Jerry Johnson, president of Criswell College in Dallas, resigned Aug. 5 after a controversy went public about the direction of the College and its relationship with the First Baptist Church of Dallas, which founded the school and maintains active ties through trustee selection. DALLAS (BP) – Jerry Johnson, president of Criswell College in Dallas, resigned Aug. 5 after a controversy went public about the direction of the College and its relationship with the First Baptist Church of Dallas, which founded the school and maintains active ties through trustee selection. The discord was publicized Aug. 1 when the Dallas Morning News published an accusation by Criswell trustee Steve Washburn, pastor of First Baptist Church in Pflugerville, Texas, that Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, was planning to liquidate Criswell’s assets to benefit the church, which established the college in 1970 under the leadership of their late pastor, W.A. Criswell. The paper also reported Johnson’s affirmation of Washburn’s accusation. Jeffress, who as pastor of FBC Dallas is automatically chancellor of Criswell College, denied the accusation, saying it was the product of an “overactive imagination.” Among the college’s assets is … [Read more...]

Robert Greer is one of the “good guys” gleaning from the natural gas “gold mine” made public within the last six months in Northwest Louisiana. SHREVEPORT – Robert Greer is one of the “good guys” gleaning from the natural gas “gold mine” made public within the last six months in Northwest Louisiana. He’s a cop – technically, a detective in the juvenile division with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office. He also works on an Internet Crimes Against Children task force, and as such has nabbed several people – a local radio personality, Monroe politician, vascular surgeon – whose arrests on charges related to child pornography made state-wide news. The latest offer Greer and his wife Veronica – together they have three youngsters – have received includes a $12,500/acre signing bonus and a monthly 25 percent royalty of any natural gas removed from deep under their home in the North Highlands subdivision. “There’s some areas in town getting $20- to $25,000 an acre, and others that are getting $1 [thousand],” Greer said. “Considering I didn’t have anything before, $7,000 looks pretty good!” That’s his estimate for the .66/acre of land on which sets his home built in the 1950s. “I never even thought of mineral rights or heard … [Read more...]

When the Democratic National Convention meets at Denver’s Pepsi Center Aug. 25-28, the “Mile High City” will absorb an estimated 225,000 visitors – including the 5,000 credentialed delegates, politicians, the media and protesters. Local officials are readying for the challenge. DENVER (BP) – When the Democratic National Convention meets at Denver’s Pepsi Center Aug. 25-28, the “Mile High City” will absorb an estimated 225,000 visitors – including the 5,000 credentialed delegates, politicians, the media and protesters. Local officials are readying for the challenge. As a ministry to Denver’s law enforcement officers and first responders such as emergency medical service personnel and firefighters, three local Southern Baptist congregations and the Mile High Baptist Association have initiated a “Love Denver” outreach. Five hundred or more Baptist volunteers will join in the effort, and the North American Mission Board is coming alongside the outreach with funding assistance. Denver’s Riverside Baptist Church, Bear Valley Church and First Southern Baptist Westminster Church and the association have been planning the Love Denver ministry for 10 months. The outreach will provide law enforcement personnel and first … [Read more...]

Louisiana College played host to the Louisiana Family Forum’s Ten Year Celebration ceremony recently at the Granberry Conference Center. PINEVILLE – Louisiana College played host to the Louisiana Family Forum’s Ten Year Celebration ceremony recently at the Granberry Conference Center. The event was highlighted by several awards given by Louisiana Family Forum Action to area legislators for their support of family friendly issues. Traditionally, Louisiana Family Forum holds a single celebration per year. However, this year the statewide group decided to hold dual celebrations, one in Baton Rouge and another in Pineville. “We are both pleased and honored that Louisiana Family Forum chose Louisiana College as a host site for their Ten Year Celebration,” said L.C. President Joe Aguillard. “The Louisiana Family Forum is an organization whose mission is closely aligned with the mission of Louisiana College. Ten years ago they crafted a mission to bring this state and the entire country back to its biblical roots. Preserving those roots has been the mission of Louisiana College for over 100 years. We’re proud to have Louisiana Family Forum on our campus. They will always be welcome here.” Gene Mills, president of LFF … [Read more...]

It was an answer to prayer. CHALMETTE – It was an answer to prayer. Three years after Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, the rebuilding continues in St. Bernard Parish and especially at First Baptist Church, Chalmette. Progress on rebuilding First Chalmette appeared to be doing well as the church was nearly 65 percent complete. But then news came that the last volunteer team scheduled for the summer was departing, and there were no others scheduled. “We do not have any volunteer teams scheduled for September, October, November or December of ’08,” FBC Chalmette Pastor John Jeffries said. “And there were no teams scheduled for 2009.” Even though, hundreds of volunteers from across the U.S. had come to assist First Chalmette in its rebuilding efforts, the pool of volunteers had finally begun to dry up. Jeffries asked people to pray that God would help them find enough volunteers to complete the project. He did. On the day the church’s steeple was being put into place, Tommy Puckett, Director of the Office of Men’s Ministries and Disaster Relief for the Alabama State Board of Missions, informed Jefferies, and project manager Gary Morrow, that Alabama Baptist were adopting First Chalmette as a target project and … [Read more...]

