It could be considered a new way to do evangelism. BOSSIER CITY – It could be considered a new way to do evangelism. A 90,000-square foot, two-story complex featuring a state-of-the-art fitness center, a full-size gymnasium, martial arts school, kid’s arcade, coffee shop, bookstore, learning center, a counseling center and administrative office, is a rather big evangelism tool, but Pastor Randy Harper, pastor of Bellaire Baptist Church in Bossier City said he believes it can be an effective one. “We are trying to think out of the box,” Harper said. “We believe we can reach more people by allowing the community to use our 30,000 square foot fitness center with its state-of-the art equipment. “We have hired a fitness manager, an assistant, a trainer from the BattleWings football team,” Harper said. “I believe it will enable us to attract and reach more families in south Bossier Parish.” When it comes to evangelism, Harper is no stranger to thinking out of the box. Before becoming Bellaire’s pastor, he effectively used his martial arts skills in his evangelistic efforts as First Baptist Church in Bossier City minister of evangelism and associate pastor for seven years. He holds a black belt in Karate and Kung Fu, … [Read more...]

A bill that would drastically expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research has been re-introduced in the Senate, but British and Canadian researchers announced a scientific breakthrough March 2 that could change the course of stem cell research and eventually make the ethical debate moot. WASHINGTON (BP) – A bill that would drastically expand federal funding for embryonic stem cell research has been re-introduced in the Senate, but British and Canadian researchers announced a scientific breakthrough March 2 that could change the course of stem cell research and eventually make the ethical debate moot. As detailed in the research journal Nature, the researchers found a safer way to reprogram ordinary human skin cells into embryonic-like stem cells. While a 2007 study by Japanese and American researchers did something very similar, the British and Canadian researchers did it without the use of a virus, which the ’07 teams had used to complete the process. Researchers feared the use of viruses to turn the skin cells into the stem cells could cause cancer in patients. Stem cells are the body’s master cells that can develop into other cells and tissues, and they have the potential for leading to cures for diseases … [Read more...]

President Obama overturned March 9 a prohibition on federal funding of stem cell research that destroys embryos, drawing protests from supporters of the previous policy who said his action is both unethical and unnecessary. WASHINGTON (BP) – President Obama overturned March 9 a prohibition on federal funding of stem cell research that destroys embryos, drawing protests from supporters of the previous policy who said his action is both unethical and unnecessary. Signed at a White House ceremony, Obama’s executive order rescinded a policy instituted by President Bush in August 2001. Bush’s rule barred the use of federal funds for stem cell research that results in the destruction of human embryos. Bush permitted, however, grants for experiments on stem cell lines, or colonies, already in existence. Because of their ability to develop into other cells and tissues, stem cells provide hope for producing cures for a variety of diseases. Many scientists have promoted embryonic stem cell research (ESCR), because stem cells from embryos are pluripotent, meaning they can transform into any cell or tissue in the body. Extracting stem cells from an embryo, however, destroys the tiny human being. Embryonic stem cell research has yet … [Read more...]

WASHINGTON (BP)--President Obama’s executive order March 9 will drastically expand the federal government’s role in embryonic stem cell research. Following is a list of frequently asked questions, along with answers, about stem cells. What are stem cells? Stem cells are the body’s master cells from which all cells and tissues are formed. Because some types of stem cells in theory can develop into any type of tissue, they seemingly hold the promise to cure diseases and other ailments. Where are stem cells found? Generally, in two sources: 1) throughout the human body, such as in skin cells, and 2) in embryos. Stem cells found in the human body are referred to as “adult stem cells,” while stem cells in the second category are known as “embryonic stem cells.” Adult stem cell research is harmless and is not controversial. Embryonic stem cell research, though, requires the destruction of embryos and is very controversial. President Obama’s executive order pertained primarily to this second category. What did President Obama’s executive order do? Obama’s order overturned President Bush’s stem cell limits, which had prohibited federal funds from being used for conducting research on embryonic stem cell lines created … [Read more...]

State Acteens Convention is an overnight event at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center for teenage girls in our state. State Acteens Convention is an overnight event at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center for teenage girls in our state. During the sessions, Beth Masters, a BCM Associate for the New Orleans Metro area, challenged the girls to give God their ALL, both now and later. The girls were led in worship by Michael Reid and the Fifty-Six Worship Band at Louisiana Tech in Ruston. Throughout the weekend the young ladies heard from Michelle Bruss, a US/C2 missionary at the Baptist Friendship House in New Orleans. The girls collected items for Baptist Friendship House that will be used in hygiene kits. Acteens also had the opportunity to attend a conference with Lydia Garza a former IMB missionary. Lydia shared with the girls about the work that is taking place in Ecuador.  On Saturday, the Acteens were able to attend conferences that were designed to encourage and challenge them to give God their ALL! The conferences included: ALL My Heart, Soul, and Mind,    ALL My Strength, ALL of Me, and ALL I Want to Do!   … [Read more...]

