International Mission Board trustees have approved the most extensive strategic changes in a decade to help Southern Baptist missionaries and churches multiply their results in reaching the world’s lost peoples. ATLANTA (BP)--International Mission Board trustees have approved the most extensive strategic changes in a decade to help Southern Baptist missionaries and churches multiply their results in reaching the world’s lost peoples. At their Sept. 8-10 meeting in Atlanta, the trustees revised the mission board’s vision, mission and core values statements – and gave the green light to a major reorganization aimed at maximizing missionary effectiveness, simplifying overseas administration and increasing the direct involvement of Southern Baptists and their churches in missions. “Our world is changing and we must continue to change with it,” IMB President Jerry Rankin said. “Ten years ago we began to formulate a vision of mobilization. Now the passion and commitment of churches to be directly involved in the Great Commission is rapidly expanding and we must leverage this massive response for impacting lostness around the world.” The changes, proposed by a joint trustee-staff task force, will unfold over the next year. … [Read more...]

Besides the mammoth Southern Baptist disaster relief response mounted in Louisiana and Texas after Hurricane Ike, several Baptist state conventions also have deployed volunteers in their own backyards – even as far inland as Ohio. CINCINNATI, Ohio (BP) – Besides the mammoth Southern Baptist disaster relief response mounted in Louisiana and Texas after Hurricane Ike, several Baptist state conventions also have deployed volunteers in their own backyards –  even as far inland as Ohio. “It was the perfect storm here in the Cincinnati area,” said Dennis Holmes, associational missionary for the Baptist Association of Greater Cincinnati. “When the remnants of Hurricane Ike met up with a cold front, it was the perfect condition. It was worse than any ice storm.” Holmes said winds spiked at 84 mph, felling trees by the dozens and knocking power out for more than 1 million people –  800,000 of them in Cincinnati alone. “Most of the wind came through Cincinnati, Columbus, Lebanon and into the Dayton area,” said Duane Floro, ministry evangelism strategist for the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio. “Some are still without power.” Floro said disaster relief chainsaw teams were activated east of Cincinnati and, because recovery … [Read more...]

Every 30 seconds, a child in Africa dies of malaria. HORN OF AFRICA (BP) – Every 30 seconds, a child in Africa dies of malaria. But it doesn’t have to happen. Malaria often can be prevented. When that’s not possible, malaria can be treated. And it can be done simply and inexpensively. In one rural area of the Horn of Africa, Southern Baptists are helping with a project that aims to greatly reduce the number of people who suffer from malaria by using a simple remedy that can be readily available, even in the most remote areas. Drawing on a little more than $10,000 from the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund, local believers and Southern Baptist field partners are distributing starts of Artemisia annua, a plant that has proven effective in treating malaria when its dried leaves are brewed as a tea. Use of Artemisia to treat fever dates back more than 17 centuries to ancient China. “This area has a population of more than 4 million people and one of the highest incidence rates of malaria in the whole country,” said William Arnold, a development worker who is a field partner of Baptist Global Response, a Southern Baptist international relief and development organization. “Because the area is so rural, 60 percent of … [Read more...]

During seminary days, Wayne Hunt employed his natural-born counseling gifts while sitting on his front porch in New Orleans. HOUMA – During seminary days, Wayne Hunt employed his natural-born counseling gifts while sitting on his front porch in New Orleans. For seven years Hunt brought hope to people in despair because of their marriage, spouse, job, financial distress, and/or the actions of their children and teens. “Whatever the question, Jesus is the answer, of course,” Hunt said during a recent visit in his office, which was extra-busy because of disaster relief ministry at the same time quick repairs were being made to the roof overhead. “But you have to deal with the wound before you can see where the blood is coming from.” When Hunt wanted to put his counseling skills to use in Disaster Relief ministry, he was told, he couldn’t wear the distinctive yellow DR shirt and cap because he hadn’t been NAMB Disaster Relief trained and certified. The wake of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike brought similar consternation to non-NAMB trained and certified disaster relief workers across Louisiana. With all the Southern Baptist love of Jesus in them, they wanted to take their chain saws and help their neighbors. They wanted to … [Read more...]

The Southern Baptist Convention finished its Oct. 1 - Sept. 30 fiscal year 1.89 percent ahead of budget, but Cooperative Program receipts for the year were down .65 percent and combined giving for the year was down .87 percent, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Morris H. Chapman.   NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – The Southern Baptist Convention finished its Oct. 1 - Sept. 30 fiscal year 1.89 percent ahead of budget, but Cooperative Program receipts for the year were down .65 percent and combined giving for the year was down .87 percent, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Morris H. Chapman. “This is the first time in 15 years that both Cooperative Program and combined giving have not surpassed the previous year, and I think it reflects the impact of the recent economic crunch that has hurt so many American families,” Chapman said. “But it is remarkable that, given the severe economic strain the country has experienced, gifts to national efforts through the Cooperative Program still topped the $200-million mark for the third year in a row and overall giving to national causes surpassed the $400-million benchmark for … [Read more...]

