NEW ORLEANS (BP)--Billy and Franklin Graham were welcomed to the sanctuary of First Baptist Church in New Orleans by a standing ovation from pastors, spouses and special guests March 9 for a time of prayer for the Grahams’ March 11-12 “Celebration of Hope” in the hurricane-ravaged city. By Keith Manuel Regional reporter NEW ORLEANS (BP)--Billy and Franklin Graham were welcomed to the sanctuary of First Baptist Church in New Orleans by a standing ovation from pastors, spouses and special guests March 9 for a time of prayer for the Grahams’ March 11-12 “Celebration of Hope” in the hurricane-ravaged city. The still strong voices of George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows led the group in worship. Barrows pointed out that the three men, Graham, Shea and Barrows, represent 267 years of collective ministry. Franklin Graham stood behind the pulpit where his father preached in 1954 to lead a month-long crusade in New Orleans at the old Pelican Stadium. David Crosby, First Baptist New Orleans pastor, pulled out a pen and invited Franklin to sign the pulpit that his father and the Graham team had signed in 1954. Franklin Graham mentioned the historic nature of the Celebration of Hope. During the planning for … [Read more...]
Bethel church plans hunters’ outreach
COLFAX – Robert Daniel hopes that duck calls, a bluegrass band and gumbo supper will be the ticket to reach unchurched people in the area. By Brian Blackwell Staff writer COLFAX – Robert Daniel hopes that duck calls, a bluegrass band and gumbo supper will be the ticket to reach unchurched people in the area. Scheduled for March 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church in Colfax, the Hunter Outdoor Extravaganza will feature hunting and ATV exhibits, 2003 Louisiana Duck Calling champion Matthew LaPraire, door prizes, the Blake Brothers Bluegrass Band and free gumbo for the first 300 people. “This is an attempt to reach people who don’t go to church at all,” Daniel, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, said. “It’s a way of letting them know the good news in a slightly different fashion. The target audience is people who like to hunt, fish and do outdoor type activities.” Daniel said the highight of the evening will be Phil Robertson, known as the Duck Commander. Born in Vivian, this nationally-known duck caller has developed a worldwide fan base of fellow duck hunters. A year after he received a patent for his particular duck call, the Duck Commander Company was incorporated. Since 1973, Duck … [Read more...]
Adultery hurts everyone
In the 1950s, Hank Williams twanged, “Your cheatin’ heart, will tell on you.” In the ‘70s the Eagles harmonized, “You can’t hide your lyin’ eyes.” Most recently, Toby Keith sang, “Just remember when you let it all go, what happens down in Mexico stays in Mexico.” Though the approach is different in each song, the subject is the same -- adultery. By Kelly Boggs Editor In the 1950s, Hank Williams twanged, “Your cheatin’ heart, will tell on you.” In the ‘70s the Eagles harmonized, “You can’t hide your lyin’ eyes.” Most recently, Toby Keith sang, “Just remember when you let it all go, what happens down in Mexico stays in Mexico.” Though the approach is different in each song, the subject is the same -- adultery. Adultery is like a car wreck on a busy street. Though everyone knows something terribly tragic has happened, the urge to stare is difficult for many to overcome. The subject of adultery seems always to creep its way onto the stage of popular culture. Whether the vehicle is music, film or literature, cheating on one’s spouse is a subject hashed and rehashed in every generation. When the movie “The Bridges of Madison County” was in theaters in 1995, a young lady in the church I was pastor … [Read more...]
Checking out churches: Trinity Baptist rolls across Lake Charles
LAKE CHARLES – Out of state last weekend, but Trinity sent 11 ministry assistants to a day-long conference at Tall Timbers (see article on page 4) and that intrigued me. How big does a church have to be to have 11 secretaries? By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor LAKE CHARLES – Out of state last weekend, but Trinity sent 11 ministry assistants to a day-long conference at Tall Timbers (see article on page 4) and that intrigued me. How big does a church have to be to have 11 secretaries? Big enough to host “Southwest Louisiana’s largest” Easter egg hunt: 30,000 eggs and at least 100,000 candies to go inside. They even have a special day when folks gather at the church to stuff the eggs! About 1,100 people attend Trinity’s two Sunday morning worship services. They give about 19 percent of their offerings to missions, including $215,400 through the Cooperative Program, $38,557 through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions, and this month they have set a $12,000 goal for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American missions. Trinity doesn’t just send money. They have at least four mission trips planned for this summer: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Columbia, Africa and … [Read more...]
State Fair theme greets Ministry Assistants
WOODWORTH – Hay bales, handcrafts and all manner of livestock – stuffed, of course – combined to set the stage for a “down home” kind of annual gathering for ministry assistant professionals in Louisiana Baptist life. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor WOODWORTH – Hay bales, handcrafts and all manner of livestock – stuffed, of course – combined to set the stage for a “down home” kind of annual gathering for ministry assistant professionals in Louisiana Baptist life. The day-long “State Fair” event hosted by the Louisiana Baptist Ministry Assistants fellowship – LABMA – took place in the activities building at Tall Timbers Conference Center, less than an hour south of Alexandria. “It’s a time to get away from the office and hear about new things going on, and to see what’s going on with other ministry professionals,” said Kathy Wallace of Calvary Baptist in Ruston. It was her third year to attend the event, she said. “For me, this event is encouraging and refreshing,” Wallace said. “It’s just good to talk with other women and see they have similar frustrations, and we can talk here about different ways we can deal with different situations.” The day’s featured speaker was Cindy … [Read more...]
