As many know, Lynn P. Clayton is preparing to retire as Louisiana Baptist Message editor at the end of 2005. In preparation for that time, the newspaper staff currently is compiling a book of letters for Editor Clayton. As many know, Lynn P. Clayton is preparing to retire as Louisiana Baptist Message editor at the end of 2005. In preparation for that time, the newspaper staff currently is compiling a book of letters for Editor Clayton. Persons wishing to forward a letter for inclusion in the book are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Letters may be typewritten or handwritten and may be from individuals or groups, such as Sunday School classes. If possible, letters should be sent unfolded in manila envelopes. Please forward letters to "LBM Memory Book, P.O. Box 311, Alexandria, LA 71309." … [Read more...]
Believe me – this was a real search-and-rescue mission
Last week, I embarrassed myself by admitting that I became lost in the mountains of Colorado while hunting elk. I said I would talk about getting out this week. Last week, I embarrassed myself by admitting that I became lost in the mountains of Colorado while hunting elk. I said I would talk about getting out this week. I certainly am not the only person who got lost in the mountains this year. Actually, so many people get lost in the mountains of Colorado every year that search and rescue missions became a major financial and personnel drain on the state and local governments. Some rescue efforts cost tens of thousands of dollars and countless man hours. Finding a lost wanderer amidst millions of acres of mostly uncharted mountains takes more than a handful of willing searchers. Often involved are helicopters, horsemen, trained dogs, state wildlife agents, medics and other volunteers. A number of years ago, the costs of searches and rescues became so great that a law was passed that said anyone who got lost and for whom such searches were conducted would be responsible for the costs. If a search and rescue effort was launched, even if the person who was lost walked out on his or her own, that person who … [Read more...]
Now is the time to strengthen the Cooperative Program
One of the significant challenges Hurricanes Katrina and Rita present to Louisiana Baptists is maintaining – and even strengthening – support of the Cooperative Program. One of the significant challenges Hurricanes Katrina and Rita present to Louisiana Baptists is maintaining – and even strengthening – support of the Cooperative Program. This is ironic because in the midst of the destruction of the hurricanes, the strength of the Cooperative Program enabled Southern Baptists, including Louisiana Baptists, to act swiftly, strongly and positively. In case there is a reader somewhere who does not know, the Cooperative Program is the program of unified giving that enables local churches to give one gift that supports Southern Baptist work beyond their local fields. Louisiana Baptist churches give a percentage of their receipts to the Louisiana Baptist Convention, which, in turn, sends part of its receipts to the national Southern Baptist Convention for distribution to its national and international ministries. The organization needed for fast, effective response to disasters such as hurricanes already were in place when the storms struck because of agencies supported by the Cooperative Program. For instance, … [Read more...]
Weekly announcements
Week of October 24, 2005 Potpourri DRY CREEK – Dry Creek camp: Couples’ retreat for pastors/church staff and spouses; Nov. 11, 6 p.m.-Nov. 12, after lunch; Marvin and Karen Douglass, retreat leaders; $60 per couple if lodging/$45 per couple commuting; to register, call (337) 328-7531 or send name/mailing address/phone number and $10 deposit to: Dry Creek Baptist Camp, P. O. Box 580, Dry Creek, LA 70637; Curt Iles, camp manager. FOREST HILL – Calvary church: Community singing; Oct. 29, 6 p.m.; refreshments will follow; Joel McMickin, pastor. PINEVILLE – Alpine First church: Myrrh in concert; Nov. 6, 5 p.m.; free admission/love offering accepted; Sammy Morrow, pastor. ZACHARY – First church: Outdoorsman Banquet featuring Jay Yelas has been rescheduled for Nov. 8; exhibits open at 4 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m.; tickets are $70 per table of seven and $12 per individual; for tickets, call (225) 654-2755; Reggie Bridges, pastor. PLAIN DEALING – Plain Dealing church: James B. Slack will be the guest speaker for “Missions Emphasis Day,” Oct. 30, 11 a.m.; Billy Pierce, interim pastor. ALEXANDRIA – Calvary church: Stephen Burnaman to present a concert of pipe organ music; Nov. 6, 6 p.m.; … [Read more...]
World of religion
Week of October 24, 2005 YEC gathering Due to circumstances related to hurricane evacuees sheltered in Alexandria, the 2005 Youth Evangelism Conference is now a one-day event at the city’s Riverfront Center on Nov. 21. “The main problem was available hotel space, which has been taken up by those responding to relief operations here in Central Louisiana,” said Kevin Boles, Louisiana Baptist Convention youth team leader. “Financially, it’s better to rent out the Riverfront Center for the day than the (Rapides Parish) Coliseum. Even with a reduced schedule from the normal three days, we felt it’s better to do something than nothing at all.” By mid-November, Boles said 150-200 hotel rooms should be available. Each year, the conference attracts thousands of young people from across Louisiana for high-energy speakers, music and multi-media presentations. However, Boles said attendance could be lower this year since the Riverfront Center’s seating capacity is 4,000 persons. Due to the schedule change, contemporary Christian group Salvador tentatively has been rescheduled for next year’s conference. Boles said all other program personalities will appear at the conference. Among those scheduled are illusionist … [Read more...]
