By Amanda Sullivan, Baptist Press   NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Change is in the air for the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference, June 17-18 in New Orleans, themed “Changing: Lives, Communities, the World.”   “I am changing. You are changing. The world around us is changing,” said Grant Ethridge, president of the Pastors’ Conference and senior pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Hampton, Va.   “But there is one thing that has not changed. God’s plan for getting the Gospel to the ends of the earth is still the local church. Changing lives, communities and the world is not optional. It is the command of Jesus.”   Ethridge is praying that the Pastors’ Conference will impart “a burning desire to see lives changed in their community,” to encourage pastors in “believing that their church, no matter the location or size, can be used of God to change lives around the world.”   David Jeremiah, David Platt, Fred Luter Jr., Johnny Hunt, Jack Graham and Herb Reavis, Jr. are among speakers.   Charles Billingsley, Jeff Askew, Sounds of Liberty, the Liberty Worship Choir and Chi Alpha will lead in worship.   Honoring Father’s Day, which is Sunday, June 17, the Pastors’ … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   JONESBORO – For the third year in a row, Youth Explosion is to take place in late summer.   A ministry of Jackson, Winn and Shady Grove Baptist Associations, where Clovis Sturdivant is director of missions, Youth Explosion is designed as a no-cost regional event with a high-energy evangelistic thrust, says Clay Smith, First Jonesboro student minister and event coordinator.   “Bringing together students from across north Louisiana right before school begins gives them a sense of urgency to get to their campus and share Christ,” Smith said.  “I think this event is worth all the time and effort because of the decisions that are made.”   In 2010, as many as 700 students participated each night, and 70 people made spiritual decisions. Last year, up to 1,000 people participated each night, and 50 made decisions.   This year’s line-up includes Chad Poe as speaker, comedians Bean & Bailey, and as the band, Rush of Fools.   “This year we moved up our event one week so that more students could attend, due to schools starting the first week of August,” Smith said. “This is a free event because we want to provide a quality event where smaller … [Read more...]

By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor   [img_assist|nid=8176|title=Prayer Quilt|desc=Mary Ray, Betty Lloyd and Alice Dixon are among several women from New Hope Baptist Church in Elmer who sew, hand-tie and pray over each knot in every lap-size prayer quilt they make to comfort the afflicted.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=480]Elmer – Women from New Hope Baptist Church use their sewing skills as one way of ministering to people in their rural Rapides Parish community.   They also crochet caps “for anyone who needs them,” reports Debbie Merlan. Merlan is a social worker with Christus Cabrini Hospice, which has received several items from the women’s missions endeavors.   “We are so humbled by this church’s generosity and with the opportunity to present these to our patients,” Merlan  wrote in an email to the Baptist Message. The daughter of a WMU director, she knows what New Hope Elmer’s women are doing is a testament to their commitment to be  Jesus’ hands and feet and arms of service, Merlan wrote.   “In our visits to the home [of one of our patients] it was obvious that this church family is a missions-minded congregation,” Merlan wrote. “They also participate in missions … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   [img_assist|nid=8178|title=New Steeple|desc=Kathryn Sanders’ question led to a 40-ft. steeple being placed atop First Kentwood for the first time since 1948. Cathy Chapman photo|link=none|align=left|width=410|height=640]KENTWOOD – A steeple now graces the First Baptist Church roofline.   After Kathryn “Mama Kat” Sanders asked her question often enough – “Why doesn’t our church have a steeple? – a fund was established in her honor. She died a few months ago, but the fund kept growing, and in early May, a steeple was set in place atop the red brick structure that had been without a stately finish since its construction 1948.   A dedication of the renovated sanctuary and steeple is set for June 10. Joey Miller is pastor … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES   Andrew Bates, new as interim youth minister at First Winnfield. Pastor: Stephen Laughlin.   Lewis (wife Erica) Richerson, new as pastor of Woodlawn Baton Rouge.   NOBTS graduates with Louisiana ties: Master of Music: Arthur Ghere, Thibodaux. Master of Divinity: William Carpenter Jr., Walker; Walter Jackson, Monroe; Jason Milton, Kenner; Valarie Oliver, Baton Rouge; Joel Williams, Baton Rouge; Doctor of Educational Ministry: Cindy Townsend, Flowood, Miss., former LBC director of women’s missions and ministry. Doctor of Ministry: Keith Zachary, Slaughter. Doctor of Philosophy: Justin Langford, Baton Rouge.   Rick Wood, new as interim pastor of First Greensburg.   Michael Clark, new as pastoral intern at First Winnfield. Pastor: Stephen Laughlin.   Eric LeFevers, new as minister to students at Amite Denham Springs. Pastor: Terry Booth.   Wendell Dorman resigns as pastor of First Holden.   David Lane, new as pastor of Judson Walker.   James Allen Moak, new as pastor of Red Oak Livingston.   Homecomings, Anniversaries, Revivals   Pine Ridge DeRidder: … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Press   NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Several fellowship groups and smaller “communities” of Southern Baptists meet in conjunction with the SBC annual meeting, which this year takes place June 19-20 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.   Up to 1,000 messengers may be in attendance for various sessions of the National African American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention June 16-20 in conjunction with the SBC annual meeting June 19-20, said President James Dixon, senior pastor of El-Bethel Baptist Church in Fort Washington, Md.   Pastor Fred Luter’s anticipated election would be a healthy moment for the SBC, Dixon said, helping dispel a myth that the SBC is not ethnically inclusive in leadership. Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, has accepted Dixon’s invitation to preach at NAAF’s annual banquet, Tuesday, June 19 from 6:30–9:30 p.m. in rooms 220-221 of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Dixon will forgo the customary final presidential address in view of Luter’s sermon.   Jeffery Friend, pastor of Suburban Baptist Church, 10501 Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans and host of the NAAF worship and fellowship service at … [Read more...]

