ALEXANDRIA – The continuing saga of hurricane relief, recovery and rebuild efforts in New Orleans dominated the news pages of the Louisiana Baptist Message in 2006. ALEXANDRIA –   ALEXANDRIA – The continuing saga of hurricane relief, recovery and rebuild efforts in New Orleans dominated the news pages of the Louisiana Baptist Message in 2006. "This was a year that showed the strength and resiliency and the big hearts of Louisiana’s people," Editor Kelly Boggs said. "It also showed what the Cooperative Program is all about – it’s us, pulling together to accomplish God’s work in ways none of us could do nearly as effectively alone."   A month-by-month recap of major news and feature articles as they appeared week-by-week in the Messagefollows:   n January: Kelly Boggs launches forward as Message editor; Louisiana Agricultural Fellowship ministers in southern Mexico; Southeastern Baptist Seminary faculty ‘adopt’ New Orleans Seminary faculty; Karen Willoughby named managing editor; Louisiana and Illinois state conventions host ‘grief retreat’ for children victimized by Katrina and Rita; Georgia Barnette giving sets $1.2 million record increase; more than 1,000 participate in 2006 Evangelism Conference; 200 return to … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Convention business office official announced Jan. 5 that Louisiana Baptists exceeded the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering goal by more than $176,000. The actual amount received totaled $1,476,827.70. ALEXANDRIA – Louisiana Baptist Convention business office official announced Jan. 5 that Louisiana Baptists exceeded the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering goal by more than $176,000. The actual amount received totaled $1,476,827.70. This exceeds by more than $200,000 the record $1,215,339.47 that was received in 2005. “Louisiana Baptists have once again stepped up to the plate and made a bold statement for missions,” said David E. Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. “Our state mission staff is humbled by the generosity of Louisiana Baptist churches.” The Georgia Barnette State Mission Offering is used in many ways, such as scholarships at Louisiana College for students interested in missions, as well as church planting, disaster relief, mission supplements, prison ministries and special mission projects. “With words, deeds and dollars Louisiana Baptist churches have exhibited through the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering … [Read more...]

Excitement is building across Louisiana as plans are being made for the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s 2007 Evangelism Conference ALEXANDRIA – Excitement is building across Louisiana as plans are being made for the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s 2007 Evangelism Conference. State leaders suggest three reasons for the excitement: locale of the Jan. 22-23 event, lineup of speakers, and the longing for a fresh word from God that pastors and laypeople across Louisiana are expressing. “We’ve prayed hard and worked hard to make this year’s Evangelism Conference even better than last year’s,” said Wayne Jenkins, director of the LBC evangelism and church growth ministry team. “New Orleans is ready for you, with excellent hotels and even better food, and the speakers are primed with their prayers and preparation for a powerhouse event that’s going to minister to you and bless you.” The Evangelism Conference is to take place at First Baptist New Orleans, which because of an additional 18 inches of landfill under the foundation of its new worship center was not flooded in the wake of Katrina and breached levees. Nearby hotels – and those farther away as well – have been renovated and are looking forward … [Read more...]

Eight students with Louisiana ties graduated Dec. 16 from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. NEW ORLEANS -- Eight students with Louisiana ties graduated Dec. 16 from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Jimmie Miller from Livingston, La., received the master of divinity. Miller, pastor of Bedico Baptist Church in Ponchatoula, La., is married to the former Deborah Jones of Livingston,  La. He is the son of Jimmie B. and Shirley Miller of Livingston,  La. Miller’s home church is Doyle Baptist Church in Livingston, La. Trisha Stevens from Shreveport, La., received the master of divinity. Stevens, minister to students at First Baptist Church of Zachary, La., is married to Jordan Stevens of Grand Cane, La. She is the daughter of Steve Turrentine of Hackberry, La., and Cindy Turrentine of Carrollton, Texas. Stevens’ home church is First Baptist Church of Zachary, La. NEW ORLEANS -- Samuel Greer from Bush, La., received the master of divinity in expository preaching. Greer, pastor of Hebron Baptist Church in Bush, La., is married to the former Tonya Tillman of Richland, Miss. He is the son of Ruth Greer Wilkinson and the late James Evin Greer of Brandon, Miss. Greer’s home church … [Read more...]

Don’t let his name fool you. Or the fact that he has no legs. Wimp Ballard is as tough as they come. LIVINGSTON – Don’t let his name fool you. Or the fact that he has no legs. Wimp Ballard is as tough as they come. With one leg blown off in the Vietnam War and the other amputated shortly afterward, Ballard, a member at First Baptist Livingston, rarely lets an opportunity to serve others, especially veterans, pass him by. “He never demonstrates a negative attitude and is an inspiration to all who know him,” said David Brown, Director of Missions for the Eastern Louisiana Baptist Association. “He has an indomitable spirit and is a vibrant witness for the Lord.” Born in Corbin – now Walker – La., on Dec. 21, 1944, Ballard, married in 1964, was drafted in 1968, he said. He arrived “in country” Vietnam May 14, 1968, and was wounded Sept. 23, less than four months later. After field surgery in Vietnam, Ballard was flown to Tokyo, Japan, with raw wounds, he said. There, doctors closed his wounds, and Ballard began working with a therapist who talked with him about the Lord. Even though he’d made a profession of faith as a young boy, no one had gone through the gospel with him, Ballard said. As a result, he … [Read more...]

