You know you’ve been to the hospital too many times when the emergency room staff knows you by name. When my boys were younger, I think we even may have qualified for customer loyalty cash back on certain hospital procedures. You know you’ve been to the hospital too many times when the emergency room staff knows you by name. When my boys were younger, I think we even may have qualified for customer loyalty cash back on certain hospital procedures. Those painful memories of many minor hospital visits rose to the surface again recently. My week ended with my daughter needing an emergency visit to the dentist because of an abscessed tooth. Two days later, my youngest son fell off a scooter and we were in the emergency room getting a splint on his elbow and arm. Spring training for high school football started two days after that and we were back in the hospital because my oldest son received a mild concussion from a blow to the head. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the medical staff and their wonderful skills, but I would like to appreciate them from afar. I think it is much better to recommend doctors based on other people’s evaluations than from first-hand experience. “It is not those who are healthy who need a … [Read more...]

Over the past few weeks, a national polling firm for LifeWay Research and the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission conducted a survey asking Americans to respond to this statement: “I am concerned that at times Christians are too involved in politics.” Over the past few weeks, a national polling firm for LifeWay Research and the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission conducted a survey asking Americans to respond to this statement: “I am concerned that at times Christians are too involved in politics.” The results were quite informative. The majority of Americans (52 percent) either “strongly disagree” (32 percent) or “somewhat disagree” (20 percent) with the statement. When researchers asked Americans who attended religious services of any faith at least once a week, disagreement with the statement was even higher, with 65 percent indicating they were comfortable with Christians being involved in politics, and only 21 percent expressing varying discomfort with Christians’ political activity. Those who self-identify themselves as “born-again,” “evangelical,” or “fundamentalist” expressed the highest level of disagreement (72 percent) with the statement. Only 27 percent tell pollsters they agreed (“strongly” or … [Read more...]

While churches in the Shady Grove Association may be few in number and small in size, they are strong in fellowship and willing to take on projects for the glory of God. WINN PARISH – While churches in the Shady Grove Association may be few in number and small in size, they are strong in fellowship and willing to take on projects for the glory of God. The largest and most exciting work today is the re-opening of Harmony Grove Baptist Church, a simple white frame building on Hwy. 34 in northern Winn Parish that has stood locked and as quiet for the past half century as the well-kept cemetery it overlooks. Rev. Lee Mack Robertson, pastor of Mill Creek Baptist Church who is moderating Saturday evening services at Harmony Grove, calls this associational effort “a resurrection.” The sign leaning against the western wall of the building proclaims that Harmony Grove Baptist Church was founded in 1854.  (At its founding, it was actually a Union church, serving as a Methodist church on one Sunday and a Baptist church the next). Robertson’s great grandfather, a circuit-riding doctor John Wesley Robertson, built the one-room building on his property.  It was used as a school during the week and a church on Sunday.  During the … [Read more...]

Director of Missions Clovis Sturdivant calls Shady Grove, in north central Louisiana’s Winn Parish, “the quintessential fellowship association in the Louisiana Baptist Convention. (Editor’s note: –  Clovis Sturdivant also serves as Director of Missions for the Winn and Jackson associations).  SHADY GROVE ASSOCIATION – Director of Missions Clovis Sturdivant calls Shady Grove, in north central Louisiana’s Winn Parish, “the quintessential fellowship association in the Louisiana Baptist Convention. They are the meetingest and eatingest group of people you will ever meet. They love good-ol’-fashioned preaching and fellowship.” Most associations in the Louisiana Baptist Convention are bounded by parish lines. However, Shady Grove Association is made up of 12 churches that are scattered throughout Winn, with another association, the 23-member Winn Baptist Association, comprising the majority of the churches within the parish. Thus Shady Grove and Winn are not defined so much by geographical limitations but by philosophy, size and oftentimes, music.  Shady Grove almost exclusively uses hymn books like the “Heavenly Highway” and other such styles of music as opposed to the “Baptist Hymnal.” Most of the pastors are … [Read more...]

Ask Jack Mills what Clara Spring Baptist Encampment has to offer, and he is quick to respond. PELICAN – Ask Jack Mills what Clara Spring Baptist Encampment has to offer, and he is quick to respond. “Everything,” he says. Located in the foothills of northwest Louisiana, this 43-acre encampment does have a lot of amenities, but Mills would like to see it offer more. That is why he is a minister first and a camp manager second. “I see this as more of a ministry than a camp,” said Mills, the son of a Baptist minister. “I made sure everyone knew that I was a minister first when I applied for the job. The board is behind me 100 percent.” Mills was able to get a firsthand look at how the camp operated and what it was capable of doing while serving on its operating committee for three years before transitioning on as the camp’s manager. “I am really excited about what God is fixing to do here at Clara Springs,” Mills said. “For several years, our camp struggled with a clear vision of God’s direction. I, we, knew God had a plan, but we were unsure what it was. When we decided – and the operating committee along with the District Eight Executive Board were in 100 percent agreement –  to run it like a ministry instead of a … [Read more...]

