By Gary Myers, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's trustees approved an initiative to launch four new fully-online degrees, new degrees in biblical archaeology and chaplaincy and created seven new extension sites during their fall meeting Oct. 8. The board approved a plan by the NOBTS administration to petition ATS for approval of the four additional degrees. In addition to the three online degrees already offered, NOBTS will seek approval for a fully-online master of divinity, master of arts in Christian education, master of arts in apologetics and master of missiology. In 2012, the trustees approved three fully-online degrees -- the master of theological studies, master of arts (theology) and master of arts (biblical studies). The master of theological studies degree was already approved by the seminary's accrediting agency, Association of Theological School in the United States and Canada (ATS). The seminary petitioned ATS for approval for the two other degrees. The petition was granted and NOBTS began offering the three degrees in a fully-online format this spring. NOBTS Provost Steve Lemke said the seminary "has long been a national leader in distance education, so offering … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 10/21/2013 - 14:44 Ernie Addison wasn’t expected to live past the age of 5, however after a strenuous three year battle he survived and was brought home by Sharon who became his foster mother. Sharon married Tommy Blackmon five years ago and they, along with the congregation at Ames Boulevard Baptist Church in Marrero, love on Ernie – known as ‘God’s Ambassador of Love. He is now a healthy 15 years old. Recently, the Blackmons welcomed the birth of a daughter, Julia. By Marilyn Stewart, Regional reporter MARRERO – Born a twin at 24 weeks, Ernie Addison wasn’t expected to live past age 5. Unable to care for his extensive needs, his family released him to the state. So, for the first three years of life, “home” was a hospital or institutional bed with tethers to multiple machines. But today, Ernie has foster parents who made him their own and a church family who loves him. Together they see Ernie, now 15, not so much as a child of special needs, but as a God-given “ambassador of love.” His foster parents searched for a church family who could walk beside them and found it at Ames Boulevard Baptist Church in Marrero. Though autistic, non-verbal, and with significant developmental issues, … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Gary (wife Pam) Richerson new as pastor of First Baptist Church, Baker Wren DePratter new as Children’s Ministry Intern at Oak Park Baptist Church, Algiers Josh Peeler new as Minister of Discipleship/Evangelism at Oak Park Baptist Church, Algiers Bart Taylor new as Senior Adult Ministry Intern at Oak Park Baptist Church, Algiers Brantley Ditto new as Young Adult Ministry Intern at Oak Park Baptist Church, Algiers Michael Evans resigns as pastor of Occupy 2 Baptist Church, Pitkin. Brad (wife Stephanie) Jurkovich new as pastor at First Baptist Church, Bossier City. Blake Canterbury resigns as minister of pastoral care/co-worship leader Bellaire Baptist Church, Bossier City. Gary Baltrusch new as music minister at Cherry Ridge Baptist Church, Bastrop. Howard Cole new as interim pastor Belle Park Baptist Church, Shreveport.   REVIVAL/HOMECOMING Shiloh Baptist Church, Pine Grove: 150th Anniversary Celebration, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. worship service, followed by dinner on the grounds, music and fellowship. For further information, call LaVerne at 225.921.5508 or Marilyn at 225.777.4606. New Light Baptist Church Monroe: Harvest Day and Fall Revival Oct. 27 – 30. Speaker: Bill Robertson. Worship: Richard Davis and … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Tue, 10/22/2013 - 12:26 Thousands of Prestonwood Baptist Church members viewed the "My Hope America with Billy Graham" video to be shown in host homes Nov. 4–9 in an effort to share the Gospel throughout the country. By Berta Delgado-Young PLANO, Texas (BP) -- Nike Ladapo shares a birthday week with Billy Graham, and the soon-to-be 50-year-old Texas woman is following his lead on the most fulfilling way to celebrate a milestone birthday. For his 95th birthday on Nov. 7, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is kicking off a weeklong endeavor to reach the country with the Gospel. From Nov. 3-12, more than 24,000 churches are participating in "My Hope America with Billy Graham," reaching out with the love and Good News of Christ in homes and other venues across the country. Nike, a member of the Dallas-area Prestonwood Baptist Church, signed up after a Sunday service (Oct. 6) to host a "My Hope Party" at her home. She said she cannot imagine a better way to celebrate her birthday than by inviting family, friends and neighbors to her home and then sharing what Christ has done in her life and how He can transform their lives. "Matthew 28:19 tells us that we are to take the Gospel to the ends … [Read more...]

