I had just finished two assembly programs speaking to the youth about abstinence from sexual activity until marriage and faithfulness in marriage. A teacher, who was heart broken over what she was seeing happening in the lives of her students, began to share her heart with me. “I hear students talk about going to church and then within a few minutes they talk about smoking pot or having sex.”  I had just finished two assembly programs speaking to the youth about abstinence from sexual activity until marriage and faithfulness in marriage. A teacher, who was heart broken over what she was seeing happening in the lives of her students, began to share her heart with me. “I hear students talk about going to church and then within a few minutes they talk about smoking pot or having sex.” This was a public school, but I have found the same problem in Christian settings.  I recently spoke with a youth pastor who was greatly troubled over the fact that some of the youth in his church had fallen prey to the lie that, even though they were involved in oral sex and mutual masturbation, they felt they had not committed adultery because they had not actually had sexual intercourse.  Has the church failed to deal with sin to such an … [Read more...]

I’m an avid LSU football fan. When I received my Ph.D. at the University of Georgia, my professors threatened to recall my degree because I wouldn’t convert to the Georgia Bulldogs. I’m an avid LSU football fan. When I received my Ph.D. at the University of Georgia, my professors threatened to recall my degree because I wouldn’t convert to the Georgia Bulldogs. As a college professor myself, I often upset my colleagues by telling them that if I had to choose between academics and athletics, I would definitely choose athletics. I am joking of course. I know there are some things as important as football – basketball and baseball for instance – particularly when your baseball team just won 20 games in a row.  Seriously, despite my love of football, I do stop often to reflect on what really matters in life. Recently my son, Bret, gave me a book to read which helped me do just that.  It was entitled Season of Life: A football star, a boy, a journey to manhood  (Marx, 2003).  I was particularly pleased because the book had been passed on to him and my son, Bart, by Carl Carver, the vice-president of Lofton Staffing. For those who may not know, Carl was also an outstanding baseball pitcher for the University of North … [Read more...]

It is the smallest of the five Baptist associations that make up District Eight Baptist Convention, but Red River doesn’t let its size or numbers stop it from doing its part. COUSHATTA – It is the smallest of the five Baptist associations that make up District Eight Baptist Convention, but Red River doesn’t let its size or numbers stop it from doing its part. “There are only 12 churches in this association,” said Lee Dickson, director of missions for District Eight for the last 31 years, “but they don’t let it stop. They are doing a lot of great things in the parish, as well as working jointly with our other associations on different projects.” Red River Parish – mainly Coushatta – is home for Dickson, who grew up 10 miles behind the Post Office in Coushatta. “Red River is a very rural parish,” Dickson said. “People here are hard-working and church-going folk.  They have a wonderful giving spirit, and it is evident by the giving of their time and money.” Especially when it comes to projects that helps promote God’s word. Fairview Baptist Church has given more than $100,000 and countless hours to the construction of the new Baptist Collegiate Ministry building at Northwestern State University in … [Read more...]

After a year-long period of observation, Jesus’ disciples were sent out two-by-two to various locales to do the work of Jesus as they testified of their faith in God – His love, His power. After a year-long period of observation, Jesus’ disciples were sent out two-by-two to various locales to do the work of Jesus as they testified of their faith in God – His love, His power.  What was the work of Jesus? The evangelization of the entire world, and that included the supervision of those who were doing the work. For the first seven articles in this series on developing disciples the way Jesus did, go towww.baptistmessage.com and search for “evangelism.” Jesus made a point of meeting with his disciples when they returned from their ‘walkabouts,’ Robert Coleman wrote in The Master Plan of Evangelism. When the disciples were sent out, they knew they would be expected to share their experiences later with the group. Jesus was alert to make experiences teach truth, Coleman wrote. “[E]ven this occasion [Luke 10:18-22] was used to caution the disciples against pride in their accomplishments,” Coleman wrote, which is another way of saying, “As he [Jesus] reviewed some experience which the disciples had, he would bring out … [Read more...]

San Patricio Baptist Church North Sabine Baptist Association CONVERSE – December is all about Jesus and His birthday at San Patricio, according to Zelda “Pinky” Hannigan, wife of Robert Hannigan, San Patricio’s pastor. The youth of their church made a banner to use in the Louisiana Christmas Parade in Many Dec. 13, she said. They were to ride in a pick-up truck and shine for Jesus. “Our youth (numbers) have been down, but we’re getting some back now,” Hannigan added. The church’s KIDZ Ministry has been working hard to do their part for Christmas. The kids will present a Christmas Pageant on Dec. 21 that includes stick puppets. She too has activities planned for the King’s birthday. “I’m going to have a birthday party for Jesus during the Sunday School hour,” Hannigan said. In the past they’ve even had a birthday cake for Jesus, but the woman who put on the party each year passed away, so things are still getting organized. Hannigan said she isn’t sure if there will be a cake this year or not. Regardless of how she and the children celebrate, it will be full of joy, the pastor’s wife said. And the whole church family will have their own Christmas party prior to Christmas Eve. About the church family, … [Read more...]

