Thirty-six Southern Baptist state conventions have now been activated to provide disaster relief services in the Gulf Coast, preparing and serving hot meals and providing hot showers, laundry units and cleanup and recovery services. Thirty-six Southern Baptist state conventions have now been activated to provide disaster relief services in the Gulf Coast, preparing and serving hot meals and providing hot showers, laundry units and cleanup and recovery services. Late last week, figures indicated more than 5,000 Southern Baptist disaster relief volunteers had served some 2.2 million meals to victims of the hurricane. Meanwhile, the Southern Baptist operation is in transition throughout the Gulf Coast region, said Jim Burton, director of volunteer mobilization at the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board. “Most of the northern cities are completing their feeding operations,” Burton explained. “Some of the state mobile feeding units are being reassigned while others are being released to return home.” Burton said leaders anticipated New Orleans to be opened soon, which will require feeding units in that location. Meanwhile, feeding units already are in operation in the area around New Orleans. … [Read more...]
Religious publications moving into religious markets
Look around the magazine racks at the local Wal-Mart, Barnes & Noble or Rite Aid and one may see some new titles amid the regulars. Look around the magazine racks at the local Wal-Mart, Barnes & Noble or Rite Aid and one may see some new titles amid the regulars. For instance, Charisma is a magazine principally aimed at Pentecostal Christians. However, this summer, magazine leaders launched a concerted effort to cross over into the general market, following in the footsteps of Christian music and books that have made the leap from religious to secular shelves. And the magazine is not alone. Precious Times is a quarterly publication for African-American Christian women. It entered Barnes & Noble in April. About the same time, NavPress Periodicals started placing its Pray! and Discipleship Journal magazines in stores like Borders. “As a publisher, we would like to get our message out to a broader and broader audience,” said Stephen Strang, publisher of Charisma. “There’s a new receptivity.” In September, Strang will launch two other titles into the general market as well – Vida Cristiana, Charisma magazine’s Spanish language-format; and New Man, a men’s magazine. “We’ve been trying to … [Read more...]
The Louisiana Baptist Message – a true ‘must read’
He has been on the road for seven hours and has no way of knowing he was just halfway through his trip. LBM Commentary By C. Lacy Thompson LBM Associate Editor Note: September 25 is designated as Louisiana Baptist Message Sunday, a time to remember – and pray for – the ministry of the state convention newspaper. In recognition of that emphasis, the following commentary by LBM Associate Editor C. Lacy Thompson reflects on the ministry of the statewide weekly newspaper. An accompanying article proposes 10 ways Louisiana Baptists can support the ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Message. He has been on the road for seven hours and has no way of knowing he was just halfway through his trip. Ordinarily, he would have arrived long ago – the drive from New Orleans to Alexandria usually takes just four hours. But this is August 28 – yes, this August 28 as last-minute residents of the New Orleans area flee the approaching Hurricane Katrina. And he is among them. At this particular moment, traffic on the highway he is driving is at a literal standstill –and has been for awhile. His cell phone rings – as it has been ringing for most of the trip. It is his brother in another state, who … [Read more...]
Louisiana College leaders report
Louisiana College trustees celebrated good financial and enrollment news last week and focused on meeting accreditation concerns at the school. Louisiana College trustees celebrated good financial and enrollment news last week and focused on meeting accreditation concerns at the school. Trustees were told that headcount enrollment this fall was 1,005, a decline of 80 (7.4 percent) from the previous fall. Later adjustments put that figure at 1,004. Meanwhile, the full-time equivalency total stood at 913, a decline of 80 (8.1 percent) from the fall of 2004. However, the numbers were stronger than expected. Indeed, LC President Joe Aguillard noted that the fall enrollment was 8.8 percent higher than budgeted this year. In March, trustees approved a budget based on a full-time equivalency of 839. In the fall of 2004, Louisiana College posted a full-time equivalency enrollment of 993. That dropped to 870 in the spring of 2005. The drop prompted trustees and administrators to approve a 2.8 percent reduction in the 2005-06 budget. Thus, the fall numbers are a cause for celebration, school leaders said last week. “We all remember what was said would happen (to enrollment after events of the past year), … [Read more...]
Can you keep a secret? Want to be a part of something good?
As most Louisiana Baptists know, Lynn P. Clayton is preparing to retire as editor of the Louisiana Baptist Message after 27 years of service. As most Louisiana Baptists know, Lynn P. Clayton is preparing to retire as editor of the Louisiana Baptist Message after 27 years of service. His retirement date is set for December 31, 2005. As that time approaches, the Baptist Message will provide some coverage of his career as editor. In addition, the newspaper staff is preparing a book of letters for Editor Clayton. Since the editor is out of town this week, the staff is requesting letters from Louisiana Baptists around the state through the Baptist Message – and do not worry, we will keep him from seeing this particular page! So, do you have a good story to share about meeting Lynn P. Clayton or wish to express some sentiment regarding his years of service for the newspaper and the Louisiana Baptists? Now is your chance. Persons are asked to forward the typewritten or handwritten letters as soon as possible to “LBM Memory Book, P.O. Box 311, Alexandria, La 71309.” If possible, letters should be sent unfolded in manila envelopes. Letters may be from individuals or groups, such as Sunday School … [Read more...]
