Baptist Golf Fellowship Fall Tournament participants left their two-day event in late September with trophies, door prizes and the sound of nature ringing in their ears. ALEXANDRIA –Baptist Golf Fellowship Fall Tournament participants left their two-day event in late September with trophies, door prizes and the sound of nature ringing in their ears. OakWing Golf Club in Alexandria, a “must play” course on the Audubon Golf Trail, accommodated all skill levels involved and provided a blend of natural beauty of Louisiana bayous, lakes and towering tree-lined fairways with a challenge of rolling hills and undulating greens. “It was a perfect two days to enjoy one of the best courses in the state,” one participant said. “Blue skies, balmy weather, a beautiful course – it doesn’t get any better than this.” The awards banquet was hosted by Calvary Baptist Church, where an abundance of delicious food and lively fellowship were enjoyed. Wayne Taylor, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation, emceed the event. He was assisted by Baptist Message Editor Kelly Boggs. The Foundation and Message sponsor the tourney. BGF Committee members Bob Braly, Bill Penny and Robert Spicer assisted in awarding trophies and door … [Read more...]

The popular notion of the “sweet by and by” is often one of clouds, pain-free bliss and not much else – except for the occasional angel floating by with a harp. If one’s idea of eternity is a happy pill, such an image might be appealing. GRAPEVINE, Texas (BP) – The popular notion of the “sweet by and by” is often one of clouds, pain-free bliss and not much else – except for the occasional angel floating by with a harp. If one’s idea of eternity is a happy pill, such an image might be appealing. Author Randy Alcorn, in his bestselling book Heaven, illustrates contemporary Christianity’s failure in teaching on eternal life by quoting a pastor who admitted: “I can’t stand the thought of that endless tedium. To float around in the clouds with nothing to do but strum a harp ... it’s all so terribly boring. Heaven doesn’t sound much better than hell. I’d rather be annihilated than spend eternity in a place like that.” More than one music leader has suggested, based on Bible passages that speak of music, that a believer’s eternity will be a never-ending sing-along around a celestial piano. Most people enjoy good music and everyone wants bliss, but are these accurate depictions of what heaven will be like? What is … [Read more...]

Have you ever noticed that when a discussion turns to a recently deceased celebrity, someone invariably says, “I know he’s looking down on us right now”? It doesn’t matter how godless the person was, his peers refer to him as being in a better place and then gesture skyward. GRAPEVINE, Texas (BP) – Have you ever noticed that when a discussion turns to a recently deceased celebrity, someone invariably says, “I know he’s looking down on us right now”? It doesn’t matter how godless the person was, his peers refer to him as being in a better place and then gesture skyward. Mark Coppenger, professor of Christian apologetics at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, sees a lamentable example of that in the 1941 poem “High Flight,” which was quoted in tribute to astronauts who died in the 1986 explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Not all the astronauts were Christians “but we were told they ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God,’” Coppenger said. Also a cartoon in a Chicago newspaper depicting the late sports announcer Harry Caray being welcomed by Saint Peter at the pearly gates, even though there was no evidence Caray was redeemed. “Everywhere you turn, culture ignores the Bible to make … [Read more...]

The Senior Adults of First Baptist, Minden are to participate in a workday at Rolling Hills Thrift Store in Ruston, Wednesday, Nov. 19. They will also be working at the Global Maritime Ministry Center in New Orleans in January. They continue their ongoing mission projects of Pennies for Gypsy Children in Romania and Feed the Children Ministry in Nicaragua. They have added Lakeside Baptist Church and Maritime Ministries in New Orleans to their project list as well as Mansfield Street Mission, Bossier City. Bill Crider is minister to senior adults. Global Maritime Ministry Center in New Orleans requests Christmas gifts for the seafarers and port workers who they will be ministering to during the Christmas season. A gift of a coffee mug, phone card and booklet, which shares the meaning of Christmas, along with a Bible or New Testament in their heart language can be provided for $8. Also, volunteers are needed for gift wrapping, labeling Bibles and booklets, providing assistance with Christmas parties and Christmas cookies.  So far this year, the ministry has visited 204 ships, contacted 7,645 seafarers and 461 port workers, hosted 4,771 seafarers at the visiting center, distributed 608 scriptures and 137 Jesus videos, and provided … [Read more...]

Celebration Church, where Dennis Watson is pastor, last weekend celebrated its 19th anniversary. Celebration Church BAGNO METAIRIE – Celebration Church, where Dennis Watson is pastor, last weekend celebrated its 19th anniversary. “Nineteen years ago, what was to become Celebration Church as we know it today, began as a small group meeting in a home,” Watson emailed. “Since that time the Lord has greatly grown our influence and ministry.” Along with helping to start seven other churches in South Louisiana, five churches in other cities and states and 26 churches around the world, Celebration now has three campuses in the Greater New Orleans area, with more local campuses planned for the future. “As a result of being involved with numerous local missions and ministry efforts throughout our history, and having served over 140,000 families since Hurricane Katrina, we have gained a local reputation as a ‘church that truly cares about the people of New Orleans,” Watson wrote. “Join us this weekend as we celebrate all God has done in and through our Celebration congregation to bring the healing hope of Jesus Christ to people locally and around the world.” Beech Springs Baptist Church Webster-Claiborne Baptist … [Read more...]