By Gary D. Meyers, NOBTS Communications   NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees approved three major curriculum initiatives – a doctor of philosophy degree in biblical interpretation, a master of arts degree in apologetics and a bachelor of arts in music degree with an emphasis in worship – during their spring meeting April 11.   Also approved was the expansion of the doctor of philosophy major in preaching by adding three areas of specialization that students can choose – biblical exposition, pastoral theology and homiletics, and two certificates in missions to assist International Mission Board apprentice missionaries to complete the theological requirements. In other actions, the board also approved a $21.6 million budget, other degree revisions and new teaching sites.   Rather than focusing on either the Old Testament or New Testament, like other Ph.D. majors in biblical studies, the new Ph.D. in biblical interpretation major emphasizes exposition of both testaments.   The new biblical interpretation major utilizes a modified scheduling/residency plan, making it possible for students to earn this rigorous, academic degree without relocating to campus. Lemke … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Marketing Director   [img_assist|nid=8183|title=On Mission|desc=Two members of the BCM Ministry Team helps the Bowery Mission in New York City minister with food outside a park.|link=none|align=right|width=480|height=640]NEW YORK CITY – When school ended for the spring semester, Dena Ta Basco could hardly wait for her week-long trip to New York City.   Basco, who had signed up to participate in a missions trip to the city, admitted that while she was looking forward to hands-on ministry there, she was even more excited about seeing the sights the Big Apple had to offer.   But by the time the week of ministry ended recently, the senior at LSU-Alexandria had a different outlook on her purpose there.   “While there God worked in me and showed me that I really do have a heart for missions and helping those around me, no matter what they ask,” Basco said. “And yes, I have a heart for the city and was saddened to leave. What I learned on this mission trip was to be thankful for all of the little things and to not take anything for granted.”   Basco was one of 21 students from Baptist Collegiate Ministries at LSU-Alexandria, LSU-Shreveport and Southeastern … [Read more...]

By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor   [img_assist|nid=8185|title=Belarus|desc=The Republic of Belarus – also known as Bylorussia or Byelorussia – is bordered by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk. More than 40 percent of its land area is forested.|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=83]FOLSOM/COVINGTON – For quite some time, five Baptist churches in this part of the Northshore Baptist Association have gathered for joint Fifth Sunday evening services.   A desire to do direct missions together has developed from the growing bonds of fellowship, and people from at least seven area churches met May 30 to hear of the needs and opportunities in Belarus, also known as Bylorussia and as Byelorussia.   A mission trip has been planned for Oct. 2-12, during which short-term missionaries are to do outreach for local church planters by ministering in both private and public settings, including nursing homes, schools and orphanages.   “What an opportunity – for churches to join together in unity to minister in a country like Belarus,” said Pastor Clark Stewart of New Zion Baptist Church in Covington. … [Read more...]

By John Loudat and Art Toalston, Baptist Press   [img_assist|nid=8187|title=Glorieta Conference Center|desc=The LifeWay Glorieta Conference Center is being offered for $1 to the Baptist Convention of New Mexico.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=449]ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (BP) – The LifeWay Glorieta Conference Center is being offered for $1 to the Baptist Convention of New Mexico, according to both LifeWay and state convention leaders.   Jerry Rhyne, LifeWay’s chief financial officer, confirmed to Baptist Press April 26 that LifeWay has communicated to the New Mexico convention that it is “open to conveying the entire Glorieta campus to the state convention for one dollar. However, LifeWay has a responsibility to our trustees and all Southern Baptists that such action would be based on presentation of a financially stable, comprehensive plan.”   Last fall, LifeWay trustees agreed to pursue viable options for the conference center near Santa Fe due to changes in church practices, rising costs and a volatile economy. The center now offers only summer events for student groups, including Centrifuge camps and Collegiate Week.   The $1 offer was first noted during an April 12 gathering at the … [Read more...]