“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” began intriguing readers well before the era of spectacular multimillion-dollar Hollywood special effects or sophisticated websites available to anyone with Internet access. “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” began intriguing readers well before the era of spectacular multimillion-dollar Hollywood special effects or sophisticated websites available to anyone with Internet access. On Dec. 9, both longtime fans and people unfamiliar with C.S. Lewis’ famous fable will have the opportunity to see it recounted with world-class technology on giant screens around the world. But LifeWay’s e-business group, meanwhile, is bringing aspects of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to smaller screens with its website dedicated to providing background on Lewis and insights into the multiple Christian allegories worked into his story. “We believe providing conversation starters and other suggestions for discussing the film will help generate opportunities for one to share their faith with a friend or colleague,” said Gary McClure, LifeWay’s e-business marketing manager. “Simply put, LifeWay’s site is the Christian’s complement to Narnia.com.” McClure said LifeWay.com/Narnia is … [Read more...]

Week of December 5, 2005 Lake memorial fund The alumni association of Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary announced Nov. 14 they will establish an endowed scholarship fund to honor former graduate Kyle Lake. Lake, 33-year-old pastor of University Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, was electrocuted Oct. 30 after he grabbed a microphone while in a baptistry full of water. More than 800 people witnessed the event, which happened on the same weekend as Baylor University’s homecoming. His family will set the guidelines for choosing recipients of the scholarship. Lake earned a bachelor’s degree from Baylor in 1994 and a master of divinity degree from Truett in 1997. Capitol Christmas Tree The decorated tree that will stand outside the U.S. Capitol in the coming weeks has officially been designated a “Christmas Tree” again, after several years with the title “Holiday Tree.” In recent years, some governments have named the firs, spruces and pines that have been placed on lawns and under rotundas “holiday trees” instead of “Christmas trees.” Others, such as the National Christmas Tree near the White House, stuck with the traditional title. Matthew Evans, landscape architect of the U.S. Capitol said … [Read more...]

Our youth took a mission trip to Anadarko, Okla., in June. A team of adults from Christ’s American Baptist Church in Spring Grove, Penn., were there at the same time and ministered alongside our youth during a week of Vacation Bible School, block parties, etc. They formed a fast bond. Our youth took a mission trip to Anadarko, Okla., in June. A team of adults from Christ’s American Baptist Church in Spring Grove, Penn., were there at the same time and ministered alongside our youth during a week of Vacation Bible School, block parties, etc. They formed a fast bond. Mrs. Jeanette Kessler from the mission team at Christ’s Church called recently to pass along greetings from Russia. They just recently returned from a missions trip to Russia. As soon as the Russians learned they were from the United States, they began to ask about the hurricane disasters. The Russian people they were talking with had no idea where Pennsylvania was in comparison to Louisiana, but they asked them to please tell the people of Louisiana that they were praying for them. Mrs. Kessler said this touched her heart in a very special way. Remember that there are people in Russia who care enough about South Louisianians to lift them up in … [Read more...]

This past year, as the trustees of Louisiana College were in the process of hiring Joe Aguillard, I took the time to contact each one to express my concern over their decision not to follow the best hiring procedure. This past year, as the trustees of Louisiana College were in the process of hiring Joe Aguillard, I took the time to contact each one to express my concern over their decision not to follow the best hiring procedure. I am still unhappy that the trustees were unwilling to do things the right way, but I am glad that they hired the right man. I do not believe the end justifies the mean, but I was proud of Dr. Aguillard at the recent Louisiana Baptist Convention meeting in West Monroe. It was obvious that his love for the Lord is genuine and his worship is personal and real. I am proud that my alma mater has a conservative president who loves the Lord and will lead the school in a clear direction as a Christian educational institution. Kirk Jones Fellowship Church Prairieville … [Read more...]

I would like to express deep appreciation to our many friends across the Louisiana Baptist Convention. My wife, Genny, and I were truly touched as we received word that messengers attending the recent LBC meeting paused to pray for Genny. For those who were unable to attend the annual meeting, or for those who are not aware of our current situation, Genny and I were displaced, like many others who resided in St. Bernard Parish due to Hurricane Katrina. I would like to express deep appreciation to our many friends across the Louisiana Baptist Convention. My wife, Genny, and I were truly touched as we received word that messengers attending the recent LBC meeting paused to pray for Genny. For those who were unable to attend the annual meeting, or for those who are not aware of our current situation, Genny and I were displaced, like many others who resided in St. Bernard Parish due to Hurricane Katrina. Our home was destroyed as well as most of the buildings and facilities of our church. Our entire community and church family were evacuated and displaced across the United States. On Nov. 11, approximately six weeks after Katrina made landfall, my wife underwent emergency brain surgery at Our Lady of the Lake … [Read more...]

