If I could write a description of the lay leader “to die for,” meaning “the kind every church wants,” it might look like this: If I could write a description of the lay leader “to die for,” meaning “the kind every church wants,” it might look like this: “WANTED: a man or a woman who is solidly Christian with excellent mental health, who thinks clearly, listens well, speaks carefully, loves the Lord, knows his Bible, and wants the people of the Lord to do well. He supports his pastor until the day he does something unethical, unbiblical, or immoral. He seeks no glory for himself, does not need to chair a committee to be an effective member of it, and is as faithful a follower as he is leader. His personal life is beyond reproach, although he is thoroughly human and enjoys telling a great joke or funny story. His family is a reflection of his godly values. The bulk of his spiritual life is lived in private, with the part seen in public only the tip of the iceberg.” How does that old line go – “Give me a handful of men (and women) like that and I will change the world.” A final word.  Perhaps after reading this, you identify yours as a Church-On-The-Upswing with faithful and godly leaders. Consider clipping out the … [Read more...]

When Camp Living Waters showed signs of some much-needed T.L.C. (tender loving cleanup) 40 men, women and youth from First Baptist Church Springfield, along with members of Bethel Baptist Church and Bedico Baptist Church partnered together to get the job done. LORANGER – When Camp Living Waters showed signs of some much-needed T.L.C. (tender loving cleanup) 40 men, women and youth from First Baptist Church Springfield, along with members of Bethel Baptist Church and Bedico Baptist Church partnered together to get the job done. Also lending a helping hand was a registered nurse from Jerusalem Baptist Church who came prepared to assist in the event of a medical emergency. Fortunately, none occurred. Armed with rakes, chain saws, pressure washer, paint brushes, and great attitudes, the volunteers accomplished the cleanup in record time, leaving Camp Living Waters better prepared to serve Him, as they serve others. Praise God. Following Hurricane Katrina, the camp housed the North American Mission Board incident command center until late December. The camp also accommodated some 120 relief groups right after the storm and another 20 disaster relief groups through early summer. The associational partnership, though, … [Read more...]

Just across the sea wall from where the Ouachita, Tensas and Little rivers flow into the Black River stands one of the oldest Southern Baptist storefront ministries in the state of Louisiana. JONESVILLE – Just across the sea wall from where the Ouachita, Tensas and Little rivers flow into the Black River stands one of the oldest Southern Baptist storefront ministries in the state of Louisiana. It is the Breadcrumb Baptist Ministry Center and just outside its front door is Four Rivers Park, at the confluence of the four rivers. In Jonesville the names Breadcrumb and Jennie Belle White just go together. Mrs. White set the wheels in motion some 22 years ago and still serves as the director of the center. The Breadcrumb provides food, clothing and tutoring ministries as well as evangelistic services. Rev. Ken Gilmore, director of missions for Ouachita Association, said Mrs. White and the Breadcrumb illustrate what Jesus did when he was on the earth. He met the needs of the people, and that is what the Breadcrumb is doing. He said the ministry offered an excellent opportunity for Christians to “do” missions rather than just talk about them. Jennie Belle, as she is affectionately known around Catahoula Parish, was an … [Read more...]

Homewood Baptist, where Jimmy Koonce is pastor, is canceling its poster-sized advertisement in the town’s Alexandria Mall, where it’s been for a year. ALEXANDRIA – Homewood Baptist, where Jimmy Koonce is pastor, is canceling its poster-sized advertisement in the town’s Alexandria Mall, where it’s been for a year. The poster, which features the church’s signature lighthouse in full color and the words “Fundamental in doctrine, liberal in love, fervent in prayer” in addition to the church name and contact information, is a 3x5-foot placard on a carousel of advertisements and mall directory, located at one intersection of the dogleg mall. Cost: $275/month. “It was an undertaking of faith for us to do this [buy the advertising space for a year] but we felt like with the traffic in the mall, it would raise the awareness of the church, what we are and what we proclaim,” Koonce said. He didn’t see people drawn to the church as a result of the ad, he said. He also didn’t see response to a previous ad on a bench the church set out for at least three years at Jackson Street and Texas Avenue, and anticipates radio and television advertising next. Homewood anticipates a better response to a series of revival services called … [Read more...]

SHREVEPORT – A Financial Security Workshop is to take place at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at North Shreve Baptist. “What Every Christian Should Know About Finances” is to be presented by Asset Preservation Ministries. SHREVEPORT – A Financial Security Workshop is to take place at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at North Shreve Baptist. “What Every Christian Should Know About Finances” is to be presented by Asset Preservation Ministries. “Our mission is to strengthen the financial position of churches, leaders and members so we can carry out the Great Commission,” is printed on the ministry’s brochure. “We teach many strategies and choices available in today’s complicated financial world. Some of these strategies are seldom shared and often misunderstood.” Asset Preservation Ministries’ financial ministers [aka speakers] are supported and the ministry is funded by a nonprofit foundation, according to the brochure. “We accept no donations, love offerings or payment of any kind.” The ministry’s website indicates it is a solidly Southern Baptist enterprise, founded by two high school buddies who both went on to lucrative careers.  “It was time to give something back,” says Wayne Rogers on the website. He’s co-founder – … [Read more...]

