Most of the Christian day schools in Louisiana use A Beka curriculum, which also is used in many if not most homeschools. Most of the Christian day schools in Louisiana use A Beka curriculum, which also is used in many if not most homeschools. So what is A Beka? “The God-given ministry of Christian schools is to lead young  people to Christ and train them in the Bible, Christian character, language,  and traditional  subject matter. Today’s students need to be taught the accumulated  wisdom of the past from God’s point of view and trained in the way  they should go (Prov. 22:6) so they will have a firm foundation from which  to evaluate the present and make proper decisions for the future.” So reads the purpose statement on the “Our Foundation” page of the www.abeka.com website. Here’s more from the website: “Three decades ago, God raised up A Beka Book to provide Christian schools  with God-honoring, high-quality textbooks and teaching aids to help each school  fulfill the goal of its ministry. The hundreds of traditional Christian educational materials developed by A Beka Book have been developed and refined  over a period of 50 years in the classrooms of PensacolaChristian Academy, one of … [Read more...]

Three Southern Baptist entities – LifeWay Christian Resources, the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and the International Mission Board (IMB) – have forged a collaborative research effort in which LifeWay Research will conduct special research projects on behalf of NAMB and IMB. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Three Southern Baptist entities – LifeWay Christian Resources, the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and the International Mission Board (IMB) – have forged a collaborative research effort in which LifeWay Research will conduct special research projects on behalf of NAMB and IMB. As part of the new initiative, Ed Stetzer, missiologist and senior director of the Center for Missional Research at NAMB, will become director of LifeWay Research, effective June 1. Stetzer, 40, brings a wealth of experience to LifeWay Research, which LifeWay President and CEO Thom S. Rainer launched in February 2006 to equip church leaders with insight and advice that leads to greater levels of church health and effectiveness. Under Stetzer’s leadership, LifeWay Research will provide vital information that will support both NAMB’s and the IMB’s church-planting and evangelistic efforts worldwide. “Ed’s experience as an evangelist, … [Read more...]

On Easter weekend, Bobby Welch launched a six-week initiative across Texas to speak nearly 100 times encouraging Southern Baptists in the Lone Star State to join in this June’s Crossover San Antonio evangelistic effort. SAN ANTONIO (BP) – On Easter weekend, Bobby Welch launched a six-week initiative across Texas to speak nearly 100 times encouraging Southern Baptists in the LoneStarState to join in this June’s Crossover San Antonio evangelistic effort. Crossover San Antonio -- with June 9 as the key date for a range of evangelistic efforts in Texas’ second-largest city -- will precede the Southern Baptist Convention’s June 12-13 annual meeting. Welch, recently named as the SBC Executive Committee’s Strategist for Global Evangelical Relations, told members of Park-hillsBaptist Church in San Antonio April 8: “It’s a wonderful thing to see that you’re involved in soul-winning, Great Commission evangelism and discipleship, reaching people with the Gospel and being intentional about it. “I am thrilled to be in Texas because we’re trying to encourage churches just like this one ... to be a part of Crossover on Saturday, June 9,” said Welch, who also spoke at two other San Antonio churches, … [Read more...]

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal ban on a gruesome procedure known as partial-birth abortion April 18, delivering an important victory for legislative efforts to protect unborn children. WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal ban on a gruesome procedure known as partial-birth abortion April 18, delivering an important victory for legislative efforts to protect unborn children. The high court’s 5-4 decision reversed rulings by two federal appeals courts and affirmed the Partial-birth Abortion Ban Act as the law of the land, marking the first judicially approved restriction on a specific procedure since the justices legalized abortion in 1973. The 2003 law prohibits an abortion technique that involves the killing – in at least the fifth month of pregnancy – of a nearly totally delivered baby normally. Chief Justice John Roberts joined Associate Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito in the majority. Kennedy, who affirmed the court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision in a crucial 1992 ruling, wrote in the majority opinion that the ban does not infringe on the right to abortion declared previously by the high court, meaning Roe remains in effect. He said … [Read more...]

When Houston Astros outfielder Luke Scott was a boy, his father made a bold decision for his family. It was a life-changing and eternity-changing decision. EDITORS’ NOTE: BP Sports columnist Tim Ellsworth recently visited Florida to do a series of stories on spring training as baseball players get ready to begin a new season. KISSIMMEE, Fla. (BP) – When Houston Astros outfielder Luke Scott was a boy, his father made a bold decision for his family. It was a life-changing and eternity-changing decision. Scott’s parents were raised as Jehovah’s Witnesses. But Scott’s dad concluded that he wasn’t on the right path. Scott remembers a conversation his father had with him, his brother and his sister. “Look guys, I don’t have the answers to everything,” Scott said his dad told them. “This is all I’ve ever known, but I know it’s not the right thing.” Scott said his dad had been reading the Bible for himself, so he and his family left the cult behind, embracing the Bible alone as the new authority for their lives. And though Scott didn’t immediately become a Christian, his dad’s decision laid the groundwork for Scott to come to faith in Christ later in life. When Scott left home for college, his mother gave … [Read more...]

