Five years ago, Ukrainian Maria Korchevnyuk began working toward achieving her lifelong dream to travel to the United States.   She had prayed and asked God for that chance. On April 25, 2002, she received her answer - with First Baptist Church of Westlake playing a part in her dream. Five years ago, Ukrainian Maria Korchevnyuk began working toward achieving her lifelong dream to travel to the United States.   She had prayed and asked God for that chance. On April 25, 2002, she received her answer - with First Baptist Church of Westlake playing a part in her dream.   The American Council informed Korchevnyuk - who now attends First Baptist Church of Westlake - that she was one of 1,268 high school students selected to participate in the Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX).   Administered by the Office of Citizen Exchanges at the United States Department of State, students from the former Soviet Union are eligible to participate in the one-year program, Program Manager Diana Aronson says.   "(April 25,2002) was the most memorable day of my life," Korchevnyuk says. "This day changed all my family’s life, and we will remember this day all our … [Read more...]

In a meeting short on business, members of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board received various reports and focused on plans for the future.   Board members handled only a few items of business - all without debate or dissent. In a meeting short on business, members of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board received various reports and focused on plans for the future.   Board members handled only a few items of business - all without debate or dissent.   Instead, they focused their time on hearing reports about ongoing efforts and work.   In his report, LBC Executive Director Dean Doster cited the ongoing year-long emphasis on prayer among Louisiana Baptists. He said churches across the state are emphasizing prayer in extraordinary ways.   "Prayer changes things," Doster insisted. "(And) I believe our emphasis on prayer is a key to God’s blessing our efforts."   Doster also noted that state Cooperative Program receipts exceeded the monthly budget goal in April, after falling short the previous three months.   Despite the fact that overall gifts are behind last year’s pace, Doster said there is no indication of … [Read more...]

It may come as a surprise to most Christians - but Satan has no problem with a church that is growing, Charles Lawless said.   In fact, he probably wants churches to grow - as long as they are not growing in the right way and threatening his kingdom, said Lawless, associate professor of evangelism and church growth at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.   Huh?   How is that possible? It may come as a surprise to most Christians - but Satan has no problem with a church that is growing, Charles Lawless said.   In fact, he probably wants churches to grow - as long as they are not growing in the right way and threatening his kingdom, said Lawless, associate professor of evangelism and church growth at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.   Huh?   How is that possible?   It is possible when a church is growing without salvation experiences but simply through transfer growth, Lawless said. Indeed, while there are some legitimate reasons for transfer growth, it can be incredibly deceptive, he warned.   "We see people make some kind of public decision, and we automatically assume that God is all over that ... and is … [Read more...]

For the week of May 15, 2003 Potpourri • SLAUGHTER - First church: The Providentials in concert; May 25, 11 a.m.; Basil Wicker, pastor.   • SULPHUR - Parkview church: Darry Lisemby, guest speaker; May 18, 11 a.m.; Randall Chesson, pastor.   • TIOGA - Paradise church: Tommy Drewitt Family in concert; May 23, 7 p.m.; Farrell McMorris, pastor.   • BATON ROUGE - Jefferson church: Robert Rivard, pianist, in concert; May 17, 2:30 p.m.; T. C. French, Jr., pastor.   • ALEXANDRIA - Louisiana Convention: The BodyLife Journey Training Seminars; John Powers, leader; $70 per church/includes materials and meal for one, each additional person is $12; registration at 8:30 a.m.; seminars at 9 a.m.; five locations as follows: May 22-North Monroe church in Monroe; May 23-First church in Lafayette; May 24-First church in Pineville; May 27-Trinity church in Lake Charles; and May 28-Emmanuel church in Shreveport; to register, call Ken Mooney at (318) 448-3402 or (800) 622-6549.   • JONESBORO - Missions and Ministry center: Shady Grove Assocaition Pastor/Spouse Encouragement Conference; May 29, 6:30 p.m.; Alan and Sandy Miller, leaders; Clovis Sturdivant, director of … [Read more...]

Inside Bishop Cottage at this Minnesota Correctional Facility, a small choir of men harmonize in one corner - "Change my heart, oh God. Make it ever true. Change my heart, oh God. May I be like you."   In the library next door, two men’s heads are bowed over a table as they spend time together in prayer. Minutes later, they all will be gathered in a classroom to continue a Bible-based education aiming to transform them. Inside Bishop Cottage at this Minnesota Correctional Facility, a small choir of men harmonize in one corner - "Change my heart, oh God. Make it ever true. Change my heart, oh God. May I be like you."   In the library next door, two men’s heads are bowed over a table as they spend time together in prayer. Minutes later, they all will be gathered in a classroom to continue a Bible-based education aiming to transform them.   This is life in prison at the InnerChange Freedom Initiative, a Christian-infused program seeking to change men in prison in hopes they will not return once they have been released from behind the barbed wire and security gates.   "It really is a two-pronged effect," said Dan Kingery, director of the program in Lino Lakes, Minn. … [Read more...]

