There’s a new business in town, and its owners have missions and community-building on their mind. PINEVILLE – There’s a new business in town, and its owners have missions and community-building on their mind. It’s an online business directory – www.BaptistBiz.com – listing Baptist-owned businesses or those that employ Baptists. It’s a mechanism that connects Baptists in need of services or products with Baptists in their own churches and elsewhere who can provide those services or products. “We really wanted this to help connect new or potential new members to the local church family,” said cofounder Dale Lingenfelter. “Imagine a new member moving into the area. What better way to get them plugged in than to help them find a fellow church member who is a real estate person, or attorney, for closing on their new house, or maybe a family doctor or dentist. … “BaptistBiz also helps the existing church members find what they need, and hopefully the businesses are tithing, all of which brings more money into the church for missions and ministry,” Lingenfelter continued. “We believe God has given this [idea for this    business] to us, and our desire is to make a kingdom difference.”   Brand new, but already BaptistBiz … [Read more...]

The Louisiana Athletic Club is Louisiana College’s building – it’s the James and Mary Baker Health and Wellness Center situated at the far south end of the campus – but the workers are employed by Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. PINEVILLE – The Louisiana Athletic Club is Louisiana College’s building – it’s the James and Mary Baker Health and Wellness Center situated at the far south end of the campus – but the workers are employed by Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. Some say the joint venture provides the best fitness center in central Louisiana. The facility, which was first opened to the public in 2001, hosted its annual Health and Wellness Expo June 25. “The big advantage is that we are backed by two solid institutions,” said Sherman Fookes, general manager of the Louisiana Athletic Club. “That allows us access to professors, doctors and nurses for community education. That’s something we’re moving toward.” The late-June Expo provided an opportunity for area residents to meet health professionals and get preliminary wellness screenings, as well as a tour of the clean and spacious facility. Among the exhibitors at the Health and Wellness Expo 2007 were Alexandria Spine and Rehabilitation Center, … [Read more...]

Have we reached the point that a Christian who affirms traditional church teachings cannot be appointed to public office? Have we reached the point that a Christian who affirms traditional church teachings cannot be appointed to public office? The case of Dr. James Wilson Holsinger Jr. now raises that question. President George W. Bush has nominated Dr. Holsinger to be the next Surgeon General of the United States. As a physician, Dr. Holsinger is unusually qualified for the position. He holds a medical degree from Duke University, where he also earned a Ph.D. in anatomy and physiology. He also holds graduate degrees in hospital administration and biblical studies. He has served as medical director for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, an agency he served for 25 years. He also served for 31 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, where he received numerous citations and retired at the rank of major general. Beyond these qualifications, he served as chancellor of the University of Kentucky Medical Center. He later served as secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services for Kentucky. By any measure, Dr. Holsinger is one of the most qualified physicians in the United States. So, why are so many people – … [Read more...]

One of the joys of attending the Southern Baptist Convention is the opportunity it affords of renewing old acquaintances and establishing new friendships. While in San Antonio for last week’s annual meeting of the Convention, I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Daniel Sanchez, a professor of missions at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, who is a native of San Antonio. One of the joys of attending the Southern Baptist Convention is the opportunity it affords of renewing old acquaintances and establishing new friendships. While in San Antonio for last week’s annual meeting of the Convention, I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Daniel Sanchez, a professor of missions at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, who is a native of San Antonio. One day Dr. Sanchez and I were discussing the Alamo, which is situated only a few blocks from the Henry B. Gonzales Convention where we were meeting. He said, “You know, The Alamo was once a church, then a battlefield; now, it is a museum.” His comments inspired me, and I thought, “This is the perfect outline for a sermon – or an editorial.” The Alamo – a Church The Alamo was originally a Catholic church, named Mision San Antonio de Valero. The mission was authorized in 1716 by the … [Read more...]

Perhaps the most widely discussed action of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in San Antonio was the affirmation by messengers of a SBC Executive Committee statement on the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, the SBC’s confession of faith. Certain persons – in spin control overdrive – are claiming this action means SBC entities cannot go beyond the BF&M when evaluating prospective employees or establishing doctrinal policies. Perhaps the most widely discussed action of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in San Antonio was the affirmation by messengers of a SBC Executive Committee statement on the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, the SBC’s confession of faith. Certain persons – in spin control overdrive – are claiming this action means SBC entities cannot go beyond the BF&M when evaluating prospective employees or establishing doctrinal policies. There’s only one problem with this claim – the statement says no such thing. Words have meaning and there’s simply no way to make the statement say what it does not. Rick Garner of Ohio, offered the motion: “I move this Convention adopts the statement of the Executive Committee ... found in the 2007 Book of Reports ... which reads: ‘The Baptist Faith … [Read more...]