Hi, my name is Maggie Siler and I’m a junior at Glenbrook School in Minden. I am an Acteen at First Baptist Minden and I have recently returned from the State Acteens Convention at Tall Timbers in Woodworth. Hi, my name is Maggie Siler and I’m a junior at Glenbrook School in Minden. I am an Acteen at First Baptist Minden and I have recently returned from the State Acteens Convention at Tall Timbers in Woodworth. It was an awesome weekend for me. The theme was “All or Nothing,” which was talking about giving our all to God. During that amazing weekend, I heard several things I really needed to hear. I realized that there’s always going to be people around that may intimidate us, but that shouldn’t stop us from being ourselves and sharing Christ. I went on a mission trip to Diriamba, Nicaragua this past summer and had the greatest experience sharing Christ with the little children. But coming home from the convention, I really started putting it all together. I came to the conclusion that foreign missions is a simpler task to master than home missions – where you live. My reasoning is mainly because the people around us judge us and we worry too much about what they think. This convention taught me that God is the … [Read more...]

DEVILLE – The 9-year-old boy lovingly grasps his father’s face in his hand and pulls gently toward him. The father kisses his son’s forehead and whispers, “I love you Brandon.” The father waits patiently – praying. He longs to hear his son say the same to him. But no words come from the young boy’s mouth; instead the youngster coos, like a newborn baby. “Brandon,” Wendell Johnson says to his son, “I – love – you.” Johnson repeats the phrase but Brandon can only coo a response – still holding his father’s face in his hands. The two hug tightly before his mother, Nancy, takes him to his room. “It almost sounds like he’s trying to say I love you,” Johnson says struggling with his emotions. “I guess I want to hear him say I love you so badly that I hear it in those sounds he’s making.” It hasn’t always been this way. Adopted by the Johnsons when he was three weeks old, the couple reveled in watching their son grow up. “He was like any other baby that first year,” Nancy said. “He ate, slept and grew. He was a beautiful, healthy baby boy. Brandon Layne was even beginning to to say ‘momma.’” And, then, one day the world came crashing down around Nancy and Wendell Johnson. Ten hours after the Johnsons took their son … [Read more...]

Question: Lately, I just haven’t been myself. Someone asked me if I was depressed. How would I know if I am struggling with depression and what should I do? Question: Lately, I just haven’t been myself. Someone asked me if I was depressed. How would I know if I am struggling with depression and what should I do? Michele Louviere answers: Depressive disorders impact about 18.8 million American adults a year, which is about 9.5 percent of our population. The latest stats show that 23 percent of teenagers struggle with depression. Certainly, all of us have times that we feel sad or depressed, but occasional down times or sadness does not mean that we have clinical depression. To be diagnosed with depression, you would need to feel depressed, down or irritable and/or have a general loss of interest in pleasurable activities that you normally enjoy for at least two weeks. Along with either feeling depressed or losing interest in normal enjoyable activities, you would also need to have at least five of the following symptoms: significant increase or decrease in weight or appetite; sleeping too much or too little; changing in the way you move; feeling tired or fatigued; feeling worthless or guilty; trouble concentrating or … [Read more...]

More than 2,900 spiritual decisions were recorded, nearly 2,000 people were treated medically and three churches were built during the 2008 mission trip to Brazil led by Wayne Jenkins. This year is the 25th time Jenkins is taking a mission team to Brazil; he says he is expecting God to once again pour out His blessings. ALEXANDRIA – More than 2,900 spiritual decisions were recorded, nearly 2,000 people were treated medically and three churches were built during the 2008 mission trip to Brazil led by Wayne Jenkins. This year is the 25th time Jenkins is taking a mission team to Brazil; he says he is expecting God to once again pour out His blessings. Jenkins, director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s evangelism/church growth team, knows the missionaries and pastors/leaders there who are connected with the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board and the Brazilian Baptist Convention. He has a good rapport with them because he asks what they need, and then seeks with the help of God and members of Louisiana’s Southern Baptist churches to provide it. “Our Southern Baptist Convention missionaries are faithful to serve day in and out,” Jenkins said. “With these short-term mission trips, Louisiana … [Read more...]

Across Louisiana, churches, associations and Baptist Collegiate Ministries groups are planning short-term mission trips in the United States and around the world for Spring Break, summer and throughout the rest of the year. STATEWIDE – Across Louisiana, churches, associations and Baptist Collegiate Ministries groups are planning short-term mission trips in the United States and around the world for Spring Break, summer and throughout the rest of the year. See page 12 for more on them. At least two mission trips are especially designed for people from all over Louisiana who sense God’s call to serve Him in international settings, but who are not in a church or association that is planning a trip, or at least one that tugs at their hearts. These two – Brazil and Korea – have room for you, and ministry for you to do that fits within the skills, abilities, and availability God has given you. Stuck here at home for whatever reason? You can still be involved, by praying, and/or by giving. “When God guides, He provides,” Jenkins said. That provision might come from you. “Volunteering in missions is life-altering: it changes lives and you will never be the same,” writes Wayne Sheppard, LBC’s partnership missions … [Read more...]