Hurricane Katrina aftermath – the theological meaning
It did not take long – indeed, the first e-mail came just two days after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the New Orleans area. C. Lacy Thompson LBM Associate Editor It did not take long – indeed, the first e-mail came just two days after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the New Orleans area. “It is more than evident that New Orleans has been judged ... for allowing themselves to become the modern-day Sodom and Gomorrah,” the electronic missive read. In other words, the city got what it deserved. Other e-mails followed along the same lines, blaming the city’s embrace of homosexuality and such. Meanwhile, comments from other directions speculated on the role of God in the whole matter. Was he there? If so, why did he not do something? Some say he did, crediting their rescue to divine intervention. At the same time, others surely prayed for rescue as well, only to be denied the opportunity. What is one to make of it? What is the theological meaning of Hurricane Katrina? That depends, says Fisher Humphreys. professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Ala. Indeed, there are several possible ways to interpret the recent events, the former Louisiana Baptist notes. • One can see the … [Read more...]
Hurricane Katrina aftermath – caring for the children
Despite facing an uncertain future, Perry Hancock said he believes displaced children under the care of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home will not just survive the recent separation from their families. Despite facing an uncertain future, Perry Hancock said he believes displaced children under the care of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home will not just survive the recent separation from their families. They will thrive in the days ahead. “We’re confident these children will recover,” said Hancock, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist home. “If we didn’t believe that, we’d close our doors.” Soon after Hurricane Katrina devastated South Louisiana, the Children’s Home began accepting children who had been displaced as a result of the storm. Churches in the New Orleans area had worked with residents of inner-city projects in the area, and the parents of those children asked the church members to take their kids along as they evacuated. “Some of the parents had no transportation and thought they would be separated from their children for only a couple of days,” Hancock said. “But it has turned out that some of the children may be under our care for many months to come.” Hancock added that … [Read more...]
Hurricane Katrina aftermath – caring for evacuees
Whether they were housing an entire family of 56 persons or allowing parish inmates to wash evacuees’ laundry, Baptist camps in Louisiana have been active in Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief efforts. Whether they were housing an entire family of 56 persons or allowing parish inmates to wash evacuees’ laundry, Baptist camps in Louisiana have been active in Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief efforts. The camps housed evacuees during the first two weeks of the storm, but now, the majority of those displaced storm victims have begun to relocate to other cities. “We’ve been wanting to witness to New Orleans for years and God has sent the people of the city here and to other camps across the state,” said James Newsom, camp director at Acadian Baptist Center in Eunice. Soon after the hurricane hit south Louisiana, 350 evacuees moved to the Acadian Baptist Center, though 125 persons remain at the camp. The makeup of the evacuees included a Venezuelan doctor, a truck driver, a street preacher and seminary students. Due to the influx of evacuees, the camp cancelled its September events so the staff could minister to the needs of the displaced persons, Newsom said. While Katrina did not damage Acadian … [Read more...]
God knows your name … and who you really are
For many years, the editor of The Wall Street Journal was a Tarheel by the name of Vermont C. Royster. That “C” in his name stood for “Connecticut.” And yes, all his siblings likewise were named for states. Guest commentary Joe McKeever, Director of missions Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans For many years, the editor of The Wall Street Journal was a Tarheel by the name of Vermont C. Royster. That “C” in his name stood for “Connecticut.” And yes, all his siblings likewise were named for states. My wife and I were dining in a Birmingham, Ala., restaurant some years back when I happened to notice that our waitress’ name was Auburn. Being the type who likes to jest with the help, I said, “I’ll bet you have a sister named Alabama.” She said, “I have two sisters – Tulane and Cornell.” I shrank back into my chair, certain that she was putting me in my place. “I have four brothers,” she continued. “Stanford, Harvard, Princeton and Duquesne.” For once, I was completely speechless. “My father’s name is Stanford, and my mother is Loyola,” the restaurant waitress added. “They’re from Baton Rouge and were engaged before it occurred to them that they each had colleges as names and decided to do … [Read more...]
Weekly announcements
Potpourri LAKE CHARLES – Sale Street church: The Continental Singers in concert; Oct. 3, 7 p.m.; Eddie Simmons, pastor. WINNFIELD – First church: Higher Faith in concert; Oct. 2, 6 p.m.; Lindsey Burns, pastor. ELMER – New Hope church: Annual Ladies Conference set for Sept. 24 has been postponed due to hurricane relief efforts; rescheduled date to be announced later; for information, call Melissa Walters at (318) 659-3184; Wilkie Richmond, pastor. NEW IBERIA – Highland church: SpokenFour in concert; Oct. 2, 6:30 p.m.; David Jeffreys, associate pastor. BATON ROUGE – Jefferson church: Live Beth Moore Simulcast; Oct. 7, 7-9:30 p.m.; Oct. 8, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; $30 per ticket for both days; for tickets, call (225) 926-0902; T. C. French Jr., pastor. Youth PINEVILLE – “Shoutfest 05” musical event to benefit hurricane victims; Oct. 9, 1:30 p.m. at Buhlow Lake Recreational area; sponsors include various Baptist churches and entities; featured guests include: JUMP5, ZOEgirl, Krystal Meyers, Jontez, Carried Away, Grits, KJ-52, Logan Sekulow, Joseph Rojas and others; tickets are $10/groups of 10 or more,$14/advance and $17/gate; for information, call Belinda Goodman at (318) 640-3812 or John Frank Reeve at (318) … [Read more...]