“I think we should approach bringing this parish back as a ‘church plant,’” Freddie Arnold said, “because this is what we’re doing – starting a new church in a ‘new’ community.” “I think we should approach bringing this parish back as a ‘church plant,’” Freddie Arnold said, “because this is what we’re doing – starting a new church in a ‘new’ community.” Arnold, church planting specialist for the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans, was addressing several pastors from the metro parish that, alongside New Orleans, also suffered catastrophic damage from Hurricane Katrina. “So, we’ll need to think outside the box,” Arnold said during a recent gathering to begin discussing the future of Baptist work in the area. “We need multi-purpose buildings and new vision for the facilities and sites.” The churches that emerge from Katrina, he also said, likely will have multi-ethnic memberships. “We have five issues here” in the parish’s restoration, Arnold noted, citing “schools, government guidelines, insurance, what kind of community will we end up with, and the churches providing for themselves and others.” Most of the parish’s churches have not been able to hold services since the hurricane and subsequent … [Read more...]

From as far away as Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and as close as Houma, La., volunteers are giving their time and energy to help restore New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. From as far away as Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and as close as Houma, La., volunteers are giving their time and energy to help restore New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The efforts of these volunteers have seminary officials convinced many of the campus housing units will be available as early as April. Volunteers have completed the initial clear-out on all but a few second- and third-floor housing units. Groups will go back through each building cleaning and preparing the apartments for painting. Many of the volunteers who are working at the seminary were motivated to serve in the city shortly after the storm. Rocky Bishop, who had been trying to get to New Orleans since September, finally made it in mid-November. Bishop watched the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina unfold on television from his home in Saskatoon, Canada. He had no connection with the city, but wanted to help out. “I heard a nurse being interviewed on CNN. She was crying, wanting anyone with experience to come,” Bishop recalls. “I am a nurse, so that really … [Read more...]

For almost 34 years – six years as editor of the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptist’s Baptist Digest and 27 1⁄2 years for the Baptist Message – I have had the privilege of writing editorials supporting the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions, or International Missions as we now say. For almost 34 years – six years as editor of the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptist’s Baptist Digest and 27 1⁄2 years for the Baptist Message – I have had the privilege of writing editorials supporting the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions, or International Missions as we now say. During that time, I have had the opportunity of reading hundreds of stories about who and what the offering supports. So many that they could not all be published because of the limitation of paper and ink. These stories have been inspirational and enlightening, causing me to believe more strongly in international missions and promote their support with more confidence each day I was on the job. And, I have been able to visit some of the places where these ministries occurred, although not as many as I desired. I have seen missionaries who held out the Light of Jesus Christ in what would otherwise … [Read more...]

James Darby told students attending last month’s Youth Evangelism Celebration in Alexandria that Christians should not rededicate their lives, but instead repent of their sins. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter James Darby told students attending last month’s Youth Evangelism Celebration in Alexandria that Christians should not rededicate their lives, but instead repent of their sins. “In America, our minds are messed up,” said Darby, pastor of Body of Faith Church in Houston, Texas. “There’s no reverence for him. There’s no respect. “You think you can come to God on your terms?” he continued. “God is sovereign. Has anybody told you it’s not about us, but it’s all about God.” Darby said repenting may involve changing their comfortable lifestyle. “But if following God does not cost you everything, you’re not following God,” he said. Citing 2 Timothy, Darby challenged students to use what God has given them in order to change America for Christ. But in order for that to happen, Darby said Christians must do three things. • First, Christians must have a clear conscience. • Second, Christians must be broken before God. “He recalls the tears that you shed when you call out to him,” he … [Read more...]

Weekly announcements Youth BATON ROUGE – Broadmoor church: Children’s Christmas Pageant; Dec. 11, 10:30 a.m.; John W. Goodwin, pastor. WEST MONROE – McClendon church: “A Star is Born” musical presented by the children’s choir; Dec. 18, 6 p.m.; Susan Maxwell and Laura Womack, directors; Rick Crandall, pastor. KENTWOOD – First church: “Christmas Joy’ presented by the children’s choir; Dec. 11, 6 p.m.; Wendy Fowler and Majel Dean, directors; Joey Miller, pastor. WINNSBORO – First church: “Three Wise Men and A Baby” presented by the children’s choir; Dec. 11, 6 p.m.; Carolyn Thomas, music director; Harry Boyd Jr., pastor. Christmas Programs CASTOR – First church: “The Spirit of Christmas” musical; Dec. 18, 6 p.m.; written/directed by Pam Guin; Jeff Jinks, pastor. HOMER – Calvary church: Dana Perkins presents Christmas piano recital; Dec. 14, 6 p.m.; “There Is a Bethlehem” musical; Dec. 18, 6 p.m.; Dana Perkins, music director; Brent Shoalmire, pastor. FRANKLIN – First church: “Love Gift” musical; Dec. 11, 6 p.m.; Adam Frederick, music director; J. Paul Vandercook, pastor. HAYNESVILLE – First church: “Shine On Us” musical; Dec. 18, 7:15 p.m.; Jerry Waldron, minister  of  music; Shelby Cowling, … [Read more...]