Pat Townsend admits she’s living outside her comfort zone. RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – Pat Townsend admits she’s living outside her comfort zone. Between the bugs, mud and freezing showers, Townsend, a missionary with the International Mission Board’s Masters Program, admits it could take her awhile to adjust to life in and around the Amazon Basin of South America. “The bugs haven’t been as bad as I anticipated,” Townsend, 56, says. “I’ve asked people to pray for me about the bugs.” Townsend and her husband Mike, 59, left the comforts of retirement and their home in Mississippi to work among the southern Shuar people for two to three years. Fewer than 2 percent of these 15,000 people are evangelical Christians. Religion for many southern Shuar blends worshipping spirits with Catholicism. Some Christian workers say that’s an all too common practice among indigenous people groups of South America. “They will take some of the classic religion [Catholicism] and then mix it with their own [animistic] beliefs,” says Russ Bare, who leads indigenous work in Ecuador. “And then you just get a hodgepodge of mixed-up beliefs.” Couples like the Townsends are a godsend to Bare. “I think it’s great that people with good health, … [Read more...]

Take a leisurely drive down Louisiana Highway 6, and you will find yourself retracing the path used by early settlers along the El Camino Real. NORTH SABINE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION – Take a leisurely drive down Louisiana Highway 6, and you will find yourself retracing the path used by early settlers along the El Camino Real. The historic El Camino Real was one of the first roads in the area and helped to establish trade between Mexico and Fort Jesup. As you drive, you may notice the numerous historical markers along the highway telling of a very famous fort (Fort Jesup) that guarded Louisiana’s western frontier or a famous Civil War battle (the battle of Pleasant Hill) in which Conferedate forces decisively defeated Union forces. Fort Jesup was founded by General (later president) Zachary Taylor as the U.S. Army’s southwestern most outpost until the Mexican War. You will also see acre upon acre of loblolly pine tree plantations that cover the landscape and provide the lush green carpet for as far as the eye can see. But most of all you will notice the number of boats and trailers coming and going. Big boats, small boats, and those in-between make their way down this famous road day after day. Campers – some … [Read more...]

Director of Missions for the North Sabine Association, as well as four others, for 31 years, Lee Dickson is an old hand at juggling five associations at once. But it wasn’t always so easy. NATCHITOCHES – Director of Missions for the North Sabine Association, as well as four others, for 31 years, Lee Dickson is an old hand at juggling five associations at once. But it wasn’t always so easy. “I faced a serious learning curve when I first started,” said Dickson. “Thank God, I had Arnold (Nelson) and Barbara, his wife, to lean on. Arnold was not only a very good friend, but a great mentor as well.” The years have taught how best to handle the five associations he oversees. “Well, I let Barbara, my wife, do all the work, and depend heavily on my moderators,” Dickson said. “Barbara is just a God send and I have some very good moderators. “I’ve learned to become a cheerleader or a waterboy,” Dickson said. “I guess you can say my job is to be a promoter for all the great things done in District Eight.” Dickson got his start in pastoring at Benson Baptist Church in Converse before heading to to Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport six years later. He would not become DOM for District 8 until 1978, when the legendary … [Read more...]

Prayer is something that always has to be a priority in our lives. Prayer is the way to strengthening our fellowship and friendship with God, and the key to understand His will for our lives and experiencing His power in our lives. Prayer is something that always has to be a priority in our lives.  Prayer is the way to strengthening our fellowship and friendship with God, and the key to understand His will for our lives and experiencing His power in our lives. That’s why Jesus and the Apostle Paul modeled and taught us about the importance of prayer (Luke 11:1-13, 18:1; Ephesians 3:14-21).  Read and reflect on the following statements about prayer from great Christians in times past. n “The principal cause of my leanness and unfruitfulness is owing to an unaccountable backwardness to pray. I can write or read or converse or hear with a ready heart; but prayer is more spiritual and inward than any of these, and the more spiritual any duty is the more my carnal heart is apt to stay from it. Prayer and patience and faith are never disappointed. When I can find my heart in frame and liberty for prayer, everything else is comparatively easy.” (Richard Newton) n “The greatest thing anyone can do for God and man is pray. It … [Read more...]

Several prayer initiatives within the Southern Baptist Convention in the coming months reflect an expanding emphasis on intercession and seeking God’s guidance. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Several prayer initiatives within the Southern Baptist Convention in the coming months reflect an expanding emphasis on intercession and seeking God’s guidance. The first opportunity will be at the SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis June 10-11. Subsequent prayer efforts will be: • June 11-13, sponsored by the Church Prayer Leaders Network and hosted at Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia, S.C. • Aug. 4-6, initiated by T.W. Hunt, author of “The Mind of Christ,” and hosted at Spring (Texas) Baptist Church. • Aug. 7-9, “We Bow Down” national prayer conference, with Richard Blackaby as one of several keynote speakers, hosted by Riverside Baptist Church, Denver, Colo. • Sept. 23 to Nov. 2, a 40-day convention-wide emphasis for spiritual revival and national renewal sponsored by the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and the North American Mission Board. • Oct. 11-17, “Broken Before the Throne II,” a sequel to the prayer conference initiated last year by West Virginia pastor Dan Biser. Westview Baptist Church in … [Read more...]

