The air is thick and steamy inside the walls of the Afghanistan hospital and with temperatures of 115 degrees and more burning up the air outside, the smells of sweat, urine and death hang heavy around the emaciated and hurting children quietly suffering in the children’s ward. The air is thick and steamy inside the walls of the Afghanistan hospital and with temperatures of 115 degrees and more burning up the air outside, the smells of sweat, urine and death hang heavy around the emaciated and hurting children quietly suffering in the children’s ward. There is no air conditioning - no refrigeration for blood transfusions, and the mothers of these children try desperately to cool their little ones with homemade fans, holding them and comforting them as best they can.   It is the summer of 1998 and Heather Mercer is experiencing her first visit to the Middle East country on a short-term mission trip, and she is horrified by what she sees.   A four-year old girl, skeleton-like from malnourishment since the beginning of her young life, stares blankly at her. The girl’s 17-year old mother picks the frail child up in her arms and lifts her to Heather’s face, her dark, troubled eyes posing the … [Read more...]

Events of September 11, 2001 opened our awareness to the fact, among others, that the United States is no longer a safe-haven for Christianity. Islam is a growing presence in our homeland. Events of September 11, 2001 opened our awareness to the fact, among others, that the United States is no longer a safe-haven for Christianity. Islam is a growing presence in our homeland. When we discovered the terrorists who perpetrated the acts of terror were part of a radical Muslim sect, the media began exploring the presence of Islam in the United States and discovered five million citizens and aliens of our country are Islamic. Fortunately, only a tiny, tiny minority of Muslims was supportive of the terrorists’ acts.   Since the founding of our nation, Christianity has been the dominant religious presence. Efforts to win people of other faiths to faith in Christ were efforts done outside the boundaries of our nation. Mission work inside our country initially was to win to faith in Christ native Americans, Africans brought here as slaves and others who simply had not accepted the faith of their fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters.   Because of significant population shifts among countries, other … [Read more...]

Does it matter what missionaries believe? Should missionaries sent out by a denominational agency have any accountability to the churches that support them?   Since the New Hampshire Baptist Confession of 1833, Baptists have drafted documents of belief that distinguish them from other Christians. The Baptist Faith and Message, like other confessions of faith, imposes no theological creed on individuals and churches. Does it matter what missionaries believe? Should missionaries sent out by a denominational agency have any accountability to the churches that support them?   Since the New Hampshire Baptist Confession of 1833, Baptists have drafted documents of belief that distinguish them from other Christians. The Baptist Faith and Message, like other confessions of faith, imposes no theological creed on individuals and churches. It does represent the common faith shared by Southern Baptists who choose to affiliate in associations and conventions.   Some people are predisposed against the Southern Baptist Convention’s adherence to historic fundamentals of faith based on the authority of God’s infallible Word. They have criticized the International Mission Board for asking missionaries … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Foundation trustees recently met in Alexandria, ex-pressing appreciation for the leadership and continued growth of the foundation.   Among the highlights of the meeting:   *The revised 2002 operating budget of $570,997 was approved. Louisiana Baptist Foundation trustees recently met in Alexandria, ex-pressing appreciation for the leadership and continued growth of the foundation.   Among the highlights of the meeting:   *The revised 2002 operating budget of $570,997 was approved.   *The board approved transferring the LBF money management of the equity porfolio from SEI Investments to Salomon Smith Barney.   Executive Director Wayne Taylor commented that he is "excited" about this move because the Foundation will have the opportunity to work more closely with other Baptist foundations, including the International Mission Board. The LBF is the sixth state Foundation, plus the International Mission Board, to use Salomon Smith Barney.   *The planned giving report was reviewed. The total gifts and donations to the LBF last year totaled nearly $820,350. Although the number of donors was down compared to 2000, the dollar figure … [Read more...]