The tragic deaths of 12 and the miraculous survival of one in the Sago coalmining explosion in West Virginia captured the world’s attention to start the news watch of 2006. ANALYSIS: 2006 news in review By Will Hall Executive Editor, Baptist Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – The tragic deaths of 12 and the miraculous survival of one in the Sago coalmining explosion in West Virginia captured the world’s attention to start the news watch of 2006. Other tragedies dominated the year’s reporting, including the death of the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, who was fatally pierced in the chest by a stingray while he snorkeled at the Great Barrier Reef. However, nothing dominated the 2006 news in the United States and abroad like the mounting death toll in the war in Iraq. WORLD’S WARS Violence that re-erupted in Lebanon and Israel elevated global concerns for more than a month beginning in July when Hamas forces bombed Israel and kidnapped a Jewish settler and an Israeli soldier. The body of the 18-year-old settler was found in Ramallah. Israel sent troops into Gaza – a territory it had withdrawn from last year as a concession to the Palestinians – and bombed targets in Lebanon. The United … [Read more...]

For too long the issue of personal stewardship has been neglected in many churches and the results have been detrimental in a consumer-driven society where Americans are pressured to spend, often more than they earn, SBC leaders say. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – For too long the issue of personal stewardship has been neglected in many churches and the results have been detrimental in a consumer-driven society where Americans are pressured to spend, often more than they earn, SBC leaders say. “Easy money, credit card debt and consumer debt have become a big problem not just in American culture but frankly in Southern Baptist culture,” said Ashley Clayton, associate vice president for stewardship at the Executive Committee to Baptist Press. “What we’re finding is the conditions inside the church are not much different than they are outside the church. Christians are overspending and are in as much trouble as non-Christians.” Church leaders including pastors and staff are not immune to the problem, he added, so the Executive Committee has entered an alliance with Crown Financial Ministries to help Southern Baptists grasp the crucial knowledge they need to implement God’s perspective on managing their … [Read more...]

Like many other young families, Cliff and Aimee Doughty, and their 3-year-old son, Benjamin, enjoyed the fruit of their labors with frequent meals out and basket-bulging trips to Wal-Mart. TIOGA – Like many other young families, Cliff and Aimee Doughty, and their 3-year-old son, Benjamin, enjoyed the fruit of their labors with frequent meals out and basket-bulging trips to Wal-Mart. Now they’re doing less, and enjoying it more. “You could look back at the end of the month, and you couldn’t pinpoint anything you’ve got in excess, even though you may have had a little extra to spend,” said Cliff Doughty, a biomedical technician. “That aggravates you after awhile.” Members of Faith Tioga, the Doughtys recently graduated from Financial Peace University, a 13-week course they took at the church where Clark Palmer is pastor. “I feel we have a much tighter grasp on our money and where it goes,” Cliff Doughty said. “There’s not too much in the ways of lost moneys around this house any more. That makes you feel so much better.” The Doughtys learned to allocate their money to make the best use of it. For example, they could eat out as much as they wanted, or they could put money into … [Read more...]

Many American households are drowning in debt and see no way out of the pit that continues to grow deeper by the month. The problem is so profound that 75 percent of Americans are a mere three paychecks away from bankruptcy. ALEXANDRIA – Many American households are drowning in debt and see no way out of the pit that continues to grow deeper by the month. The problem is so profound that 75 percent of Americans are a mere three paychecks away from bankruptcy. In 2003, American households racked up $412 billion in credit card charges, up 185 percent from the previous five years, according to Standard & Poor’s. The average balance on open credit cards in December 2005 was $4,616.90. If a household has more than one credit card, the average amount of consumer debt is in excess of $8,000. An ever-mounting consumer debt can wreck one’s judgment, job performance and relationships. There are people, even Christians, who are so far behind they sense the enemy has cast them into a demonic bondage and there is no hope except for bankruptcy, a lottery win, a consolidation loan or cashing out the equity of a home. All of those scenarios carry problems within themselves and tend to exacerbate the debt … [Read more...]

NATCHITOCHES – Westside Baptist is working with Olan Mills on a new pictorial directory for the church family. Photo dates are Jan. 25-31. SHREVEPORT – Youth Minister Joe Ward at Pine-croft Baptist reports, “We are working on youth choir and puppet ministry. We should have the puppets ready in a few short weeks. The choir is doing great. We will still begin eachWednesday night with Bible devotion and prayer, then encouraging words of how to be involved with our community.” Marty Wright is pastor. SHREVEPORT – “How to Study and Correctly Interpret the Bible is being taught at 6:30 p.m. Mondays in “Cliff’s Class” at the Northwest Louisiana  Baptist Association office. Cost: $20. Eddie DeHondt is DOM. SHREVEPORT – Baptist Bible Fellowship prepared 600 baskets of food for Thanksgiving, 350 with turkeys. About 300 were given to Hispanic families. MORGAN CITY – Congressman Bobby Jindal is sharing his testimony at the 10:45 a.m. service Jan. 14 at First Baptist. David Willoughby is pastor. BATON ROUGE – Crosspoint, where Landon Dowden is pastor, plans to start discipleship “equipping” classes: “Tell the Truth” on Jan. 21; “Discovering God’s Way of Handling Money” on Jan. 14. Kids 4 … [Read more...]