Ministry to boomers and young adults must change if these generational groups are going to be reached for Christ, according to information learned from studies conducted by LifeWay Research and shared at the Oct. 20-22 Adult Ministry Institute. NASHVILLE, Tenn., – Ministry to boomers and young adults must change if these generational groups are going to be reached for Christ, according to information learned from studies conducted by LifeWay Research and shared at the Oct. 20-22 Adult Ministry Institute. Attendees of the conference – ministers and young adult leaders from across the country – gathered at the home office of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, Tenn., to find out ways their churches can address the impending crisis. Boomers Bill Craig, director of LifeWay’s business and ministry development area said that boomers – the generation of Americans born between 1946 and 1964 which make up about 26 percent of the U.S. population – want their lives to matter and want to make networks and connections that will meet their needs. Churches can’t just offer a bus trip to this group and expect them to come. Churches will have to help boomers find meaning in their … [Read more...]

CBS and other broadcast television networks increasingly are pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable entertainment as the Federal Communications Commission, the government body charged with enforcing indecency laws, awaits an upcoming Supreme Court hearing in order to determine a response. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – CBS and other broadcast television networks increasingly are pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable entertainment as the Federal Communications Commission, the government body charged with enforcing indecency laws, awaits an upcoming Supreme Court hearing in order to determine a response. The Parents Television Council, a nonpartisan watchdog group, filed an indecency complaint with the FCC after an Oct. 20 episode of the CBS show “Two and a Half Men” which featured a three-minute-long strip club scene featuring a lap dance. The show aired at 8 p.m. in the Central and Mountain time zones, violating a law that prohibits the airing of indecent material before 10 p.m. “The scene was in no way ‘fleeting’ or accidental; rather, it was specifically written into this scripted program,” Tim Winter, PTC’s president, said in a news release. “It’s high time for CBS to be held accountable for violating the … [Read more...]

The bright and colorful walls inside the Baptist Friendship House just a few blocks from the French Quarter in New Orleans reflect an atmosphere of hope – hope in Christ, who is proclaimed daily here, as well as the hope that exudes from Kay Bennett, the director of the ministry. NEW ORLEANS (BP) – The bright and colorful walls inside the Baptist Friendship House just a few blocks from the French Quarter in New Orleans reflect an atmosphere of hope – hope in Christ, who is proclaimed daily here, as well as the hope that exudes from Kay Bennett, the director of the ministry.  That hope is in stark contrast with the misery Bennett’s clients have endured before showing up at the ministry. Most are mothers who have been so abused by spouses or boyfriends that they must seek refuge and protection. They arrive with their young children and just a few belongings. Bennett and her staff welcome them, give them lodging if there’s room and then start the process of helping them back on their feet so they can provide for their family. It’s a task that has become more difficult and time-consuming since Hurricane Katrina.  “We provide literacy training, GED preparation, computer skills, life skills, job readiness training,” Bennett … [Read more...]

The peace of God seemed to permeate the 161st annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, which took place at First Baptist Church of New Orleans, and the pastor’s conference that preceded it in Leavell Chapel on the campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. NEW ORLEANS – The peace of God seemed to permeate the 161st annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, which took place at First Baptist Church of New Orleans, and the pastor’s conference that preceded it in Leavell Chapel on the campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. It was a peace that was palpable, several pastors said, in great measure because of the words of Chuck Kelley, NOBTS president, who was first speaker at the pastor’s conference and Bible study leader at the annual meeting. “Trouble’s on its way,” Kelley preached during four times at the podium. “But God’s got you in his grip and He’s not letting go.” At one point in his messages that drove home his “God’s holding on” point, Kelly preached, “We will always have trouble in our lives but we will never have a trouble that God will not redeem,” and his hearers across the auditorium visibly relaxed at the reminder. The annual meeting itself was sandwiched between … [Read more...]

More than 1,600 people have indicated online that they prayed to receive Christ for salvation after watching a three-minute video of evangelist Ronnie Hill’s testimony, which starts by recounting his birth to a 17-year-old rape victim who decided against abortion. FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) – More than 1,600 people have indicated online that they prayed to receive Christ for salvation after watching a three-minute video of evangelist Ronnie Hill’s testimony, which starts by recounting his birth to a 17-year-old rape victim who decided against abortion. Since January, Hill and others have been directing people to www.threeminutestory.com where they can watch his three-minute testimony and then register to win a new car or truck in a Dec. 12 drawing. The winner will choose between a Dodge Ram, a Jeep Wrangler or a Chrysler 300. At the end of October, nearly 28,000 visits to the website had been logged and more than 6,300 people had registered to win the vehicle, Hill told Baptist Press. In addition to those numbers, countless other individuals have prayed to receive Christ after watching a DVD of Hill’s three-minute testimony at county fairs, festivals, parks, ball games, block parties and other places where churches have … [Read more...]