Special to the Message   [img_assist|nid=7903|title=Making an impact from Houma|desc=Hank Babin playing music from his iPhone for a very impressed crowd during a recent trip to Haiti.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=480]HOUMA – In the far-away town of Houma, there is a small Baptist church called Mulberry, which recently hosted one of the most sophisticated online fundraisers eBay Giving Works has seen.   In an effort to help fund their third trip to Haiti to build homes for earthquake victims, Mulberry Church members decided to auction off the donated items that were flooding in from their generous community.   Since there were no resources to host a physical auction event, the group figured it ought to go big and take the auction online to eBay.   The members’ collective eBay experience was quite limited, but they recalled the blue and gold eBay Giving Works ribbons on eBay.com and knew there was a good home for their cause there.   The group’s initial goal was to raise $6,000 from their eBay auction, enough to build one duplex on a 34-acre development in the coastal port town of St. Marc in western Haiti.   Led by church member and deacon Hank Babin, pastor … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Press   DALLAS (BP) – The 2012 Compensation Survey of ministers and staff at Southern Baptist churches is underway at www.guidestone.org/CompensationSurvey.   The deadline for completion is May 31.   Each completed survey helps participating churches obtain an accurate baseline of data regarding compensation among similar-sized churches in their state convention.   The survey data can provide customized reports to administrators, personnel/finance committees and minister search teams to help them better determine adequate compensation for ministers and staff.   According to survey organizers, a higher number of survey participants leads to a more accurate baseline of compensation.   This year’s survey has been simplified for the convenience of participants and can be completed in five to eight minutes on average.   Survey participants need to have access to information regarding their salary, benefits, their church’s estimated weekly worship or Bible study attendance, resident membership and annual budget.   All information is kept confidential and no individual answers will be reported.   The compensation survey is … [Read more...]

By David Roach, Baptist Press   [img_assist|nid=7906|title=LifeWay Research on Evolution|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=364]NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Pastors overwhelmingly believe that God did not use evolution to create humans and think Adam and Eve were literal people, according to a survey by LifeWay Research.   The survey of 1,000 American Protestant pastors, released Jan. 9, also found that ministers are almost evenly split on whether the earth is thousands of years old.   When asked to respond to the statement, “I believe God used evolution to create people,” 73 percent of pastors disagree, with 64 percent strongly disagreeing and 8 percent somewhat disagreeing. Twelve percent each somewhat agree and strongly agree. Four percent are not sure.   In response to the statement, “I believe Adam and Eve were literal people,” 74 percent strongly agree and 8 percent somewhat agree. Six percent somewhat disagree, 11 percent strongly disagree and 1 percent are not sure.   “Recently discussions have pointed to doubts about a literal Adam and Eve, the age of the earth and other origin issues,” said Ed Stetzer, vice president of research and ministry development for … [Read more...]

By John Loudat, Baptist New Mexican   ALBUQUERQUE (BP) – The Baptist Convention of New Mexico’s Executive Board has followed up on a resolution adopted at the convention’s annual meeting in October authorizing the creation of a committee to “explore the future and possibilities of Glorieta,” LifeWay Christian Resources’ conference center near Santa Fe.   BCNM messengers, at the annual meeting in Farmington, resolved to “strongly urge the Southern Baptist Convention and LifeWay Christian Resources to insure that Glorieta continues its vital ministry to the people known as Southern Baptists now and well into the future or until Jesus returns.”   The resolution was New Mexico Baptists’ response to a decision in September by LifeWay trustees to begin offering only summer events for students and to pursue “viable options for the disposition of the property. ...”   During the BCNM Executive Board meeting in Albuquerque on Jan. 16, members approved a motion to “authorize the creation of an ad hoc committee whose members will be appointed by the chairman of the executive board. The ad hoc committee will explore the future and possibilities of Glorieta and present their findings to the executive … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   DUSON – Reaching out with God’s love to people through compassion ministries is of growing interest to the leaders and members of Duson Baptist Church.   “It’s the ministry Jesus Christ did himself as he walked the streets – he had compassion on the least of these,” said Toby Ryder, Duson pastor for the last two years. “Compassion ministries and evangelism go hand-in-hand. Often people who need compassion ministries also need the gospel of Christ.”   Jeremy Touchet is youth pastor and director of what the church calls “Community Hub.” In a former warehouse next to the church parking lot houses several ministries:   “We have a lady who does purity classes and teaches about abortion and the hazards, and post-abortion healing,” Touchet said.  “It’s Dani Richard; she’s a member of Vatican Baptist Church in Carencro.   “We have Wild Spirit; this is for 11-17 boys who don’t get to spend time with a father or an adult who could help shape and mold lives in a Christian way,” Touchet continued. “This is hunting and fishing from a biblical perspective, and mentoring.” Duson member Daniel Benoit and the pastor, Toby Ryder, provide leadership for this … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   [img_assist|nid=7910|title=Pennies for Lottie Moon|desc=Lottie Reasoner stands with some of the dozen or more youngsters from First Baptist Church of Patterson. At her suggestion, the children collected pennies to raise money for missions. The $268.69 they acquired was part of the $2,178 raised for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions – more than double the church’s $1,000 goal.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=480]PATTERSON – At least a dozen youngsters at First Baptist Church of Patterson, Gulf Coast Baptist Association, badgered their parents, grandparents, friends’ parents, neighbors and anyone else they came across for their pennies.   After all, what can you buy for a penny? “Penny candy” now costs a nickel or a dime. Bubble gum now comes in dollar-size packs. Penny loafers? Are they even made anymore? Yes, Google.com says, but they can cost $100.   “But if we put our pennies together, we can do a lot,” said Lottie Reasoner, an active member involved in missions at First Patterson. She suggested to the children that they find all the pennies they could, to give to missions.   The church hosted two “penny Sundays,” one in … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   Arivals/Departures   Kenneth (wife Ruth) Everett died Jan. 26. He was retired director of missions in Webster/Claiborne Baptist Association.   Beau Colle, new as director of missions for Delta Baptist Association.   Brandon (wife Christine) Gill, new as pastor of Eastern Heights DeQuincy; to be ordained at 2 p.m. Feb. 11.   Barry Posey, new as pastor of Agape Denham Springs.   Michelle Bruss, new as Mission Service Corps self-funded missionary, as assistant director at Baptist Friendship House in New Orleans. Director: Kay Bennett.   Kent (wife Ronda) Lachney, new as minister of education/administration at Tioga First Baptist. Pastor: Tim Hisaw.   James ‘Gilbo’ Gilbert III, resigned Jan. 22 as minister of youth at Tioga First Baptist. Pastor: Tim Hisaw.   Damon Kirk, new as minister of music at Tioga First Baptist. Pastor: Tim Hisaw.   Shaun (wife Brittany) Martin, new as minister of worship/senior adults at Kingsville Pineville/Ball. Pastor; Bart Walker.   Jason Herrington, ordained Jan. 29 to the gospel ministry at Kingsville Pineville/Ball. Pastor; Bart Walker.   Hong Fu … [Read more...]