Ask Bob Williams any of these questions and you can be assured the name of Jesus will be in the answer: BROWNSVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Ask Bob Williams any of these questions and you can be assured the name of Jesus will be in the answer: - 1) What do you know? - 2) How are you feeling? - 3) What have you been doing? Williams, pastor of New Vision Community Church in Brownsville, Tenn., wanted to help his church members “get Jesus’ name in every conversation in a natural way.” More than a year ago, Williams began to ask God to give him a “witnessing method that could be a part of everyday conversation for the average layperson and not sound canned, judgmental or intimidating.” It was part of a search for ways he and others could “counteract the devil’s schemes to destroy the Christian fabric of our great country and the world.” Williams counts it an answer to prayer, the idea of answering three questions by turning everyday conversations toward Jesus. -- What do you know? Williams’ answer: “With the world in the shape it’s in, I am not sure I know anything except I know Jesus loves you and me!” The pastor couples the answer with John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that … [Read more...]

The Louisiana College Office of Alumni Affairs recently announced the schedule and theme for Homecoming 2008. PINEVILLE – The Louisiana College Office of Alumni Affairs recently announced the schedule and theme for Homecoming 2008.   Homecoming is to begin on Thursday, Oct. 23, and continue through Saturday, Oct. 25. This year’s theme is “A Field of Dreams,” which coincides with the opening of the new Wildcat football/soccer field. “This will be the first time in 40 years that the LC football team has played on campus,” said Joe Aguillard, President of Louisiana College. Homecoming this year will have a special meaning for those who attend. Current students and alumni alike will be part of history as the LC Wildcat Football team takes on Howard Payne University on the new football field. “Our football players and students are very excited about having a football field and stadium right here on campus,” LC Head Football Coach Dennis Dunn said. “This has been a long time coming.” Football was re-introduced to LC in 2000 and since that time home games have been played on the Pineville High School football field.  Each year at homecoming several LC alumni are recognized and awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award, … [Read more...]

If Jesus himself were running for political office, I would not give him an endorsement as pastor of my church. If Jesus himself were running for political office, I would not give him an endorsement as pastor of my church. But Jesus is not now –nor will he ever be – running for political office. He taught us clearly that politics itself is far too feeble a tool to get done what he is trying to do on this earth. Jesus is not blind to politics and politicians – he sees right through them. The church is a force for good in this world because it is beholding to no politicians! It speaks and ministers by the authority of no earthly government. It salutes the flag of God Almighty and answers to Him alone. This transcendent task and independent status of the church is essential to its nature. If the church becomes the benevolence branch of government, it loses its own soul. So the church rightfully insists that government not intervene in its internal affairs. The vote is a sacred trust in our democracy. It is our most fundamental right and responsibility as citizens. Every eligible citizen should be registered to vote and should take the time and make the hard choices on Election Day. Pastors should not be … [Read more...]

On Sunday, Sept. 28, a few dozen pastors across the United States endorsed or opposed political candidates from pulpits during their churches’ worship services. The coordinated effort apparently was designed to both call attention to and violate an IRS statute that forbids pastors from stumping for candidates from their pulpits. On Sunday, Sept. 28, a few dozen pastors across the United States endorsed or opposed political candidates from pulpits during their churches’ worship services. The coordinated effort apparently was designed to both call attention to and violate an IRS statute that forbids pastors from stumping for candidates from their pulpits. One of the implied purposes of the pulpit politicking was an attempt to force the IRS’s hand. The hope of the participants is that the U.S. taxing authority will seek to punish one, or more, of the law-breaking pastors. The theory is that if that were to occur, it would allow a court challenge of federal government restrictions on political involvement by churches and pastors. You may have applauded the pastors who participated in the recent “Pulpit Freedom Sunday.” You may be appalled at the very thought of politics on parade during a worship service. Whatever your … [Read more...]

Landrum P. Leavell II, president emeritus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, died Sept. 26 in Wichita Falls, Texas. He was 81. WICHITA FALLS, Texas (BP) – Landrum P. Leavell II, president emeritus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, died Sept. 26 in Wichita Falls, Texas. He was 81. Born in Ripley, Tenn., Nov. 26, 1926, Leavell was raised in Newnan, Ga., where his father, Leonard O. Leavell, was pastor of the First Baptist Church. On July 28, 1953 he married JoAnn Paris of New Orleans, a graduate of Sophie Newcomb College. He went on to become the president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, his alma mater, and one of the most influential Southern Baptist leaders of his generation. Leavell was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1948 and began pastoring a church in Mississippi during his time as a student at New Orleans Seminary. Leavell earned a B.A. in English from Mercer University and a B.D. degree and a Th.D. in New Testament and Greek from NOBTS. During his 27 years as a pastor, Leavell served at Union Baptist Church in Magnolia, Miss. (1948-51); Crosby Baptist Church in Crosby, Miss. (1951-53); First Baptist Church in Charleston, Miss. (1953-56); First Baptist Church in Gulfport, … [Read more...]