage done by freewheeling sexual activities. Last week, the program provided a meeting in Alexandria to present the abstinence program and material to teenagers. With the heightened prevalence of sexually- … [Read more...]

For the week of August 14, 2003 Potpourri PIONEER - New Prospect church: Singing, Aug 17, 11 a.m with lunch served at noon and singing to resume at 1 p.m.; Frank Self, Cleo Yeates, Sr. and Cleo Yeates, Jr., along with others, will be performing; Walter Cloud, pastor. HEFLIN - Bistineau church: Miracle Mondays, Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25, 7 p.m.; Marion Collier, Jimmy Brossette, Harold Danley and Everett Geis, Sr., guest speakers; Everett Geis, Jr., pastor. NEW ORLEANS - Oak Park: Gospel music concert; Aug. 24, 6 p.m.; Ben Caston, minister of music; Paul Brady, pastor. SULPHUR - First church: Brendan McKinney, flutist-singer, in concert, Aug. 17, 6 p.m.; Donald W. Dukes, music minister; David Holder, pastor. n SULPHUR - First church: "Evidence of Grace" musical; Aug. 24, 6 p.m.; Donald W. Dukes, music minister; David Holder, pastor. MANSFIELD - First church: "God With Us" musical; Aug. 24, 6 p.m.; Gary Gregg, minister of music; Thumper Miller, pastor. LAFAYETTE - First church: SoulReal in concert; Aug. 22, 7 p.m.; tickets $5, children under 12 free; for information, call (337) 233-1412; Perry Sanders, pastor. COUSHATTA - First church: 4Given, gospel quartet, in concert; Aug. 17, 6 p.m.; free … [Read more...]

For most of the girls, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience - after all, it is only open to those in grades seven through 12 and only occurs about every five years. And by most accounts, participating girls agreed it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience - even a life-changing one. For most of the girls, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience - after all, it is only open to those in grades seven through 12 and only occurs about every five years. And by most accounts, participating girls agreed it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience - even a life-changing one. "I think about one girl who carried the cross on a prayerwalk," said Janie Wise, Louisiana Baptist Convention Acteens director. "She said as they walked through the streets, the cross began to get heavy, and it dawned on her - 'This is what Jesus did for me. And he does it everyday. "That's a great testimony from a girl who is 15 years old." But it hardly was the only one. Nearly 6,500 teenage girls and their leaders representing almost all 50 states and 19 countries gathered in Nashville, Tenn., recently for one foundational purpose - to gain a broader perspective of God's activity in the world. The occasion was the National … [Read more...]

For the week of August 21, 2003 LBCH correction   In the August 14 issue of the Baptist Message, it was reported that Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home trustees had hired the wife of Executive Director Perry Hancock as a speaker for the home. That is incorrect. Trustees simply approved Tonya Hancock as a speaker for the home. Like other approved speakers for the Louisiana Baptist agency, she simply will be reimbursed for travel and no other expenses. Change of plans   The "On your Knees" prayer conference set for Sept. 18-20 at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport has been combined with the conference scheduled for Oct. 2-4 at Ridgecrest (N.C.) Conference Center. The conference schedule features several keynote speakers and a host of small-group sessions on aspects of prayer. Conference costs range from $75 to $99 per person, depending on the number of individuals registering from one church. Lodging and meals are additional. Registration deadline for the Oct. 2-4 conference is Sept. 25. For details, call LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention at (800) 254-2022 or visit www.lifeway.com/events. Protecting marriage   A constitutional amendment likely is … [Read more...]