Similar to the biblical story of Esther, Rhonda Mann insists God placed her family and the members at East Leesville Baptist Church in the military community "for such a time as this." Similar to the biblical story of Esther, Rhonda Mann insists God placed her family and the members at East Leesville Baptist Church in the military community "for such a time as this."   The seeds of Operation Embrace really began long before the recent war against Iraq, when Mann and her family were living in Oregon. Mann says she knew that her family would be moving to Louisiana and started to ask God for guidance.   "I began to pray that wherever I was going, God would give me a place to minister," she recounts.   Located within 10 miles of Fort Polk, a military base in Leesville, the church has more than 128 active military families.   "We knew the war was soon to start," Pastor Gil Arthur says. "We thought, we can’t sit here and say that we’re in the military community and not be prepared."   When the deployment of troops began, the effect on the church was massive.   "They began to deploy one-by-one, leaving their families here in Leesville," Arthur says. … [Read more...]

When asked to grade the current Louisiana legislative session as far as moral and social issues are concerned, Ken Ward says it is just too early to tell. When asked to grade the current Louisiana legislative session as far as moral and social issues are concerned, Ken Ward says it is just too early to tell.   There are some positive signs and some trouble spots remaining - which means there still is work to be done by concerned citizens, said Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation.   "In an election year, legislators are being responsive to input from citizens," he said. "Now is the time to be diligent and vigilant, to stay informed and ready to act."   Several key issues have emerged.   Ward noted a number of bills that seek to address problems related to the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages are pending. But he also noted the alcohol industry is demonstrating its considerable clout and can only be offset by outcry from Louisiana citizens.   A key issue related to clergy also has emerged. Several bills are pending that would add clergy to the list of those required to report suspected child abuse. Under current law, … [Read more...]

the Baptist Student Union at the United States Air Force Academy would like to contact the men and women reporting to the academy June 25 and 26. For those arriving June 25, we will meet them at the airport; provide lodging, meals and transportation; and take them to the academy on June 26. For those arriving June 26, the academy buses will meet them, but we would like to know of their coming so we can make contact once they have arrived. The Baptist Student Union at the United States Air Force Academy would like to contact the men and women reporting to the academy June 25 and 26. For those arriving June 25, we will meet them at the airport; provide lodging, meals and transportation; and take them to the academy on June 26. For those arriving June 26, the academy buses will meet them, but we would like to know of their coming so we can make contact once they have arrived.   This is an opportunity to meet smiling faces and make Christian friends before beginning basic training. If pastors, parents, relatives or friends will contact us with names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses, we will contact individuals to secure flight arrival times and provide further information.   The … [Read more...]

For the week of May 8, 2003 Potpourri • OIL CITY - First church: North Caddo Youth Rally; May 9-10, 6:30 p.m.; Troy Terrell, guest speaker; Drew Worsham, illusionist; music with Warren Jackson; Russ Atwood, pastor.   • BATON ROUGE - Woodlawn church: "Experiencing God, the Musical;" May 16, 7 p.m.; May 18, 6 p.m.; Michael Wright, minister of music; Tommy G. Middleton, pastor.   • LAKE CHARLES - Sale Street church: "Experiencing God, the Musical;" May 18, 6:30 p.m.; Mel Yorks, minister of music; Eddie Simmons, pastor.   • BETHANY - Camp Bethany: "MayHim" senior adult choir festival; May 15, 9 a.m. till after lunch; $6 per person/includes activities and lunch; to register, call (318) 938-1221; Robert Cole, camp manager.   • LAKE CHARLES - Murray Street church: Tim Couch, Prentiss Miller, Gene Vincent and Judy Landry in concert; May 16, 7 p.m.; Alan Weishampel, pastor. Youth • BLANCHARD - First church: Children’s choir presents "Splash Kingdom," May 18, 6 p.m.; Tracy Fuller, children’s choir coordinator; Steve Moore, minister of worship; James D. Hill, pastor. Revivals • BOYCE - Hotwells church: May 7-10, 7 p.m.; May 11, 11 a.m.; Bill Riddick, evangelist; Joel Cutts, … [Read more...]

aybe it is September 11, maybe it is the war in Iraq or maybe Christian books are getting better at answering the spiritual questions of readers.   Whatever the reason, a recent Barna Research Group report that half of all Americans read Christian books and one-third buy them comes as little surprise to Ken Stephens. Maybe it is September 11, maybe it is the war in Iraq or maybe Christian books are getting better at answering the spiritual questions of readers.   Whatever the reason, a recent Barna Research Group report that half of all Americans read Christian books and one-third buy them comes as little surprise to Ken Stephens.   "I think it would really come as a big surprise to secular book buyers or retailers though," said Stephens, president of Broadman and Holman Publishers, the trade book division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. "I don’t think most general booksellers realize there is such a demand for inspirational products."   The January 2003 survey found that 51 percent of American teenagers and 48 percent of adults have read at least one Christian book in the past year other than the Bible. What is more, the survey found … [Read more...]

