By Kelly Boggs, Baptist Message Editor Although I never had the opportunity to meet the late Charles “Chuck” Colson – the founder of Prison Fellowship and author of numerous books – he has had, and continues to have, a significant impact on my life. I first became aware of Colson when he served as special counsel to President Richard Nixon. The year was 1972 and I had become interested in politics. Shortly thereafter, the Watergate scandal broke. I remember hearing news commentators refer to Colson as Nixon’s “hatchet man.” I recall news accounts in 1974 of Colson pleading guilty to the charge of obstruction of justice for attempting to defame Daniel Ellsberg, a military analyst whose release of documents that came to be known as the “Pentagon Papers” were particularly embarrassing to the Nixon Administration. Colson received a sentence of one to three years and was fined $5,000. He entered the Maxwell Federal Prison in Alabama on July 9, 1974. He was the first member of the Nixon administration to go to prison for his involvement in the Watergate scandal. Fast-forward nine years to 1983 when I became re-acquainted with Colson. I had become a follower of Christ two years earlier. A friend, who was mentoring me in my … [Read more...]

By Keith Manuel, Evangelism Associate   A revival is often remembered for its results, not its beginnings. History records the results of the Third Great Awakening that swept America in a wave of prayer from 1857 to 1858.   The estimate is that during the aforementioned two-year period, as many as one million people surrendered their lives to the Lord during this movement also known as The Layman’s Prayer Revival. Comparatively, some say that would be the same as ten million people being saved today.   Most great revivals are known for dynamic preachers or evangelists. The Third Great Awakening is known for a businessman who accepted a challenging opportunity for ministry – Jeremiah Lanphier.   The North Dutch Reformed Church on Fulton Street in New York City was experiencing change. The church had declined as members relocated because of the number of immigrants moving into the old neighborhood.   However, church members couldn’t bear to see their church abandoned. The Consistory, the church’s governing board of elders and deacons, enlisted Lanphier to begin a program of visitation to reinvigorate the work.   Lanphier agreed and set out to reach the neighborhood in … [Read more...]

By John Yeats, Executive Director of the Missouri Baptist Convention By now we’ve all read or heard too much information about the Secret Service prostitution scandal. At least 20 women were in hotel rooms with U.S. agents and military personnel just before President Obama arrived for a summit with Latin American leaders. Eleven Secret Service agents and 10 military personnel are now under investigation. The 11 Secret Service agents were recalled to the U.S. from Colombia and placed on administrative leave after a night of partying that allegedly ended with at least some bringing prostitutes back to their hotel room. On Monday, April 17, the agency announced that it also had revoked the agents’ security clearances. The 10 U.S. military personnel staying at the same hotel also were being investigated for their role in the alleged misconduct. As with all immoral sexual encounters, a lack of truth is evidenced by multiple stories about who the women were. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee stated, “Some are admitting [the women] were prostitutes, others are saying they’re not. They’re just women they met at the hotel bar.” A lie to yourself and others almost always accompanies sexual … [Read more...]

By Chester Quarles, Professor Emertrius University of Mississippi   What do you do?   How do you respond to a nightmare?   You need a well thought-out plan, because most people lose their ability to think logically during an ongoing crisis.  They lose their cognitive processing and make bad decisions.   Being prepared can save your life and the lives of those in your congregation.   Having a plan gives you an edge.  Failing to prepare is incredibly costly.  Preparation is more than a state of mind; it is the ability to respond quickly and appropriately.   Unfortunately, there is no “one size fits all” armed predator plan for any church.  The mega-church has many more options than does a small congregation.   A single shooter can’t control a crowd of several thousand worshipers. Worshipers some distance from the spree shooter can evacuate through alternative exits. However, in a small-church congregational setting the spree shooter can control all of the exits.   Most shooting trajectories are higher than18 inches.  Positioning yourself lower than this significantly decreases your chances of being shot.  If everyone hits the floor, it will also … [Read more...]

By Randy Willis, Special to the Message   Editor’s Note: Excerpted from his book “Joseph Willis: The Apostle to the Opelousas”   Joseph settled at Bayou Chicot between 1800 and 1805. In 1806, the Mississippi Baptist Association was organized. Though a licensed minister, a church had never ordained him. It was his belief that he should be ordained.   He also knew well the importance of banding together with other believers.   Therefore, in 1810 Joseph left for Mississippi to seek ordination [where] once again the race card would be played. Joseph took his letter to a local [Mississippi] church stating that he had been a member in good standing while in South Carolina. Such was the custom then as now among Baptists to transfer church membership by a letter.   The church to which he gave his letter objected to his ordination “lest the cause of Christ should suffer reproach from the humble social position of his servant.” Paxton wrote, “Such obstacles would have daunted the zeal of any man engaged in a less holy cause.” The “humble social position” of Joseph was certainly not his wealth but the fact that his skin was swarthy. [As is said,] “The test of a man’s character is what it … [Read more...]

