Submitted by philip on Wed, 05/08/2013 - 10:41 More than 400 members of the 2020 Commission listened to LBC Executive Director David Hankins give his report on “The State We Are In.” By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA – Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Executive Director, David Hankins, reported on “The State We Are In,” during the recent mid-point meeting of the 2020 Commission. After giving the vision and mission statements of the LBC, Hankins reminded the 400 members of the 2020 Commission of their purpose statement: “to develop and recommend a seven-year strategy for maximizing Louisiana Baptists’ effectiveness in gospel ministry.” Hankins’ 35-slide Power Point presentation described trends – upward and downward – in Louisiana. Trending downward: In the years between 2000 and 2010, Louisiana’s population grew by about 60,000 people – to more than 4.5 million. In that same time period (used throughout the presentation), membership in churches affiliated with the LBC declined by about 45,000 people – from 593,000 to not quite 548,000. Baptisms of adults were down by 1,258; of youth, down 420; and of children, down 960. This shows that percentage-wise, we’re baptizing fewer youth and children than we are … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 05/08/2013 - 10:44 The newly elected State WMU officers and Nominating Committee members stand together to be recognized at the WMU Missions Celebration annual meeting in Ruston at First Baptist Church in Ruston April 6. The theme for the Missions Celebration was “Woven Together.” By Holly Jo Linzay, Regional Reporter RUSTON – Strains of the old-time missionary song, “We’ve a Story to Tell,” filled the sanctuary as 224 people celebrated the fabric of WMU at their 113th annual meeting. Participants at the WMU Missions Celebration event gathered together April 5-6 at First Baptist Church in Ruston to learn about WMU’s involvement in missions in Louisiana and around the world. Rose Toepfer of First Baptist Church in Eunice said she felt challenged to participate in WMU mission work after hearing about the “rich heritage” of the Woman’s Missionary Union and their plans for future works. She said listening to the former WMU state presidents, missionaries and ministers gave her a clear understanding of how WMU with its strands of mission education, work and support are all woven together. “It lights a new fire in me, hearing about the WMU’s legacy and work,” Toepfer said. “I plan to go home … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message METAIRIE – As Zechariah 4:10 KJV says, For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice .... Celebration Church started in 1988 with six people meeting in a home, praying for revival and a church home. Instead, they formed as a church in September 1989, and a month later, Dennis Watson was called as pastor. The first (after their own) church they started was Iglesia Bautista Vida Nueva in El Salvador in 1992. Their latest, Cityview Church in Miami, Fla. In-between there have been 55 others. “Celebration Church continually focuses on planting new churches because we have a mandate from the Lord to ‘make disciples’ all around the world,” Watson said. “And starting churches is the best way to reach people and lead them to become disciples of Jesus.” Craig Ratliff, with his wife Cindy and their son, William, are moving to Miami at the end of May to start Cityview Church. “Our church will be the primary sponsor of Cityview Church,” Watson said, “although there will be other sponsors, such as the North American Misson Board and the Association of Related Churches.” Ratliff has served on the staff of Celebration Church since 2006, first as the campus pastor for Celebration’s St. … [Read more...]

