This was my second year to be in LBAYSC. And both years were fantastic because each one served a different purpose for me, and both were unique. As for this year, there is one thing that has not left my mind because for me personally, it was the best part of the trip. On Monday, June 29th, we went to Southern Peaks detention center. That may not sound like it would be the best place we went, but God moved in those young men and women. When they walked in, they looked down, sad, lost, and unsure of what their future might hold. Some of them were eleven, some were almost twenty. I’m sure each one of them had a story to tell. And they’ve probably been through things or done things we could never imagine. To tell you why this was the best part of the trip for me, it’s because when we sang the song, “For Such a Time as This” they understood the words. They could relate to that song. We poured that song out of our hearts and just let God use all of us as a way to reach them with the Gospel! The song talks about how we’ve been through such a time where it was hard, and maybe we got hurt, but God put us there for a reason.  A reason we may not understand but He knows! And we trust in Him through such a time because He will be there … [Read more...]

The Bible cautions that “The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.” NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – The Bible cautions that “The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.” Unfortunately, this proverb has become increasingly actionable in recent years as Christians and their beliefs are being presented unfavorably – alternately as a monolithic bloc and then as fragmented and waning in numbers – by a media that at times is not too sophisticated and at other times apparently is just malicious. Probably the most egregious example of late was the media’s representation of the American Religious Identity Survey 2008 (pertaining to adults) released in March 2009 by Trinity College of Hartford, Conn. The cover of Newsweek proclaimed “The decline and fall of Christian America” and the magazine reported that according to the survey, “the percentage of self-identified [adult] Christians has fallen 10 percent since 1990, from 86 to 76 percent.” Editor Jon Meacham opined, “This is not to say that the Christian God is dead,” he said, “but that [H]e is less of a force in American politics and culture than at any other time in recent memory.” The U.S. is … [Read more...]

In April of this year, the Southern Baptist Convention’s Annual Church Profile was released showing a decline in membership (-0.20 percent). It was the second drop in a row (-0.24 percent in 2007), and the fourth in SBC history. In April of this year, the Southern Baptist Convention’s Annual Church Profile was released showing a decline in membership (-0.20 percent). It was the second drop in a row (-0.24 percent in 2007), and the fourth in SBC history. In 1998, membership fell 1.02 percent but increased the next year, however, it did not recover from that 1.02 percent loss until 2000. Prior to that, the last drop in membership took place in 1926. The ACP report also showed the fourth consecutive year of decline in baptisms, recording the lowest total (342,198) since 1987 (338,495). Southern Baptists baptized 376,085 in 1950, and in the 58 years since (through 2008), reached a high of 445,725 in 1972 and a low of 336,050 in 1978, and not too long ago, experienced four consecutive years in which baptisms topped 400,000 (1997-2000). What do these numbers mean? Is the Southern Baptist Convention in decline or is something else at work? From 1961 through 1998, Southern Baptist Convention churches grew in membership … [Read more...]

In the aftermath of the 2008 elections, liberals and moderates were quick to claim a sea of change among religious voters, but the facts are not as convincing as the anti-conservative crowd would have you believe. In the aftermath of the 2008 elections, liberals and moderates were quick to claim a sea of change among religious voters, but the facts are not as convincing as the anti-conservative crowd would have you believe. Cameron Strang, founder of Relevant Magazine, crowed, “Young Christians simply don’t seem to feel a connection to the traditional religious right,” according to beliefnet.com. “Many differ strongly on domestic policy issues, namely issues that affect the poor, and are dissatisfied with America’s foreign policy and war,” he said, adding, “The old religious right is dead. The new one is being formed. “If young evangelicals have anything to say about it, chances are high it will not look a lot like the old one.” The leader of the so-called evangelical left, Jim Wallis, was equally ebullient, declaring a “whole new faith coalition is coming together and reaching out to allies in other faith traditions, both Jewish and Muslim,” the Christian Science Monitor reported. “The generational shift (among … [Read more...]

In about three months, several hundred hikers will summit a northern Maine mountain called Katahdin, a 5,000-foot-high peak just south of the border with Canada. DAMASCUS, Va. (BP) – In about three months, several hundred hikers will summit a northern Maine mountain called Katahdin, a 5,000-foot-high peak just south of the border with Canada. Many of them will have completed an arduous 2,175-mile journey and fulfilled a dream. Those who complete the millions of footsteps from Springer Mountain, Ga., to Mount Katahdin are forever changed with stories to tell well into retirement: encounters with bears, demanding 30-mile days, odd new acquaintances, lifelong friends. And some might tell the story of First Baptist Church in Damascus, Va., where Southern Baptists washed their feet and provided hot showers, medical care, Internet access and a good conversation about God. “It started as a hotdog cookout,” says pastor Wayne Guynn, who credits Linda and Jeff Austin with taking over the ministry and ramping it up. Now, Guynn says, they partner with churches in Alabama and Georgia and with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia to simply make life more pleasant for hikers who come to the annual event known as Trail … [Read more...]