Pop quiz time - guess in what country the largest block of lost people in the world live?   China - no real surprise there.   Now, guess where the second-largest block of lost people in the world live.   India - which may or may not readily have come to mind.   Okay, now, guess where the third-largest block of lost people live.   Give up?   North America. Pop quiz time - guess in what country the largest block of lost people in the world live?   China - no real surprise there.   Now, guess where the second-largest block of lost people in the world live.   India - which may or may not readily have come to mind.   Okay, now, guess where the third-largest block of lost people live.   Give up?   North America.   "It is also true that North America is the only continent where Christianity is in decline in terms of the ratio of Christians to the population, ..." said Curt Watke, director of the Kim School of Intercultural Studies at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary.   "We are just beginning to realize that we have been sending missionaries to countries around the … [Read more...]

For the week of May 29, 2003 Toledo Bend ministry While many are getting away for the stresses of everyday life with a relaxing trip to the lake, workers at Toledo Bend Baptist Resort Ministries are beginning their busiest work season - summer. It is their job to be sure that the vacation-goers not only have a good time at the resort but encounter God’s love and the gospel message. The resort ministry was established in 1972 and is funded by Baptists in District Eight, the Louisiana Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board. During the summer months, the ministry has plenty of family- and children-oriented activities for local residents and vacationers alike. Youth groups from across the state and southern part of the country come in to help the ministry with backyard Bible clubs and family evening programs. In addition to those programs, the ministry is seeking ways to extend its efforts into the more than 30 marinas, parks and housing projects in the area. One plan is to provide a Bible for every home in the area. "But we don’t know when we’ll have the supplies or the man power to do it," said Ashley Chance, a ministry assistant. For more information on the Toledo Bend Resort … [Read more...]

The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home experienced a milestone last week with the election of Perry Hancock as the Louisiana Baptist Convention agency’s executive director. The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home experienced a milestone last week with the election of Perry Hancock as the Louisiana Baptist Convention agency’s executive director.   The children’s home in Monroe has long been the focus of the affection of Louisiana Baptists. There seems to be no other agency that captures the hearts of Louisiana Baptists more than this one that was created to care for children in need of a home.   Louisiana Baptists have been consistently generous with the home. In addition to supporting the home through the Cooperative Program ($550,000 budgeted last year), Louisiana Baptist individuals and churches give generously directly to the home in the form of endowments, memorials, gifts to the fall food drive, gifts for other needed supplies, volunteering, clothing and more. This is certainly as it should be, especially considering the children’s home accepts no government funding.   For many grassroots Louisiana Baptists, the children’s home is their image of the Louisiana Baptist Convention … [Read more...]

When waves of Christian students surged to Waikiki and its beaches, hundreds of people heard and saw the gospel.   By the end of their time there, six people had made professions of faith and the students had experienced the challenge and joy of taking their faith to the streets. When waves of Christian students surged to Waikiki and its beaches, hundreds of people heard and saw the gospel.   By the end of their time there, six people had made professions of faith and the students had experienced the challenge and joy of taking their faith to the streets.   "God worked," says Rob Lockridge, Christian activities director at Hawaii Baptist Academy in Honolulu.   The evangelistic effort was part of Christian Emphasis Week, an annual program at the school. The week features chapel services, seminars and student ministries.   At one chapel service, the number of students responding to an altar call overwhelmed the 22 island youth ministers who had come to help.   "God’s hand descended on the school in an incredible way," Lockridge says. "People’s spiritual ears were being opened up, and they could really just talk to God."   One eighth-grade … [Read more...]

More than 1 billion Chinese people have yet to hear of the love and saving power of Jesus Christ - such as the girl pictured above - a fact Southern Baptists want to begin changing with a focused day of fasting and prayer on June 8. More than 1 billion Chinese people have yet to hear of the love and saving power of Jesus Christ - such as the girl pictured above - a fact Southern Baptists want to begin changing with a focused day of fasting and prayer on June 8.   "Praying for so many people may seem daunting, but the power of united prayer is immeasurable," said Randy Sprinkle, prayer strategy director for the Southern Baptist International Mission Board.   Scattered throughout the world, from China, to Malaysia, to Mexico, and even Paris, the Chinese people represent distinct ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Indeed, 55 million Chinese live outside China in countries across the globe. Meanwhile, within the country, almost one-fourth of the people are under the age of 15.   The largest people group in the world, the Han, reside in China and number 1.16 billion. The Han make up 20 percent of the world’s population - but less than 5 percent are Christians.   Meanwhile, … [Read more...]