Many babies admitted to this neonatal intensive care unit – those born unexpectedly early, some even before their own baby showers – receive their first gifts from Dana Gallahair. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (BP) – Many babies admitted to this neonatal intensive care unit – those born unexpectedly early, some even before their own baby showers – receive their first gifts from Dana Gallahair. “Yes, I’m the bag lady,” Gallahair said, laughing. She knocks on the door of an anxious mother’s room, gives the new mom a gift bag and then gets on with her job as a registered nurse and care coordinator for the neonatal and newborn nursery at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery, Ala. The bags help Gallahair with introductions, but they’re not issued by the hospital. They’re supplied when needed by her friend and former patient Kim Wilson, founder of Footprints Ministry and member of Heritage Baptist Church in Montgomery. Wilson started the neonatal intensive care unit ministry in August 2007 to uplift and encourage parents of NICU babies. Some 800 babies are admitted to the NICUs of Baptist South and Baptist Medical Center East in Montgomery each year. In 2006, Wilson’s son John Parker was one of them. Wilson can remember … [Read more...]

Executive Board Charter Amendment –That the Executive Board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention amend the Executive Board Charter as attached and that the Executive Board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention recommend these Charter amendments to the Louisiana Baptist Convention meeting in New Orleans November 10-11, 2008 for adoption. The Executive Board shall consist of one (1) member from each association having a minimum of seven churches with an aggregate church membership of at least one thousand, plus one (1) additional board member from each association having as many as ten thousand (10,000) church members, and an additional board member for each additional five thousand (5,000) church members of such associations; provided, however, that not more than seven (7) members from any one association shall serve simultaneously as members of the Executive Board.   … [Read more...]

Doing church used to be so much easier. In today’s security minded world many things have changed that affect the church. When it comes to paying someone to serve as a minister, things have become a little more complicated. Doing church used to be so much easier.  In today’s security minded world many things have changed that affect the church.  When it comes to paying someone to serve as a minister, things have become a little more complicated.  Churches used to be able to simply say to a minister “Here is the amount of money we will give you.  Use it as you choose.”  In today’s world that approach may not only be detrimental to the minister, it could also place the church in a position of violating IRS tax regulations. In a series of columns, I will discuss several items the church needs to consider as a new budget is developed or an existing budget is altered.  The first item will be an attempt to answer the question “What is wrong with just giving all the money we have budgeted for a minister to him and let him handle everything?”  The answer to that question is rather simple.  The church may be costing the minister additional taxes; taxes that he would not have to pay if the church had approached the situation a … [Read more...]

Many hot button issues have been debated over the course of the current presidential campaign. Of late, the struggling American economy has been the topic de jour. Missing from too many discussions and speeches, however, is perhaps the most searing issue – the likely appointment of one or more Supreme Court justices. Many hot button issues have been debated over the course of the current presidential campaign. Of late, the struggling American economy has been the topic de jour. Missing from too many discussions and speeches, however, is perhaps the most searing issue – the likely appointment of one or more Supreme Court justices. Supreme Court justices, once confirmed, are appointed for life. Hence, their influence over American society and its laws can span more than three decades. Long after a president leaves office, his appointee(s) will be rendering decisions that will impact the life and liberty of all Americans. (For example, President Ford left office more than 30 years ago, but one of his nominees, John Paul Stevens, is still on the court.) More times than not, a Supreme Court nominee will possess ideological and philosophical views that closely mirror those of the president making the appointment. Hence, a … [Read more...]

Doyle and Barbara Bailey of Natchez have been named recipients of the 2008 President’s Distinguished Service Award at Northwestern State University. The Baileys will be honored at the annual Homecoming Banquet on Friday, Oct. 24 and at the Homecoming football game against Sam Houston on Saturday, Oct. 25. NATCHITOCHES – Doyle and Barbara Bailey of Natchez have been named recipients of the 2008 President’s Distinguished Service Award at Northwestern State University. The Baileys will be honored at the annual Homecoming Banquet on Friday, Oct. 24 and at the Homecoming football game against Sam Houston on Saturday, Oct. 25.  “Doyle and Barbara Bailey are exemplars of the volunteering community of people who willingly give of themselves and their resources to help others,” said Northwestern State President Dr. Randall J. Webb. “Both Doyle and Barbara are retired from caring professions and could relax and enjoy life after years of serving others in their professional roles.  But, ‘retirement’ to them is yet another phase in their work lives in which they continue to contribute to the overall welfare of our city and region.”  According to Webb, the couple was instrumental in establishing a memorandum of understanding between … [Read more...]