First Baptist has completed Phase 1 of its multi-building renovation. WINNFIELD – First Baptist has completed Phase 1 of its multi-building renovation. A building dedication took place Sept. 16 for the sparkling-new Christian Life Center and education facilities. Phases 2 and 3 are not yet calendared. That’s not all that’s going on: Practices have started for the Judgement House dramatic production, which is set for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, Wednesday, Oct. 24, Saturday, Oct. 27, Sunday, Oct. 28,  and Wednesday, Oct. 31 at the church. Reservations are required for space considerations. Call 318.628.3544 to reserve a place. A $2 donation per ticket is requested. First Winnfield has staged Judgement House for seven times in the last 11 years, most recently in 2005. A new script is presented each year. This year’s title – Web of Lies – plays off an internet theme. Co-directors: Brandon Lewis, youth pastor, and John Holland, minister of music and senior adults. Judgement House is a walk-through dramatic presentation of seven scenes that makes plain the choice between heaven and hell, and closes by providing the opportunity to make that choice, Lewis explained. The website www.judgementhouse.org provides a more … [Read more...]

girls, and personal worship time. The $65 cost includes two nights lodging and all meals. Call 225.654.8168 or or 225.654.5065. NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary alumni are to gather Nov. 13 at Calvary Alexandria for a noon luncheon. Cost: $10/person. Additional information:www.nobts.edu/alumni. EROS – First Baptist has set its homecoming for Sunday, Sept. 30. Singing is to commence at 10 a.m. J.W. Bunn is to be guest speaker. Those who can are asked to bring a covered dish. Elvin Wheelis is pastor. WEST MONROE – In a change from recent years, Peniel Baptist plans to host its annual homecoming Oct. 21, rather than in September. Cary Kimbrell is to preach; Brothers in Christ are to bring the music. The church is seeking a pastor. SHREVEPORT – A day-long Ladies Retreat is to take place Saturday, Sept. 29, at North Shreve Baptist. Guest speakers are to be Stephanie Holden and her daughters Elizabeth, Lydia and Lauren, from Meridian, Miss. They will be leading in a study of the Old Testament book of Ruth. The event, which also is to include singing and door prizes, is to begin at 8:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast, and conclude with a 1 p.m. luncheon. Tickets: $10. MANY – Siloam Baptist is to … [Read more...]

LAFAYETTE – Nell Lokey retired earlier this month after serving 47 years as organist at First Baptist. She is to be honored at the 9:45 a.m. worship Sunday, Sept. 30. A reception in her honor is to take place at 3:30 p.m. that afternoon. John Frank Reeve is minister of music at First Lafayette; Steve Horn is pastor. PINEVILLE – Mable Hargis Smith, longtime pianist/organist for Tioga First Baptist, and a retired music educator for Rapides Parish schools, is to be honored at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, on the occasion of her 90th birthday, in the church fellowship hall. David Cranford is pastor. FOREST HILL – Cecil Gill was honored Sept. 15 for 50 years as chairman of the deacons at Calvary Baptist. Jack McMickin is pastor. SLIDELL – Thompson Road Baptist is to celebrate the dedication of its new building at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7. Randy Boyett is founding pastor of the church that started as a mission of Calvary Baptist Slidell.  Charles Starnes is pastor of Calvary Slidell. RINGGOLD – Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames is to be presented at 7 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 at First Baptist. Nursery will be provided. Ronnie Osborne is pastor. Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames graphically depicts choices … [Read more...]

Conjure up Phoenix in the summertime and you think about desert, cactus and heat, especially with this summer’s record 29 straight days of 110-degree or higher temperatures.  PHOENIX, Ariz. (BP) – Conjure up Phoenix in the summertime and you think about desert, cactus and heat, especially with this summer’s record 29 straight days of 110-degree or higher temperatures. But for 90 students from across the United States who spent a week of their summer vacation in Phoenix, sharing the Gospel of Christ in the “Valley of the Sun” became a mountaintop experience. The students were part of PowerPlant, an initiative of the North American Mission Board designed to teach students the principles of church planting and evangelism – skills they can use long after their time in sweltering Phoenix. PowerPlant participants presented the Gospel 314 times, resulting in 13 decisions for Christ, and they distributed more than 3,000 tracts and free Bibles. While each PowerPlant project and venue is unique, the theme of the Phoenix outreach was diversity, said coordinator Daniel Stancil, a Southern Baptist church planter from Canton, Ga. Among the students and adult leaders who journeyed to Phoenix to work with seven church plants … [Read more...]

When you’ve served for more than 26,000 years, you deserve to celebrate. RIDGECREST, N.C. (BP)--When you’ve served for more than 26,000 years, you deserve to celebrate. As part of the International Mission Board’s “Year of Emeriti” observance, nearly 1,000 retired missionaries united for the first time at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina, the very location where many of them first heard God’s call to missions. The retirees who attended comprise two-thirds of the approximately 1,400 living emeritus Southern Baptist missionaries and served a cumulative total of more than 26,000 years on mission fields around the world, according to IMB estimates. “You may feel that old, but you really aren’t,” IMB President Jerry Rankin joked as he paid tribute to the retirees at the Sept. 10-13 event. “As I look at you and realize what has gone before, how grateful we are that it didn’t start with us youngsters. You represent a biblical model of following God as Abraham did. You represent a passion to worship God as Isaiah did, to say to Him, ‘Here am I, Lord, send me.’ You had the vision of Paul, who was called to regions beyond and to do whatever it takes to get the Gospel to the ends of the earth. “And long … [Read more...]