I doubt if W. A.Criswell would have liked being called a legend. The Random House College Dictionary defines legend: "A nonhistorical or unverifiable story handed down by tradition from earlier times and popularly accepted as historical" or "the person who is the center of such stories." I doubt if W. A.Criswell would have liked being called a legend. The Random House College Dictionary defines legend: "A nonhistorical or unverifiable story handed down by tradition from earlier times and popularly accepted as historical" or "the person who is the center of such stories."   There was nothing fictitious or unverifiable about W.A. Criswell, although his life and ministry certainly took on legendary proportions. He served as pastor of what was then the largest Baptist church in the world. He was always on the record, frequently in Baptists’ collective face and openly calling them to "the throne of grace."   WA Criswell was part of our household conversation when I was growing up. My father was a Baptist preacher - not minister; he preferred preacher - who idolized WA Criswell. My father’s pastorates were never so far away from Dallas that we did not have daily access to the Dallas Morning News, … [Read more...]

For the week of January 31, 2002 Seminary graduates Five Louisiana natives recently received degrees from Southern Baptist theological seminaries. Randy Johnson of Baton Rouge earned a master of divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. His home church is Riverdale Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. Celeste Ford earned a master of divnity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. She is a graduate of Louisiana College in Pineville and the daughter of Ray Ford of Alexandria. Todd Strain also received a master of divinity degree. He is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. Brian Manuel earned a master of arts degree. He is a graduate of Louisiana College and the son of Lee and Betty Manuel of Oakdale. Michael Tullos of Shreveport received a doctor of ministry degree. Missionary appointment Harold and Ginger Junek recently were appointed as Southern Baptist International Mission Board workers. The Johnsons will serve in the Czech Republic, where he will focus on planting churches and coordinating theological education, and she will be involved in outreach through church and home. He is the former pastor at Taylor Baptist Church in Taylor … [Read more...]

A frequently-asked question among church members with pastors who are recent graduates of seminary is: What are they teaching these men about the role of a pastor?   The question arises because a number of generally younger ministers seem, at least to some of their members, to have what they call a "CEO mentality." A frequently-asked question among church members with pastors who are recent graduates of seminary is: What are they teaching these men about the role of a pastor?   The question arises because a number of generally younger ministers seem, at least to some of their members, to have what they call a "CEO mentality."   A board of a secular company hires a CEO (Chief Executive Officer) because they believe he knows what is best for the company. The CEO moves to the company helm and makes changes without regard to how things were done before or how employees are going to be affected by such changes. For the CEO, profits, increased profits and company growth are all that matter - just the bottom line.   A minister is accused of having a CEO mentality if he comes to a church and immediately begins making significant changes to the church’s operation and ministries. … [Read more...]

For the first time since Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba, a Cuban Baptist medical team was given permission to participate in a medical crusade outside the island nation.   Four members of the Baptist Medical and Dental Fellowship of Cuba of Western Cuba joined a medical team from the United States in a January medical crusade in Maracaibo, Venezuela. The Cuban team consisted of two physicians, a dentist and a nurse. They joined the Baptist Medical and Dental Fellowship team that came from Louisiana, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. For the first time since Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba, a Cuban Baptist medical team was given permission to participate in a medical crusade outside the island nation.   Four members of the Baptist Medical and Dental Fellowship of Cuba of Western Cuba joined a medical team from the United States in a January medical crusade in Maracaibo, Venezuela. The Cuban team consisted of two physicians, a dentist and a nurse. They joined the Baptist Medical and Dental Fellowship team that came from Louisiana, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.   Baptist Cuban physicians have helped with medical projects as parts of other meetings, … [Read more...]

Hundreds of women, small children and older men wait in the line that forms down the hot, dusty street.   Some have been there for more than an hour. They will remain in the line for up to six hours as the tropic sun turns hotter and hotter. Infants cry. Children grow restless and play. No one complains. Hundreds of women, small children and older men wait in the line that forms down the hot, dusty street.   Some have been there for more than an hour. They will remain in the line for up to six hours as the tropic sun turns hotter and hotter. Infants cry. Children grow restless and play. No one complains.   The small, people-packed bus pulls up and scrubs-clad people begin filing out at the edge of the line. Looking at the crowd, the medical personnel know it is going to be a hectic, hot, hard day.   When the workday is over six hours later, they will have diagnosed, treated and given medicine to 595 patients and given them a chance to accept Jesus Christ as savior. In addition to countless routine cases, they will deal with at least two medical emergencies. No one complains.   Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and their assistants have come to Maracaibo, Venezuela … [Read more...]

