When graduate student, Benita Cyphers, completed her Master’s thesis research in June 2007, she surprisingly discovered that students who identified themselves as Baptist scored higher than students who identified themselves with other faith groups, particularly in the area of “hope.” NATCHITOCHES – When graduate student, Benita Cyphers, completed her Master’s thesis research in June 2007, she surprisingly discovered that students who identified themselves as Baptist scored higher than students who identified themselves with other faith groups, particularly in the area of “hope.” Cyphers’ thesis, Religiousness, Spirituality and College Adjustment, examined the effects of religiousness and spirituality on college students’ adjustment to college life. “I wanted to look at the positive effects of religiousness on an individual’s life,” Cyphers said. Cyphers points out that she was excited to discover that when respondents were asked, “Do you believe in God or do you not believe in God?” 97.9 percent of the student participants said, “Yes.” Cyphers, whose study was conducted at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, examined the three variables listed in the study’s title, “religiousness, spirituality and … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptist Convention Calendar
November 2007 4 – Daylight Saving Time ends 5 – Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer: janie.wise@lbc.org 9 – CrossOver: Real Encounter (Harvest Night), Rapides Parish Coliseum parking lot, Baptist Evangelism/Church Growth Team, at 318.445.5772 9-10 – Louisiana Kaleo, NOBTS 10 – CrossOver: Block Parties (Kees Park, Pineville; behind Checkers, Alexandria; Bolton Ave. Community Center, Alexandria; Peabody, Alexandria) & Bull Riding (LSUA Ag Center), Baptist Evangelism/Church Growth Team, at 318.445.5772 11 – CrossOver: Freedom Fest featuring the MASS Choir, Vietnam veteran and silver and bronze star recipient Clebe McClary, fireworks, Downtown Alexandria Amphitheatre, Baptist Evangelism/Church Growth Team, at 318.445.5772 12 – Pastor’s Conference, Kingsville Baptist Church, Carolyn Sterne at 318.448.3402 (ext 251) orcarolyn.sterne@lbc.org 12 – Executive Board Meeting (pre-convention), Baptist Building 12 – Singing Ministers and Singing Women Concert at Louisiana Baptist Convention,Kathy.doolittle@lbc.org or www.lbc.org/music 12 – Louisiana Baptist Women’s Ministers inaugural event, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Alexandria, Andrea McKenzie at tantepoche@juno.com 12-13 – Louisiana Baptist Convention, … [Read more...]
Louisiana Landscape
JENA – A First Baptist Ladies Retreat is set for Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9 – 10 at Dry Creek Baptist Camp. Cost is $60. Dominick C. DiCarlo Jr. is pastor. CHASE – Chase Baptist has set its fall Harvest Day celebration at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, in its newly-renovated worship center. New stained-glass windows given by present and former church members in memory of loved ones are to be dedicated with donors and visitors invited to speak. A. C. Trapp, Jr. special music; Alan Miller, speaker. Paul Jones, interim pastor. PINEVILLE – Unity Baptist has started a singles Bible study at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. Singles of all ages are welcome. A list of services, prayer requests and driving directions may be accessed at the church’s website at www.UnityBaptistChurchOnline.org. MONROE – Ray of Hope Ministry is seeking participants for a mission trip Nov. 9-10 to Jennings, Louisiana to do a neighborhood canvas and block party. A Nov. 29 – Dec. 3 trip to Nuevo Loredo, Mexico to conduct worship services, visit orphanages and distribute Christmas gifts is also in need of volunteers. MONROE – The Northeast Baptist Association’s WMU annual Day of Prayer is set for 10 a.m. – 12 noon Monday, Nov. 5, at the Louisiana Baptist … [Read more...]
Milestones
COMINGS, GOINGS Byron Beaubouef, new as associate pastor of Unity Baptist, Pineville. B. K. Miller, new as interim pastor of First Baptist, Choudrant. Rick Wedrall, new as Sunday School director at Highland Park, Monroe. Robert Comeaux, new as worship leader at First Baptist, New Orleans. NEEDED Northeast Baptist Association needs pastors at the following churches: Calvary, Fairbanks, Peniel, Sandel Drive, Swartz First. Ministers of Music are needed at Calhoun First, ChristWay, Clark Springs, Edgewood, Emmanuel West Monroe, Lighthouse, Loch Arbor, Monroe First, Mt.Vernon. Youth Ministers are needed at Bethel, Clark Springs, Highland, Highland Park, Lighthouse, New Light, Emmanuel West Monroe, New Chapel Hill. Children’s Ministers are needed at Fairbanks and Mt. Vernon. Jerry Price, director of missions. Full-time church secretary needed at Mt. Vernon Baptist, West Monroe. Call 318.323.0055. Highland Baptist Christian School in New Iberia needs a lower elementary teacher’s aide. Call 364.2273 or email lamothe@hbcsni.org. Day Care workers and enrollment positions are available at Sale Street Baptist. Call 337. 477.3464 REVIVALS AND RELATED EVENTS JENA – First Baptist revival services are set for 10 a.m. and … [Read more...]