[img_assist|nid=8132|title=Igniting Passion|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=406|height=640]By John Evans, Baptist Press   NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – When a Vermont pastor’s father became deathly ill, the pastor called the Green Mountain Baptist Association. Like many pastors in the state, he works another job to make ends meet. Unable to pay for the long trip home to be near his father, he needed compassionate counsel from a trusted colleague in ministry.   “Within minutes of his phone call, I was able to send out a plea to all our pastors,” Terry Dorsett, director of missions and church planting catalyst with the association, recounted in an email.   “In less than two hours I was able to call him back and tell him that we had collected all that he needed to make the trip home.”   For many pastors, Baptist associations serve as the primary support system for their work and ministry. But that’s just one facet of the groups of churches that join together for fellowship, for ministry and service and for cooperative evangelism and missions.   The Baptist association is the oldest cooperative unit in Baptist life, tracing its existence back more than 300 years.   Each … [Read more...]

By Al Quartemont, Special to the Message[img_assist|nid=8134|title=Like a group of brothers|desc=LC senior baseball players Colton Cole, Jordan Meisner, Justin Reed and Greg Uzee celebrate their graduation together.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=427]   PINEVILLE – As they huddled together for one final picture, Louisiana College baseball players Colton Cole, Jordan Meisner, Justin Reed and Greg Uzee were celebrating their greatest victory yet: their college graduation.   These four young men who had come from different places – Cole from Texas and Meisner, Reed and Uzee from across Louisiana – were now leaving with a common bond:  graduates of LC.   “Four or five years ago, we had never heard each other’s names, seen each other or had any idea any of us existed,” Meisner said. “Now we’re like a group of brothers.”   “Graduating with your fellow teammates is something every student athlete dreams about,” Reed said. “The time and dedication we put in together allowed us to build a special bond unlike any other. I’m so proud of each of my teammates who graduated this year because I know they’ve put in countless hours of hard work to get where they are now.”   Though they … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   Youth Bible Drill:   7th Grade Bible Drill - There were 8 people recognized as winners in four 7th grade groups: Lainey Gamble – FBC, Gonzales; Camryn Mikesell-FBC, Luling; Julia Schober-Heritage, Shreveport; Aubrey Dillon-FBC, Lake Charles; Sam Philley-Trinity, Oak Grove; Julie Bartley-East Winnfield, Winnfield.   8th Grade Bible Drill - There were 6 people recognized as winners in three 8th grade groups: Alanna Thompson-Pioneer,Pioneer; Mandy Rudd-Quitman, Quitman; Abbie Dixon-Westside, Moss Bluff; Benjamin Haines-Parkview, Baton Rouge; Carmen Fisk-FBC, Slidell; Savannah Whitney- FBC, Luling; Mitchell Bearry- Woodlawn, Baton Rouge.   9th Grade Bible Drill – The first & second place winners of each of the three 9th grade Bible Drill groups were: Paige Nevels-FBC, Oak Grove; Sarah Haines-Heritage, Sheveport; Thomas Gamble-FBC, Gonzales; Chaz Morgan-Woodlawn, Baton Rouge; Abbi Wilson-FBC, Lafayette; Paul Deline-FBC, Youngsville.   9th Grade Bible Drill –  A “Drill-Off” was held, composed of 9 of the 9th grade participants with the highest overall scores to determine the overall winner. The Drill-Off participants were: Thomas Gamble-FBC, Gonzales; … [Read more...]

[img_assist|nid=8137|title=A first|desc=James Jenkins D.Min. stands between David Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, and John Hebert, LBC missions director, during an office time of celebration following graduation after nearly five years studying for his doctorate at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=427]By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor   NEW ORLEANS – “I want to be part of what our denomination will be in its next hundred years,” says James Jenkins, African American and Hispanic Ministry Strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, and pastor of Baptist Bible Fellowship in Shreveport.   “Part of that is leadership,” Jenkins says. “Everything revolves around leadership.”   Toward that end – and for the intellectual stimulation, Jenkins adds – nearly five years ago he began work on a Doctor of Ministry – D.Min. – degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   He graduated May 12 with a D.Min. in Denominational Leadership, the first ever given at NOBTS, school officials said.   “We congratulate James on receiving this first-of-its-kind degree,” said John Hebert, director of the LBC … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   HUSSER – As pastors from Two Rivers Baptist Association met at New Sharon Baptist Church for their monthly pastor/staff conference, officers of the association signed a resolution affirming Louisiana College’s lawsuit regarding federal healthcare legislation.   “We applaud the efforts of Louisiana College in their efforts to protect the rights of all individuals,” said Rusty Durand, pastor of Montpelier (La.) Baptist Church and Two Rivers moderator.   “Our churches believe in the work of Louisiana College and are grateful for the leadership of Dr. Joe Aguillard and all the professors who are leading in this important arena,” said Stan Statham, director of missions in Two Rivers, Washington and William Wallace Baptist Associations, known collectively – yet informally – as Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana.   The resolution had been passed unanimously at the association’s April 9 spring meeting. Copies have been mailed to State Senators David Vitter and Mary Landrieu, U.S. Representatives Steve Scalise and Bill Cassidy, and President Barak Obama. … [Read more...]