ALEXANDRIA – He may well be the most famous player in Louisiana State University baseball history. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – He may well be the most famous player in Louisiana State University baseball history. Ten years ago, Warren Morris, who battled through a hand injury that kept him sidelined most of the season, accomplished a feat that most Little League baseball players only dream of – hitting a home run to win the College World Series. “By far, that was the highlight of my baseball career,” the Louisiana Baptist said of his home run, which earned ESPN’s ESPY award for showstopper sports event of the year in 1996.  “Still, a week doesn’t go by that someone asks me about the home run.” One month after hitting the mammoth home run, Morris suited up for the U.S. Olympic baseball team, which won a bronze medal in Atlanta, Ga. Three years later, he began his rookie year with the Pittsburgh Pirates, finishing third in voting for the Rookie of the Year award. With the success he attained during the 1996 College World Series and in the professional ranks, a person would have been hard-pressed to predict this church kid from Alexandria would one day suit up for the LSU … [Read more...]

STATEWIDE – Vacation Bible School is the biggest outreach of the year for many churches across Louisiana. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor STATEWIDE – Vacation Bible School is the biggest outreach of the year for many churches across Louisiana. “I could stay here all morning and tell you the good it does in church,” said Edwin Fuller, pastor of North Central Baptist in Delhi, where about 55 people attend Sunday worship. Their VBS is set for July 10-14; last year was the first time they’d had VBS in 20 years, but then their congregation had dwindled to eight people when Fuller – bivocational as a bank loan officer – was called in 2002 as pastor. “VBS brings a certain amount of excitement to a church,” Fuller said. “It gives us some exposure.” It’s also a great way for inexperienced workers to receive a week of on-the-job training, said Carolle Green, childhood strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention. Trinity Baptist Lake Charles hosts one of the largest VBS’s in the state: more than 1,100 youngsters attended June 19-23. They raised nearly $4,800 they are contributing to a church building fund in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where the church is going on a mission trip later this … [Read more...]

Week of June 19, 2006 Potpourri POLLOCK – Pleasant Hill church:   “Great American Weekend of Worship” event; July 1, 6 p.m.; Harold Danley and Mark Lanier, worship leaders; July 2, 11 a.m. patriotic worship followed by dinner on the grounds, Joseph Odenwald, pastor. DENHAM SPRINGS – Gray’s Creek church: Ministers Conference; July 10, 10:30 a.m.; for pastors and ministerial staff members; Carl Sullivan, pastor. MANSFIELD – First church: Ivan Parker in concert; July 16, 6 p.m.; Thumper Miller, pastor. MONROE – North Monroe church:  “Encouraging the Encourager” conference; July 18, 6:30 p.m.; Dennis Swanberg, guest speaker; New Liberty Boys, musical guest; free admission; Bill H. Dye, pastor. COVINGTON – First church: “Life to the Fullest” adult 55+ rally; July 10, 9 a.m.-noon; Calvin Miller, guest speaker; Bill Baker and Candy Foster, entertainment/musical guests; $4 per person/includes lunch; to register by July 6, call (985) 892-2149 or email aharris@fbccov.org; David Rockett, minister to adults 55+; Waylon Bailey, pastor. FLORIEN – Pleasant Hill church (Toro community): HIS in concert; July 1, 6:30 p.m.; Chuck Withers, song leader; Jimmie Evans, pastor. Revivals LIVINGSTON – Red Oak church: July … [Read more...]

MONROE – Jerry Price hopes an upcoming bass tournament hooks some lost souls for Christ. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer MONROE – Jerry Price hopes an upcoming bass tournament hooks some lost souls for Christ. Scheduled for July 7-8, the Northeast Louisiana Baptist Association Bass Tournament will feature a fish fry, pro angler Glenn Chappelear and the tournament itself. “Since we began this event four years ago, we’ve seen men saved,” Director of Missions Jerry Price said. “When you put two men in a boat – one who’s Christian and one who’s lost – hopefully the Christian will witness to that lost person. “And that’s the whole purpose of this event.” A 6:15 p.m. fish fry meal at Loch Arbor Baptist Church in Monroe kicks off the weekend festivities. The featured speaker for the event will be Chappelear, who will share his latest fishing techniques as well as share outdoor experiences. “He’s an excellent speaker and fun to watch,” said Jerry Price, NLBA director of missions. “It’s amazing how he can do such things as cast a lure from your specific pocket at a long distance.” A professional bass fisherman on the Bassmaster Tour and the Forest L. Wood tour, Chappelear’s accolades include the … [Read more...]

GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – The late Adrian Rogers, longtime pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church and three-time president of the Southern Baptist Convention, was honored with separate personal and video tributes June 12 and 13 at the Greensboro Coliseum, during the SBC Pastors’ Conference and, then, the annual meeting. By Allen Palmeri Baptist Press GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) – The late Adrian Rogers, longtime pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church and three-time president of the Southern Baptist Convention, was honored with separate personal and video tributes June 12 and 13 at the Greensboro Coliseum, during the SBC Pastors’ Conference and, then, the annual meeting. In the first video tribute, Rogers was shown in various stages of his 33-year pulpit ministry at the suburban Memphis church. The video ended with Rogers stating in his distinctively deep voice that “the burning ambition in my heart is to finish well.” The second video tribute came from past SBC presidents, culminating with a prayer by Jimmy Draper as he stood alongside Rogers’ widow, Joyce, and current SBC President Bobby Welch. “He taught us how to be gracious, how to be convictional, how to be passionate yet kind,” Draper, retired president of … [Read more...]