The National Day of Prayer was established as an annual event in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The National Day of Prayer was established as an annual event in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The observance of the National Day of Prayer is founded on the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion and can be celebrated by all Americans. Days of prayer have been called for since 1775, when the Continental Congress designated a time for prayer in forming a new nation. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln called for such a day. President Reagan amended the law in 1988, designating the first Thursday of May each year as the NDP. National Day of Prayer Task Force The NDP Task Force concentrates on the need to pray for the well-being of America and for those in leadership on all levels of national, church and educational areas of influence. In 2008, the NDP will be observed on Thursday, May 1. Is the National Day of Prayer exclusively a Christian event? No. This government-proclaimed day is offered to all Americans, regardless of religion, to celebrate … [Read more...]

It doesn’t matter how long servants of God live, but how they live while in His service. SPEARSVILLE – It doesn’t matter how long servants of God live, but how they live while in His service. For the last 62 years, Forrest Post has faithfully served God as a pastor and evangelist throughout the small towns and communities of northeast Louisiana. He has served seven churches and has conservatively preached more than 350 revivals – an average of seven to 10 a year – during that time.  He is the father of six, grandfather to 14 and great grandfather to 10. He retired at the age of 65, after 47 years in the ministry, sat out only a couple of months and for the past 15 years has pastored his home church – Camp Creek. Now 80 (he celebrated his 80th birthday on Feb. 16), not even heart surgeries, a battle with prostate cancer and a bout with gout seem able to slow him down. “I have been very blessed,” Post said. “I have my ailments, sure who doesn’t, but you don’t see many 80-year-olds doing any better physically. I enjoy every day because I am serving God.” However, Post readily admits he didn’t always feel this way. “I always said I would travel after I got out of high school,” Post said. “I was 16 years old when … [Read more...]

What does it mean to be “Called to Holy Living?” Attendees at the 108th annual Missions Celebration and WMU Annual Meeting learned the answer to that question as speakers shared about volunteer opportunities across the state, nation and world, and were challenged to seek opportunities to reach the lost. BATON ROUGE—What does it mean to be “Called to Holy Living?” Attendees at the 108th annual Missions Celebration and WMU Annual Meeting learned the answer to that question as speakers shared about volunteer opportunities across the state, nation and world, and were challenged to seek opportunities to reach the lost. “The challenge for the 12 months before our next mission celebration and WMU annual meeting is to be prepared for action, disciplined to see it through and share the hope we have in Christ Jesus as we carry out Acts 1:8,” Janie Wise, women’s missions and ministry strategist said. “God is calling you to be a part of what is going on in our state.” Drive–by bus tours provided an opportunity to see and hear mission opportunities in Greater Baton Rouge. Participants saw the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering at work as they visited each site. As the choir from Vietnamese Hope Baptist Church sang “I will … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists continue their fervent interest in serving God through serving others. The following is the month’s list of mission projects. STATEWIDE – Louisiana Baptists continue their fervent interest in serving God through serving others. The following is the month’s list of mission projects.  n Training for the 56 youth, college students and adults who have committed to being part of the First Baptist Bogalusa summer mission trip set for July 12-20 to Gallup, N.M. is offered at 4 p.m. each Sunday. Elwood, a metal flamingo friend, is being used as a trip fund raiser. Bob Adams, pastor. n First Baptist Minden, Brazil Mission Team, recently returned from  Florianopolis. Wayne DuBose and W. D. “Step” Martin were recently hosted by missionaries as they traveled and ministered in Armenia. The church’s youth choir will minister in Southern California in June and a young adult mission team will serve in Nicaragua in July.  Wayne DuBose, pastor. n  First Baptist Blanchard recently held a mission fair. Two fishing tournaments are planned to benefit missions, May 3 and June 7. A Fish Fry, Missions Auction and Bake Sale are set for 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Poke Salad grounds, Friday, May 9. Donated items are needed for … [Read more...]

First Baptist Houma Bayou Baptist Association HOUMA – First Baptist Church of Houma, which is building a school as well as a new church complex on 23 acres in northwest Houma, invites families this summer to participate in the school construction. The new church construction is being built by contractors; the school, by volunteers. “This school is a total act of faith,” said Steve Folmar, pastor since 1999. “We will begin construction May 1 and build until the school is completed.” In an area that is 78 percent Catholic, Christian students need an opportunity to study in a God-centered, Bible-based environment that will give them the foundation to become solid leaders in their adult lives, Folmar said. Covenant Christian School, a ministry of First Houma, started last fall in the church with classes for students in Kindergarten through eighth grade, nine teachers, and 149 students enrolled. For the 2008-09 school year, classes are slated to go through ninth grade, four teachers are to be added, and 190 students have enrolled so far. The school plans to add one grade a year, Folmar said. After a thorough search, David Myers of Temple, Texas, recently was hired as Covenant’s principal. “We need volunteers to help build … [Read more...]