Miguel Barrios has seen the grace of God work through his ministry to impact the lives of Hispanics. Barrios estimates that some 60 Hispanic families living in Bernice do not go to an evangelical church. BERNICE – Miguel Barrios has seen the grace of God work through his ministry to impact the lives of Hispanics. Barrios estimates that some 60 Hispanic families living in Bernice do not go to an evangelical church.  Iglesia Bautista Nazareth, in Bernice, is one of the twelve Hispanic missions along the interstate-20 corridor that is bringing the light of the Gospel to a people in need and families in transition.  “What excites me is the work that the Lord is doing in the lives that He is changing. He is transforming the people that are living life without hope and without the Bible,” Barrios said. Helping to cross the language barrier, Miguel Barrios, a Louisiana Baptist Convention church planter and North American Mission Board Catalytic Missionary is reaching northern Louisiana’s Hispanic population.  “When you have a passion miles mean nothing.  Reaching even one family is very important for the Lord.  If somebody needs Jesus we must be willing to travel. The Lord is working in this place to see a group coming to … [Read more...]

Caulking, landscaping, painting, building, repairing, and cleaning, there is no job too big or too small for Campers on Mission. PINEVILLE – Caulking, landscaping, painting, building, repairing, and cleaning, there is no job too big or too small for Campers on Mission. Why they’re even willing to do windows, if asked. They travel the state year round helping to care for the different Baptist camps – Tall Timbers, Acadiana Baptist Center, Dry Creek, Harris Baptist Camp, Living Waters and Seeker Springs Baptist Camp, as well as  the New Orleans Seamans Center, Holly Beach Christian Resort and Louisiana College. Last week – just two weeks before school begins – more than 60 campers from across the state of Louisiana just happened to be on the LC campus busily taking care of a laundry list of jobs. COM, which is 40 years old, has been coming to LC for more than 20 years. But Louisiana College is just one of many stops for the campers during the course of a year’s time. “While we do hit all of the Baptist Camps in the state, we’ll do anything that needs doing,” COM President Warren Hopkins said. “We’ve remodeled parsonages, built churches, and worked on a variety of different projects – we are ready, willing, and able … [Read more...]

Restoration key to church’s health RAYVILLE – Over the last seven years, Boeuf River Baptist Church has spent more than $90,000 on the restoration of its 7-acre property. It’s also been involved in the restoration of countless lives. “If anyone is to be restored, it’s [prison/jail] inmates, or the guy living unbder the bridge, or the lawyer whose life is spinning out of control,” says Pastor David (wife Becky) Herrington. “You begin to touch base with these people, and I’ve seen amazing things happen. ... To me, that is what church ministry is all about. It’s about affecting people.” About 120 people attend Sunday morning worship at Boeuf River. They give 10 percent of their offerings to missions through the Cooperative Program, 2 percent more to Richland Baptist Association, and send money each month to two missionaries. “It’s a very missions-minded church,” Herrington said. “The first Sunday I was here to preach, some of the members were in Honduras.” Prison ministry is one of Boeuf River’s primary outreaches. Men and women of the church go regularly, as they are permitted by wardens and sheriffs, to have Bible study, worship and one-on-one time with inmates. “They have been judged and condemned,” Herrington … [Read more...]

COMINGS AND GOINGS n Harry Boyd Jr., pastor, resigns First Baptist, Winnsboro. n Kevin Phillips, new as Family Ministry Pastor, East Bayou Baptist, Lafayette. n Michael Taylor, new as youth pastor, Immanuel Baptist, Morgan City. n Noah Langley, new as interim pastor, Kaplan Baptist, Kaplan. n Wallace Milsaps, new as interim pastor, First Baptist, Jeanerette. n Stephen Laughlin, resigns First Baptist Oakdale as pastor; new as pastor at First Baptist Winnfield. n John Fream, new as pastor, Cypress Baptist, Benton. n Billy Sutton, new as associate pastor, Bethel Baptist, Shreveport. n Jason McNutt, resigns Ferry Lake Baptist, Oil City. n Matt Coker, new as minister of youth and students, First Baptist, Farmerville. n Mickey (wife Gay) Manning, new as pastor, New Prospect Baptist, Dubach. n Haven Hammons Sibley, new as youth director, Zion Hill Baptist, Farmerville. n Steven Perry, new as pastor, First Baptist, Grand Isle. NEEDED n Youth Director at Pine Grove Baptist. Send resume to Pine Grove Baptist Church, Attn: Mike Smith, 1167 Pine Grove Church Road, Bernice LA 71222. n Bi-vocational or part-time minister of music at Cross Roads Baptist. Send resume … [Read more...]

Youngsters at the Louisiana Baptist Childrens Home have been involved in a variety of summer activities – swimming, outings, camp – but that’s all past, and they’re getting ready for another year of school. MONROE – Youngsters at the Louisiana Baptist Childrens Home have been involved in a variety of summer activities – swimming, outings, camp – but that’s all past, and they’re getting ready for another year of school. “For most of us, starting a new school year as children was a greatly anticipated and exciting time,” said Perry Hancock, LBCH president and CEO. “For the boys and girls at your Children’s Home the first day of school can bring much anxiety – especially for our newest residents. Moving to a new home. Starting a new school. It can be a frightening time.” One way cottage parents distract their youngsters’ attention from the anxiety is to focus them on what they need: pencils, erasers, paper and the like. This costs money. So too do new shoes, clothes, school fees and even gasoline to transport LBCH youngsters to and from school, church, sports and other activities. “Our dedicated cottage parents are working diligently to make sure every child in our care is as prepared as possible,” Hancock said. “Not … [Read more...]

