The word had gotten out, and lines of people young and old stretched down the street each day three medical teams ministered in some of the very poorest neighborhoods of this steeply-hilled city. BELO – The word had gotten out, and lines of people young and old stretched down the street each day three medical teams ministered in some of the very poorest neighborhoods of this steeply-hilled city. Brazil has an “underfunded” national health care system, according to published reports. Most of the poorest people never see a doctor. They didn’t this July, either. Unlike most years, no physician volunteered this year for the Brazil mission trip. Nurses and pharmacists – with Brazilian interpreters nearby – provided care for everything from a cook’s crushed finger to a middle-aged woman’s suspected breast cancer. With each medical team, was another physical-care option. One site had an oral surgeon (Bo Worley of Emmanuel Shreveport); one a Lions Club-trained couple from Texas who distributed about 600 pair of glasses; and one a Brazilian woman who closed her shop for three days so she could cut hair for 87 people, with the help of a hair stylist from North Carolina. Each of the churches took the opportunity of the medical … [Read more...]

Wayne DuBose is coming home. SHREVEPORT – Wayne DuBose is coming home. Pastor for 14 years – 1980 through 1994 – of Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport, DuBose was called July 23 to be Director of Missions for the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association. “Bro. Wayne brings to the Director of Missions position a deep love for our Lord, wisdom, a wide breadth of experience, a heart for missions, and a genuine love for people,” wrote T. Floyd Davis Jr., chairman of the DOM search committee, in a letter to the association’s executive board before the unanimous vote was taken. “Our committee believes that God has directed us to a man who will be able to lead us with enthusiasm and vision in these challenging days in which we live.” A reception will follow the 10:45 a.m. Sunday morning worship service Aug. 30 at First Baptist Minden, where DuBose has served as pastor since April 2001. Technically an Alabama native, DuBose has called Louisiana home since before he graduated in 1971 from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, though he has pastored in small to large churches in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. His extensive list of service at the associational, state and denominational levels includes, among … [Read more...]

The theme for Cross Camp ’09 was short but an effective directive – BE. PINEVILLE – The theme for Cross Camp ’09 was short but an effective directive – BE. Be relentless; be engaged; be inspired; be Holy; be encouraging; be whatever God wants you to be were just some of the ways the word was tied into simple sayings that were repeated over and over again to campers. BE was short for the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12), the eight statements taught by Jesus to the masses at the Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes are a map of life. They are simply stated, but are profound in meaning. They guide. They point. They teach. They show us the values that Christ cares about. And the Cross Camp staff stressed those points repeatedly to the junior high and high school students during Bible study, worship, family group, church group devotion, Mass Mess and ‘Wreck.’ “It has been an amazing two weeks,” Cross Camp Executive Director Jon Hale said. “We had 15 professions of faith our first night alone, and I believe overall we had more than 60 out of 600 campers. The two-week total of 600 participants was a record for the camp, which “did a little something different this year,” Hale said. “Last year, we had to turn away 13 … [Read more...]

The pressures on teens today to be godly in an ungodly culture can be almost overpowering, especially when those teenagers refuse to engage in that type of culture. WOODWORTH – The pressures on teens today to be godly in an ungodly culture can be almost overpowering, especially when those teenagers refuse to engage in that type of culture. Undone Clear Camps 2009, sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Youth Ministry Strategy Office and Clear Camps, Inc., helps to equip teens in an intense week of worship, prayer and play. “By 2010 there will be 36 million teenagers in the United States,” Kevin Boles, youth strategist of the LBC, said. “It will be our largest generation ever, and we need to prepare and encourage them to become impact makers both in their communities and on their campuses.” The camp, which is being held at Tall Timbers and drew a record number of teenagers, accomplishes this task through intense Bible study, worship, purpose-driven recreational events, and celebration. “We have 317 this summer – a new record,” Boles said. “Two years ago we had 27, last year 56, and this year more than 300. I believe the reason for this huge jump is God is honoring what we are trying to do here. “The camp’s theme – … [Read more...]

Where there is a common interest in an activity, there is an inroad into a person’s heart. DEVILLE – Where there is a common interest in an activity, there is an inroad into a person’s heart. In Louisiana, commonly called the Sportsman’s Paradise, there are 2.2 million men who share in a common passion – the outdoors and all of the activities associated with it, such as hunting, fishing, golfing and riding motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). On Saturday, Sept. 19, the Evangelism/Church Growth team and Men’s Ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Convention will sponsor an Outdoor Evangelism SuperConference at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville to demonstrate how men and women can use their passion for the outdoors to serve the Lord. The SuperConference, which will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., will feature Chris Wells, Bassmaster Elite Series Chaplain; Jason Cruise, founder of Outdoor Ministry Network and a noted outdoor personality; Scott Lehman, founder of InHisGripGolf; and Buddy Newsome, founder of F.A.I.T.H. Riders. Cost is $30 if one signs up before Aug. 19 and $35 afterwards. “Louisiana is not called the Sportsman’s Paradise for nothing,” LBC Evangelism Associate Keith Manuel said. “Most of us know … [Read more...]

