International Mission Board leaders reaffirmed their commitment to theological education overseas during the recent board of trustees meeting, saying that discipleship and leadership training are essential to fulfilling the international missions task. International Mission Board leaders reaffirmed their commitment to theological education overseas during the recent board of trustees meeting, saying that discipleship and leadership training are essential to fulfilling the international missions task. During the meeting, trustees approved an additional 12 missionaries who were appointed Jan. 10 at Staples Mill Road Baptist Church in Glen Allen, Va. Those new missionaries join 383 long-term personnel appointed last year, including 175 appointed in the September and November appointment services in Pensacola, Fla., and Huntsville, Ala., respectively. Statistical Gains Trustees also received the Annual Statistical Report showing substantial growth in international missions causes in 2004. Trustees learned IMB leadership had planned to present the 2005 report during the board meeting last November but needed additional time to verify reports from a church-planting movement in South Asia. Three primary entity … [Read more...]

Beginning next week, readers of the Baptist Message will find ScriptureCrypto in the place of Bibliocipher, which had been a weekly feature of the newspaper. Beginning next week, readers of the Baptist Message will find ScriptureCrypto in the place of Bibliocipher, which had been a weekly feature of the newspaper. Created by Cheryl Vaughn, circulation manager for the Baptist New Mexican, ScriptureCrypto, like Bibliocipher, offers readers an opportunity to exercise their knowledge of the Bible through the use of cryptography. Bibliocipher was provided free of charge to the Baptist Message, and other state Baptist papers, by Charles Marx of Hattiesburg, Miss., who died Feb. 29, 2004. Since his final illness and death, the newspaper had continued publishing his puzzles in the Baptist Message until two weeks ago, when the supply on hand was exhausted. According to the Baptist New Mexican, Marx provided the inspiration for ScriptureCrypto. That also has been communicated with his widow, Ernestine, who expressed her pleasure that his legacy would continue through a similar puzzle with a different name. Marx, a Mississippi Baptist who held doctorates in both law and political science, served as a college … [Read more...]

“End of the Spear,” a film that opened in theaters nationwide last week, recounts one of the most extraordinary chapters in the modern missionary movement. “End of the Spear,” a film that opened in theaters nationwide last week, recounts one of the most extraordinary chapters in the modern missionary movement. Yet it has become an unexpected example of the nation’s culture war, with an actor who is a homosexual activist playing its lead character. The film’s release marks the 50th anniversary of the Jan. 8, 1956, killing of Nate Saint, Jim Elliot and three other American missionaries by spear-wielding tribesmen in the Ecuadorian jungle. The story continued when one of the missionaries’ sisters, Rachel Saint, and one of their widows, Elisabeth Elliot, subsequently lived among the tribesmen, helping kindle faith among those who had cast the spears and others in the pervasively violent culture. Elliot chronicled her experiences in “Through Gates of Splendor,” which remains a classic among books on missions. Nate Saint’s son, Steve Saint, who was 5 when his father was killed, has made regular visits to tribesmen over the years – and found an amazing bond with the one who speared his dad, a man named … [Read more...]

While serving as an undercover cop in New York City in the 1960’s, Frank Serpico discovered a police department that was rife with corruption. When Serpico’s findings became public, the NYC mayor appointed a special commission to investigate the problem. By Kelly Boggs LBM Editor While serving as an undercover cop in New York City in the 1960’s, Frank Serpico discovered a police department that was rife with corruption. When Serpico’s findings became public, the NYC mayor appointed a special commission to investigate the problem. When the New York City District Attorney was preparing Serpico for his appearance before the commission, he suggested that the undercover detective shave his beard and cut his hair. He felt that Serpico’s testimony would be more credible if he appeared more conventional. In response to the DA’s suggestion Serpico replied, “That’s what is wrong with the world, all anyone cares about is appearances; no one wants to hear the truth.” Outside of the Bible, Serpico’s quote is one of my favorites. As blood-bought followers of Jesus Christ, we must reject the temptation of merely being content with appearance. Our commitment must be to the truth. As I assume the editorship of … [Read more...]

