Since its beginning as a vision of First Baptist Church Pineville in 1988, Main Street Mission has seen its share of ups and downs. Pastors have come and gone, ways of ministering have changed, but Main Street Mission still stands strong. PINEVILLE – Since its beginning as a vision of First Baptist Church Pineville in 1988, Main Street Mission has seen its share of ups and downs. Pastors have come and gone, ways of ministering have changed, but Main Street Mission still stands strong. Today, Herb Cady serves as pastor. Cady served as a missionary in Kenya for 19 years, before God led him to Pineville. In May of 2007 he became pastor to Main Street Mission along with substituting at schools in Rapides Parish. Main Street Mission provides many services to people in the area, including the purchase of school supplies, a food bank on every second Thursday of the month, and worship services on Sunday and Wednesday. These ministries are only possible by funding from different churches in the North Rapides Association and the North Rapides WMU. Cady said he would love to see more ministries open up, such as after-school activities and tutoring. “God is really working through this ministry,” Cady said. At one time … [Read more...]

“Welcome to the inside of a miracle,” said President Chuck Kelley, standing at the podium in Leavell Chapel on the campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He described what the chapel looked like after Hurricane Katrina, and then said, “We serve a God who is a great outstanding redeemer. We will always have trouble in our lives but we will never have a trouble that God will not redeem.” NEW ORLEANS – “Welcome to the inside of a miracle,” said President Chuck Kelley, standing at the podium in Leavell Chapel on the campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He described what the chapel looked like after Hurricane Katrina, and then said, “We serve a God who is a great outstanding redeemer. We will always have trouble in our lives but we will never have a trouble that God will not redeem.” Kelley was the first of five speakers to bring messages during the Louisiana Baptist Convention Pastor’s Conference. His scripture: Acts 20:17-27. At various times during the six-hour session, participants elected new officers for the 2009 LBC Pastor’s Conference; each one unanimously: Ken Fryer, pastor of First Baptist Greenwood, was elected president. Chad Mills, pastor of First Baptist Oil City, was elected vice … [Read more...]

In the days since our election, I’ve daily thought of the long-ago events at Appomattox Courthouse, Va., where our Civil War ended on April 9, 1865. In the days since our election, I’ve daily thought of the long-ago events at Appomattox Courthouse, Va., where our Civil War ended on April 9, 1865. I’ve visited that site twice. Each time, standing in the living room of the restored McLean House, I’ve experienced an overwhelming sense of history where Generals Grant and Lee sat down and ended our nation’s bloody war. Ulysses S. Grant was well-known for his tenacity and nickname, “Unconditional Surrender.” Grant, however, on this day of victory, was gracious in his dealings with the defeated Southern army. Equally gracious in defeat was Robert E. Lee. Everyone present that day commented on the dignified attitudes and actions of both men. The next day, the defeated Confederates stacked their arms and turned in their battle flags, while the Union Army silently watched. Every man present on that day was deeply moved by the events. Union Gen. Joshua Chamberlain told this story: “As a Confederate soldier folded his battle flag, tearfully laying it on the stacked rifles, he stepped back and pointed to the nearby American … [Read more...]

I have a friend whose daughter is a freshman at LSU. Though she was raised in Louisiana, they currently reside in another state. But my friend’s daughter is a Louisiana girl and her dream was to go to LSU. I have a friend whose daughter is a freshman at LSU.  Though she was raised in Louisiana, they currently reside in another state.  But my friend’s daughter is a Louisiana girl and her dream was to go to LSU. This young lady has all the excitement of an eighteen-year-old looking forward to the next phase of her life.  Her parents are proud that she is growing up and is taking such a big step in life.  But like all good parents, they worry about their daughter. When my friend’s daughter enrolled at LSU, she filled out papers telling about herself with the hope of getting a roommate with which she could reasonably live.  She is a committed Christian.  Her father has served as the pastor of several churches in Louisiana.  However, it seems that the powers that be at LSU decided that she needed to have her horizons expanded and placed her in a room with a militant lesbian. This is not a theoretical lesbian, this is real life.  My friend’s daughter has thrownup because her roommate brought home her lesbian lover and they … [Read more...]

In time, obedient followers take on the character of their leader. SHREVEPORT – In time, obedient followers take on the character of their leader. That’s the essence of “Consecration,” the third principle of evangelism, as described by Robert Coleman in The Master Plan of Evangelism (MPE). The first two principles were “Selection” and “Association.” For the first three articles in this series, see www.      baptistmessage.com and search for “Evangelism.” Jesus required obedience, Coleman wrote. Required. Yet at the same time, he didn’t disown the disciples who exhibited less-than-perfect behavior. He recognized they were in the process, they were becoming more obedient as they became more submissive to his absolute sovereignty and as they absorbed more of his character. The disciples bickered, sought prominence, were envious, indignant and unnecessarily harsh, Coleman wrote with appropriate scripture references. “Yet Jesus patiently endured these human failings of his chosen disciples, because in spite of all their shortcomings, they were willing to follow him. … He knew they could master these defects as they grew in grace and knowledge. … “Obedience to Christ thus was the very means by which those in his … [Read more...]

