ANGOLA (BP) – Whenever Jack Tillery visits death row at Louisiana State Penitentiary, he heads for John’s solitary 6-by-9-foot cell. By Erich Bridges IMB Communications ANGOLA (BP) – Whenever Jack Tillery visits death row at Louisiana State Penitentiary, he heads for John’s solitary 6-by-9-foot cell. Peering through the bars, he often finds John lying face down on the concrete floor, his head up under his bunk. “Who you prayin’ for, John?” whispers Tillery, minister of college students and missions at First Baptist Church Moss Bluff in Lake Charles, La. John’s face emerges from under the bunk with a broad grin. “I’m prayin’ for the Sherpa, Jack,” he answers. “Prayin’ for the Sherpa!” That would be the Sherpa people of Nepal, the Himalayan kingdom wedged between China and India. Sherpa guides have long been renowned for their connection to Mount Everest and the climbers they help reach its world-topping summit. But the Sherpa themselves remain mostly unreached by the Gospel of Christ. Perhaps as many as 50 – out of more than 100,000 – of the overwhelmingly Buddhist Sherpa follow Jesus as Lord. John may be on death row at “Angola,” as Louisiana’s maximum-security penitentiary is known. But … [Read more...]

ANGOLA (BP) – The Apostle Paul, who delighted in killing followers of Christ before he became one, wrote several of his most powerful New Testament letters on Rome’s “death row.” By Baptist Press Staff ANGOLA (BP) – The Apostle Paul, who delighted in killing followers of Christ before he became one, wrote several of his most powerful New Testament letters on Rome’s “death row.” Some of the letters death row intercessors at Louisiana State Penitentiary write to encourage mission volunteers echo Paul’s immortal words. “I greet you all in the name of Jesus, and I truly desire to be with you at this present time,” one condemned convict wrote to a mission team trekking in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. “Indeed I’m with you all in the Spirit and my prayers are that God bless you with traveling grace, and anoint you for service on this mission you’ve taken,” the inmate continued. “I pray that you all are well and in good health to climb the high hills and mountains of the Himalayas.... Seize the moment, men of God! And enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.” Jack Tillery, minister of college students and missions at First Baptist Church Moss Bluff in Lake Charles, La., is the connection between … [Read more...]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (BP) – Ninety-five Southern Baptists – including a Louisiana Baptist couple – were appointed as International Mission Board missionaries during a recent service at Hoffmantown Church in Albuquerque, N.M. The service was part of an IMB trustee meeting also held in Albuquerque. By Julie McGowan IMB Communications ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (BP) – Ninety-five Southern Baptists – including a Louisiana Baptist couple – were appointed as International Mission Board missionaries during a recent service at Hoffmantown Church in Albuquerque, N.M. The service was part of an IMB trustee meeting also held in Albuquerque. “Your (missionary task) is to bear witness to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and proclaim the Gospel,” IMB President Jerry Rankin told the appointees during the service. “But your mission is much more than just sharing the Gospel. It’s to open the eyes of peoples who are blind to the truth of God’s love and salvation. It’s to turn them from darkness to the light of the Savior – from those who are in bondage to the power of Satan, to release them to the power of God. That’s what it means to do missions.” Rankin warned Southern Baptists not to be blind to God’s truth: blind to the … [Read more...]

Week of June 5, 2006 Potpourri WEST MONROE – Fair Park church: Taylor Fife Band in concert; June 11, 5:30 p.m.; Waymond Warren, pastor. JONESVILLE – East Central association: “Pointing the Way” area wide crusade at the Jonesville football field; June 25-30, 7 p.m. nightly; Bailey Smith, evangelist; for more information, call (318) 339-9974; Ralph Webber, director of missions. DENHAM SPRINGS – Hebron church: His By Grace in concert; June 25, 6 p.m.; Joe Alain, pastor. Youth JONESVILLE – Grace church:  “Kid’s Power Fest” sponsored by East Central association; June 24, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; for children up to 11 years old; free admission; free activities; Ralph Webber, director of missions; Perry Gardner, pastor. Revivals VIDALIA – Sycamore church: June 18-21, 7 p.m. nightly; Jack Daniels, evangelist; Richard Cullum, pastor. LEESVILLE – Mt. Bethel church:  June 25-28, 7 p.m. nightly; Jack Daniels, evangelist; Morris Goins, pastor. Homecomings BAKER – First church: June 25, 10:30 a.m. with  pot-luck  dinner to follow; Dennis Allen, pastor. GIBSLAND – First church: 120th; June 25, 10:30 a.m. with catered dinner to follow; John Blake, musical guest; Bob Jameson, pastor. Seminary Graduates Thomas L. “Lee” … [Read more...]

DERIDDER – A 19-year church leader recently received a silver 2006 GMC pickup from members of First Baptist Church here. By Amy Adams Staff Writer DERIDDER – A 19-year church leader recently received a silver 2006 GMC pickup from members of First Baptist Church here. The church declared the day “Doyle Cooper Day.” Cooper, Minister of Education and Senior Adults started his ministry at FBC DeRidder in 1987 as minister of youth and activities, and became minister of education and senior adults in 1996. “Doyle is greatly loved,” said Jimmie Eaves, Minister of Church Administration. “A group of members organized a surprise celebration for Doyle on April 30 to let him know how much he is appreciated for his hard work, positive attitude, and dedication to FBC DeRidder.” The church honored Cooper after the morning worship service with a barbeque lunch and the pickup purchased through love gifts from the congregation. “The thing that was so neat about it is that they wanted to keep this a surprise and as an honest man he claims to be surprised,” Cooper said. “He’s a dynamic person, relates to the people, evangelistic heart, the kind of guy you can’t help but like, positive person.” … [Read more...]

