MINDEN – Cindy Townsend recently challenged approximately 500 first through sixth grade girls and a handful of boys and adults to use their five senses – smell, taste, hearing, sight and touch – for the glory of God. By Brian Blackwell Staff writer MINDEN – Cindy Townsend recently challenged approximately 500 first through sixth grade girls and a handful of boys and adults to use their five senses – smell, taste, hearing, sight and touch – for the glory of God. “God can use you to change the whole world if you’re open to his leading,” the Louisiana Baptist Convention Women’s Missions and Ministry Team leader told the participants attending Missions Jamboree (M-JAM) at First Baptist Church of Minden. A day of missions awareness and fun for Girls in Action and Children in Action, the theme for this year’s M-JAM was “Every Day With Jesus.” Throughout the day, leaders challenged the participants to live for Jesus. “This year, we wanted to take children into the idea of influencing their everyday world for Jesus,” Janie Wise, Louisiana Baptist Missions and Ministry strategist. “My prayer is that a child comes to know Christ as a result of this event. I want them to know God has a plan and if they … [Read more...]

Week of March 13, 2006 Potpourri BATON ROUGE – Istrouma church:  The Florida Boys in concert; March 26, 6 p.m.; love offering accepted; Stuart Rothberg, pastor. WEST MONROE – Forest Glade church:  Gospel singing featuring The Countrymen and Sisters4; March 25, 6:30 p.m.; Donnie Bradley, pastor. DRY CREEK – Dry Creek camp:  Work day; March 25, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; lunch served; everyone welcomed; call (337) 328-7531 to RSVP; Curt Iles, camp manager. MONROE – Parkview church:  Testify in concert; March 19, 6 p.m.; Whit Holmes, pastor. MONROE – North Monroe church:  Gospel singing featuring Southern Grace, Southern Sound, Steve and Martha Boyte, New Liberty Quartet, Blessed Assurance, Glory Road and Brothers In Christ; March 25, 7-10 p.m.; $10 per person; for ticket information, call (318) 343-4730; Bill H. Dye, pastor. SULPHUR – First church:  Antique car show; March 19, 4:30 p.m.; David Holder, pastor. Youth OAK GROVE – First church:  Hosting the Sk8Fusion Skate Team; March 18, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; followed with a concert by Two Empty Chairs at 7 p.m.; Kevin Miles, youth minister; Carl Gulde, pastor. ALEXANDRIA – Calvary church:  “King of the Jungle” children’s musical presented at the Alexandria Zoo; March … [Read more...]

Week of March 13, 2006 Suspects of Alabama church fires arrested BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) – Law enforcement officials announced March 8 the arrests of three men in connection with a string of Alabama church fires that had terrorized the state since early February. According to press reports, two men are students at Birmingham-Southern College and one is a student at the University of Alabama. The suspects said they started the fires as a joke and it got out-of-hand. Officials filed criminal complaints against the three men in connection with arson at nine Baptist church fires in February. Four of the nine were Southern Baptist. It is not known if officials believe the men are connected with a 10th church fire that was set in late February. NAMB commissions missionaries, chaplains Alpharetta, Ga. – Calling the United States the fourth most “unchurched” nation in the world, Robert E. “Bob” Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board, spoke March 5 during a commissioning service for 143 new missionaries and chaplains at First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, S.C. The missionaries and chaplains will serve in 31 different states, in four Canadian cities – Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton and Okotoks – … [Read more...]

SALEM, Ore. (BP) – What Capital Baptist Church’s pastor saw firsthand made him a believer. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing editor SALEM, Ore. (BP) – What Capital Baptist Church’s pastor saw firsthand made him a believer. “It was my privilege to serve on the executive board of the Northwest Baptist Convention for a term on the Finance Committee,” John Lipton said. “In so doing I observed our convention’s absolute commitment to sound principles of stewardship, accountability and integrity. “An increase in Cooperative Program giving is a good step in the direction of Kingdom-building,” the pastor said. “God’s Kingdom is the most worthwhile investment that any church can make.” In January, Capital Baptist voted to increase their Cooperative Program giving to 10 percent. This despite the fact that the church, where about 180 people attend Sunday morning worship, anticipates hiring a second staff member this year, is involved in a major evangelistic outreach locally, and didn’t make its $263,389 budget last year. “The way I look at the Cooperative Program and have for a kazillion years is that the Scripture commands us to tithe and, in my way of thinking, the Cooperative Program is like the … [Read more...]

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (BP) – As a pastor and former missionary, Calvin Wittman wonders how many more people could be reached if churches expanded their participation in Cooperative Program (CP) Missions. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (BP) – As a pastor and former missionary, Calvin Wittman wonders how many more people could be reached if churches expanded their participation in Cooperative Program (CP) Missions. “A pastor has to ask, what could we do in impacting the lostness in our world if every person would get involved in the Cooperative Program? How many more people could be reached?” Wittman, pastor of Applewood Baptist Church in Wheat Ridge, Colo., said. “What could we do if every church cooperated the way they want their members to cooperate?” Wittman continued. “If we’re not as a church giving at least 10 percent to the Cooperative Program, how can we ask our members to tithe? “I know there are other ways of doing missions, but there is no better way than the Cooperative Program. I’m talking to you as a former missionary,” said Wittman, Applewood’s pastor since 1999 and an IMB career missionary in Spain before that. “The Cooperative Program is the most effective … [Read more...]