By Curt Iles, Missionary Hope is such a four-letter word. As the song says, In Christ alone my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song. Maybe this story illustrates why we feel called to minister among the unreached people groups of Africa. A Dinka (Sudan) mother, during a long famine,  learned to keep her children alive with little food and a strong dose of hope. Nightly, she placed an ax head in a boiling pot of water.  Removing the lid, she’d inhale and smile.  “It’s not quite ready.” Her children would finally drift off to sleep with empty bellies but hope for tomorrow. These are the brave people we’re getting to know.  Pray for them and us as God leads us to the right areas and people groups in South Sudan and its borderlands. Hope is a 4 letter word.  If a person has hope, … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Tue, 10/22/2013 - 12:30 A team composed of members of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's Moskau Institute of Archaeology and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority cleared weeds, dirt and debris from the Bronze Age gate system at Gezer, Israel, in a reexcavation of the site this summer. Gezer was part of the ancient Canaanite city-state society which reached its height of importance in the Middle and Late Bronze ages. By Gary Myers, NOBTS Communications JERUSALEM (BP) -- When Moses sent 12 spies into Canaan to explore the land, the men's sighting of large, fortified cities created fear among the Israelites and led to rebellion. Instead of conquering the land, God's people wandered in the wilderness 40 years. The account in Numbers 13 does not specify which cities were observed, but fits well with the archaeological record of the Canaanite culture from the Bronze Age. Many of the Canaanite cities at that time were equipped with massive, imposing walls and well-defended gates. A team composed of members of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's Moskau Institute of Archaeology and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) got a first-hand look at the Bronze Age walls and gate systems this … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Tue, 10/22/2013 - 12:32 Former New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustee Bill Bailey guides a bag of debris as it is pulled from the ancient water system at Gezer, Israel, part of the ancient Canaanite city-state society. The summer dig aimed at determining the date of the tunnel system was conducted by members of NOBTS' Moskau Institute of Archaeology and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. By Gary Myers, NOBTS Communications JERUSALEM (BP) -- R.A.S. Macalister faced a crucial decision in late 1907 when he reached the bottom of the ancient Gezer Water System in Israel -- drain and excavate the pool at the bottom step or explore the cavern beyond the pool. He chose to bypass the pool and excavate the cavern. Macalister had no way of knowing the implications his decision would have on establishing a date for the system. Now, more than a hundred years after Macalister's dig, a reexcavation of the water system by a team of archaeologists from the Moskau Institute of Archaeology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) is bringing the implications of Macalister's choice into clear focus. Leaders of the NOBTS/INPA dig believe … [Read more...]

by Laura Wilson BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Not many organizations are rich with a heritage that spans more than 100 years, but Girls in Action and Acteens organizations sponsored by WMU have now passed the century mark of engaging girls in missions education and involvement. It was in 1909 when large hats, high button-up shoes, and long Sunday drives in a horse and carriage were popular that GA got its start. In 1907, Young Woman’s Auxiliary (YWA) was created for younger women and grew to 992 organizations within two years. The missing link was involving preteen and young teenage girls in missions, so WMU began publishing literature for these girls in 1909. These missions groups were first included in a 1913 report, and that year was claimed in later years as the official start of missions education for girls through WMU. Although the names of the missions organizations for girls have changed over the years, its missions purpose remains true. As members of Junior YWA (1909), Junior Auxiliaries (1912), Girls’ Auxiliary (1914); Junior Girls’ Auxiliary and Intermediate Girls’ Auxiliary (1924); Girls in Action and Acteens (1970), girls have come to understand God can use them now—even in their youth—to share His love with others and make … [Read more...]

By Laura Wilson BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – At a young age, Amanda Mellot* knew God was calling her to missions through her years of involvement with GA and Acteens. “I knew I loved Jesus and that there are people in the world that didn’t know Him,” explained Mellot. “I was burdened at a young age for lost people in the world. GA and Acteens were the foundation of my life; I knew I wanted to be part of what was going on in the world as God uses His church for His renown.” Mellot said one of her first memories in GA is the Wednesday night when she memorized Matthew 28:19-20: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded of you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (NIV). “I remember those words piercing my heart in a way I could not explain, but I knew it was true and that I wanted to be part of the commission Jesus gave us when He went to be at the right hand of God,” Mellot said. Ever since that night, Mellot says that passage has been how she views the world and a big part of her life. “Whatever we do, we are to go and make disciples,” said Mellot. Mellot gained knowledge and … [Read more...]

By Laura Wilson BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – At a young age, Amanda Mellot* knew God was calling her to missions through her years of involvement with GA and Acteens. “I knew I loved Jesus and that there are people in the world that didn’t know Him,” explained Mellot. “I was burdened at a young age for lost people in the world. GA and Acteens were the foundation of my life; I knew I wanted to be part of what was going on in the world as God uses His church for His renown.” Mellot said one of her first memories in GA is the Wednesday night when she memorized Matthew 28:19-20: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded of you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (NIV). “I remember those words piercing my heart in a way I could not explain, but I knew it was true and that I wanted to be part of the commission Jesus gave us when He went to be at the right hand of God,” Mellot said. Ever since that night, Mellot says that passage has been how she views the world and a big part of her life. “Whatever we do, we are to go and make disciples,” said Mellot. Mellot gained knowledge and … [Read more...]