Nov. 8 marked the celebration of a trio of special occasions for Blanchard couple Nancy and Ray Tiner. BLANCHARD – Nov. 8 marked the celebration of a trio of special occasions for Blanchard couple Nancy and Ray Tiner. She just turned 90; he just turned 100; they just celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. On Saturday afternoon, Nov. 8, the couple’s children hosted a reception/birthday party at First Baptist Church Blanchard. Daughter Betty Fulgium with husband Don, and son Stan Tiner with wife Vickie celebrated with more than 100 people, including the Mayor of Shreveport, Cedric Glover, who delivered a proclamation that Nov. 8, 2008, be declared Ray Tiner Day in Shreveport. Blanchard Mayor Johnny Digilormo also sent a proclamation for Ray Tiner Day in Blanchard. The Tiner’s son Stan, daughter Betty, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a significant part of the celebration. During the reception, friends from long ago as well as recent acquaintances joined the couple in celebrating the three historic events. The Tiner’s pharmacy staff from Wal-Mart were present as was staff from Christus Schumpert Hospital. Other special guests were members of the Mooringsport Domino Club where the couple enjoys … [Read more...]

First Baptist Church St. Tammany Baptist Association COVINGTON – Big things are happening at Covington’s First Baptist Church, said Pastor Waylon Bailey. “We have just established a new capitol fundraising campaign,” Bailey said. They have $6.1 million pledged to build additional classroom space for youth. They hope to begin building sometime next year, and once the project starts, he expects the process to take about a year. During Sunday School, Bailey said they have about 200 youth attending presently. “That’s a big thing,” he said. Plus, they have about 2000 people attend worship and 1200 for Sunday School every Sunday. Bailey has been pastor at First Baptist for 19 years. He has seen God do some amazing things. “It’s been a wonderful pastorate,” he added. He’s seen hundreds of people make decisions for Christ. “We baptize about 100 or 120 people a year,” he said. First Baptist Church Washington Baptist Association BOGALUSA – According to Janice Adams, wife of Pastor Bob Adams, God brought them to the church seven years ago for a very specific mission, peace-making. “Twenty years before there had been 11 ministers and interims,” Adams said. “There was a lot of unstableness.” Adams said … [Read more...]

COMINGS AND GOINGS -Jimmy Case resigns as education/administration minister at Fair Park Baptist, West Monroe. -Gregg Dunn, new as pastor Antioch Baptist, Farmerville. -Jay Hodges, new as minister of music Judson Baptist, Walker.  NEEDED -Part-time minister of music; send resume to Enon Baptist Church, Attn: Minister of Music Search Committee, 14049 Hwy. 16, Franklinton LA 70438. -Minister of Music and Education at First Baptist, 950 Self St., Franklinton LA 70438; call 985.839.3427. AVAILABLE -House available for missionary or pastor in Homer; call 318.789.5780. -Ralph Hines for bi-vocational pastor in Northwest Louisiana or full-time pastorate statewide; call 318.797.4918. ANNIVERSARIES AND CELEBRATIONS -BATON ROUGE – Foster Road Baptist: Renovation Dedication and Annual Thanksgiving Meal 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 23; Huey Moak, pastor. REVIVALS -PIONEER – New Prospect Baptist: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 through Saturday, Nov. 22; 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 23; Thanksgiving lunch; Robin Cox, speaker; John W. White, associate pastor. CHURCH AND ASSOCIATION EVENTS -HOUMA – Coteau Baptist: Convoy of Hope at Houma Civic Center 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 and 7 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22; Thanksgiving Luncheon … [Read more...]

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary served as a polling place in the presidential election Nov. 4 as numerous voting precincts cast their ballots in the Hardin Student Center, allowing students and faculty to interact with the community from both a personal and civic standpoint. NEW ORLEANS (BP)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary served as a polling place in the presidential election Nov. 4 as numerous voting precincts cast their ballots in the Hardin Student Center, allowing students and faculty to interact with the community from both a personal and civic standpoint. “Historically, New Orleans has conducted its elections in small precincts with one or two voting machines per precinct,” Chuck Kelley, the seminary’s president, said. “Nearly all of these were located in homes in the many neighborhoods of New Orleans. “When much of the Ninth Ward and New Orleans East was heavily damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, however, large portions of the city were left without homes or other habitable properties [to host elections].” Local officials decided that the student center, which boasts a large atrium, was a great fit for the surrounding area’s voting needs. Since Katrina, voting machines have been moved … [Read more...]

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has launched its Institute for Christian Apologetics and a School for Christian Apologetics to equip believers for the casual and intentional challenges to contemporary Christianity common in today’s culture. NEW ORLEANS   – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has launched its Institute for Christian Apologetics and a School for Christian Apologetics to equip believers for the casual and intentional challenges to contemporary Christianity common in today’s culture. “The fundamental purpose why we do this is not to build an institute but to train people to be more effective in carrying out the Great Commission,” said New Orleans professor Bob Stewart, who will direct the institute along with his colleague Mike Edens. Stewart said the institute will offer apologetics training through conferences and events, develop resources for churches and ministers, facilitate an online apologetics journal, and coordinate evangelism trips involving apologetics.  The institute’s first event, “Defend the Faith: A School of Christian Apologetics,” is set for Jan. 11-16.  “We’re going to bring in very good scholars, including Paul Copan, Gary Habermas, Michael Licona and James Walker,” … [Read more...]