Doors have opened
I want to thank the Louisiana Baptist Convention under the leadership of Dr. David Hankins and our president, Phil Robertson. The convention quickly came to the aid of the churches and pastors after hurricane Katrina. I want to thank the Louisiana Baptist Convention under the leadership of Dr. David Hankins and our president, Phil Robertson. The convention quickly came to the aid of the churches and pastors after hurricane Katrina. I also want to report that Baptists from across the political spectrum of our convention have worked together in the recovery effort. Cooperation was more important than politics because human needs put things into focus. Our cooperation has not gone unnoticed and has made an impact on the community and its leaders. Often, only Baptists were helping those who had suffered great loss. However, God’s grace was evident to all as churches, who were themselves severely damaged, were reaching out and giving to others in need. God has used the storms for a greater good. The doors have been opened for ministry and evangelism. People who never gave God a second thought are going to church and hearing the gospel. Churches of the North Shore Baptist Association are cooperating, not just … [Read more...]
Revival brewing in midst of Hurricane Katrina aftermath, pastor maintains
Amidst the destruction left by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, a New Orleans-area pastor insists that he also sees revival. Amidst the destruction left by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, a New Orleans-area pastor insists that he also sees revival. Todd Hallman says his members at First Baptist Church of Luling have been revitalized by distributing 20 tractor-trailer loads of supplies and establishing three distribution centers in the area. “There’s excitement, ...” Hallman says. “The church has been transformed into a hospital where people’s needs are met. It has changed our mode of missions. “In this community, the word ‘Baptist’ is not a bad word. Before the storm, it was. We don’t smoke, drink or dance; we’ve been known for what we don’t do. (But) No longer are we Baptists who don’t care about the community.” First Baptist Church’s outreach originated with Hallman and his wife, Tabatha, who took shelter from Katrina in North Carolina. As the storm hit, the Hallmans spent several days on the phone, arranging a shipment of emergency supplies. Working with Southern Baptists, the couple secured a tractor-trailer of supplies from Highlands Fellowship in Abingdon, Va. When Hallman arrived back at the … [Read more...]
For her, return to childhood church was hard
With tears flowing down her cheeks, Judy Hagler gasps as she sees the jumble of pews and sludge left in the Gentilly Baptist Church in New Orleans, the church in which she grew up. With tears flowing down her cheeks, Judy Hagler gasps as she sees the jumble of pews and sludge left in the Gentilly Baptist Church in New Orleans, the church in which she grew up. She had driven from her home in Independence to check on her former community. Long moments of silence and more tears accompany her stories of the past. In 1951, 9-year-old Hagler became the first person baptized in the current Gentilly sanctuary by then-pastor William Fussell. When Fussell resigned the church to return to Alabama, Hagler and her best friend voted against the motion to accept the pastor’s resignation. “They came over and explained to us, ‘He is leaving anyway. We would like to make this unanimous,’” Hagler recounts, smiling. “But we didn’t want him to go.” The grandfather of Hagler’s late husband was one of the people responsible for the church being planted in the Gentilly community as a mission of Valence Street Baptist Church. As a child in the church, Hagler says she learned lessons about God’s love and care from the … [Read more...]
LBC board proposes reduced budget, adds to staff
In a meeting delayed by a pair of South Louisiana hurricanes, Louisiana Baptist Convention leaders acknowledged the impact of the storms by proposing a reduced budget for 2006. In a meeting delayed by a pair of South Louisiana hurricanes, Louisiana Baptist Convention leaders acknowledged the impact of the storms by proposing a reduced budget for 2006. LBC Executive Board members also approved employment of Oklahoma Baptist Messenger Editor John Yeats as communications director for the convention, a new position designed to help tell the Louisiana Baptist story more effectively. If a proposed change in the Louisiana Baptist Message structure is approved by messengers at the state convention in November, Yeats also will serve as editor of the newspaper, beginning in 2006. During their meeting last week, board members handled several items of business related to that proposal and also heard an update on ongoing hurricane relief and recovery work. Approval of a $21 million Cooperative Program budget proposal for the new year came without discussion or debate. The proposed goal represents a decline of $1 million (4.5 percent) from the current mark of $22 million. The proposal still must be approved by … [Read more...]
Baptist Message interviews …… Jerry Chaddick
Jerry Chaddick announced earlier this year that he would allow his nomination for Louisiana Baptist Convention president during the upcoming annual meeting at First Baptist Church of West Monroe on Nov. 14-15. Current LBC President Philip Robertson of Deville is completing his second term of service and is ineligible for reelection. Jerry Chaddick announced earlier this year that he would allow his nomination for Louisiana Baptist Convention president during the upcoming annual meeting at First Baptist Church of West Monroe on Nov. 14-15. Current LBC President Philip Robertson of Deville is completing his second term of service and is ineligible for reelection. MESSAGE: Why have you agreed to allow your nomination for convention president? CHADDICK: First of all, thank you for giving me the opportunity to do this interview. I was born in Louisiana, grew up in DeRidder, was a member at Temple Baptist Church. I have been a Louisiana Baptist ever since I was saved at a young age. I love Louisiana, have pastored three churches in Louisiana and my heart is for this state. Now, as an evangelist, I’ve had the opportunity of preaching in nearly 200 of our congregations and have been able to sense the … [Read more...]