Momentum is on the side of the pro-life movement in America - but much work needs to be done, a group of pro-lifers agreed during a recent panel discussion.   "(Poll numbers showing decreasing support for legal abortion are) sending a quake of fear into the hearts and a quiver into the spine of the pro-abortion movement," said Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Momentum is on the side of the pro-life movement in America - but much work needs to be done, a group of pro-lifers agreed during a recent panel discussion.   "(Poll numbers showing decreasing support for legal abortion are) sending a quake of fear into the hearts and a quiver into the spine of the pro-abortion movement," said Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.   "The battleground is for the people in the middle. ... We are slowly but surely winning the struggle for heart and minds in America (on this issue)."   During the recent discussion at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Land and others pointed to polls showing that youth are more pro-life than their parents; to advances in technology that allow a … [Read more...]

This is not the way one wants to start the day.   The street to work develops a left turning lane.   It is a good thing. Without it and the traffic signal that provides brief opportunities to turn left, one would see the dawning of the third millennium before having a safe chance to turn left. This is not the way one wants to start the day.   The street to work develops a left turning lane.   It is a good thing. Without it and the traffic signal that provides brief opportunities to turn left, one would see the dawning of the third millennium before having a safe chance to turn left.   I pull into the left lane as it forms. Suddenly, the SUV to the right starts pulling over toward me. Traffic headed the opposite direction in the lane to my left prevents me from even considering pulling into that lane.   The driver is talking on the cell phone with great animation. She has no idea that she is only three or four feet from plowing into me.   My reflex action jerks my hand to the horn.   The driver does not hear the horn at first, but then suddenly the ratcheting sound grabs her attention and she quickly pulls the SUV back into the … [Read more...]

For the week of May 15, 2003 Missionaries terminated   Southern Baptist International Mission Board trustees have terminated 13 missionaries who refused to affirm the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. Another 20 international missionaries resigned rather than sign the statement. Ten others took retirement. These join at least 34 missionaries who resigned last year in protest of the requirement to sign the faith statement. All in all, that means at least 77 missionaries have left the mission field because of the new faith statement - presumably the agency’s largest exodus ever over one issue. However, the number reflects but a fraction of the total missionary force. The International Mission Board employs about 5,500 missionaries, including career and short-term appointees. Board officials report 99 percent of the workers agreed to the new statement. Board President Jerry Rankin said he is "grateful" for the missionaries who signed willingly. "We regret that any of our missionaries have chosen to resign rather than affirm the faith statement, but we feel it is time to move forward and keep our focus on sharing Christ with a lost world," he said in a press release. Rankin said signing the statement is … [Read more...]

Former Secretary of Education William Bennett has taken it on the chin the last couple of weeks or so for his casino gambling. The haymakers generally have come from predictable areas of ideologies, as have Former Secretary of Education William Bennett has taken it on the chin the last couple of weeks or so for his casino gambling. The haymakers generally have come from predictable areas of ideologies, as have   his defenders. Most of his defenders do not want to see his pronouncements on other subjects undermined; his attackers have seemed delighted by what they know many Americans will see as a contradiction in his strong moral stands.   Personally, this editor finds understanding how a person who seems to have such strong, conservative grasps of many moral and ethical issues could be so far off on gambling. Perhaps his explanation, "I have gambled all of my life and I have never felt it to be a moral issue," sheds some light on that.   Mr. Bennett may have enormous wealth, but apparently no one has revealed that. But for him to be surprised that people were astounded that a former government appointee could lose $8-million dollars in some three years, certainly sets him apart … [Read more...]

A new faculty member at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary will be teaching students about sharing the gospel in the midst of persecution.   It is a subject he knows all too well. A new faculty member at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary will be teaching students about sharing the gospel in the midst of persecution.   It is a subject he knows all too well.   John Moldovan is Southwestern’s first faculty member from the former Soviet bloc. He once languished in a Romanian prison cell, fearful of what might happen to him and his family. Communist officers tortured his body, mind and soul, and he eventually collapsed from the pressure, he says.   Only his faith in Christ sustained him and absolved his fears, says Moldovan, who is associate professor of evangelism and intercultural studies at the seminary.   Moldovan grew up in communist Romania, where he struggled to follow in the Christian heritage of his grandfather and father. His grandfather converted to the Baptist faith while imprisoned in a Russian camp in World War I. He later was sentenced to death because of his zeal to spread the gospel but was able to escape.   His father also … [Read more...]