SHOELACES – Three completely different Christmas programs last weekend brightened this part of the boot-shaped state. SHOELACES – Three completely different Christmas programs last weekend brightened this part of the boot-shaped state. At First Baptist St. Francisville, luminaries lined a pathway past several tableaux that told of Jesus’ birth and the reason for it. At CrossPoint Baton Rouge, the emphasis was on children – children’s activities, the Christmas story told at their level, and time given to pet the animals. At First Baptist Zachary, a vocal/instrumental event including music from various eras was interspersed with production-rich scenes that reminded the audience of Jesus birth and life. If you’ve been following the coverage in the Louisiana Baptist Message, you know that these were only three of many Christmas-related events that have been going on since early November across the state. That “early November” relates to First St. Francisville, which for more than 20 years has been producing an event to help women Preparing Hearts and Homes for Christmas. The six-hour event starts with breakfast and includes music and guest speaker, as well as several craft learning-and-doing options. First St. … [Read more...]

Where will you sleep tonight? About 12,000 people in greater New Orleans don’t have a definite answer to that question. NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Where will you sleep tonight? About 12,000 people in greater New Orleans don’t have a definite answer to that question. Maybe underneath an overpass. Maybe in an abandoned house. A lucky few in shelters. The rest are subject to the weather or the violence of another person’s desperation.  By way of contrast, some 5,130 people were said to be homeless in Los Angeles’ skid row area in 2006, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority.  Southern Baptists are responding to the need with a cooperative effort involving First Baptist Church in New Orleans, the Louisiana Baptist Convention and the SBC’s North American Mission Board, plus the partnership of the New Orleans Mission as well as financial assistance from Mayor Ray Nagin’s office.  “We’re on the front end of this homeless crisis and it’s not going away anytime soon,” said David Crosby, First New Orleans’ pastor. “As followers of Jesus Christ, we must commit ourselves to doing what we believe the Lord would do, and being where we believe the Lord would be.”  This crisis is yet another ripple effect of Hurricane … [Read more...]

The timing wasn’t exactly perfect, but God’s work got done and that was the reason Jonathan Forester MD, his son Chris, and the rest of the six-person, Louisiana-based mission team went to the southern African nation this summer. HARARE, Zimbabwe – The timing wasn’t exactly perfect, but God’s work got done and that was the reason Jonathan Forester MD, his son Chris, and the rest of the six-person, Louisiana-based mission team went to the southern African nation this summer. It was a trip nearly a year in the planning. Who would have thought inflation could skyrocket between the time the mission team’s flight left the U.S. and arrived in Zimbabwe? “When we got there, there was no gas to buy,” Forester said. “When we left, there was no food to buy.” The official inflation rate was said to be 4,500 percent, but unofficially it was said to be 11,000 percent or more, according to a July 10 article in Baptist Press. “If you bought a loaf of bread for 50 cents last year, it now costs around $1,125,” according to the Baptist Press article. “Or more likely, you’d end up spending $2,750 at the unofficial inflation rate found in most stores. Government and independent estimates are completely different.” Forester, an … [Read more...]

The release of “The Golden Compass” as a major motion picture represents a new challenge for Christians – especially parents. The release of a popular film with major actors that presents a message directly subversive of Christianity is something new. It is not likely to be the last. The release of “The Golden Compass” as a major motion picture represents a new challenge for Christians –  especially parents. The release of a popular film with major actors that presents a message directly subversive of Christianity is something new. It is not likely to be the last. WHY IS THIS MOVIE SUCH A CHALLENGE? First of all, “The Golden Compass” (rated PG-13) is an extremely attractive movie. Like the book on which it is based, the movie is a very sophisticated story that is very well told. The casting was excellent. Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig are joined by others including Sam Elliott and newcomer Dakota Blue Richards, who plays the central role of 11-year-old Lyra Belacqua. Kidman is chilling as the beautiful but evil Marisa Coulter and Craig is perfect as Lord Asriel. The movie is very well done and will be of interest to audiences of all ages. The special effects are superior to any previous movie of the type, … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA – Baptist Temple is to present its Christmas cantata at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16. A fellowship is to follow. Kelly Boggs is interim pastor. BATON ROUGE – The Sanctuary Choir of Broadmoor Baptist is to present Christmas music at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 16. The church’s annual Christmas dinner is set for 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 followed by a Christmas piano concert at 7 p.m. Paul Henderson is music minister. Roger Sullivan is interim pastor. SHREVEPORT – The church Christmas celebration service of Pinecroft Baptist is set for 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16. Marty J. Wright is pastor. BATON ROUGE – The music ministry of First Baptist presents The Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra in a “A Christmas Celebration” at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 16. The church distributed 500 balloons at the Festival of Lights, which included information about the upcoming Christmas program. Burn Page is pastor. ALEXANDRIA – Calvary Baptist’s Christmas Choir and Orchestra with guests This Hope are to present “Christmas We Believe” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 14 and 15. David Brooks is pastor. LIVINGSTON – A “Christmas in the Pines” Dinner Concert by the Down East Boys is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Pine Grove … [Read more...]