COMINGS AND GOINGS -Burn Page resigns as pastor of First Baptist Baton Rouge. DEATHS -Robert P. (Bob) Wallace, Louisiana pastor for 50 years, died Dec. 1. He was 77 and resided in Natchitoches. -H. M. Roach, Louisiana pastor, died Dec. 4. He was 91 and resided in Quitman. NEEDED -Ministry assistant at Concord Union Baptist Association; send resume to Concord Union Baptist Association, PO Box 606; Ruston LA 71273. -Pastors at Boulevard Baptist Lake Charles; First Baptist Cameron; First Baptist Hayes; New Hope Baptist DeQuincy; First Baptist Vinton; First Baptist Westlake and Woodlawn Baptist Iowa. -Pastors at Erwinville Baptist; First Baptist Baker; First Baptist Gramercy; First Baptist Plaquemine; False River Baptist Ventress; First Baptist Baton Rouge; First Hispanic Baton Rouge; First Baptist White Castle; Northside Baptist Plaquemine. ANNIVERSARIES AND CELEBRATIONS -BATON ROUGE – First Baptist: Farewell Reception for Burn Page 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. -SCOTT – Scott Baptist celebrated 50 years of ministry Sunday, Dec. 7. CHURCH AND ASSOCIATION EVENTS -FRANKLINTON – First Baptist: Ping Pong Tournament for Lottie Moon offering 12 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20; entry fee $15; Luther Stanford, … [Read more...]

Some people who claim to be Christians haven’t grown spiritually in 30-50 years despite sitting through countless numbers of sermons, and one church leader believes he knows why. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Some people who claim to be Christians haven’t grown spiritually in 30-50 years despite sitting through countless numbers of sermons, and one church leader believes he knows why. “They haven’t been challenged in a community to grow spiritually,” said Steve Gladen, small groups pastor for Saddleback Community Church, during a recent Inside LifeWay podcast. “They [interpret] attendance as being spiritual growth. People are finding out that it is all about interfacing with God’s Word, being in community. “The last couple of decades we’ve been inundated [with] an idea of what church can be and I think we are seeing people say ‘I could care less about big and flashy; I want confessional preaching, I want to see people where they’re at,” Gladen said. “I think this is true even for boomers who say we know far more than we’ve put into practice and it’s not so much about taking another [spiritual] nugget…it’s about helping people grow. That’s why we’ve got people who have been believers 30, 40, 50 years and they don’t ooze an ounce of … [Read more...]

Somewhere in a Texas storage shed sits a reminder of the reason Mark Moses left home and headed overseas. It’s a paper Moses, then 11 years old, wrote for a school assignment. The first line reads: “I want too be a misiunary wen I gro up.” RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – Somewhere in a Texas storage shed sits a reminder of the reason Mark Moses left home and headed overseas. It’s a paper Moses, then 11 years old, wrote for a school assignment. The first line reads: “I want too be a misiunary wen I gro up.” “I tell folks my spelling has changed but my calling has not,” jokes the Fort Worth, Texas, native, who has spent the past 22 years as a Southern Baptist missionary in the Philippines. It hasn’t been easy. Between the joys of new believers and churches starting, Moses also has endured bitter disappointments and devastating personal tragedy – including the loss of his wife, Jan, to cancer last year. It’s this deep sense of calling that helps drive and sustain Moses and the more than 5,500 other missionaries who serve with the International Mission Board. CALLED TO PERSEVERE Today these missionaries must hold fast to their calling as they experience the fallout of a burgeoning economic crisis. That’s because missionaries’ … [Read more...]

He’s “J.L.” on his business card. His wife calls him “Mac.” Some friends call him “James,” although he often forgets to stand up when he’s introduced as James. LOS ANGELES (BP) – He’s “J.L.” on his business card. His wife calls him “Mac.” Some friends call him “James,” although he often forgets to stand up when he’s introduced as James. But he’s best known simply as “The Hitchhiker,” especially among Southern Baptists in California. James L. McCollough’s motto is “Sharing the Gospel around the world, one highway at a time.”  A 59-year-old former Marine, McCollough has been hitchhiking all his life—not because he can’t drive or doesn’t own a car. He can and does. Hitchhiking is his God-led ministry, his chosen method to share Christ literally on the highways and byways of life. McCollough is a North American Mission Board (NAMB) Mission Service Corps missionary and works for the Los Angeles Southern Baptist Association. His ministry is aptly named “BlackTop Ministries.” And from California to Mexico to Indiana to Florida, this man has pounded some serious blacktop. “I go out about every day,” says The Hitchhiker, who on this day was in Nevada, dressed in his usual “USMC” reflective orange vest, “Jesus Saves” … [Read more...]

And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)  5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore … [Read more...]