In the darkness of the early morning, the van stops in front of the hotel. The driver walks at a determined clip toward the front door.   "You folks ready?"   We give a weak affirmative nod. I reach for my wife’s reassuring hand. In the darkness of the early morning, the van stops in front of the hotel. The driver walks at a determined clip toward the front door.   "You folks ready?"   We give a weak affirmative nod. I reach for my wife’s reassuring hand.   As the sun begins to share its light with the surrounding plateaus and mountains, the driver heads the van onto a bare parking lot and stops. The 10 of us file slowly out of the van. More excitement and reluctance.   Two men meet us and walk determinedly to the back of the trailer that has followed the van. They throw open the doors and there sits our challenge.   We pull the wicker basket of wicker baskets out of the trailer, and then a large bag. The three men begin assembling pieces of nylon and chromed metal and wicker. One man brings out two gasoline-powered fans and sets them loose to blow, blow, blow. The thin nylon fabric slowly begins coming to life.   Like a giant bag of … [Read more...]

A recent study - yes, another study - has revealed some remarkable insights into the differences in growing, declining and plateaued churches. The findings could surprise even the most ardent students of all the expounding on church growth characteristics and methods.   The study has been noted as outstanding by the Southern Baptist Research Fellowship, and received that group’s annual award as such. A recent study - yes, another study - has revealed some remarkable insights into the differences in growing, declining and plateaued churches. The findings could surprise even the most ardent students of all the expounding on church growth characteristics and methods.   The study has been noted as outstanding by the Southern Baptist Research Fellowship, and received that group’s annual award as such.   The study was conducted to determine definitive figures on the relationship of internal and external factors on growing, declining and plateaued churches. As researchers are wont to do, the person who conducted the research said "it was both." But there were fascinating caveats.   The study was conducted by Terri Stovall as a part of her work toward a Ph.D. in church … [Read more...]

Tom Anderson understands clearly the importance of Southern Baptist missions work among Native Ameri-cans.   He should - he is a product of it, coming to Christ as a 14-year-old boy at a Southern Baptist revival service in his Choctaw Indian village in southeastern Oklahoma. Tom Anderson understands clearly the importance of Southern Baptist missions work among Native Ameri-cans.   He should - he is a product of it, coming to Christ as a 14-year-old boy at a Southern Baptist revival service in his Choctaw Indian village in southeastern Oklahoma.   Now, Anderson has returned as a Southern Baptist North American missionary to southeastern Oklahoma - to share the gospel and plant churches among his native peoples.   The work has a number of challenges. Southeastern Oklahoma is home to more than 250,000 Native Americans, 98 percent of whom are unchurched. The Andersons minister among five Native American nations overall.   Anderson and his wife, Rhoda, put in a lot of legwork - literally. Whether it is going door-to-door in an apartment complex, prayer walking a neighborhood or driving 150 miles one way to preach and play the piano at a worship service, church … [Read more...]

The Wednesday afternoon Royal Ambassadors session at Johenning Baptist Center in Washington, D.C., begins with the basics.   "Give me a verse," says Wes Garrett, director of the center.   "Joshua 1:9 - Do not be terrified, because your God will be with you wherever you go," one of the boys answers. The Wednesday afternoon Royal Ambassadors session at Johenning Baptist Center in Washington, D.C., begins with the basics.   "Give me a verse," says Wes Garrett, director of the center.   "Joshua 1:9 - Do not be terrified, because your God will be with you wherever you go," one of the boys answers.   "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is the light of my salvation. Whom shall I fear?" another responds.   If there is a common thread to those choices, it is not entirely coincidental. Fear is a significant issue in the Washington Highlands neighborhood of Southeast District of Columbia, where illegal drugs are the dominant industry.   However, Garrett insists that the more influence he can have through Royal Ambassadors and other ministries, the more likely young people and others are to discover Christ as the ultimate solution to the problems … [Read more...]

Annual North American missions emphasis calls Southern Baptists to prayer and giving - and to using their lives as a means of sharing the truth of the Christian gospel with others Annual North American missions emphasis calls Southern Baptists to prayer and giving - and to using their lives as a means of sharing the truth of the Christian gospel with others In the gospel of John, Jesus proclaimed to his disciples and others a simple truth that he is "the way and the truth and the life" - and the sole way to God. Since then, Christians have focused energies on passing along that word to others. For Southern Baptists, that focus has led them to engage in missions and ministries throughout the world. However, they have not neglected their own land as well, sending out workers across North America with a gospel charge. Each year, Southern Baptists recognize those workers during a week of prayer and focus on the task of North American missions, set for March 3-10 this year. During that time, they also emphasize the Annie Armstrong East Offering for North American Missions, which has a goal of providing some $52 million for missions efforts this year. But the annual emphasis is more than a time of prayer and giving. … [Read more...]

