Four times a week in a sparse room not far from the Duke University campus in Chapel Hill, N.C., a handful of people sit in a circle and pray for peace.   They pray for Americans and others killed Sept. 11.   They pray for Afghanistan’s children, many of whom are starving. Four times a week in a sparse room not far from the Duke University campus in Chapel Hill, N.C., a handful of people sit in a circle and pray for peace.   They pray for Americans and others killed Sept. 11.   They pray for Afghanistan’s children, many of whom are starving.   And, quietly, in moments of silence, they pray for Osama bin Laden and the Taliban - convinced that as Christians they must pray for their persecutors.   And forgive them.   That the group is so small and its prayers for the enemy so private is evidence of how hard it is to broach the issue of forgiveness, much less to put it into practice.   Although forgiveness is a central tenet of every major faith, clerics and theologians say they need to do more to teach habits that would help individuals let go of hatreds large and small and move toward reconciliation.   "That’s one of the … [Read more...]

When Heather Mercer first went to Afghanistan in 1998, she was forced to evacuate because of civil unrest.   Still, she was there long enough to fall in love with the Afghan people, she says. Thus, following college graduation and two years of additional training, Mercer returned to Afghanistan. When Heather Mercer first went to Afghanistan in 1998, she was forced to evacuate because of civil unrest.   Still, she was there long enough to fall in love with the Afghan people, she says. Thus, following college graduation and two years of additional training, Mercer returned to Afghanistan.   She said her goal was to meet the practical needs of the people and serve them in everyday ways. If and when relationships were established, she then would share what the Lord had done in her life. "The needs of the people were overwhelming," Mercer adds.   The aid group Mercer joined up with in Afghanistan worked in simple ways - passing out food and medicine, praying for the sick, helping people find jobs.   It was those interactions that landed Mercer and several others in prison in early August, accused by the ruling Taliban regime of unlawfully sharing the … [Read more...]

Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of the Christian faith is forgiveness - what it means, when it should be practiced, how it can be accomplished.   And yet, forgiveness is at the very heart of the faith. It is through divine forgiveness that one is delivered from sin and welcomed to new life. Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of the Christian faith is forgiveness - what it means, when it should be practiced, how it can be accomplished.   And yet, forgiveness is at the very heart of the faith. It is through divine forgiveness that one is delivered from sin and welcomed to new life.   It is through a life of practiced forgiveness that one is supposed to communicate that new life - and pass it on to others.   "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors," a key line in the oft-cited Lord’s Prayer reads.   The line makes it clear - for the Christian believer, forgiveness is intended to be a two-way street.   One receives. Then, one gives.   So, how is the work of forgiveness going these days?   Not as well as was intended, a recently-released poll indicates.   On one hand, the University of Michigan … [Read more...]

For family members of released Afghanistan hostage Dayna Curry, Thanksgiving came more than a week early this year.   It arrived Nov. 15, the day Curry made telephone contact for the first time with family members in her home state. Editor’s Note: One of the top stories of 2000 was the plight of Baylor University graduates Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry, who were imprisoned in Afghanistan for preaching the gospel. The events of Sept. 11 and the subsequent war on terrorism heightened concern about the fate of the two women. However, they eventually were rescued from the country. The two articles on this page offer some information about their experiences and how their Christian faith sustained them and their families during the ordeal.   For family members of released Afghanistan hostage Dayna Curry, Thanksgiving came more than a week early this year.   It arrived Nov. 15, the day Curry made telephone contact for the first time with family members in her home state.   Thus began the final leg of a roller-coaster journey that began Aug. 3 when Barbara and Harold Cassell received news that their niece had been arrested in Afghanistan, along with co-worker, Heather Mercer, and … [Read more...]

As of this publication date, 346 blank pages remain in 2002.   What will events etch on these pages of history?   What will bring joy or sadness to the United States during these days? What will happen to further embarrass Louisianians, or bring us a dose of badly needed self-respect? As of this publication date, 346 blank pages remain in 2002.   What will events etch on these pages of history?   What will bring joy or sadness to the United States during these days? What will happen to further embarrass Louisianians, or bring us a dose of badly needed self-respect?   Perhaps we have never been more aware of what future pages of a year can harbor than we are this year. Only the most evil-minded could have imagined that 2001 would explode with September 11. The terrorists’ acts were booby traps that exploded when the calendar turned the page onto that bloody day.   We enter 2002 filled with thoughts about 2001. "We are worn out from looking on the suffering of this (2001) year that is now dying with no last words," wrote Eugene Cullen Kennedy last month, "this long school term of daily examinations less on what we have learned than on whether we have … [Read more...]

