First Baptist Church looks all bright and new inside, with renovations now complete. This renovation project is part of the church’s 20-20 long range plan, looking toward the year 2020, reports Jerry Wascom. FRANKLINTON – First Baptist Church looks all bright and new inside, with renovations now complete. This renovation project is part of the church’s 20-20 long range plan, looking toward the year 2020, reports Jerry Wascom. “These were much needed renovations for the growth we’re having and for just general appearance, making our sanctuary more pleasing,” said Wascom, office manager. Renovations to the 54-year-old church building include newly-refurbished pews. They were taken apart and sent back to the manufacturer, who restained them a light walnut and added royal blue seat and back cushions. Previously only the seats were cushioned, Wascom said. The pews are back in place: three sections in the sanctuary that seats about 325. Other renovations: new blue carpet, lighting, paint to the sanctuary. In the Senior Adult Center, new flooring was laid, walls were painted and new curtains hung. Eight classrooms also were constructed in the church’s Bickham Building. Luther Stanford has been pastor since April 2004. Read … [Read more...]

COUSHATTA – “It’s About Time” ladies conference is set for 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at Fairview Baptist. Speakers for the event are Judy Landry; Sheila Breazeale and Betty Young. The cost is $10 with a catered lunch.  MONROE – The Fall Food Roundup is now in progress statewide for the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. Requested items include canned and dry goods as well as cleaning supplies. Specific items are listed on the web site at www.lbch.org, as is a schedule of daily pickups at churches throughout the state until Oct. 16. Perry Hancock is executive director. HAYNESVILLE – First Baptist ordained Sean Kennedy to the deacon ministry. Shelby Cowling, pastor. DRY CREEK – Dry Creek Baptist Camp is to host a See You at the Pole Rally at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 22. Eric Johnson, speaker; Louisiana College BCM band, music; mime group, AMoment of Silence, entertainment. Participants are asked to bring a picnic lunch. Recreation activities to follow. BETHANY – Camp Bethany is to host Branson at Bethany at 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2. Cost is $7. Program personalities are Mickey Bounds, Cajun humorist; Wayne Berry, pianist, comedian; Donny Lee, illusionist/juggling. BAKER – First Baptist is to … [Read more...]

COMINGS, GOINGS Bart (wife Sheri) Walker, new as pastor of Kingsville Baptist Pineville, from Parkview Baptist, Natchez, Miss. Michael Devillier, new as pastor of Downsville Baptist from Holly Grove Baptist Wisner. Lindsey (wife Janet) Burns, new as pastor at First Baptist DeRidder, from First Baptist Winnfield. Duane Sutton, new as interim pastor of First Baptist DeQuincy. David (wife Melinda) Brown, new as pastor of Ridge Avenue Baptist Monroe from Lakeview Baptist New Orleans. Dennis Hensley, new as pastor of Ouachita Baptist West Monroe. Ken Ronaghan, new as pastor of First Baptist Collinston. Rusty Grant, new as pastor of Edgewood Baptist West Monroe. Wayne Bridges, new as associate pastor of worship of First Baptist Ruston. Ryan Chapman, new as pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Farmerville. Harvey Hoffman, new as interim pastor of First Baptist Farmerville. Steven Blaney, new at Louisiana Tech Ruston as BCM intern, from Emmanuel Ruston  minister of youth. Jerold McBride, new as interim pastor of First Baptist Winnfield. Lee Myers, new as Airline Baptist Bossier City minister of youth from First Baptist Baton Rouge. Steve Younger, new as bivocational pastor of Emmanuel Baptist … [Read more...]

Little did he realize it at the time, but God used Lonnie Wascom’s fondness for singing to start him on his path toward a life in the ministry. HAMMOND – Little did he realize it at the time, but God used Lonnie Wascom’s fondness for singing to start him on his path toward a life in the ministry. “I liked to sing – I wasn’t very good at it – but I liked to sing,” said Wascom. “When I was a teenager at Judson Baptist Church in Walker, I was in a little country and western band and sang in the choir. “We had a bi-vocational music minister, who every four to six weeks would have to miss a Sunday because of shift work. One Sunday, he asked me to lead the music. I did, and before I knew it I was doing it more and more.” He also began to receive a small stipend from the church. “Judson was always a generous church, but I was just a little surprised when they started to pay me,” said Wascom. “Being a teenager, I thought to myself how neat it was to get money for doing something I enjoyed.” Money, though, wasn’t the only thing the present director of missions for the St. Tammany, Chappapeela and LaTangi associations started receiving. “I wasn’t mature in the Lord at that time. Don’t get me wrong; I was brought up in a … [Read more...]

Over the past 15 years, hundreds of friends, neighbors, church members and even prisoners have shared Sunday lunch at pastor Alvin Sullivan’s home. EIGHT MILE, Ala. (BP) – Over the past 15 years, hundreds of friends, neighbors, church members and even prisoners have shared Sunday lunch at pastor Alvin Sullivan’s home. For most people, serving 30 to 50 people a home-cooked meal every week after preaching a sermon would be a huge undertaking. But for Sullivan, who will turn 80 this year, “it’s just a way to say thanks.” Sullivan became pastor of Kushla-Bethany Baptist Church in Eight Mile, Ala., near Mobile four years ago; he had been Bethany Baptist’s pastor for 45 years before it merged with Kushla Baptist. “When I counted my blessings” and realized how long I had led the same congregation, “I thought, surely there is something I can do to give back,” Sullivan said. Sullivan and his wife Dolores have given back almost every Sunday by opening their home. Every week, Dolores calls to invite members of the congregation and friends, but “really anybody who wants to come is welcome,” Sullivan said. Even the neighbors drop by occasionally. There is no shortage of variety from the Sullivans’ kitchen. He does most … [Read more...]

