The inaugural event was such a huge success Andy Myrick, evangelism director for the Northeast Louisiana Baptist Association, decided to not only do it again but to expand. BASTROP – The inaugural event was such a huge success Andy Myrick, evangelism director for the Northeast Louisiana Baptist Association, decided to not only do it again but to expand. On March 21, those participating in 4-Wheels-4-Him (a 4-wheeler ride), hosted by Tillou Baptist Church, not only can expect several hours of good muddy, family-oriented fun, but they will also be treated to a block party and gospel singing. And to top off the event will be a barbecue hamburger lunch with all the trimmings. Keith Manuel, an evangelism associate with the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Evangelism and Church Growth Team, will be the event’s speaker. “Last year, I didn’t expect this type of participation, but I know it was God who made it such a success,” Myrick said. “As a matter of fact, it went over so well I decided to add a block party and to include gospel music.” The event, which is sponsored by the Northeast and Morehouse Baptist Associations in partnership with the Louisiana Baptist Convention, is to place on the Plum Creek Hunting Club, which … [Read more...]

Pluralism is a term that we often hear, but much of the time it isn’t clear what it meant when we hear it. The terms “pluralist” or “pluralism” can be understood in several different ways. Pluralism is a term that we often hear, but much of the time it isn’t clear what it meant when we hear it. The terms “pluralist” or “pluralism” can be understood in several different ways.  For instance, one may mean simply that in our culture there are many different religious viewpoints. As a simple matter of fact this statement is obviously true.  On the other hand, one might mean that all individuals have a right to express their beliefs freely and that every belief is to be treated with respect. But what is usually meant when the term plural-ism is used is that all religious views are equally valid. Essentially it means that all roads lead to God. This view can be expressed in many ways. For instance, someone may say, “It doesn’t matter what you believe so long as you’re sincere.” Or “You have your truth, I have mine” or its twin, “That’s true for you but not for me.” In this brief article I shall examine and critique some of the ways pluralism may be expressed in daily conversations. In doing so I am only touching the tip of … [Read more...]

Question: Why was Jesus born as a baby who had to grow up? Why didn’t he just come as an adult? Bill Warren answers:  Let’s start thinking about this question by putting it into the context of historical revelation, a key foundation for Christian faith. What is meant by historical revelation is that God has actually revealed Himself in history in various ways, so we don’t have to guess as to who God is or how He acts or what attitude He has toward His creation, for we can base our views on how God Himself has shown Himself to be. Our faith is not mere speculation, but rather has the historical underpinnings of actual events and people.  That is part of what separates our faith from mere personal opinion or even philosophy—we believe that God has revealed Himself in human history.  Building on the idea of historical revelation, the coming of Jesus is the pinnacle of that revelation, the highest expression ever since Jesus was God Himself who came to show us who He is in words and actions (including His redeeming work on the cross). As we often say, “if you want to see God, look at Jesus!” Historical revelation is about God revealing Himself in a way that we could understand, and supremely we see this in the person of our Lord … [Read more...]

Probably the high point of the recent Drama Festival at Louisiana College was the performance of the doweling (wooden sticks) class. PINEVILLE – Probably the high point of the recent Drama Festival at Louisiana College was the performance of the doweling (wooden sticks) class. When Allison Winegeart (First Baptist Pineville) rolled in on her wheelchair at the climax of Third Day’s song “Cry out to Jesus,” the message brought tears to the eyes of several in the audience: “Hope for the helpless, rest for the weary, love for the broken heart, Cry out to Jesus. I’ll meet you wherever you are” – even if where you are is in a wheelchair. A huge smile washed over Winegeart’s face at the audience’s response. Even as she exited the stage, pushed by her assistant, she looked back at the audience so she could keep the memory vivid in her mind. “That kind of emotional response is what you can get from using drama in church,” said Patti Yeatts, longtime coordinator of the Louisiana Baptist Drama Festival. “It’s presenting the gospel in picture form, and when you see it, it sticks with you.” Pictures have more staying power in people’s minds than words do, Yeatts said. “We’re such a visual generation,” she continued. “Drama … [Read more...]

In all, 715 children from around the state gathered on March 7 for the annual Missions Jamboree – M-JAM – at Louisiana College. PINEVILLE –  In all, 715 children from around the state gathered on March 7 for the annual Missions Jamboree – M-JAM – at Louisiana College. M-JAM is a chance for girls and boys around Louisiana to get excited about missions and learn ways to be used as missionaries around the world, explained Kimberly Williams, Children/Youth Mission Education Strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention. The children were challenged by Creative Dramatist Kathy Frady and her husband John Frady with the theme for the day, to “Let your light shine for Jesus.” Kathy Frady, clad in red tights and a cape, played the role of Super Duper Girl to entertain and teach the children to fight lies from the devil with scripture. Leading in worship, Kevin Williams from Tupelo, Miss., led the children in singing the theme song for the day. “Let my life shine, come and let my heart shine,” the children sang with Williams as a reminder to be the light of Christ in the world. Throughout the day, there were two celebration sessions of worship for the children to participate in, and there also were three breakout … [Read more...]