Most American parents believe things are going well with their families – except when it comes to finances. And a large majority highly values their children having a relationship with God – except when it comes to taking them to worship. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Most American parents believe things are going well with their families – except when it comes to finances. And a large majority highly values their children having a relationship with God – except when it comes to taking them to worship. A nationwide LifeWay Research survey of 1,077 American adults with children under 18 living at home found 87 percent feel they have strong marriages. A full 74 percent strongly believe they will remain married for life, and 64 percent strongly agree that if they had it to do over again, they would still marry their spouses. As parents, 76 percent believe they give enough of their time to their children, but only 56 percent agree their families enjoy enough relaxing times together. Blacks, women and born-again Christians believe most strongly that they give their kids enough time, the study revealed. Parents with evangelical or born-again beliefs and people who attend religious worship services regularly are considerably more … [Read more...]

Parents may now have a more urgent reason to monitor what their children watch on television, a new study suggests. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Parents may now have a more urgent reason to monitor what their children watch on television, a new study suggests. Researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston found that early teen sex may be linked to viewing adult content on television as children. The study tracked children from ages 6 to 18 and found that the sooner children began to view adult content on television programs and movies, the earlier they became sexually active during adolescence. “Television and movies are among the leading sources of information about sex and relationships for adolescents,” said Hernan Delgado, a specialist in adolescent and young adult medicine at Children’s Hospital Boston and the study’s lead author, in a news release on the study. “Our research shows that their sexual attitudes and expectations are influenced much earlier in life.” Dwayne Hastings, vice president of communications at the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, agrees. “It is a proven fact that the unchecked, prurient content on television and in movie theaters is a primary factor in the … [Read more...]

Democrats may control the White House and Congress, but a new survey says the country isn’t getting more liberal – in fact, the opposite may be true. WASHINGTON (BP) – Democrats may control the White House and Congress, but a new survey says the country isn’t getting more liberal – in fact, the opposite may be true. The Gallup survey of 1,011 adults found that 39 percent of American adults say their “views on political issues” have grown more conservative in recent years, compared to 18 percent who say their views have grown more liberal and 42 percent who say their views have not changed. The poll was conducted June 14-17. In fact, all three political identity groups show that adults are more likely to have grown more conservative than liberal. Among Republicans, 47 percent say they are more conservative and 9 percent more liberal. For Independents, it’s 37 percent (more conservative) and 19 percent (more liberal), and for Democrats, 34 percent (more conservative) and 23 percent (more liberal). The survey complements Gallup data released in June showing that conservatives outnumber liberals by a nearly 2-to-1 margin – 40 percent to 21 percent – when Americans are asked to label their political views. Thirty-five … [Read more...]

When Sherrie Bumstead spoke at Pine First Baptist Church in Franklinton, the things she had to say about her work as a missionary in Zimbabwe, Africa resonated in the hearts of many of the women in the church. FRANKLINTON – When Sherrie Bumstead spoke at Pine First Baptist Church in Franklinton, the things she had to say about her work as a missionary in Zimbabwe, Africa resonated in the hearts of many of the women in the church. Bumstead, a former neo-natal ICU nurse at Tulane University Hospital in New Orleans, answered a call from God to do mission work in Africa. She is now working at a women’s clinic there and on a recent trip home, she came to Pine First Baptist, which helps sponsor her work in Africa. She showed a video of her work in the clinic and said the newborn babies are in need. Upon being discharged from the clinic after giving birth, the mothers are sent home with two diapers and one blanket. Several of the local ladies said they were so burdened with this need that they began working on it as a mission project about four months ago. Since that time, this small group has made approximately 800 diapers and 150 receiving blankets. Amazingly, they feel the Lord has even provided the materials – … [Read more...]

In today’s economy we must trust God will supply the needs of the people. LAKE CHARLES – In today’s economy we must trust God will supply the needs of the people. Over the last six years, Grace Ministries of Lake Charles, an outreach ministry of the Carey Baptist Association, has been able to provide school uniforms and supplies for 150 to 200 families a year in the Lake Charles area. “We average a little more than 150 families before school starts, and 50 more after school gets underway,” Director of Grace Ministries Gerri Captain said. “Some years we deliver the supplies to the families and other years we have a cook-out or a back-to-school party and hand out the supplies then.” While school does not start in and around Lake Charles until Aug.18, Captain is anxious to see how people and the churches in the association will respond this year, considering the poor economy. “Our associational churches have been our biggest sponsors in this and all of our ministries,” Captain said. “As a matter of fact, I received an offering check right after July 4 from one of our churches. I know God will provide, but I’m still a little anxious to see how people will respond this year.” Area churches can help Grace Ministries … [Read more...]