Four fourth-year students at Louisiana State University Health Center in Shreveport learned a thing or two the hard way recently.   But they say they are pleased with what they learned - and the way they learned it. Four fourth-year students at Louisiana State University Health Center in Shreveport learned a thing or two the hard way recently.   But they say they are pleased with what they learned - and the way they learned it.   The four students recently spent a month doing short-term medical missions, working in primitive conditions and with little more equipment than they could pack into a suitcase. They worked among the poorer people of tropical Maracaibo, Venezuela, in buildings with metal roofs, no insulation and no air conditioning. Each team member saw about 50 patients a workday.   "The practice of medicine tends to make you very self-centered and selfish with your talent," student Joseph Nida reflects. "This kind of thing is very important."   The students practiced basic medicine six hours a day, four-days a week as part of a crusade that sought to bring medical and spiritual healing to four communities of this sprawling city of 2.4 million to 3 … [Read more...]

Unprecedented concern about the growing influence of religion in China underscored speeches by top Communist Party leaders at a recent Religious Work Conference in Beijing.   President Jiang Zemin himself set the tone, stressing the importance of religion in world affairs. He warned that the impact of religion on the political and social life of the world could not be underestimated. Unprecedented concern about the growing influence of religion in China underscored speeches by top Communist Party leaders at a recent Religious Work Conference in Beijing.   President Jiang Zemin himself set the tone, stressing the importance of religion in world affairs. He warned that the impact of religion on the political and social life of the world could not be underestimated.   Jiang stressed the Communist Party’s work to control religious affairs was linked to China’s social stability and national security. He warned that no one would be allowed to abuse religion in order to sabotage the party, socialism or national security.   While exchanges between Chinese and foreign religious societies would be encouraged, infiltration by overseas forces using the cover of religion would be … [Read more...]

On Super Bowl Sunday, churches across the nation once again will raise money for the poor by participating in the "Souper Bowl of Caring."   Meanwhile, Southern Baptists will be given an additional opportunity to raise money for their own World Hunger Fund. On Super Bowl Sunday, churches across the nation once again will raise money for the poor by participating in the "Souper Bowl of Caring."   Meanwhile, Southern Baptists will be given an additional opportunity to raise money for their own World Hunger Fund.   Southern Baptists are being urged to donate $1 in large soup pots as they leave church on Super Bowl Sunday, said Steve Nelson, director of hunger concerns with the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.   All of the money raised among Baptists will go directly to the hunger fund, which supports ministry evangelism initiatives across the nation and the world led by Southern Baptist missionaries and volunteers.   "We want to specifically challenge youth groups and churches to take part in this Souper Bowl of Caring emphasis," Nelson emphasized.   The Souper Bowl of Caring is a nondenominational grassroots effort to raise … [Read more...]

For the week of January 31, 2002 People, Places and Events Potpourri • WEST MONROE - Highland church: "Rekindle the Flame" marriage enrichment seminar; Feb. 8, 7 p.m.; Feb. 9, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; led by Mark Sutton; $55 per couple; Gordon "Skip" Dean, pastor.   • LIVINGSTON - Colyell church: Carolina Boys Quartet in concert; Feb. 6, 7 p.m.; Craig Forque, music minister; Sanford Sherman, pastor.   • WEST MONROE - McClendon church: Breakin’ New Ground in concert; Feb. 8, 7 p.m.; Rick Crandall, pastor.   • LORANGER - Living Waters Assembly: "Grace in Your Face" youth winter retreat; Feb. 10-12; $50 per youth; for ages 7th grade thru college; Youth Project, retreat leaders; for more information call Tom Long at (985)863-3363 or email at adventurerec@aol.com; David Willoughby, camp director.   • MINDEN - First church: associational missions rally; Feb. 17, 6 p.m.; Wayne L. DuBose, pastor. Revivals • WEST MONROE - Highland church: Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m.; Feb. 11-13, 7 p.m.; Mark Sutton, evangelist; Price Harris, music; Gordon "Skip" Dean, pastor.   • BOGALUSA - First church: senior adult revival; Feb. 11-13, 10 a.m. fellowship, 10:30 a.m. service, 11:30 potluck lunch; … [Read more...]