Bienville Baptist Association, which ministers to 21 churches, is the location of more than a few significant historical events. BIENVILLE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION – In the parish of the same name, this association, which ministers to 21 churches, is the location of more than a few significant historical events.  Here the rural atmosphere is enhanced by the proximity of Shreveport and Monroe, which offers residents the convenience of the city.  The population of the parish in 2000 was close to 16,000, according to the U.S. Census. “[The parish’s] early settlers were mostly devout Baptist pioneers who quickly established churches, schools and broad fields of cotton,” according to a state website that chronicles the histories of each parish – enlou.com/parishes/bienville-parish. “This attitude of faith, education and hard work prevails to this day.” Black Lake, Saline Bayou and Lake Bistineau are the major bodies of water in the parish. Driskill Mountain, in the northwest part of the parish, is the highest point in Louisiana, at 535 feet above sea level. Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church in Gibsland was dedicated in 1857; a wooden divider down the middle between the pews separated men and women, while a balcony provided seating … [Read more...]

Even a small, tightly knit community is no guarantee against a drug problem. CASTOR – Even a small, tightly knit community is no guarantee against a drug problem. Here, where the 2000 U.S. Census recorded a population of about 200, the problem, specifically methamphetamine use, was so apparent a group of men began gathering to pray, asking the Lord for guidance on how they could help. “Souls Rehabilitated for Christ was the answer,” said Chris Guin, a member at First Baptist Castor as well as a member of the prayer group that began the program. “We are a recovery and prison ministry,” he added. “We help recovering addicts, alcoholics, and we also minister to inmates at Bienville Parish Jail.” Souls Rehabilitated for Christ, however, is just one arm of a diverse ministry. Christian Community Action Alert, a four-year-old ministry that acts as an umbrella to many others ministries, seeks to speak out against things that are an abomination to God and to alert people to things they can do to take action on these issues, Guin said. “When I was led to do this, it was to branch out beyond our community,” Guin added. “I’m fortunate enough to work in a community where three churches support this.” Besides First Baptist, New … [Read more...]

Believers and unbelievers alike often need counseling to overcome life’s hurdles, and Rich Lewis of Pathways Counseling Clinic is devoted to providing that service. DERIDDER— Believers and unbelievers alike often need counseling to overcome life’s hurdles, and Rich Lewis of Pathways Counseling Clinic is devoted to providing that service. Lewis is a counselor for Granberry Counseling Center, a ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. Lewis also founded Pathways Counseling Clinic in August 2006, he said. “Pathways is the result of Granberry’s mission to provide affordable, professional, Christian counseling in communities throughout Louisiana,” said Perry Hancock, executive director of LBCH. “Granberry works with young Christian counselors who need experience and clinical supervision in order to complete their training and obtain their license as professional counselors and marriage and family therapists in Louisiana.” The process is working well in Beauregard Association, DOM Don Hunt said. “It’s turning out to be a beautiful ministry,” Hunt said. “Sometimes it’s the first glimpse people in our community have of these people we call Baptists, when they’re directed to Granberry and Pathways.” After … [Read more...]

About 800 World Changers from across the nation arrived June 23 to share the love of Christ by providing free labor to repair about 90 substandard homes. BATON ROUGE — About 800 World Changers from across the nation arrived June 23 to share the love of Christ by providing free labor to repair about 90 substandard homes.  The North American Mission Board’s World Changers unit plugs students into short-term construction-type mission projects throughout the world.  “We have more 88 communities doing World Changers,” said John Bailey, NAMB’s director of student volunteer mobilization, which encompasses World Changers and other student mission groups. “Every [community with which we partner] has a problem with substandard housing. We have a good relationship with all these cities, and they all have a needs list of homeowners at or below poverty level that they’re trying to help with government funds.” Baton Rouge had “a tremendously long list” of homeowners needing assistance when the city first approached him, Bailey said. “We want to do our best to partner with these cities in eliminating substandard housing,” he added. Here’s how it works: a city like Baton Rouge – armed with plans to improve its sub-standard … [Read more...]

The handwriting on the plain piece of typing paper is slanted and cramped, but the words are full of the joy of a new believer. ALEXANDRIA – The handwriting on the plain piece of typing paper is slanted and cramped, but the words are full of the joy of a new believer. “To Brother Herb Dean,” is printed across one section of the paper in large, block letters. Dean was chaplain of a boot camp for teen boys run by the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Department, until he retired July 4. “Thank you for your time and patience with the confused and, at times, very talkative youth of this boot camp,” the letter continued. “We have received the knowledge of God’s Word through you. You answered our questions, and your answers have always seemed to favor the Lord’s Word. Through your prayers and your words, you have given a new meaning of life and saved many of our lives.” That’s 1,335 lives at the boot camp, to be exact, said Dean, who also remembers exactly how long he spent in the Air Force, down to the second: 28 years, three months, three days, 21 hours, 14 minutes and seven seconds. All told, Dean has been blessed to lead 1,382 people in the prayer of salvation, he said. Of all the boys who have come through the boot camp, … [Read more...]