Nathan Bland is just six foot tall - but he still stands out to those he meets in Karamay, China.   Part of it is a natural reaction. While Chinese residents are used to having Americans visit their city to teach at Karamay Arts and Science College, they are not so accustomed to African-Americans. Nathan Bland is just six foot tall - but he still stands out to those he meets in Karamay, China.   Part of it is a natural reaction. While Chinese residents are used to having Americans visit their city to teach at Karamay Arts and Science College, they are not so accustomed to African-Americans.   "They’re getting used to me now," says Bland, one of three Louisiana College graduates currently in the Karamay area.   "Most thought that I was an African when they first saw me."   However, that is not the only reason Bland stands out, observers note. He also has become known for his impact on the Northwest China city. "There’s a new star in Karamay, and it is Nathan Bland," notes Zhan Wu Sheng, deputy president of Karamay Arts and Science College.   Indeed, even after Bland got a vehicle to drive, he did not qualify for a Chinese license, Sheng relates. … [Read more...]

One day, a friend stopped by Jerry Cupp’s house and asked him to take a ride - there was something he should see.   The friend drove to nearby Picayune, Miss., where the two men saw signs proclaiming, "Jesus is Lord of Picayune." One day, a friend stopped by Jerry Cupp’s house and asked him to take a ride - there was something he should see.   The friend drove to nearby Picayune, Miss., where the two men saw signs proclaiming, "Jesus is Lord of Picayune."   The signs gave Cupp an idea for his own town of Franklinton - but he could have had no idea what his decision would involve.   Indeed, Cupp’s decision to put "Jesus is Lord of Franklinton" signs up in his city has resulted in a lawsuit against the city and has sparked a grassroots movement that already seems to be spreading to other areas.   "It was just one of those things that I felt like the Lord wanted me to do, ..." he says.   "I never thought putting signs up on the road would cause such a fuss. ... But it’s just like the Bible says, as long as God gets the glory, that’s what it’s there for. Whatever anybody else thinks of it is between them and God. But I did it for the glory of … [Read more...]

For the week of February 21, 2002 Potpourri • WEST MONROE - Ridge Avenue church: Jake Hess, Ed Enoch, Golden Covenant in concert; Feb. 24, 6 p.m.; Robbie Freeman, music director; David Maxwell, pastor.   • ALEXANDRIA - Louisiana Baptist Convention: NET Training sponsored by LBC in conjunction with NAMB; March 19, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; if interested in becoming a NET pilot church call the Evangelism office at 1-800-622-6549 or (318) 448-3402.   • MERRYVILLE - Calvary church: women’s conference; March 15-16; Kathryn Presley, guest speaker; $15 registration fee due by March 9; mail to: Calvary Baptist Church, 424 Hwy 111, Merryville, LA 70653; nursery provided for ages three and under (specify if needed); Ricky Gallien, pastor.   • PINE PRAIRIE - First church: Higher Faith in concert; March 3, 6 p.m.; Ken Keller, music minister; David Plunkett, pastor.   • IOTA - First church: Rory Lee, Louisiana College president, will be guest speaker; Feb. 24, 10 a.m.; Bob Bollich, pastor.   • HEBERT - Welcome Home church: Blessed Assurance in concert; Feb. 24, 11 a.m.; Bill Gueringer, pastor.   • WALKER - Walker church: associational ladies conference; March 15-16; Renee … [Read more...]

An International Bible Society statement has denied its new gender-neutral "Today’s New International Version" bows to political correctness.   "There is an academic, linguistic rationale for the translation of every passage - and political correctness is most certainly not one of them," an International Bible Society statement declares. An International Bible Society statement has denied its new gender-neutral "Today’s New International Version" bows to political correctness.   "There is an academic, linguistic rationale for the translation of every passage - and political correctness is most certainly not one of them," an International Bible Society statement declares.   Nevertheless, eight of 12 evangelical leaders who signed 1997 Bible translation guidelines relating to gender have urged a halt in publication of the new translation.   The translation in question is a gender-neutral revision of the 1984 New International Version, for which the International Bible Society is the copyright holder and Zondervan is the U.S. publisher.   Announcement of the revised version has drawn considerable criticism, especially from evangelical leaders who stopped a similar … [Read more...]

Representatives of five world religions compared notes on God, evil and eternity in a recent panel discussion at Houston Baptist University.   More than 250 students attended the three-hour World Religions Forum, which organizers said was planned to foster understanding. At the gathering, speakers addressed three questions: Who is God? Why is there evil and suffering in this life? What is the ultimate destiny of human life? Representatives of five world religions compared notes on God, evil and eternity in a recent panel discussion at Houston Baptist University.   More than 250 students attended the three-hour World Religions Forum, which organizers said was planned to foster understanding. At the gathering, speakers addressed three questions: Who is God? Why is there evil and suffering in this life? What is the ultimate destiny of human life?   The Jewish perspective was represented by Rabbi Stuart Federow, spiritual leader of Shaar Hashalom in Clear Lake City, Texas. He said the Hebrew Scriptures reveal a God who is one, indivisible, unique, without form, omnipotent and different from man.   "We are to love God, obey God, to be ever conscious about God and loyal to God," … [Read more...]