Maggie Lee Henson died Sunday, August 2, from injuries suffered in the recent Meridian, Miss., bus crash. JACKSON, Miss. – Maggie Lee Henson died Sunday, August 2, from injuries suffered in the recent Meridian, Miss., bus crash. “At 6:30 pm tonight, our precious Maggie Lee was carried into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” her parents said, according to a post on the Caring Bridge blog. “For these last three weeks, she fought for her life courageously, with the skillful help of the medical staff at Batson Children’s Hospital here in Jackson. “She was blessed to have thousands of people praying and pulling for her,” the post continued. “We celebrate her eternal life in the presence of her Creator tonight.” In the weeks since the accident, churches and individuals have shown support for Henson and the students, with churches in Louisiana and the surrounding states banding together to help First Baptist Church of Shreveport in any way they can. Gene Hendrix, Minister of Christian Formation and Administration at First Shreveport, said volunteers in the church have been formed into care groups. The groups have been helping individuals and families involved in the accident with various needs, such as … [Read more...]

Benjamin Harlan, internationally known arranger and composer of choral, keyboard and handbell music and professor of church music at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, has organized a rousing hymnfest for 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at First Baptist Winnfield. WINNFIELD – Benjamin Harlan, internationally known arranger and composer of choral, keyboard and handbell music and professor of church music at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, has organized a rousing hymnfest for 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at First Baptist Winnfield. Alleluia! Amen! Celebrating Our Faith in Song is to feature a chorus of 200 or more, from churches across Louisiana, Albert L. Travis of Texas, organist, and the NSU faculty brass, under Harlan’s direction. “This hymnfest is to honor Mrs. [Edith] Price,” said John Holland, minister of music at First Winnfield. “She’s been the organist here for 50 years, and she was his teacher.” So was Holland, who was reared at First Winnfield. “She has been an example in our church,” Holland said. “She’s provided a lot of insight into music for me. … It’s a great honor to serve on staff with her. In addition to her extraordinary musicianship at the organ, Mrs. Price has invested the gift of music in … [Read more...]

COMINGS AND GOINGS -Roger Whittington (wife Carolyn), new as transitional pastor at Calvary Baptist, Bayou Chicot. -Truett Brown, new as minister of children and families at First Baptist, DeRidder. -Paul Roney resigns as pastor of Riverview Baptist, Alexandria going to Richburg Baptist, Hattiesburg, Miss. -Russell Flek (wife Stacie), new as pastor of Richey Baptist, Deville from Hudson Creek Baptist, Colfax. -John Johnson, new as associate pastor of worship, First Baptist, Zachary. -Tommy Martin (wife Rhonda), new as pastor Winbourne Ave. Baptist, Baton Rouge. -Joshua N. Burnham (wife Casey), new as pastor of First Baptist, Gramercy. NEEDED -Bi-vocational minister of music at Gilbert First Baptist; send resume to FBC Gilbert, PO Box 837, Gilbert LA. -Associate pastor with student ministry responsibilities at Ebenezer Baptist, Hammond; send resume to Ray A. Werline, 49322 River Road, Hammond LA 70404 or email rawerline@juno.com. HOMECOMINGS -DUBACH – St. Rest Baptist: 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 9; Randy Ray, speaker; Brad Mount, music; Dianne Stuckey, guest pianist; covered dish lunch following worship. -HORNBECK – First Baptist: 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 16; Wayne Chance, speaker; dinner on the grounds; … [Read more...]

Rachel Sims Baptist Mission in New Orleans, which began as a backyard Bible club in 1910, has grown into an unparalleled mission center that hosts a plethora of ministries ranging from teen Bible clubs and Vacation Bible Schools to sports programs and prayer walks. NEW ORLEANS – Rachel Sims Baptist Mission in New Orleans, which began as a backyard Bible club in 1910, has grown into an unparalleled mission center that hosts a plethora of ministries ranging from teen Bible clubs and Vacation Bible Schools to sports programs and prayer walks. Rachel Sims Baptist Mission began with the purchase of a house across from Clay Square Park. The North American Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention, and Missionary Rachel Sims worked together to create the center after recognizing the community’s increasing needs. The current director of Rachel Sims Baptist Mission, Larry Miguez, began working there in 1980 as the assistant director. Miguez became the director in 2005.  “My ministry is with the people and I view people as relationships,” Miguez said. “So I feel that each group I work with merits their own relationships for the purpose of sharing the gospel.” Linda Middlebrooks, assistant director of Rachel Sims Baptist … [Read more...]

In a development that one theologian is calling “Frankensteinian,” scientists in England said Tuesday they had made sperm from embryonic stem cells – creating the possibility that a baby could be created someday without a male being involved at any point. LONDON (BP) – In a development that one theologian is calling “Frankensteinian,” scientists in England said Tuesday they had made sperm from embryonic stem cells – creating the possibility that a baby could be created someday without a male being involved at any point. The announcement from researchers at Newcastle University was described in the journal Stem Cells and Development, although it nearly immediately had its doubters among the science community, some of whom said the English researchers had not made functional sperm but instead only cells with some of the qualities of sperm. In fact, the online journal Nature called the cells “sperm-like.” Karim Nayernia, a stem cell biologist at the school, acknowledged that the sperm aren’t a mirror image of a normal sperm, but he stood by his work. “They have heads, they have tails and they move,” he was quoted as saying in the Telegraph newspaper. “The shape is not quite normal nor the movement, but they contain the … [Read more...]