Some 14 pastors gathered Tuesday, April 17, at the Baptist Building to report on EKG-Louisiana and make suggestions for the statewide launch of the initiative. ALEXANDRIA – Some 14 pastors gathered Tuesday, April 17, at the Baptist Building to report on EKG-Louisiana and make suggestions for the statewide launch of the initiative. Pastors of pilot churches participating in the strategic initiative gathered to report on how the tool has assisted them in advancing God’s kingdom. “We have had good results … our baptisms are up. EKG is a great reminder of what we are about – being kingdom agents,” said Chris Kopp, pastor, Church Without Walls in Lafayette. Church Without Walls has an average attendance of 170 at Sunday morning worship, and some 70 percent of the congregation are new believers, the pastor said. The strategic initiative of EKG-Louisiana is a trilogy of special emphases designed for the local church to implement one after another within a calendar year. “EKG-Louisiana is a call to the kingdom of God. I hope that every congregation and every individual in a particular congregation will examine what it means to be a part of the kingdom of God and will re-engage the concept of the kingdom … [Read more...]

Kaleidoscope 2007 is to take place April 28 at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; the program begins at 9 a.m. ALEXANDRIA – Kaleidoscope 2007 is to take place April 28 at Calvary BaptistChurch in Alexandria.  Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; the program begins at 9 a.m. Kaleidoscope is a day for women to draw strength from each other and connect with God. Women from across our state learn how to live a life that makes our Heavenly Father smile. This day is to include a time of inspirational Bible teaching, heart-felt worship, challenging breakout conferences, and sweet fellowship, LBC womens missions and ministries leaders say. “Kaleidoscope has been something that I look forward to every year with great anticipation,” said Diane O’Neal of  First BaptistChurch in Golden Meadow. “I enjoy getting together with other women to grow in our knowledge to further the Kingdom of God. The Bible study, discipleship, and personal growth have always been something that can apply to all of our lives, no matter where we are in our walk with God. ... “I know the preparation of this conference has been planned with much thought and prayer. On April 28, 2007, I know that God … [Read more...]

Seeking staff Pastor needed at Goodwood Baptist, Baton Rouge. Resumes to Pastor Search Committee, 1813 Beechgrove Dr, Baton RougeLA 70806 . Worship leader needed at Grace New Orleans. Resumes to Search Committee, 3900 N Rampart, New OrleansLA70117. Charlie Dale is pastor. Minister of Music, part-time, sought by First Folsom, which has a weekly attendance of 250+ people, a 20-person adult choir and contemporary band of piano, drums, lead and bass guitars. Send resumes to fbcfolsom@bellsouth.net or call Bevery Voelkel at 985.796.5231. Worship leader needed at Trinity Franklinton. Resumes to PO Box 743 , Franklinton LA 70438 or email trinitystan@bellsouth.net. Full-time minister of education sought by Riverside Watson. Resumes to 36890 La. Hwy., Denham Springs LA 70706 or email rbcsbc@bellsouth.net. Larry Hubbard is pastor. First Farmerville is accepting resumes for pastor. Video tape messages are welcome. Send to First BaptistChurch, PO Box 296 , Farmerville LA 71241. Una George, search committee chairman. Pastorless: Tensas, Delta Association. Pastorless: New Era, Sicily Island First Baptist, and WallaceRidge, all in Ouachita Association. Available Supply pastor: Glyn Nale, … [Read more...]

NEW ORLEANS – Operation NOAH Rebuild continues sending volunteers  to save the structure of the  fellowship hall at Grace Baptist. The church’s informal FEMA trailer park is down to two trailers, down from five. And “a string of” backyard Bible clubs are planned for the space during the summer, Pastor Charlie Dale reports. WASHINGTON – Washington Baptist, an EKG pilot Church, accepts the Acts 1:8 challenge, reports Pastor Louis Charrier. Members participated in a mission trip April 11 to an orphanage in Piedras Negras Mexico. First Baptist Eunice cosponsored the trip. START – A Family Conference is set for June 29-30 at Start Baptist, with Casey Johnson as speaker and Brad Mount with music. Guest appearance by 2talk 42ministries. Pleasant Hill Drama Team and Start Baptist Praise Team will help lead worship. PARKS – Parks Baptist Mission will celebrate 20 years of ministry June 10, with revival services to start the previous Thursday, June 7. All people who have served at the church, attended services or had a hand in building the church are invited to participate in the celebration. Jimmy Johnstone is pastor. LOUISIANA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION – Gospel Trails, a wild horse ministry of Louisiana Baptist Association … [Read more...]

The latest findings from the LifeWay Research area of LifeWay Christian Resources give the top 10 reasons adults switch churches. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The latest findings from the LifeWay Research area of LifeWay Christian Resources give the top 10 reasons adults switch churches. This study builds on LifeWay Research’s 2006 study of the formerly churched, which explored the reasons adults stop going to church. The current findings explain why people change churches and how these situations differ from those in which the individual does not resume church attendance at all. Church switchers are defined as Protestant Americans who have attended more than one church regularly as an adult. “There are two types of people who slip out through the back door of the church,” said Scott McConnell, associate director of LifeWay Research. “One group is probably leaving church permanently, and the other group is going to find a new church.” To understand why adults choose to change churches, 415 “non-mover” church switchers – who changed churches for reasons other than changes to their residential location – were surveyed in December 2006. The study results indicate that overall, those who change churches for … [Read more...]