By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor   LORANGER/HAMMOND – The hay is gone; the money is gone.[img_assist|nid=7736|title=Haylift|desc=Sonny Ridgedell carefully drops a round bale of hay onto a tractor-trailer that will be taking the donated hay to drought-stricken Texas owners of 50 head (or fewer) of cattle, for a ministry from Woodland Park Baptist Church in Hammond and friends in Loranger.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=480]   Both ran out at the same time, said the Loranger man who ramrodded a four-month-long disaster relief operation that aided the cattle owned by Texans with ranches of fewer than 50 head of cattle.   The retired state highway worker who asked that his name not be used linked Louisiana farmers and ranchers with hay they were willing to donate, and Texas Baptist churches willing to help get the hay to those who needed it most during the state’s worst-ever season of extended drought.   “I would just like to thank everyone,” the mission project catalyst said. The church where he’s a member – Woodland Park Baptist Church in Hammond – plus Northshore Baptist Association, and the Louisiana Baptist Convention all put money into what was determined by LBC Men’s … [Read more...]

[img_assist|nid=7738|title=Flooding the Altar|desc=Hundreds streamed forward to the altar Monday evening during the Sacred Assembly to pray for an Awakening in Louisiana that would not only sweep the state but sweep throughout the nation. More than 500 of the 1,000 people in attendance came forward filling the altar to capacity and going 10 rows back in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Covington.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=427]       … [Read more...]

By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor   [img_assist|nid=7740|title=Mike Walker|desc=East Bayou Pastor Mike Walker served as this years LBC Pastors Conference president.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=427]COVINGTON – The annual Pastors Conference that preceded the annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention provided encouragement, inspiration and motivation for pastors of churches large and small as well as urban and rural.   When Waylon Bailey was introduced as pastor of the host church – First Baptist Church of Covington – he spoke to the need for churches. The Northshore town of Covington was established in 1813, but there was no Baptist church in the steadily-growing community until 1904.   “This reminds us how far the Lord has brought us,” Bailey said. The Louisiana Baptist Convention celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2012. About 1,600 churches today are part of what was started in 1812. Some are large, some, small – and all sizes inbetween. Some are in the country; some, big cities – and all locales inbetween.   Mike Walker, pastor of East Bayou Baptist Church in Lafayette, and president of the 2011 Pastors Conference, referenced Nehemiah 2:12 as he explained the … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Editor of the Message While a battle concerning the legal status of pre-born children may have been lost with the defeat of Initiative 26 in Mississippi on Nov. 8, the war over the definition of personhood is far from over. Initiative 26 was a ballot initiative that would have amended The Magnolia’s State constitution so as to define life as beginning at conception. The simple 21-word amendment stated: “The term ‘person’ or ‘persons’ shall include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning or the functional equivalent thereof.” Mississippians defeated it, 58-42 percent. Abortion advocates saw the initiative as a threat to abortion access throughout the U.S. and pulled out all the stops in seeking to beat it. The opposition, however, skirted the issue of personhood and instead focused on possible problematic ramifications if the initiative was passed. It was speculative fear-mongering at its best. It seems to me that the issue at the heart of Initiative 26 was not really adequately addressed. The critical question that must be answered is: “When does personhood begin?” Is it at conception? Perhaps it is during gestation? Does it occur at birth? There are some so-called bioethicists and … [Read more...]

By Curt Iles, Author, Dry Creek, La.   It’s a beautiful word that gently rolls off the tongue: gratitude.   It’s also a visible word: You can see gratitude when a person is full of it.   The best lessons I’ve ever learned on thankfulness are from two unlikely teachers: a southern guitar picker and an African orphan teen.   First, let me tell you about my lifelong friend Vance Gill. (I always tell my guitar-playing friend that he is only ‘one vowel’ away from being famous.)   Vance once related this story: “I had a water leak at my well and spent all morning digging and repairing the pipe. Kneeling there in the mud, I just stopped and thanked God I had running water.”   Now that is gratitude.   It’s an attitude. Thanks, Vance, for the lesson.   Like Vance, we’re to look for the blessing in every occurrence. The Apostle Paul, who often wrote from jail cells, said, “In everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).   Just like any good habit, living with gratitude takes practice. Someone like Vance Gill – who can be thankful while kneeling in mud fixing a PVC water line – has practiced it. It doesn’t come easy or … [Read more...]

By Bill Warren, Professor of New Testament and Greek at NOBTS   We tend to “catch” more theology from being with people living it than what we learn by abstract means. Theology can come alive by reflecting on concrete examples of it in real life as well as by contemplating “truth” statements of theological proposals in and of themselves.   Relationships are the core of life, so learning and thinking about God very naturally is firmly rooted in the personal relationship we have with God and in how we see that relationship lived out by others in the midst of the struggles of life. In light of this, the study of the lives of Christians from times past provides us with some great insights into Christian theology as we see patterns of life that can guide us in our lives today.   This column is the first in a series that looks at Christians from the second century forward, who by their example teach us about how to be faithful, how to confront difficult circumstances, how to view others, and how to understand God in the midst of life.       Polycarp: Second Century Martyr       But when the magistrate persisted and said, “Swear the oath, and I will … [Read more...]

By Archie England, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew Archie England responds: Concluding a note to an acquaintance overseas, I typed “Happy Thanksgiving!” As I reflected on that salutation, I realized that Asians might not celebrate nor recognize our American “Thanksgiving” season; so, I erased and penned a different ending. Given that concepts communicate best when understood contextually, let’s explore the context of thanksgiving in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word that best translates “giving thanks” can be rendered three different ways: praise, confession, or giving voice (singing) to praise and thanksgiving. When used in reference to God, praise normally conveys gratitude for the blessings of daily life – food, family, health, etc. Such usage occurred during the three festival seasons, particularly focusing upon God’s goodness for providing the harvest and the new birth among the flocks and families of Israel. This idea very closely matches that of our early pioneering forebearers, who gave profound thanks to unexpected provisions from the American natives. All it takes to give this kind of thanks is an awareness of how wonderful life is – especially when one’s world view understands such simple goodness as the … [Read more...]

By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor   [img_assist|nid=7752|title=A Helping Hand|desc=Members of Vick Baptist Church – at least a 30-minute drive east of Pineville – help every Wednesday morning at Main Street Mission. These three members prepare lunch for the 50 or more people who receive a short devotional before mealtime.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=427]PINEVILLE – Some people need a little extra help to make it through the month. Some people are completely destitute. Some people simply want a safe place to stay out of harm’s way, and some people just want to not be all alone.   Main Street Mission volunteers open their arms wide to meet the physical, social and spiritual needs of all who find their way to the one-story back end of a former grocery store on Pineville’s Main Street.   Main Street Mission is a ministry of First Baptist Church in Pineville, with volunteers from several Cenla Southern Baptist churches.   Sam West pastors the congregation of about 60 people who meet for regular Sunday services. Debbye Obanion directs the weekday operations, which include food, clothing, bedding and even a small library for children stuffed with books and vhs … [Read more...]

[img_assist|nid=7754|title=Dr. Fred Ward|desc=Ken Ward, retiring Executive Director of the Morals and Civic Concerns Committee (right) is presented with a framed resolution from outgoing LBC Executive Committee President Steve Horn. Ward has served as director for the last 35 years.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=427] … [Read more...]

[img_assist|nid=7756|title=Tim LaFleur retiring|desc=Baptist Collegiate Ministry Director Mark Robinson presents a plaque during the 2011 Annual Meeting at Covington to Nicholls State Collegiate Ministry Director Tim LaFleur, who is retiring after more than 20 years of service.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=427] … [Read more...]