Camp director James Hendrix would like to see this 10-acre encampment utilized more. RICHLAND BAPTIST ENCAMPMENT ALTO, LA. DEER CREEK/CALDWELL ASSOCIATION ALTO – Camp director James Hendrix would like to see this 10-acre encampment utilized more. “We have so much to offer here on these 10 acres,” Hendrix said. “We have tennis courts, two basketball goals, a baseball diamond, and a large swimming pool. We gear as many of our activities as we can to the outside, much like it use to be.” The camp has four sleeping cabins that can hold 25 per cabin, a large kitchen and dining area, a dressing cabin next to its pool, and one counselor for every five kids. And since much of the camp borders the scenic Bouef River, Hendrix hopes to soon be able to add fishing and canoeing to the list of camp activities, which in turn will encourage more RAs to attend next year. “We just recently learned our insurance will allow us to do both,” Hendrix said. “So, as soon as we can get a pier built, we will allow the kids to fish from it. I believe once the kids realize they can fish as well, we might see our numbers climb.” Presently, the encampment is offering only two GA Camps – July 7-10 for 10 to 13 year olds, and July … [Read more...]

FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CAMP BIENVILLE, LA WINN/JACKSON ASSOCIATION BIENVILLE – It is nestled in the piney woods of Northeast Louisiana between the small towns of Hodge and Castor. And each year, in July, for the last 45 years, this old renovated school has provided hundreds of GAs and RAs with a special summer experience. The facility – it used to be the old Friendship High School, which closed in 1955 – features swimming (the camp has a 20 x 40 foot pool), softball, kick ball, dodge ball and, just recently, water slides. “I really is a beautiful little seven acres,” said Robert Leach, the camp’s interim director. “The school closed in 1955, and the association bought and opened it in 1963. Since that time we have added a chapel, cafeteria, and – in 2002 – a new dorm.” Leach, who lives next to the camp, oversees the day-to-day operations until a director can be found. “There needs to be some work done, but I broke my arm in an accident, and the man who helps me had to have surgery on his shoulder,” Leach said. “So, we are a little behind right now.” Fortunately, Friendship’s camps don’t begin until July 7 with a GA camp followed by a pair of RA camps on July 14 and 21. “We are looking for volunteers … [Read more...]

Pastor Joe Alain is proud of Hebron Baptist Church’s storied past, but it is the future that he is most excited about. HEBRON BAPTIST, DENHAM SPRINGS Eastern Louisiana  Baptist Association Pastor Joe Alain is proud of Hebron Baptist Church’s storied past, but it is the future that he is most excited about. Founded in 1837, Hebron is the oldest church in Livingston Parish, and one of the oldest in the state. Located south of Denham Springs, it is often considered rural, but displays big-city plans and potential. “We have lots of exciting things on the horizon,” Alain said. “We are not afraid to do new things and to step out on faith. Even though, we have been here a long time, we have adapted our methodologies over time. We offer stability yet relevancy in a community that is rapidly transforming from rural to suburban.” One of the biggest steps forward for the church is a capital campaign, which is scheduled to begin in August, for a new worship facility that hopefully will begin construction in early 2009. The building will include a sanctuary that can seat around 750, preschool space, some Sunday school space, worship arts space, and a larger area to gather. Presently  275 to 450 people attend … [Read more...]

It never ceases to amaze Doug Edwards when watching God’s greatness at work. Tillou Baptist, Bastrop Northeast Louisiana  Baptist Association It never ceases to amaze Doug Edwards when watching God’s greatness at work. As pastor of this small, rural church for the last four and a half years, Edwards has seen firsthand God at work in both his life and the lives of his congregation. Located within a hop, skip and a jump of the Louisiana-Arkansas border, Tillou Baptist Church is nestled far off the beaten track, but it was squarely in God’s sights. “I guess you could say I was one of his first projects here,” Edwards said. “I was a deacon at Bonita Baptist and a supply pastor, working mostly the small churches around here. Tillou called me to come as interim while they searched for a pastor. “Little did I realize it at the time, but He sent me here. I guess I was here about six months when the church’s search committee asked if I would become their pastor. I hesitated, and said no because I wasn’t an ordained minister. I had not gone to seminary like all the rest,” Edwards said. God, though, didn’t care and had other ideas. While at a revival at his home church, Bonita Baptist Church, Edwards answered the … [Read more...]

COMINGS, GOINGS n  Jamie Roe, new as minister of youth, Mooringsport Baptist, Mooringsport. n  Tony Robinson, resigns as pastor of Trinity Baptist, Oakdale; going to Piner Baptist, Morning View, Ky. NEEDED n  Contemporary Worship Pastor needed for large NE Louisiana church. Send resumes to FBC Music Search, 500 Pine Street, West Monroe LA, or email to info@firstwest.cc. n Southside Baptist Church in Ruston, LA. is looking for a part time music leader. Please mail resume to Southside Baptist Church, 3191 S. Vienna St., Ruston LA. 71270 n Pastor needed at Jerusalem Baptist, Hammond. Call 225.294.2001 or emailpcmikhan@netscape.com. n Associate pastor of education and administration needed at First Baptist, Zachary. Send resumes to Wayne McElroy, 4200 Main St, Zachary LA 70791. n Full-time pastor needed at New Ebenezer Baptist. Send resume to Pastor Search Committee, Chairman, Sonny Wilson, PO Box 221, Castor LA 71016.   AVAILABLE n G.R. “Pete” Nolan available for supply or interim. Call 318.992.2982. n Paul Carter available for revivals or preaching. Call 318.368.0240 or 318.381.1315.   CHURCH AND ASSOCIATION EVENTS  n  KENTWOOD – First Baptist: Movie night, Sunday, June 1. Joey … [Read more...]