Beginning with the next issue of the Baptist Message, the weekly paper will be printed on an improved quality of newsprint, according to Editor Lynn P. Clayton.   "We are delighted to make this improvement," Clayton said. "The improved quality of paper will make the text and photographs clearer and easier to read and see." Beginning with the next issue of the Baptist Message, the weekly paper will be printed on an improved quality of newsprint, according to Editor Lynn P. Clayton.   "We are delighted to make this improvement," Clayton said. "The improved quality of paper will make the text and photographs clearer and easier to read and see."   Clayton said the improvement is made possible by an increased allocation in the Louisiana Baptist Convention Cooperative Program Budget.   "We are thankful for the help of the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Executive Board," Clayton added. "We think the improvement will be money well spent."   The 80-plus congregations that use the Baptist Message’s church newspage service will especially benefit.   "The churches that use the back page of the Baptist Message for their church newsletter will have a better … [Read more...]

For the week of January 10, 2002 Potpourri • HOUMA - Coteau church: the Kellers in concert; Jan. 13, 6 p.m.; Dwight Hazelwood, minister of music; Jerry Stevens, interim pastor.   • RUSTON - Calvary church: gospel music extravaganza featuring various groups; Jan. 12, 6-8:30 p.m.; sponsored by Joe Aulds Evangelism; David Hastings, pastor.   • DERIDDER - First church: southwest Louisiana senior adult celebration; Jan. 19, 2 p.m.; Jubilee Banjo Band and Cross Country, a musical comedy team; cost is $7; call (337) 463-9047 for ticket information; E. Whit Holmes, pastor; Doyle Cooper, minister to senior adults. Youth • COLUMBIA - Welcome Home church: youth revival; Jan. 18-19, 7 p.m.; Jan. 20, 11 a.m.; Eric Hodge, speaker; James D. Bowen, youth minister; Bill Gueringer, pastor. Staff Changes Pastors   • LIVINGSTON - A. L. Palmer to Satsuma church as interim pastor.   Others   • FOREST HILL - Gerald Gates to Forest Hill church as minister of music from Oak Grove church in Eros, Rob McLane, pastor. Available • WALKER - Ivy Ellis; available for revivals, supply or interim pastorate; call (225) 791-0652. Anniversaries • BENTON - Pilgrim Home church: 110th; Jan. … [Read more...]

The reality of news is that some stories dominate frontpage headlines, while others face obscurity from repetition or perceived irrelevance.   Despite increased attention in some circles and despite efforts by watchdog organizations such as Compass Direct, the latter is the case for stories related to Christian persecution. The reality of news is that some stories dominate frontpage headlines, while others face obscurity from repetition or perceived irrelevance.   Despite increased attention in some circles and despite efforts by watchdog organizations such as Compass Direct, the latter is the case for stories related to Christian persecution.   Thus, the following is a list that likely will not appear in a local newspaper or a national news magazine. However, from Compass Direct’s standpoint, the following stories represent the key events related to Christian persecution in 2001 - and important story lines to watch in 2002:   Aid workers freed in Afghanistan   The 15-week saga of eight Western relief workers jailed by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan on charges of propagating Christianity captured wider international media coverage than perhaps any other religious … [Read more...]

It may be difficult to remember anything about 2001 except the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. But there was other news to consider for the year - and important trends to note.   Based on various studies from the past year, George Barna has offered a look at some of those trends, releasing an annual list of vital statistics related to faith. It may be difficult to remember anything about 2001 except the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. But there was other news to consider for the year - and important trends to note.   Based on various studies from the past year, George Barna has offered a look at some of those trends, releasing an annual list of vital statistics related to faith.   Barna’s list focuses on the most important, most controversial, most surprising and most challenging faith-related insights.   "Based on our on-going assessment of the spiritual climate and religious gyrations in America, these outcomes give a pretty dynamic summary of what happened in the U.S. in its religious life this year," said Barna, president of the California-based Barna Research Group.   "Such lists are always subjective, but the breadth of revelations represented by these … [Read more...]

Following the lead of many other Americans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary students have taken steps to aid disaster relief efforts in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on this country.   But the efforts have not been limited only to this country and its needs. Following the lead of many other Americans, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary students have taken steps to aid disaster relief efforts in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on this country.   But the efforts have not been limited only to this country and its needs.   In one instance, students at the seminary’s North Georgia campus raised $1,000 to be used in disaster relief efforts in New York City. Students raised the money by using a fireman’s hat as an offering plate.   The hat was passed around in each class at the North Georgia campus and at chapel services. The money then was forwarded to the Georgia Baptist Convention to be used in relief efforts in New York City.   "It was important that each person actually touch the fireman’s hat," said Jason Young, student body president of the North Georgia campus. The hat belonged to Phil Thomas, another student who … [Read more...]