Arrivals/Departures Billy (wife Laura) Arnold Jr., new to Kaplan Baptist; he as pastor; she as music director. Rick (wife Lola) Wing, new as pastor of Shady Grove Baptist in Nobel. Greg (wife Dara)Whaley, he is new as interim pastor of First Baptist Bogalusa, from music minister; she is new as interim music minister. David Daniels, new as worship leader at North Acres Baptist Minden; he was ordained April 21. Ronnie Sanders, retires from McDonald Memorial Baptist. He’s available for supply: 318.768.4128; 318.245.6467. Jared Little, new as pastor of Crews New Salem Baptist in Montgomery Deloy Shows, resigned from Zion Hill Baptist Winnfield; is available for supply. R.C. Smith, resigns in mid-May from First Baptist Chatham. Terry Booth, resigned as pastor of First Baptist Amite. Matt (wife Joni) McCann, resigned as Minister of Students/Education at Longview Baptist Church Deville to become associate pastor at Woodridge Baptist Church Shreveport. Needed/Giving East Winnfield Baptist has eight pews to give to a Southern Baptist church. Call Pastor Bruce Cardin: 318.628.5998. Mill Creek Baptist Goldonna has a steeple and altar rail to be given away. Pastor: Bobby Bates. Call member Robin Barnett: … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Marketing Director PINEVILLE – As a teenager in today’s world, Andrew Wilks knows the trials a believer may face when he or she accepts Christ for the first time. But once that decision is made, Wilks said another choice must follow: What should a Christian do next? “It’s easy to say that we’ll turn from evil and follow Jesus, but is it really easy to do?” Wilks asked during his speech at the recent Louisiana Baptist State Speakers Tournament. “Not at all. And it doesn’t say anywhere in the Bible that being a Christian is going to be easy at all.” For his speech entitled “What’s Next?,” Wilks earned first place in the recent tournament at First Baptist Pineville, where he is a member. By winning the competition, the eleventh grader received a $4,500 annual scholarship to Louisiana College. The winner in the 10th grade Speakers Tournament was Mary Jane Lukachick, First Baptist Gonzales. The speakers tournament was held in conjunction with the annual Louisiana Baptist Bible Drill. “There are two separate Bible Drill programs for youth,” said Kevin Boles, youth ministry director for the Louisiana Baptist Convention. “Youth Bible Drill is for 7th-9th graders.  High School Bible Drill is for 10th-12th … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 05/08/2013 - 10:50 The Movie 42 By Staff, World News Magazine WASHINGTON – The movie “42” tells the story of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color line. It recently opened to great reviews. It was also a home run at the box office, bringing $27 million in ticket sales during its weekend. Even though “42” is being well received, Eric Metaxas wrote in USA Today that the movie failed to approach what he cleverly called the “God line,” by avoiding any discussion of the strong Christian faith of both Robinson and Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey. Metaxas wrote, “To put it in baseball terms, they decided to pitch around it.” Hollywood is apparently either uncomfortable with faith, or it wants us to believe that humans can be good, moral creatures without faith. Metaxas concluded with an exhortation to filmmakers: “Isn’t it time Hollywood integrated faith into stories where it rightfully belongs? Why should such stories be excluded from the mainstream in a nation that’s filled with people of faith? If filmmakers do the right thing – and break the “God line” – they’ll find there are countless millions who’d cheer stories like that. And who’d pay to see them too.”   New Disease … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Message Editor My first day in the office of the Baptist Message was Jan. 9, 2006. During the seven years and just over four months that I have been editor of the Message, I have never expressed my opinion on any issue in Louisiana Baptist life.  However, with this column that will change. The reason I have chosen to not broadcast my opinion on any issue is that I do not believe my opinion is any better than any other Louisiana Baptist. Just because I have the megaphone of the LBC’s official newsjournal does not make my opinion more important or more valid. Hence, on issues in Louisiana Baptist life, I have kept my opinions to myself. In this column I am going to share some thoughts, perspectives, and realities concerning the most recent controversy at Louisiana College. I might even toss my opinion in as well. I am addressing the situation at LC not because I think I have a definitive assessment, but because I think there are issues that do need to be addressed and highlighted. One of the paramount realities that must be underscored is the recent situation regarding whistleblower complaints that alleged the LC president had misappropriated funds and misled the trustees was a personnel issue. Due the sensitive … [Read more...]

By Larry Burgess, for "Friends of Louisiana College" Specifically, we would like to see the following issues addressed in a timely manner: The physical plant. A study in September 2010 by Aramark Corp. identified over $28 million in repairs that were either critical or would become critical within three years. Most (if not all) of those items remain unaddressed almost three years later. Faculty and staff salaries and health insurance. While faculty and staff salaries are not public knowledge, many have made it known that their salaries are significantly below what they would make elsewhere and many are dependent upon the government for health care. At the same time, the salaries of the administration have increased significantly over the past several years. Expansion of academic programs. We hope that the trustees will take a hard look at whether graduate programs in medicine, law and film—and any other areas—are financially sustainable and realistic for a college of LC’s size. We hope that undergraduate programs will be the board’s priority, since they have served LC and the world so well for over 100 years. Other areas of expansion should be considered with attention to more profitable demands of the educational market, … [Read more...]

By Philip Timothy, Message Staff Writer WOODWORTH – Much like the last four months, the ‘crisis at LC’ dominated discussion at the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s annual spring meeting of the Executive Board May 7. In addressing the situation, LBC Executive Director David Hankins in his report to the board began by saying, “I would like to speak to you about the crisis at LC. “When I first saw the accusations, I was crestfallen,” said Hankins. “I did not want to believe the accusations being made against my friend Joe Aguillard. I realize I did not help myself by staying quiet. I have been asked why haven’t I spoken until now. I have been accused of doing too little by some and too much by others. “Well, I did not speak before now because it would have been inappropriate. There are rules of conduct for Louisiana Baptists and we expect them to be followed,” Hankins continued. “I do not like trying people in the press or blogging people to death. I certainly do not like mob rule. “We elect trustees. Interfering with them has its liabilities,” Hankins said. “I felt the trustees needed to be allowed to do their job and it would have been inappropriate of me to speak of these issues before they had done so.” Hankins also cautioned … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists throughout the state are responding to the Oklahoma tornadoes tragedy with collection centers. These include, along with drop-off dates and what they are collecting: •    Feliciana Baptist, Clinton; Superior Avenue Baptist, Bogalusa; First Baptist, St. Francisville; First Baptist, Amite; and Hillcrest Baptist, Franklinton, as part of a joint effort by the Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana; today, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.  Brother Stanley Statham, director of missions for the association, said the items needed are paper towels, napkins, toilet paper, styrofoam cups, plastic cups, plastic knives, forks, spoons, Gatorade, diapers, wipes, large trash bags and hand sanitizer. NO clothes are needed at this time. The association has bottled water on hand, so that item is not needed. Those wanting to help with fuel costs to transport the items can make a check out to BASELA. For more information call 985-839-3827. •    Northside Baptist, Lafayette, is collecting items today between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Items needed include baby wipes, Gatorade, baby blankets, nursery water, children’s shoes (size under 6), razors, travel hand sanitizer, anti-bacterial wipes, … [Read more...]