Those who know and love her call her Granny Mildred. She is one of those people who is hard to keep up with, even though you know where she will be – somewhere serving her Lord. Those who know and love her call her Granny Mildred. She is one of those people who is hard to keep up with, even though you know where she will be – somewhere serving her Lord. On most Wednesdays you can find Granny Mildred at a store front ministry visiting with the patrons, bagging items, or just giving an encouraging word. Other days she can be found at the parish prison, passing out snacks to the inmates and urging them to seek Christ. Even though she maintains a busy schedule, Granny Mildred finds time to read to senior adults at the local nursing home. And she is active in her local church, particularly with Women on Mission. What drives this 85 year old bundle of energy to do all she does? Granny Mildred will tell you it’s because she loves her Lord and Savior and wants as many people as possible to know him as well. At a young age Mildred was greatly influenced by two pastors and their wives. They instilled in her the importance of reaching others with the Good News of Jesus Christ. When disease threatened Mildred’s … [Read more...]

On Tuesday, July 4, we will celebrate the 230th birthday of our nation. Similar to the biological process that produces new life, the United States experienced a period of gestation and labor before it emerged as an independent and free country. On Tuesday, July 4, we will celebrate the 230th birthday of our nation. Similar to the biological process that produces new life, the United States experienced a period of gestation and labor before it emerged as an independent and free country. Years of unjust treatment at the hands of King George III caused colonist leaders to conceive the idea of independence. Over time the embryo of liberty matured. Events such as the Boston Massacre and the subsequent Boston Tea Party served to cultivate the concept of independence. Labor pains began in earnest the spring of 1776. On June 7, Richard Henry Lee addressed the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, Pa. The delegate from Virginia proposed a three-part resolution that would declare the colonies independent from England, form foreign alliances, and prepare a plan of confederation. After days of debate the Congress decided to form separate committees to deal with each of the three points of … [Read more...]

NEW ORLEANS – Three months ago, Billy Graham preached a message of hope to New Orleans. His daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, plans to do the same Aug. 26 specifically for women, inside the same building her father preached in earlier this year. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS – Three months ago, Billy Graham preached a message of hope to New Orleans. His daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, plans to do the same Aug. 26 specifically for women, inside the same building her father preached in earlier this year. Known as “Just Give Me Jesus,” this one-day revival inside the New Orleans Arena is designed to change women’s lives – specifically those from regions affected by Hurricane Katrina. Usually area churches pay for all the revival expenses, but Lotz is underwriting the entire event. Admission will be free of charge. No tickets or registration are required. Joining Lotz will be worship leader and Christian contemporary artist Fernando Ortega, soloist Stephanie Seefeldt and intercessor Sheila Bailey. The revival is set from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. “I’m praying that, through this, the people of New Orleans will come together,” said Frances Autry, co-chairman … [Read more...]

WESTWEGO – Even though his election bid for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention failed, Jay Adkins said he came out a winner in the end. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer WESTWEGO – Even though his election bid for second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention failed, Jay Adkins said he came out a winner in the end. Adkins, 33, was one of four candidates for the post. Wiley Drake, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park, Calif., was elected as second vice president with 50.37 percent of the vote. Adkins received 207 votes. “I had several reasons for running,” said Adkins, pastor at First Baptist Church of Westwego. “The convention wanted younger pastors involved. Plus I was pastor of a church that is the size of most congregations. Finally, I wanted to bring to light what has happened to churches affected by Hurricane Katrina.” Even though he lost the election, Adkins was encouraged by the convention’s recent commitment to younger leaders. During the SBC annual meeting, a motion was made that at least one pastor under 40 years of age be appointed to serve on each convention board and committee. Also, younger people were named to the convention boards … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA—The Louisiana State Baptist Convention announced today the appointment of Janie Wise as the acting interim for the women’s missions and ministries. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Cindy Townsend, who is moving to central Texas with her family. Her husband, Bill, accepted the position of Vice President for Development at Mary Hardin Baylor University, Temple, Texas. By John Yeats LBC Communications Director ALEXANDRIA—The  Louisiana State Baptist Convention announced today the appointment of Janie Wise as the acting interim for the women’s missions and ministries. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Cindy Townsend, who is moving to central Texas with her family. Her husband, Bill, accepted the position of Vice President for Development at Mary Hardin Baylor University, Temple, Texas. Wise will continue her responsibilities with Acteen and Girls in Action ministries. She will also serve to give direct guidance to the overall women’s and missions ministries staff who serve to provide training, mission education and inspiration for women in the local Southern Baptist churches and associations. “I look forward to serving Louisiana Baptists however needed” says Wise.  … [Read more...]