More than 130 teens from several states got more than they anticipated when they converged on Vietnamese Hope Baptist Church in mid-July for their annual summer camp. BATON ROUGE – More than 130 teens from several states got more than they anticipated when they converged on Vietnamese Hope Baptist Church in mid-July for their annual summer camp. A study on hermeneutics, discussion on how to get off drugs and small group devotional times were among several activities designed to help strengthen the faith of participants. Sports was another draw. “We just want to see kids turning, preparing, fighting the sin in their lives so they can pursue godliness; that’s it,” said Vinh Duong, youth leader at Vietnamese Hope Baptist Church and organizer for this year’s summer camp. Mid-South Vietnamese youth camps – first over Thanksgiving and now also each summer – have been annual events since 1997, said Doug Kellum of the Vietnamese Baptist Church in Memphis, Tenn., that started them because it was a too-great distance to go to Atlanta or Dallas each year to participate in national Vietnamese events. The location changes each year, as determined by consensus among youth workers at the four churches that informally have become a … [Read more...]

“The measure of a man’s character is what he would do if he knew he never would be found out,” Thomas Babington Macaulay said. The 19th-century English statesman understood that who we are in private – what we do when no one is looking – is who we really are. “The measure of a man’s character is what he would do if he knew he never would be found out,” Thomas Babington Macaulay said. The 19th-century English statesman understood that who we are in private – what we do when no one is looking – is who we really are. Macaulay’s wisdom is not only, as the Brits would say, ‘spot on,’ it is also time-tested. If you really want insight into a man’s character, disregard his public persona – his carefully crafted image – and pay attention to his behind-the-scenes behavior. A case in point is Jesse Jackson. The so-called civil rights leader has once again been caught using language unbecoming a leader, especially a leader that covets the title of “reverend.” It seems that while on a break during a recent appearance on the Fox News Channel, Jackson thought his microphone was off and that he was engaged in a private conversation. As a result of this presumed privacy, he whispered to another guest that he did not like the way Barack … [Read more...]

Let voters assemble facts for themselves I was disappointed that the Baptist Message would publish “Southern Baptist Pastors and Evangelicals backing McCain” (issue date). Polls change daily and I would hope voters would assemble facts for themselves and not depend on others. Southern Baptists would have been better served by knowing the resolutions from the Southern Baptist Convention and the discussions over the proposals. Shirley Williams New Orleans Writer prefers old hymns to new music Why has the Baptist Hymnal slipped into antiquity? We used to be known as a singing religion, but now we seem to be a chanting congregation. We now sing repeated phrases praising the Lord or stating His worthiness to the sound of guitars and the beat of drums. Does this serve the function that the “old” hymns did? Does it challenge us to visit the unsaved like “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go?” Does it allow us to give thanks for our salvation like “Saved, Saved?” Does it make us want to dress like church is some place special like “Give of the Best to the Master?” There is nothing in this new music to comfort you when troubled or lift your spirit when downhearted. It does not ease the pain or carry you through the horrors of … [Read more...]

The Spanish Parliament’s move to grant rights previously reserved for human beings to chimpanzees and other apes is a victory for those seeking to minimize the uniqueness of humanity, a bioethics specialist says. MADRID, Spain (BP) – The Spanish Parliament’s move to grant rights previously reserved for human beings to chimpanzees and other apes is a victory for those seeking to minimize the uniqueness of humanity, a bioethics specialist says. An environmental committee in Spain’s legislature approved a resolution June 25 calling for the government to abide by the Great Apes Project, a 15-year-old campaign to grant the right to life, freedom and no torture to chimps, gorillas, orangutans and bonobos. The measure has the support of a majority of members of Parliament and is expected to become law, according to Reuters News Service. The Great Apes Project (GAP) is the brainchild of philosophers Peter Singer, a controversial ethics professor at Princeton University, and Paola Cavalieri, who founded it in 1993, Reuters reported. GAP’s goal is not just to improve conditions for apes but “to demote human beings from the uniquely valuable species and into merely another animal in the forest,” Wesley Smith wrote on his weblog. … [Read more...]

In a first for any state, Louisiana has adopted an academic freedom law giving teachers greater protection and freedom in teaching the strengths and weaknesses of Darwinian evolution, something supporters of academic freedom in science call a significant step forward. BATON ROUGE (BP) – In a first for any state, Louisiana has adopted an academic freedom law giving teachers greater protection and freedom in teaching the strengths and weaknesses of Darwinian evolution, something supporters of academic freedom in science call a significant step forward. Gov. Bobby Jindal, a Republican, signed the Louisiana Science Education Act after it unanimously passed the state Senate 36-0 and was approved by the House by a vote of 94-3. The law allows “open and objective discussion of scientific theories being studied, including but not limited to, evolution, the origins of life, global warming and human cloning.” A statement on Jindal’s website June 26 said he had signed it along with dozens of other bills. Robert Crowther, a spokesman for the Seattle-based Discovery Institute, cited two reasons the law is needed. “First, around the country, science teachers are being harassed, intimidated and sometimes fired for trying to present … [Read more...]