Louisiana College trustees at their recent board meeting passed two capital fundraising campaign resolutions. PINEVILLE – Louisiana College trustees at their recent board meeting passed two capital fundraising campaign resolutions. They also approved an expansion of the Allied Health program, and the creation of an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program. “The board is in one accord,” said outgoing chairman Mark Sparks, a mechanical engineer by profession and a member at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church in the city of Central. “Both of these [capital campaigns] are tied to big and wonderful things for the college. The law school will be one of a kind in the entire country and we’re excited about that. And as we expand our Allied Health program, it is vital that we also expand the infrastructure for teaching those classes.” LC’s 34 trustees met Oct. 6 and 7 at LC’s Granberry Conference Center for the board’s regularly scheduled fall meeting, delayed a month because of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. A plan to gather for prayer on the site of the football/soccer stadium construction was thwarted by the weather, but at the meeting the trustees elected officers, passed resolutions, and heard … [Read more...]

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH CARLYSS Carey Baptist Association CARLYSS – First Baptist Church Carlyss is in need of some manual labor (some experienced carpentry) for repairs caused by Hurricane Ike. Fellowship Hall roof needs to be removed and new trusses installed. Insurance not covering because of deductible and the church is having to do all the work. “We have most of the materials, and we are trying to raise money for remainder,” said Roger Holloway. “Any assistance would be a tremendous help. Please contact Roger Holloway at 337.287.3473. Bayou Vista Baptist Church Gulf Coast Baptist Association MORGAN CITY – God has been using the congregation at Bayou Vista to reach people in unique ways. According to Pastor Charles S. Gilder, his church family started an “English as a Second Language” program back in February. “Initially, we had two classes during the day with 18 [people] enrolled,” he said. Recently, a few more people have been trained in his congregation to teach the classes, and so a night class has recently started. Nine men from the community are taking part in the evening class. “It’s a slow-go,” the pastor said. “It’s laying a foundation.” A woman from one of the day classes has started … [Read more...]

Submitted by Staff on Thu, 10/23/2008 - 02:00 COMINGS AND GOINGS -Hershel Clanton retires as pastor, Faith Baptist, Clayton. -Loyd Sowers (wife Linda), new as pastor, Kaplan Baptist, Kaplan. -Monica Skiles, new as Children’s Director at First Baptist, Lafayette. RETIREMENTS -SPRINGHILL –  Temple Baptist: Wayne Reeves retirement luncheon, recognition and celebration 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. NEEDED -Pastor at Tioga First Baptist, Pineville. Send resume to Tioga FBC Pastor Selection Team, 1309 Singer Drive, Pineville LA 71360. -Pastor at Start Baptist, Start. Send resume to Pastor Search Committee, Start Baptist Church, PO Box 219, Start LA 71279. AVAILABLE -Hershel Clanton for pulpit supply; call 318.723.4660 ANNIVERSARIES AND CELEBRATIONS -MANGHAM – Calvary Baptist: Homecoming Celebration 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26; Three for Him, music; Gerry Courtney, speaker/pastor. REVIVALS -RUSTON – University Baptist: 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26; 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 27 – 29; Tim Post, music; Mac Brunson, evangelist; John Martin, pastor. -JONESVILLE – First Baptist: 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26; 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 27 – 29; Joe Aulds, … [Read more...]

The Louisiana Baptist Convention Missions and Ministry team has added a partnership missions mobilization strategist. ALEXANDRIA – The Louisiana Baptist Convention Missions and Ministry team has added a partnership missions mobilization strategist. Wayne J. Sheppard started Oct. 1 as an integral part of the missions and ministry team, said Team Leader Mike Canady. “We wanted to find just the right person with extraordinary gifts, skills and experience to maximize the effectiveness of our churches with partnership mission opportunities,” Canady said. “Wayne has business and ministry experience. He was a bi-vocational mission pastor in Arizona. Consequently, he knows firsthand what it feels like to have partners come along side your ministry and make a difference.” Sheppard is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with both a Master of Divinity (1984) and Doctor of Ministry (‘88.) He graduated from University of Texas Arlington, Texas with a B.S. in Accounting (‘73.)  For ten years, he was in management with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Texas. He was pastor of four churches in Texas. One was a church plant in Katy. In 2002, he moved to Gilbert, Ariz., to launch a new congregation. He has led … [Read more...]

Only 17 percent of Protestant churchgoers in America demonstrate a “decent” level of spiritual maturity, but a widespread recommitment to biblical standards has the potential to ignite revival, says a new book by Brad Waggoner, vice president of B&H Publishing Group. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Only 17 percent of Protestant churchgoers in America demonstrate a “decent” level of spiritual maturity, but a widespread recommitment to biblical standards has the potential to ignite revival, says a new book by Brad Waggoner, vice president of B&H Publishing Group.  The 17 percent represents those who scored the equivalent of 80 percent or higher on a spiritual formation survey designed to measure key areas of Christian discipleship.  “Let’s not make things look worse or better than they are,” Waggoner writes in The Shape of Faith to Come: Spiritual Formation and the Future of Discipleship, just released by B&H Publishing Group, the publishing arm of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.  “We must embrace the truth. We must set aside whatever self-centered or self-serving, biased filter we look through,” Waggoner writes. “No one is helped by our dodging or spinning the truth. Let’s own up to … [Read more...]