Mississippi is typically considered to be part of the buckle of the Bible Belt, yet some communities in the state are barely churched and the prospect of spiritual growth seems unlikely at best. NICHOLSON, Miss. (BP) – Mississippi is typically considered to be part of the buckle of the Bible Belt, yet some communities in the state are barely churched and the prospect of spiritual growth seems unlikely at best. New Life Church in Nicholson has defied the odds and exceeded expectations. In a community of 5,000 people with only 5 percent claiming any church affiliation, New Life has reached people that conventional wisdom would consider unreachable. Chalk it up to a visionary association, a devoted pastor and resources provided by both the association and the church planting department of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board. Pastor Rusty Kuhn came to lead New Life in a roundabout way. “I was an Air Force kid,” Kuhn said, “and grew up with an alcoholic dad. I was an alcoholic and a drug addict. I was saved when I was 21. I was at the very bottom, and Jesus took all that away. God put a call on my life, and I spent the next two years supply preaching.” Kuhn has pastored in Mississippi since 1999. He was pastor of … [Read more...]

File folders, printer paper, writing pens, staplers – as necessary as these items are for running a church office, they can seem like superfluous expenses in light of funds needed for evangelistic and discipleship purposes. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – File folders, printer paper, writing pens, staplers – as necessary as these items are for running a church office, they can seem like superfluous expenses in light of funds needed for evangelistic and discipleship purposes. In an effort to help churches lower administrative costs, LifeWay Christian Stores recently signed an agreement with OfficeMax, whereby churches may qualify for 15-70 percent discounts through the OfficeMax Advantage Program. “We are always looking for new ways to provide churches with the resources they need while respecting the stewardship of their tithes and gifts from members,” LifeWay Christian Stores Vice President Mark Scott said. “This agreement allows churches to save money on everyday office supplies so more funds can be allocated for Kingdom purposes.” For churches affiliated with LifeWay, the Program benefits include: discounts on more than 12,000 office supplies; free overnight shipping on orders $50 or above (with exceptions for furniture, … [Read more...]

Poydras Baptist Church this summer, became the first Southern Baptist church in St. Bernard Parish to return to its worship center since Hurricane Katrina devastated the area two years ago. ST. BERNARD – Poydras Baptist Church this summer, became the first Southern Baptist church in St. Bernard Parish to return to its worship center since Hurricane Katrina devastated the area two years ago. That the church did so is testament to the effectiveness of the Cooperative Program, Pastor John Galey says. The Cooperative Program is Southern Baptist’s way of combining the efforts and resources of local churches to make a difference in the lives of people across the nation and around the world. Galey opened an Aug. 11 dedication of the renovated worship center by reading a list of 50 churches and associations that had a part in the rebuilding. “We experienced the reality of the Cooperative Program,” Galey told Baptist Press. “We give 10 percent – we consider it a tithe. We know the good the Cooperative Program does here in Louisiana and around the world. But there’s a difference between knowing something and experiencing it. “We’ve had hundreds of people working on our church. I’d say maybe even close to a thousand,” Galey … [Read more...]

JENA – Colorful imagery splayed across national media notwithstanding, nothing much happened during a much-heralded, media-driven “race rally” that drew thousands of people from across the nation. JENA – Colorful imagery splayed across national media notwithstanding, nothing much happened during a much-heralded, media-driven “race rally” that drew thousands of people from across the nation. Participants began arriving an hour before dawn. By noon, 20,000 or more people milled about the town of 3,000. The single “protest walk” planned by national event organizers broke into four, according to some news media, with the participants’ calm behavior being met with the townspeople’s placid demeanor. “I watched God deliver us today,” First Jena Pastor Dominick DiCarlo Jr. said Thursday evening. He had worked as a reserve police officer throughout the day. “He delivered us from the fear of what could have occurred. “This is really the very beginning of the national attention,” DiCarlo continued. “Congress is just now engaging this, so we’re on the front end. … Personally, I have learned that a town should not dismiss the power of public opinion. While we are a secluded, small town, we are now in plain view of America.” Jena … [Read more...]

Music is a gift from God to be used for His glory. STATEWIDE – Music is a gift from God to be used for His glory. The Scriptures recognize music and song as a means for praise, a means of expressing joy, thanksgiving, sorrow for sin, a means of prayer, and a means of teaching and spiritual communication. There are numerous references to music found throughout the Bible; it plays an important and vital role in the worship of God. Southern Baptist churches embrace a wide variety of music in worship, bringing together the latest praise and worship songs to tried and true traditional hymns. So, just how important is music in a worship service? “I think it can be as important as the message,” said Bruce Lee, music minister at First Baptist Church in Doyline. “It certainly plays as big a part as the message itself, because it helps to open people’s hearts to hear God’s Word. “I know personally, there have been times when the hair on my arms have stood up just from the music service,” said Lee. “The song and music helps to set the mood of the worship service.” David Cranford, pastor of First Baptist Tioga agrees, “Music sets the tone for the entire service. It leads people to the throne of Grace, and allows us to … [Read more...]