DEWEY, Okla. – On March 12, America was introduced to the White family, courtesy of Ty Pennington, ABC’s hit show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and a brand new house. And LifeWay Christian Resources was there behind the scenes to help make it happen. By Russ Rankin LifeWay Christian Resources DEWEY, Okla. – On March 12, America was introduced to the White family, courtesy of Ty Pennington, ABC’s hit show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and a brand new house. And LifeWay Christian Resources was there behind the scenes to help make it happen. John White, a second-generation pastor in Dewey, Okla., was known as a tender pastor with a big heart and a big family. John, his wife, Danna, and their five children filled the parsonage of Bluestem Baptist Church and were known throughout the small community 45 minutes north of Tulsa as selfless people who exemplified and lived the two greatest commandments. In April 2005, joy turned to tragedy when John’s earthly life ended with a massive heart attack on the day of his 19th wedding anniversary. Instead of a celebration, Danna was made a widow, and Sarah (17), Esther (16), Zeb (15), Rebekah (14), and Ruth (13) lost their father. With John’s meager life … [Read more...]

Week of March 20, 2006 Plans to condemn SBC church proceed LONG BEACH, Calif. – Another step was taken toward the destruction of the Filipino Baptist Fellowship building March 13 when the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency Board voted 6-0 to condemn the church in order to build condominiums, despite testimonies from community members regarding the public good that flows from the religious institution. During the hearing, the redevelopment agency voted to authorize the city attorney to begin condemnation proceedings. The next step will be for the city attorney to file a complaint to condemn the property, which includes demonstrating that it meets the statutory requirements for condemnation. Among the requirements is proof that the property seizure is necessary for public use – based on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June 2005 regarding eminent domain – and John Eastman, who is defending the church, said that proof would be rather easy to show since a church is tax-exempt and a housing project would bring in more revenue for the city. The decision could be challenged in court, and Eastman said he believes city leaders are nervous about the prospects of litigation over the issue. Police arrest … [Read more...]

WASHINGTON (BP) – South Dakota’s enactment of a ban on abortion has boosted hopes the new law might be the vehicle for a reversal of Roe v. Wade, but Associate Justice Antonin Scalia said recently he doubts the current Supreme Court would overturn the 1973 opinion and doesn’t know if it ever will. By Tim Strode Baptist Press WASHINGTON (BP) – South Dakota’s enactment of a ban on abortion has boosted hopes the new law might be the vehicle for a reversal of Roe v. Wade, but Associate Justice Antonin Scalia said recently he doubts the current Supreme Court would overturn the 1973 opinion and doesn’t know if it ever will. Speaking to a gathering of Swiss professors and students March 8, Scalia, whose opposition to Roe is well known, said when asked if the highly criticized ruling would be reversed by the high court, “I have no idea. I have no idea whether it will be. “It is not likely to be overturned with the current court, because there are still five justices on our court who voted in favor of Roe vs. Wade,” Scalia told a group at the University of Freiburg. “So, if I had to guess, I would say, ‘Not yet – maybe not [ever] – but certainly not yet.” Though Scalia said he did not have an … [Read more...]

Week of March 20, 2006 Potpourri PINEVILLE – Louisiana College: Katerina Zaitseva to present a piano recital; March 23, 7:30 p.m. in the Presser Recital Hall; Joe Aguillard, president. DERIDDER – Emory Wallace Retreat Center: Is now open and accepting retreat reservations after having been closed due to housing hurricane evacuees; for retreat information, contact Kim Hughes at (337) 463-3506; Malvin Wagnon, manager. DUBACH – First church: Associational VBS clinic; April 4, 6:15 p.m.; Terry Ganey, pastor. DENHAM SPRINGS – Calvary church:  Associational VBS clinic; April 1, 9 a.m.-noon; Rhett Major, pastor. ALEXANDRIA – Homewood church:  Associational VBS clinic; April 3, 6 p.m.; Jimmy Koonce, pastor. Youth SLIDELL – Grace Memorial church:  “The Secret of My Sucess” musical presented by the children’s choir; April 2, 6:15 p.m.; Marty Stone, minister of music; Bob Heustess, pastor. DRY CREEK – Dry Creek camp: Preteen retreat; for ages 6-12;  March 31, 5 p.m. - April 1, after lunch; Jerry Chaddick, guest speaker; Glenn Price, music; $45 per person, includes 3 meals and lodging for one night; for information, call (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager. DRY CREEK – Dry Creek camp:  Father/Son retreat; … [Read more...]

BATON ROUGE – Churches should not construct buildings to create a monument, but rather as a tool to accomplish the Great Commission, Gary Nicholson said last week. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer BATON ROUGE – Churches should not construct buildings to create a monument, but rather as a tool to accomplish the Great Commission, Gary Nicholson said last week. “A good user-friendly building will help you accomplish that task,” Nicholson told approximately 85 people who attended the 2006 Louisiana Church Building Conference at Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. “You only have one chance to make that first impression,” said the architect at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tenn. “Right now, for a church in New Orleans to have its lights on is a good impression, but in other places, churches must do much more.” Nicholson was one of several speakers at the conference, which was sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention Cooperative Program and the Church Architecture Department of LifeWay Christian Resources. Throughout the day, participants learned how to lead their congregation in making the best decisions in building, expanding or improving their facilities while fulfilling the … [Read more...]