A summer-long youth sports camp in the Upper Ninth Ward needs volunteers, reports Charlie Dale, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in the Bywater area of the city. NEW ORLEANS – A summer-long youth sports camp in the Upper Ninth Ward needs volunteers, reports Charlie Dale, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in the Bywater area of the city. “We advertised to the neighborhood that we would continue this program until Aug. 8,” Dale wrote in a mass email. “However, we do not have any volunteer mission groups signed up to help us for the last three weeks. “Here’s what we need,” Dale continued. “Three to eight energetic people at least 16 years old to assist two staff workers. ... They will be playing games with neighborhood kids, helping with crowd control, serving a snack, and cleaning up afterwards.” The sports camps run from 12:30 to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. Help is needed Aug. 4-8. “God has blessed already this summer,” the pastor said. “We’ve been attracting mostly boys ... ages 8-14,” Dale said. “We’ve averaged about 15-20 a day. It’s been a ton of fun with only a minimal number of fights to break up.” Shawn Moore, a volunteer summer missionary from Oklahoma with a degree in parks and recreation, has led in the … [Read more...]

COMINGS AND GOINGS -Ralph Parks, new as pastor. Bethel Baptist, Franklinton. n Rhonda Adams, new as minister to children and activities, Koran Baptist, Haughton. -Lance Montalbano, new students and recreation minister, Trinity Heights Baptist, Shreveport from First Southern Baptist,  Bearden, Ark. ANNIVERSARIES AND CELEBRATIONS -Flactor Baptist, Leesville, celebrates Homecoming, Sunday, July 27; E. J. Bradshaw, speaker. -Evergreen Baptist, Bernice, celebrates Homecoming, 10:45 a.m. Sunday, July 27, covered dish lunch; Harvey Hoffman, speaker; Dennis Reeves, music; Charles Davis, pastor. -First Baptist, Choudrant, celebrates Homecoming, 10:30 a.m. Sunday, July 27; B. K. Miller, interim pastor. REVIVALS -OAK GROVE – First Baptist: Sunday School Revival and Workshop, 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, July 27; Forest Baptist, 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 28; 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 30; Cliff Jenkins, speaker; Carl Gulde, pastor. -DUBACH – Fellowship Baptist: 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, July 27; 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, July 28 – 30; Dwayne Monk, speaker; Donna Roberson and Fellowship Choir, music; Connie Smith, pastor. -LEESVILLE – Flactor Baptist: Sunday, July 20, through Sunday, July 27; Dennis Hackler, … [Read more...]

As dreadful and wretched as it seems, it has become common to hear horrific reports of children being harmed or abused by someone with a prior record of this kind of behavior. Even more horrific, some of these accounts have been connected to churches. The reality is no denomination is exempt from the risk of predators seeking to exploit those who are most vulnerable. In fact, some predators specifically choose to use the trusted environment of a church community to satisfy their vile appetites. Because Southern Baptist churches are entirely autonomous and independent of any outside ecclesiastical authorities or hierarchies, each one must take responsibility for protecting their children from such attacks. As dreadful and wretched as it seems, it has become common to hear horrific reports of children being harmed or abused by someone with a prior record of this kind of behavior. Even more horrific, some of these accounts have been connected to churches. The reality is no denomination is exempt from the risk of predators seeking to exploit those who are most vulnerable. In fact, some predators specifically choose to use the trusted environment of a church community to satisfy their vile appetites. Because Southern Baptist … [Read more...]

At one point in its 10-year history, Next Level training was the best-kept secret in the Southern Baptist Convention, Bert Ross says. But it’s a secret no longer, judging from positive feedback from SBC churches and Baptist associations across the United States.  ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – At one point in its 10-year history, Next Level training was the best-kept secret in the Southern Baptist Convention, Bert Ross says. But it’s a secret no longer, judging from positive feedback from SBC churches and Baptist associations across the United States. More than 13,000 documented presentations, workshops, certifications and exposures featuring Next Level’s curriculum were tallied during 2007 – and nearly 6,000 so far in 2008, said Ross, the North American Mission Board’s national consultant for the Next Level Leadership Network. Through a process-driven curriculum, Next Level trains pastors and church staff members in team and personal development, assessments and diagnostics and leadership. Many churches have the mistaken idea that leadership training was the invention of the corporate world, not the Bible, said Ross, a trainer and coach for 25 years. “Everything that has been taught in leadership and teamwork you first find … [Read more...]

An interesting thing happened during a recent Sunday service at Hollins Baptist Church in Central Baptist Association. HOLLINS, Ala. – An interesting thing happened during a recent Sunday service at Hollins Baptist Church in Central Baptist Association. It is just one of several interesting things that Wayne Henderson, director of missions for Central Association, said speaks of a revival in the small congregation — something members have been praying for. That Sunday morning, four people were to be baptized. Two had made decisions for Christ before Pastor Jason Gravette arrived in November, and two had made them after his arrival. One was a 28-year-old woman, a regular at Hollins Baptist. “She came up to me after prayer meeting the Wednesday prior, said she needed to be saved,” Gravette said. “I said, ‘You ain’t?’ I thought she was. She said she wasn’t. So we went back in the back, and she asked Christ into her life. We set up the baptism for that Sunday.” ‘Holy Ghost broke loose’ Before church started that morning, the woman’s father, who had attended services on several occasions, told Gravette he needed to be baptized, too. Gravette was puzzled. “I said, ‘You ain’t?,’ and he said he’d just never done … [Read more...]