Calvary Baptist Church Mount Olive Baptist Association FOREST HILL – According to Pastor Joel McMickin’s wife, Sally, construction work in and out of the church has been affecting the ability to minister. “We’re surviving though,” she said. Last fall after the Fall Festival, a snow storm hit the church and damaged the fellowship hall, kitchen and nursery making them unusable. McMickin said decoration plans for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentine’s Day were cancelled. Children’s activities have even been stopped. Church members are working on it though. “Every Saturday we are working on the fellowship hall,” she explained. The church family hopes to have all the work completed by Easter. And members have dealt with construction outside the church. Roadwork has been going on right outside the church for quite a while, McMickin said. This has cut down on some church attendance. But even in all this inconvenience, God is being seen. “They [church men] repanelled the whole kitchen [and updated it] which made it more efficient for the ladies,” she said. “The men have been tremendous.” And when the nursery is completed, McMickin said it will be an entirely new nursery with new furniture, lots more baby … [Read more...]

COMINGS AND GOINGS -Halena Nguyen, new as Children’s Activities Coordinator, Vietnamese Hope Baptist, Baton Rouge. -Brian (wife Jade) Johnston, new as pastor, Trinity Baptist, Oakdale coming from Big Cane Baptist, Morrow. -Andy Partington, new as minister to children, First Baptist, Minden. -Philip Rush resigns as pastor, Carroll Baptist, Walker. -Danny LeBlanc resigns as pastor, Life Giving Church, Denham Springs. -Roger Dunlap, new as pastor, Macedonia Baptist, Holden. DEATHS -Robert “Bobby” Bonds, Louisiana pastor for 40 years, died Feb. 26. He retired from Mt. Hope Baptist, Oakdale, after 27 years of service. The Pineville resident is survived by his wife, Melba, one son and three daughters. NEEDED -Music minister at Antioch Baptist, Farmerville; call Matt Ludwig 318.245.8359 or mail resume to 35301 Hwy. 828, Farmerville LA 71241. -Full-time pastor at First Baptist, Morgan City; send resume to First Baptist Church, 1915 Victor Blvd., Morgan City LA 70380 or email resume to Jerry@morgancityrentals.com. -Minister of music/adult education at Grace Memorial Baptist, Slidell; send resume to Grace Memorial Baptist, 58516 Pearl Acres Road, Slidell LA 70461 or email … [Read more...]

An answered prayer for LifeWay Christian Resources is about to become a dream come true for potentially millions of Chinese Christians: a modern translation of the New Testament in their own language. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – An answered prayer for LifeWay Christian Resources is about to become a dream come true for potentially millions of Chinese Christians: a modern translation of the New Testament in their own language. LifeWay’s Holman Bible Publishers has printed 20,000 Chinese Standard Bible New Testaments, and copies are now available for sale in the United States, Canada and Brazil. It’s being touted as the first direct Chinese translation by scholars from the original Greek. “Our goal is that Chinese Christians would read this translation and love it,” said Phill Burgess, executive director of LifeWay’s Holman Bible Outreach International. “The translation that Chinese Christians have been using up to now, the Chinese Union Version, was translated into Chinese from an English copy in the 1920s. “The language in that translation is archaic,” Burgess said. “This one is easier to understand since it relates to the modern Chinese language.” LifeWay approached In 2004, the Asia Bible Society approached LifeWay … [Read more...]

Meet Molly – a brightly smiling little girl in red capri pants and yellow shirt who will help preschoolers and children learn more about what happens on church missions trips as their travel representative. She is featured in Molly’s Adventures in Missions written by national WMU preschool consultant Joye Smith. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Meet Molly – a brightly smiling little girl in red capri pants and yellow shirt who will help preschoolers and children learn more about what happens on church missions trips as their travel representative. She is featured in Molly’s Adventures in Missions written by national WMU preschool consultant Joye Smith. “Parents will find the book a fun way to teach preschoolers what missions teams do,” Smith said. “Molly’s Adventures in Missions is such an interactive book. “It not only explains what missions teams do, but gives a way for church missions teams to share their work with preschoolers. “This gives the missions team a way of sharing with preschoolers the work they have done on the missions trip,” she continued. “Preschoolers and children can then make a scrapbook or write stories about Molly’s adventures on their church’s missions trips.” In addition to having a cut-out of Molly, Smith’s … [Read more...]

Home prices in metro Phoenix are down dramatically, multitudes of homes are in foreclosure and thousands of people are unemployed. QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. (BP) – Home prices in metro Phoenix are down dramatically, multitudes of homes are in foreclosure and thousands of people are unemployed. The Phoenix-area Queen Creek suburb, where San Tan Heights [Southern Baptist] Church is located, is among the hardest-hit communities in the nation. “A lot of people have called me who are at the brink,” said Billy Van Camp, founding pastor of the church that started with five people at its first service Easter Sunday in 2004. More than 250 attend now “A few people have come up to me at church who are at the point of crisis – bankruptcy, losing their home.” While reaching out to help those in financial distress and helping others stave off distress, San Tan Heights [Southern Baptist] Church is seeking to maintain a biblically based, outward-focused, forward-moving perspective. The congregation continues to give 10 percent of its offerings to missions through the Cooperative Program, which supports missions and ministries of state Baptist conventions and the Southern Baptist Convention. The church also bought 12 acres last summer next … [Read more...]