Cross Brand Cowboy Church is reaching a demographic of unchurched thanks to activities it offers. ROBERT – Cross Brand Cowboy Church is reaching a demographic of unchurched thanks to activities it offers.  Pastor Randy Smith, a former professional bull rider, now a pastor, ministers to a culture who may not set foot in a traditional church, but will gather to hear the Gospel in a rodeo arena. “God told me ‘you’ve led enough people away from church, now it’s time to lead people to me,’” Smith said. The cowboy Bible study Smith led for 30 years laid the groundwork for Cross Brand Cowboy Church.  On a Sunday afternoon some 80-100 people gather at a rodeo arena in Amite for rodeo events and a church service. “People come and feel comfortable with their boots on.  It’s a family and cowboy atmosphere … bring your horse and come to church!” Smith said. Reaching the western culture with the activities they love best – rodeo, riding and roping, Cross Brand Cowboy Church is seeing lives changed.  Recently at a revival, one family of four came to know Christ. Soon after their profession of faith the family was baptized and they now serve the Lord together. “In the [rodeo circuit] world I was living in, I never heard the … [Read more...]

Even though his wife works at a local bank, Tom Lott says BEL Credit Union is the family’s primary banking institution, and has been for the last 20 years. ALEXANDRIA – Even though his wife works at a local bank, Tom Lott says BEL Credit Union is the family’s primary banking institution, and has been for the last 20 years.  BEL is an acronym for Baptist Employees of Louisiana. Lott is minister of music and education at Pineville Park Baptist Church in Pine-ville.  “It’s convenient but it’s also very professional,” Lott said after going through BEL’s new drive-up at the inside back corner of the Baptist Building. “They’re very gracious and they meet all my financial needs. This truck is a loan from BEL, and we’ve had loans for four or five cars before this.”  BEL Credit Union – as well as the Louisiana Baptist Foundation and Louisiana Baptist Message – recently returned to the Baptist Building. In addition to its new drive-through with a well-lit, 14-ft. high overhang, the credit union had a sloping walkway constructed for people who prefer not to use the four stairs to get to the main floor level.  Designated diagonal parking is available on the far side of the drive-up.  “They have made efforts to stay up with … [Read more...]

“Consider it great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials ….” James 1:2 (HCSB). “Consider it great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials ….” James 1:2 (HCSB). We are constantly confronted with the problem of evil and suffering in our world. And not just “out there somewhere” but all too often “close to home.” Hardly a day goes by in my office without a report of a tragic event happening to someone in our larger Baptist family – an accidental death, a serious illness, a family breakup, a financial crisis, a sinful rebellion, a natural calamity.  This week is no different. We prayed for our friends who were impacted by an accidental death, a suicide, a terminal disease, and a gun attack. When these trials come, how should the believer in Christ respond? The Bible is not silent on the subject. Lengthy discussions are contained in its pages, Old and New Testament. The Book of Job comes to mind as well as the teachings of Paul, Peter, James and John. The Apostle James begins his letter to the church on this subject. What are some lessons we can learn from this Apostle? 1. Trials are a reality of life.  James doesn’t say “if” trials come but “when” they come. He doesn’t … [Read more...]

What do you do when you receive a large, unexpected sum of money? What do you do when you receive a large, unexpected sum of money?  It’s a problem that most of us only dream of having.  While many of us juggle our monthly bills the thought runs through our mind, “If I only had extra money I could…” The dream is becoming reality for a large number of people, corporations, organizations, and even churches in northwest Louisiana.  The recent discovery of one of the largest fields of natural gas in the United States, known as the Haynesville Shale, has dropped a windfall into the laps of individuals and entities along much of the western edge of the state and into East Texas.  A recent New York Times article reported that as much as $30,000 per acre is being paid as a lease bonus with monthly royalty checks to follow.  Many landowners have literally become millionaires overnight.  So back to the question: What do you do?  As a Believer what do you do when you receive a windfall of money, whether it comes from oil and gas revenues or inheritance or any other source?   The 17th century Archbishop of Canterbury, John Tillotson, made a statement that is paraphrased here:  Any amount over that which is necessary to meet … [Read more...]

Business as usual in unusual economic times was the order of the day for the Louisiana Baptist Foundation when the Foundation’s Board of Trustees met for its regular quarterly meeting on July 29. ALEXANDRIA – Business as usual in unusual economic times was the order of the day for the Louisiana Baptist Foundation when the Foundation’s Board of Trustees met for its regular quarterly meeting on July 29. After welcoming new trustee Adam Hankins of Jennings, Executive Director Wayne Taylor reviewed the assets held and managed by the LBF.  The total Assets under Management as of June 30, 2008, were $145,215,000, an increase of $2.1 million during the second quarter.  The increase came primarily from churches and other Baptist entities placing additional money on deposit with the Foundation as well as new gifts from donors that will benefit Baptist work across the state. During the morning Investment Committee meeting, members participated in a conference call with Ross Roggensack and Lee Morris of Citigroup Institutional Consulting, the investment management consultants for the Foundation.  Citigroup oversees the individual money managers who are employed by Citigroup to invest the assets held by LBF.  The report on … [Read more...]