Renewing the passion
Lacking any baptisms in at least a year, Roger Easter was eager to renew his church’s passion for Jesus Christ. LOUISBURG, Mo. (BP) – Lacking any baptisms in at least a year, Roger Easter was eager to renew his church’s passion for Jesus Christ. It was around February when Easter, pastor of First Baptist Church in Louisburg, Mo., invited two state convention staff members – ministerial services specialist George Roach and worship specialist John Francis – to pray with him about the need for revival in his church and community. Roach had spoken at the Dallas County Baptist Association’s annual meeting last fall and said, “The Missouri Baptist Convention wants to partner in any way we can with any church that has not had a baptism in the past year or several years.” Easter jumped at the chance to take Roach at his word and asked if he was serious. “Of course,” Roach responded. “How can I help you?” and they began to dialogue about the best approach for the church to increase baptisms. “We invited people from the church who could come to pray with us,” Easter recounted. “We had eight men and four ladies join in the prayer time for our church and community.” No one could have imagined what an impact those prayers … [Read more...]
Facing the Giants
Like “the little engine that could,” it was last fall’s little movie that could, chugging over the mountain of Hollywood releases with an all-volunteer cast and only one camera. ALBANY, Ga. (BP) – Like “the little engine that could,” it was last fall’s little movie that could, chugging over the mountain of Hollywood releases with an all-volunteer cast and only one camera. “Facing the Giants” eventually ran for 17 weeks in more than 1,000 theaters. It took in $10 million in its first three months, a paltry sum by Hollywood standards. But “Facing the Giants” wasn’t about Hollywood’s standards. Instead, the film championed family values and Christian virtues – all on a $100,000 budget. The movie chronicles a Christian high school football coach’s struggle to overcome obstacles by trusting and honoring God in all circumstances. While he and his wife face infertility and his football team faces yet another losing season, they learn to believe God for victory. The coach is played by Alex Kendrick, associate pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga. “Most people hear the movie made $10 million at the box office and think we’re rolling in the dough,” said Michael Catt, senior pastor of Sherwood Baptist, whose media … [Read more...]
Teen Suicide
The number of youth who take their own lives increased by 8 percent in a period of one year, the largest single-year rise in 15 years, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – The number of youth who take their own lives increased by 8 percent in a period of one year, the largest single-year rise in 15 years, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Scott Stevens, director of student ministry at LifeWay Church Resources, told Baptist Press it’s not uncommon for youth ministers to hear teenagers voice thoughts of suicide. “Teens face challenges of many kinds, not to mention the pressures of a performance-based existence where often the only time they feel accepted is when they excel in their performance – in athletics, academics, etc.,” Stevens said. “Unfortunately, teen suicide continues to be a permanent ‘solution’ to what are often painful, but temporary problems.” The study, released in September, found that after a 28.5 percent decrease in suicides among people ages 10-24 from 1990 to 2003, rates jumped 8 percent in 2004. Observers say they’re not sure whether it’s a one-year spike or the start of a trend, according to a … [Read more...]
Vocational group forms for women
In 21 years of ministry, Andrea McKenzie has had only one mentor who is both a woman and in ministry. ALEXANDRIA – In 21 years of ministry, Andrea McKenzie has had only one mentor who is both a woman and in ministry. McKenzie wants to change that for women called to vocational Christian service. She is spearheading the formation of an organization where women serving as professionals in Southern Baptist churches and denominational entities in Louisiana can gather for fellowship, encouragement and accountability. “It’s sticky” to be mentored by a man or to be accountable on a personal and spiritual basis to a man who is not your husband, McKenzie said. “There are certain things I would never tell a man,” she explained. There are very real boundaries men and women working together in ministry cannot cross and still maintain an appropriate length of personal and professional distance, she said. And yet, there is as much need for women in ministry as for men in ministry to be in relationship with someone “who has been in that same position, perhaps for a longer period of time, and get the benefit of the kind of wisdom that comes from years of serving the Lord, working in His church and serving His people,” McKenzie … [Read more...]
EC allows GuideStone to set up 5 subsidiaries
The Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee approved legal documents at its semi-annual meeting Sept. 18 to allow GuideStone Financial Resources to set up five new subsidiaries providing, among other things, investment financial advice, its own property and casualty insurance and its own life insurance. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee approved legal documents at its semi-annual meeting Sept. 18 to allow GuideStone Financial Resources to set up five new subsidiaries providing, among other things, investment financial advice, its own property and casualty insurance and its own life insurance. GuideStone is the name of what once was called the Annuity Board. The Executive Committee passed the recommendation following one hour of discussion, most of which focused on whether the committee should study the issue until its next meeting in February. In the end, the recommendation passed on a show of hands. Some Executive Committee members said they wanted more time to study the proposal’s documents, which they said were extensive. Others responded by saying the entire Executive Committee needed to trust the work of GuideStone’s trustees. Jody Hudgins, a banker from … [Read more...]
Thousands expected to visit replica of old Baptist church
The first Baptist church established in Louisiana no longer has any members. Its doors open only four days a year, but tens of thousands visit on those four days. FRANKLINTON – The first Baptist church established in Louisiana no longer has any members. Its doors open only four days a year, but tens of thousands visit on those four days. The Half Moon Bluff Baptist Church was constituted on October 12, 1812. It was located on the banks of the Bogue Chitto River at Half Moon Bluff, about 4.5 miles north of Franklinton, near Bogalusa.. Today a replica of the original log building with its clay floor resides in the Miles Branch Settlement on the Washington Parish Free Fair grounds. It is here that the visitors to the church come, during what is billed as the largest free fair in the USA. Each October during fair week, the Washington Baptist Association churches band together to continue the witness of the oldest Baptist church in the state. The Fair Association is dedicated to providing an interdenominational experience at the site, so the churches provide only hymn singing inside the structure. Each associational church sends a team to Half Moon Bluff Church for two hours during the fair. They sing old gospel hymns … [Read more...]