Last year proved to be a good year for one Louisiana Baptist Convention offering, but four others did not fare so well. By Brian Blackwell LBM Newswriter Last year proved to be a good year for one Louisiana Baptist Convention offering, but four others did not fare so well. State leaders celebrated the fact that the 2005 Georgia Barnette Offering for State Missions closed the year with a record $1,215,339.47, an increase of $115,097.96 (10 percent) from the previous year. The total marks the tenth consecutive year for receipts to close at more than $1 million and the fourth straight year at more than $1.1 million. In that last five years, Louisiana Baptists have given more than $5.5 million through the offering. And setting another record this year could be crucial since the state offering funds are used exclusively in Louisiana, which was significantly affected by the recent hurricanes this past year. The offering supports a host of missions and ministry efforts throughout the state, especially related to mission churches and  mission pastors. “Besides the fact that people like to give to the Georgia Barnette Offering, we did special things to promote it through the (Woman’s Missionary … [Read more...]

Week of January 23, 2006 Potpourri WESTLAKE – Westlake First church: The Singing Ministers and Singing Women in  concert;  Feb. 2,  7 p.m.; Larry Thompson, pastor. DRY CREEK – Dry Creek camp: Games Workshop; for those that work with young people; Feb. 16, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Stephanie Bruce, workshop leader; $50 per person/includes snacks and lunch; limited to first 30 registrants; to register, call (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager. DRY CREEK – Dry Creek camp: Turkey Hunter’s Seminar; Feb. 11, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Pat LaFleur, guest speaker; $10 per person/includes lunch; for information or to register, call (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager. SWARTZ –   First  church: The  Providential Quartet in concert; Feb. 5, 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.; Collin Wimberly, pastor. FARMERVILLE – Cross Roads church:  Marriage Enrichment Seminar; Feb. 10, 6-9 p.m.; Feb. 11, 1-5 p.m. with banquet, concert by HIS gospel singers and hayride to follow; Larry Emory, seminar leader; Mark Norwood, pastor. WEST MONROE – Northeast Association: Sponsoring “Ropin for the Redeemer” featuring Paul Dailey of Wild Horse Ministries at the Monroe Civic Center Pavillion; Feb. 4, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Feb. 5, 2 p.m.; Andy Myrick, … [Read more...]

Last year, I wrote to crticize the board of trustees regarding their actions that led to probation for Louisiana College. It only seems proper to write again to commend the trustees, new president, faculty and others who have worked quickly and effectively to remedy the situation. Last year, I wrote to crticize the board of trustees regarding their actions that led to probation for Louisiana College. It only seems proper to write again to commend the trustees, new president, faculty and others who have worked quickly and effectively to remedy the situation. I hope lessons have been learned by all concerned and that Louisiana College and its students will be the beneficiaries. Stephen Pruett Bellaire Baptist Church Bossier City … [Read more...]

Week of January 23, 2006 World Changers ’06 Churches have until Feb. 1 to pay $50-per-person deposits to “lock in” project and youth registrations for the 2006 World Changers. Thousands of teenage through college-age Southern Baptist students are expected to renovate substandard housing around the country in 93 U.S. cities. Renovation projects will kick off June 10 and run through Aug. 5, said John Bailey, North American Mission Board national manager for World Changers. Among the cities scheduled for projects are Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport. However, available spots for those three cities were near capacity at press time. Mission board leaders said in the wake of last fall’s devastating hurricane season on the Gulf Coast, World Changers is increasing the number of construction renovation projects in the affected states of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Churches that have not yet registered can call (800) 462-8657 or visit worldchangers.studentz.com site to sign up or see a list of project cities. Walk Like a Wildcat Louisiana College has scheduled its first Walk Like a Wildcat weekend for Feb. 9-10, with a second being March 9-10. The two-day event is designed to introduce high school students … [Read more...]