It was seven o’clock on a cool, rainy November morning in Brooklyn, N.Y., when Cal Jones began his work day that would not end until 11 o’clock that night.   Jones and his wife, Betty, worked in the New York City metropolitan area for six weeks overseeing Southern Baptists’ relief efforts. It was seven o’clock on a cool, rainy November morning in Brooklyn, N.Y., when Cal Jones began his work day that would not end until 11 o’clock that night.   Jones and his wife, Betty, worked in the New York City metropolitan area for six weeks overseeing Southern Baptists’ relief efforts.   The couple’s work included surpervising cleaning apartments damaged as a result of Sept. 11 attacks, a food distribution center in conjunction with the Salvation Army and a child care center at Liberty State Park.   Almost two months after completing his duties in New York City, Jones recalled Southern Baptists’ significant role in the relief efforts. As a matter of fact, another team of Louisiana Baptists recently returned to the city to work at feeding kitchens at Ground Zero and the Staten Island landfill for World Trade Center debris.   Jones’ crew of 120 to 150, along with other … [Read more...]

For the week of March 7, 2002 Potpourri DRY PRONG - Big Creek Association hosting evangelism rally at Dry Creek Elementary School auditorium; March 10, 6 p.m.; Sammy Tibbit; guest speaker; Herb Dickerson, director of missions.   ALEXANDRIA - during the month of March, Southern Gospel Showcase will be featured on 31 KLAX - ABC at 6:30 a.m.; Mark Lanier and Marcelle Slaughter, showcase hosts; website address is www.southerngospelshowcase.com; Lyndon Marcotte, pastor of Pleasant Hill church in Pollock, website manager.   BOYCE - First church: "True Love Waits Weekend," March 15-16; cost is $12; registration deadline is March 10; for information call Brent or Hannah Romero at (318) 793-4389; Jim Lofton, pastor.   COUSHATTA - Fairview church: Mercy Me in concert; March 7, 7 p.m.; tickets are $16.75; for ticket information call (318) 932-5940; Steven McAbee, pastor.   GONZALES - Central church: Lottie Stephens Association bi-annual meeting; March 12, 7 p.m.; Jay Avance, pastor.   SULPHUR - Maplewood First church: "Clothed in His Splendor" women’s conference; March 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Patty Hankins, guest speaker; Carol Womack, music; cost is $10; childcare provided; … [Read more...]

Trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Annuity Board made improvements to programs for retired Southern Baptist ministers during their February meeting in Dallas, Texas.   Trustees affirmed revisions to the guidelines for the Supplemental Assistance and Adopt An Annuitant programs. The programs will be combined into a single ministry and the eligibility guidelines will be modified to allow more retirees to qualify for benefits. Trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Annuity Board made improvements to programs for retired Southern Baptist ministers during their February meeting in Dallas, Texas.   Trustees affirmed revisions to the guidelines for the Supplemental Assistance and Adopt An Annuitant programs. The programs will be combined into a single ministry and the eligibility guidelines will be modified to allow more retirees to qualify for benefits.   Additionally, many Adopt An Annuitant recipients now will qualify for more than twice the benefit they have been receiving. While in the past donors have been asked to give at specific levels, the new program will encourage donors to contribute at any level.   A total of $5,217,655 was distributed through the … [Read more...]

The thought of a church being a principal in a court of law is the last thing most members would even dream possible. One would hope that a church and anyone dealing with a church would conduct their affairs in such ways that legal intervention would never be necessary. The thought of a church being a principal in a court of law is the last thing most members would even dream possible. One would hope that a church and anyone dealing with a church would conduct their affairs in such ways that legal intervention would never be necessary.   The facts, however, indicate what most people would not dream possible is becoming increasingly reality.   In the United States, the church enjoys the protection of the government and its laws. The Constitution of the United States ensures that people enjoy the freedom to believe or not to believe as they wish and to practice the dictates of their faith. But this does not exempt any church from the obligation of following the laws of the land. A church’s freedom to practice its faith basically ends at the point that practice infringes upon the rights of others under the local, state and federal laws.   Churches, regardless of their size or wealth, … [Read more...]