By Margaret Johnson, Pro-Life Louisiana   Baton Rouge – Released in mid-January, Americans United for Life (AUL) has ranked Louisiana as the most pro-life state in their annual “Life List.”  AUL’s “Life List” ranks all 50 states based on the way each deals with a comprehensive list of life issues, ranging from abortion to euthanasia.   Benjamin Clapper, Director of Louisiana Right to Life, stated the following: “Since 1970, Louisiana Right to Life has worked diligently to ensure that Louisiana law protects human life as much as possible.  AUL’s ranking recognizes this great undertaking, and the success we have achieved in defending life at our state legislature.”   “Specifically, we have made great strides over the past five years to reach this No. 1 position.  Our legislation has been cutting-edge, and it is saving lives today.”   “We are appreciative to our allies in the state legislature that form our coalition: the Bioethics Defense Fund, the Louisiana Family Forum, the Louisiana Baptist Convention, the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, The Hippocratic Resource, and many more.   “Our coalition is a model for state pro-life advocacy, and should be replicated across … [Read more...]

By Damaris Kremida, Compass Direct News   ISTANBUL (BP) – A pastor in Iran sentenced to death for refusing to recant his faith may have to wait another year in prison for a ruling on whether the sentence will be upheld, according to sources.   Yousef (also spelled Youcef) Nadarkhani, sentenced to death after a court of appeals in Rasht, Iran, found him guilty of leaving Islam, has been in prison since October 2009, yet his lawyers said they were told to not expect any movement on his case for another year.   “The news we have about Yousef is not official, but that’s what the lawyers are saying,” a member of the Church of Iran who requested anonymity told Compass. “The lawyers speak to the judges’ secretaries and hear things. Rasht is not a big city, so it is easy to know what is happening.”   The head of Iran’s judiciary, Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani, has reportedly ordered the presiding judge over the trial in Rasht to do nothing for one year.   The court in Rasht, 150 miles northwest of Tehran, was expected to pronounce a verdict on Nadarkhani’s appeal in October.   Instead of pronouncing a verdict, the court sent the Christian’s case to the nation’s Islamic … [Read more...]

By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor   [img_assist|nid=7915|title=Gallup FBC|desc=Jay McCollum, pastor of First Baptist Church in Gallup, N.M., stands in front of the church building. The congregation gives 11.5 percent of undesignated receipts to missions through the Cooperative Program.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=480]GALLUP, N.M. (BP) – In the heart of the American West, where 68 percent of the population claims no religious preference and the Gospel is little known, one church is making a difference with a disciple-making ministry that also reaches around the world through the Cooperative Program.   “Let’s look at reality,” said Jay McCollum, pastor of First Baptist Church in Gallup, N.M., since 1994. “The world has come to North America. It’s going to take our cooperative efforts – because of the amount of money it will take – to reach the people of America.   “No one mega church can do this; it’s going to take multiple churches,” said McCollum, whose congregation gives 11.5 percent to support Southern Baptists mission work at the state level, across North America and around the world through the Cooperative Program. “The Cooperative Program has been the vehicle Southern Baptists … [Read more...]