Week of June 5, 2006 SBC president announces retirement in letter DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (BP) – Bobby Welch, pastor of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach and the president of the Southern Baptist Convention, recently told church leaders he will retire Aug. 27 after 32 years as the church’s senior pastor. A letter from Welch to members of the church explained he was “officially” announcing his retirement plans in the May 28 morning worship services. “The reason I have written you now is because I want you to hear from me before the press and newspapers begin to speculate on the matter. With the Southern Baptist Convention upon us, undoubtedly that would happen,” Welch wrote, noting that he would have preferred a “more personal” communication. Welch said he and his wife, Maudellen, will remain in the church after retirement, including maintaining an office as he becomes pastor emeritus, and will offer assistance to David Cox, Welch’s co-pastor since 2003 who will become senior pastor. A graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a decorated combat veteran, Welch is co-founder of the FAITH Sunday School evangelism strategy and the author of “You, The Warrior Leader.” Graham statue … [Read more...]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – More than eight in 10 Americans say the country’s moral values are getting worse, although Democrats and Republicans differ greatly on what specifically is morally acceptable and what is morally wrong, a new Gallup poll shows. By Michael Foust Baptist Press Staff Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – More than eight in 10 Americans say the country’s moral values are getting worse, although Democrats and Republicans differ greatly on what specifically is morally acceptable and what is morally wrong, a new Gallup poll shows. The 81 percent of adults who say the nation’s “state of moral values” is getting worse is a record high for the question, which was first asked in 2002. It registered at 67 percent in each of the first two years and 77 percent in 2004 and 2005 before inching even higher this year. Only 11 percent of Americans say the nation’s moral values are getting better. The 10-point spike between May 2003 and May 2004 (when the polls were conducted) came during a time in which “gay marriage” was legalized in Massachusetts and several Canadian provinces, Janet Jackson was exposed on nationwide television during the Super Bowl and the story broke about abuses at the Abu … [Read more...]

LAFAYETTE – On the day he was born, Perry Sander’s grandfather laid his work-hewn hands on the infant’s head, and said to the child’s mother, “Mary, this is the preacher I’ve been praying for all these years.” By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor LAFAYETTE – On the day he was born, Perry Sander’s grandfather laid his work-hewn hands on the infant’s head, and said to the child’s mother, “Mary, this is the preacher I’ve been praying for all these years.” Infant Perry was Thomas Clayton’s fifteenth grandchild. His mother didn’t tell Perry of the pronouncement until after 16-year-old Perry announced his call from God to preach. Perry Sanders was honored May 28 for 62 years in the gospel ministry, the last 47 as pastor of Lafayette’s First Baptist Church. The two-and-a-half hour service included presentation of a framed letter from President G.W. Bush and – for the hip Sanders broke just before he preached his final sermon in mid-May – a “boo boo bunny” from preschoolers at the church, among many accolades and gifts. “By encouraging the celebration of faith and sharing the message of God’s love and boundless mercy, you have helped put hope in people’s hearts and a sense of purpose in their lives,” … [Read more...]

Editor’s note: 34 members of Calvary Baptist in Alexandria went to New Orleans recently on a construction mission trip. The following are some of their post-trip thoughts, thanks to Cliff Stewart, missions committee staff adviser, who sent their missives to the Message. Editor’s note: 34 members of Calvary Baptist in Alexandria went to New Orleans recently on a construction mission trip. The following are some of their post-trip thoughts, thanks to Cliff Stewart, missions committee staff adviser, who sent their missives to the Message. “We helped three families continue their recovery from the effects of Hurricane Katrina,” Cliff Stewart wrote. “The group tore out Sheetrock and ceilings, removed flooring, carried out items damaged by the flooding, and listened to the families share their stories of struggle and hope. We prayed with them and gave them a Bible signed by everyone who went.” Ginger Hisaw Our team was greeted at our first location with two smiling young girls donning Krispy Kreme hats, their father with two dozen piping-hot donuts for us to enjoy before we began our work! Our assignment: empty the house completely and pile its contents on the side of the street. Few items were … [Read more...]

Lionel Roberts pastors the mission across the street from the locked-down and ruined St. Bernard Housing Development. With the assistance of several adoptive churches, his church has been restored and Lionel began holding worship services there on Easter Sunday. By Joe McKeever BAGNO Director of Missions Editor’s note: The following is excerpted from Dr. McKeever’s blog. For more up-close-and-personal news of  New Orleans, see www.joemckeever.com. It’s updated sometimes daily. Lionel Roberts pastors the mission across the street from the locked-down and ruined St. Bernard Housing Development. With the assistance of several adoptive churches, his church has been restored and Lionel began holding worship services there on Easter Sunday. Problem is, he never knows who’s going to be in church. Attendance ranges from 20 to 50. Last Sunday, when church time came, eight people sat in the sanctuary and most of them were the pastor’s family. They waited a few minutes, then got underway anyway. That’s when something happened outside. I’ve told here about the unhappy, ousted residents of St. Bernard, who threatened to break through the fence last Saturday in order to return to their homes, and decided … [Read more...]