EUNICE – Acadian Baptist Center is to host a winter youth retreat Friday and Saturday, Dec. 14 and 15. Call 337.457.9047 for information. ZACHARY – A fellowship to honor Reggie Bridges’ recent graduation from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a PhD is to follow the morning worship service Sunday, Dec. 16, at First Baptist. Bridges is pastor. MONROE – The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home collects UPC labels from Campbell soup cans for redemption of merchandise, which can be used in its ministry. They may be mailed to the Children’s Home at PO Box 4196, Monroe LA 71211. FARMERVILLE – Zion Hill Baptist recently celebrated Latance Futch’s college graduation from Liberty University through the Distant Learners’ Program at age 87. DUBACH – New Prospect Baptist is to host a Christmas gift wrapping event from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. LEESVILLE – East Leesville Baptist singles’ Christmas trip to Natchitoches is set for Friday, Dec. 21 with dinner at Mariners, and downtown for coffee and Christmas lights viewing. Gil Arthur is pastor. SHREVEPORT – A Parents Night Out is set for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Youth will do the babysitting while parents Christmas shop. Cost is $5. The church is … [Read more...]

COMINGS, GOINGS Matt Taylor, resigned as pastor of Conway Baptist, Marion. Jeff Sanford, new as minister of music at Sardis Baptist, Farmerville. Steve Leach, resigned as associate pastor for administration of education at First Baptist, Ruston. Tee Don White Jr., new as pastor at Calvary Baptist, Homer, from  Texarkana, Texas. Joel Hilbun interim pastor at Vietnamese Hope Baptist, Baton Rouge. Henry Geter new as minister of music at Broussard Grove Baptist, Broussard, from Eden Baptist. Gerald Hull, new as pastor of Macedonia Baptist, Holden. Clovis Christman, new as pastor of Sandel Drive Baptist, Monroe Garry Massey, new as pastor of Antioch Baptist, Bastrop. NEEDED Parks Baptist, Parks, needs music minister. Call 337.845.4891. First Baptist, Bastrop, needs paid nursery worker. Call 318.281.6885. Philadelphia Baptist, Deville, needs part-time office assistant. Call 318.442.0754. Mt. Hope Baptist, Oakdale, needs part-time youth minister. Send resume to PO Box 544, Oakdale LA 71463. Concord-Union Association needs pastors at the following churches:  Bethel, Canaan, Choudrant First, Conway, Farmerville First, Litroe, Mt. Ararat, New Prospect, Saint Rest, Union Grove and University. … [Read more...]

Louisiana College President Joseph Aguillard recently served on Bobby Jindal’s Advisory Council for Education. BATON ROUGE – Louisiana College President Joseph Aguillard recently served on Bobby Jindal’s Advisory Council for Education. The council held two hearings in which invited guests spoke on education issues related to the Governor-elect’s education policy chapter released during his recent gubernatorial campaign. The purpose of the hearings was an attempt to research those issues on a deeper level, to examine what Louisiana is doing well, and to identify areas for improvement. The first meeting was held on the campus of LSU in Baton Rouge in late November and the second in Shreveport as recently as Dec. 6.  Erin Bendily, Education Policy Director, with the Office of Governor-Elect Bobby Jindal, said about Dr. Aguillard, “His experience and leadership in K-12 and post-secondary education was a tremendous asset to the council.”   … [Read more...]

Singing is an integral part of a church service, but the hymns and worship songs are much more than words and music. They are teaching tools that help a group of believers grow in their relationship with Christ and His church. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Singing is an integral part of a church service, but the hymns and worship songs are much more than words and music. They are teaching tools that help a group of believers grow in their relationship with Christ and His church. With this in mind, LifeWay Worship, the music area of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, gathered a group of theologians on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, on Oct. 1 to begin a theological review of songs to be included in the 2008 Baptist Hymnal. Mike Harland, director of LifeWay Worship, said the group will be looking at every song currently selected for the new Baptist Hymnal, making certain each one is doctrinally and theologically sound. “We began our look at the hymns and songs with the new additions to the Baptist Hymnal,” Harland said. “The new hymnal will have about 650 songs included, and about 300 of these songs will be new ones to our hymnal. Of these 300, about … [Read more...]

Experiencing tremendous loss is a common theme to many New Orleans residents, but for Doris Cousin the string of tragedy started long before the storm ravaged the city. Within a year she lost family members, then her home and hope. NEW ORLEANS – Experiencing tremendous loss is a common theme to many New Orleans residents, but for Doris Cousin the string of tragedy started long before the storm ravaged the city. Within a year she lost family members, then her home and hope. The bleak situation surrounding her intensified her downward emotional spiral into depression. A foot and a half of water stood in her home for two weeks after the flooding of Hurricane Katrina. Few items escaped the mold that filled her house. “Everything had to be taken out; it was heartbreaking,” Cousin said. And then, things started to change. Cousin applied to have her home rebuilt by Southern Baptist volunteers involved in the SBC’s Operation NOAH Rebuild. Last April, Don Snipes, a NOAH zone coordinator for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, arrived at Cousins’ FEMA trailer with plans to begin the process of helping her return to her home. As the zone two area manager for NOAH, Snipes is committed to seeing this section of … [Read more...]