Centers meeting needs in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS – Painting a wall inside a school may seem like a small task to some, but for Larry Miguez, the job is a major victory in post-Katrina New Orleans. By Brian Blackwell Staff writer NEW ORLEANS – Painting a wall inside a school may seem like a small task to some, but for Larry Miguez, the job is a major victory in post-Katrina New Orleans. With so many tasks to accomplish and so few hours in a day, helping rebuild the city can seem overwhelming at times. “We try to sleep between 3 and 8 a.m.,” Miguez, director of the Rachel Sims Mission and Carver Baptist Center, joked. “Besides that, we answer close to 150 phone calls a day. “We don’t feel like we get much done unless we have finished mudding out a home or putting the last nail onto the boards of a home,” he added. “The missionaries here are tired. There aren’t enough hours in one day.” But Miguez and his staff at the two centers are not alone. Since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, four Southern Baptist Convention centers – Rachel Sims Mission, Carver Center, Brantley Baptist Mission and Baptist Friendship House – are ministering with a new mission. Among other ministry efforts, all of the centers are housing … [Read more...]
Apellate court hears college case
LAKE CHARLES – It’s a cliffhanger moment for those interested in the January 2005 election of Joe Aguillard Ed.D. as president of Louisiana College. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor LAKE CHARLES – It’s a cliffhanger moment for those interested in the January 2005 election of Joe Aguillard Ed.D. as president of Louisiana College. A panel of three judges March 8 heard 20-minute appellate arguments related to the issue, and at the end, the outcome was uncertain. One judge indicated she clearly understood the plaintiff’s position; one indicated he clearly understood the defendant’s position. The third was carefully neutral. “It’s an interesting case,” said Justice Ulysses Gene Thibodeaux in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals after James A. “Jay” Bolen spoke opposing the election process, and Bradley L. Drell spoke favoring the process. Both attorneys are from Alexandria. “We’re going to roll up our sleeves and discuss it,” the judge said, including fellow justices Sylvia R. Cooks and James T. Genovese in his statement. For Baptist Message readers who may not be familiar with the case, Louisiana College’s seventh president, Rory Lee, resigned in March 2004, and as per college bylaws, a … [Read more...]
Girls challenged to live for Jesus at M-JAM
MINDEN – Cindy Townsend recently challenged approximately 500 first through sixth grade girls and a handful of boys and adults to use their five senses – smell, taste, hearing, sight and touch – for the glory of God. By Brian Blackwell Staff writer MINDEN – Cindy Townsend recently challenged approximately 500 first through sixth grade girls and a handful of boys and adults to use their five senses – smell, taste, hearing, sight and touch – for the glory of God. “God can use you to change the whole world if you’re open to his leading,” the Louisiana Baptist Convention Women’s Missions and Ministry Team leader told the participants attending Missions Jamboree (M-JAM) at First Baptist Church of Minden. A day of missions awareness and fun for Girls in Action and Children in Action, the theme for this year’s M-JAM was “Every Day With Jesus.” Throughout the day, leaders challenged the participants to live for Jesus. “This year, we wanted to take children into the idea of influencing their everyday world for Jesus,” Janie Wise, Louisiana Baptist Missions and Ministry strategist. “My prayer is that a child comes to know Christ as a result of this event. I want them to know God has a plan and if they … [Read more...]
Weekly announcements
Week of March 13, 2006 Potpourri BATON ROUGE – Istrouma church: The Florida Boys in concert; March 26, 6 p.m.; love offering accepted; Stuart Rothberg, pastor. WEST MONROE – Forest Glade church: Gospel singing featuring The Countrymen and Sisters4; March 25, 6:30 p.m.; Donnie Bradley, pastor. DRY CREEK – Dry Creek camp: Work day; March 25, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; lunch served; everyone welcomed; call (337) 328-7531 to RSVP; Curt Iles, camp manager. MONROE – Parkview church: Testify in concert; March 19, 6 p.m.; Whit Holmes, pastor. MONROE – North Monroe church: Gospel singing featuring Southern Grace, Southern Sound, Steve and Martha Boyte, New Liberty Quartet, Blessed Assurance, Glory Road and Brothers In Christ; March 25, 7-10 p.m.; $10 per person; for ticket information, call (318) 343-4730; Bill H. Dye, pastor. SULPHUR – First church: Antique car show; March 19, 4:30 p.m.; David Holder, pastor. Youth OAK GROVE – First church: Hosting the Sk8Fusion Skate Team; March 18, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; followed with a concert by Two Empty Chairs at 7 p.m.; Kevin Miles, youth minister; Carl Gulde, pastor. ALEXANDRIA – Calvary church: “King of the Jungle” children’s musical presented at the Alexandria Zoo; March … [Read more...]
SBC briefs
Week of March 13, 2006 Suspects of Alabama church fires arrested BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) – Law enforcement officials announced March 8 the arrests of three men in connection with a string of Alabama church fires that had terrorized the state since early February. According to press reports, two men are students at Birmingham-Southern College and one is a student at the University of Alabama. The suspects said they started the fires as a joke and it got out-of-hand. Officials filed criminal complaints against the three men in connection with arson at nine Baptist church fires in February. Four of the nine were Southern Baptist. It is not known if officials believe the men are connected with a 10th church fire that was set in late February. NAMB commissions missionaries, chaplains Alpharetta, Ga. – Calling the United States the fourth most “unchurched” nation in the world, Robert E. “Bob” Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board, spoke March 5 during a commissioning service for 143 new missionaries and chaplains at First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, S.C. The missionaries and chaplains will serve in 31 different states, in four Canadian cities – Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton and Okotoks – … [Read more...]
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