LBC Business Manager Dale Lingenfelter has given blood maybe 50 times. “I just feel like this is something I can do to help others,” Lingenfelter said Aug. 7 while letting the red blood cells in a pint of blood be taken from him by “Miz Leah” at a blood drive at the Baptist Building. The blood plasma combined with saline then was returned to his body. “With this machine, what’s given is more potent,” Lingenfelter said. “It’s better for the recipient.” Churches wanting to have a blood drive can call a nearby Life Share Blood Center; they’re in eight locations statewide. … [Read more...]

GuideStone Financial Resources President O.S. Hawkins updated trustees on the completion of initiatives related to GuideStone 90, the first phase of GuideStone’s long-range plan, during their July 28-29 meeting in Boston. BOSTON (BP) – GuideStone Financial Resources President O.S. Hawkins updated trustees on the completion of initiatives related to GuideStone 90, the first phase of GuideStone’s long-range plan, during their July 28-29 meeting in Boston. Trustees also heard an update on GuideStone’s preparations to launch its property and casualty insurance products and approved a business plan that will enable the organization to offer specific financial advice to its participants. Hawkins said each element of GuideStone 90, which was completed in June, “is designed to undergird our vision statement to honor the Lord by being a lifelong partner in enhancing the financial security of our participants.” Initiatives that grew out of GuideStone 90 included steps to provide competitive medical plan alternatives for participants. “Since 2003, health plan premiums nationwide have increased by an average of 52 percent,” Hawkins said. “By maximizing Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) network discounts, improved pharmacy … [Read more...]

Sturgis, S.D. – Tears told this tale. Sturgis, S.D. – Tears told this tale. One couple past the first flush of youth came to Sturgis to escape the ordinary. Winning a new Harley would have been the ultimate Sturgis souvenior, so they agreed to listen to a Christian testimony for three minutes to get in the drawing for the bike they were standing next to on Sturgis’ crowded Main Street. It was a bronze metallic 2008 Harley Davidson 105th Anniversary Deluxe Edition Softail motorcycle with a black and tan leather seat, which stood at the entrance of a large white tent. The Holy Spirit began working, and tears began rolling down the woman’s cheeks as she prayed the sinner’s prayer. As she prayed, tears formed in the eyes of her husband and he echoed the words she had just said. They looked at each other. “We need to pack up and go home and start living a Christian life,” she said. These were two of at least 1,365 decisions for Christ made during the intentional evangelism thrust at the 68th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally last week, Aug. 4-9. Sturgis, billed as the “world’s largest motorcycle rally,” draws about 500,000 visitors to the Black Hills area of western South Dakota each August. Many visitors are people … [Read more...]

Jerry Johnson, president of Criswell College in Dallas, resigned Aug. 5 after a controversy went public about the direction of the College and its relationship with the First Baptist Church of Dallas, which founded the school and maintains active ties through trustee selection. DALLAS (BP) – Jerry Johnson, president of Criswell College in Dallas, resigned Aug. 5 after a controversy went public about the direction of the College and its relationship with the First Baptist Church of Dallas, which founded the school and maintains active ties through trustee selection. The discord was publicized Aug. 1 when the Dallas Morning News published an accusation by Criswell trustee Steve Washburn, pastor of First Baptist Church in Pflugerville, Texas, that Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, was planning to liquidate Criswell’s assets to benefit the church, which established the college in 1970 under the leadership of their late pastor, W.A. Criswell. The paper also reported Johnson’s affirmation of Washburn’s accusation. Jeffress, who as pastor of FBC Dallas is automatically chancellor of Criswell College, denied the accusation, saying it was the product of an “overactive imagination.” Among the college’s assets is … [Read more...]

Robert Greer is one of the “good guys” gleaning from the natural gas “gold mine” made public within the last six months in Northwest Louisiana. SHREVEPORT – Robert Greer is one of the “good guys” gleaning from the natural gas “gold mine” made public within the last six months in Northwest Louisiana. He’s a cop – technically, a detective in the juvenile division with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office. He also works on an Internet Crimes Against Children task force, and as such has nabbed several people – a local radio personality, Monroe politician, vascular surgeon – whose arrests on charges related to child pornography made state-wide news. The latest offer Greer and his wife Veronica – together they have three youngsters – have received includes a $12,500/acre signing bonus and a monthly 25 percent royalty of any natural gas removed from deep under their home in the North Highlands subdivision. “There’s some areas in town getting $20- to $25,000 an acre, and others that are getting $1 [thousand],” Greer said. “Considering I didn’t have anything before, $7,000 looks pretty good!” That’s his estimate for the .66/acre of land on which sets his home built in the 1950s. “I never even thought of mineral rights or heard … [Read more...]