In spite of obstacles that prevented a traditional disaster relief response, Southern Baptists have found creative ways to help victims of Cyclone Nargis in the two months since the storm unleashed its fury on Myanmar. YANGON, Myanmar (BP) – In spite of obstacles that prevented a traditional disaster relief response, Southern Baptists have found creative ways to help victims of Cyclone Nargis in the two months since the storm unleashed its fury on Myanmar. Perhaps a million people were left homeless by the storm, which roared across the Southeast Asian country May 3 with winds of up to 120 mph. An estimated 134,000 people are dead or missing. Perhaps 1.5 million were believed to be at risk for serious health problems in the storm’s aftermath. Myanmar’s military government tightly restricted the flow of relief supplies and aid workers into the hard-hit Irrawaddy Delta. “We quickly saw that visas for volunteers to go into Myanmar were going to be very difficult, if not impossible, to get,” said Francis Horton, who directs work in Central and South Asia for Baptist Global Response, a Southern Baptist international relief and development organization. “We then looked for other ways to assist in the effort and found several … [Read more...]

Child abuse in the form of sexual molestation is very real. I have conducted hundreds of investigations and interviews with victims, child molesters, and numerous mental health counselors over the years. And yes, such child abuse actually exists in our churches — which should not come as a surprise because our churches are made up of fallen human beings who live in a fallen world. Child abuse in the form of sexual molestation is very real. I have conducted hundreds of investigations and interviews with victims, child molesters, and numerous mental health counselors over the years. And yes, such child abuse actually exists in our churches — which should not come as a surprise because our churches are made up of fallen human beings who live in a fallen world. We must recognize that the problem is real — not just “out there,” but even in our churches. The Trust Factor Children are taught to trust their parents, other family members, their teachers, ministers, those in authority over them. Most often children are abused by people they know, people they trust, not usually by some stranger in a dark trench coat. There are various terms used to describe individuals who sexually abuse children, such as child molester, … [Read more...]

It is difficult for us to grasp and accept the fact that the evil of child sexual abuse exists in our midst — it is even more difficult to accept the prospect that it is prevalent today — yet that is what the statistics are showing. Consider the following reports: It is difficult for us to grasp  and accept the fact that the evil of child sexual abuse exists in our midst — it is even more difficult to accept the prospect  that it is prevalent today — yet that is what the statistics  are showing. Consider the following reports: “It is estimated that one in three girls and one in six boys will experience some form of sexual abuse before they are eighteen years old” (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 1993). “The typical child sex offender molests an average of 117 children, most of whom do not report the offense” (National Institute of Mental Health, 1988). Research indicates that most child sexual abuse takes place in the home, but news reports constantly remind us that such abuse can even be found in churches, and that even some pastors and church leaders have been found guilty of the offense. This is especially egregious because the violation has taken place at the hands of those who are entrusted with the … [Read more...]

I have lived with a secret for most of my life, but recently I revealed this secret to members of my family and church. I know many others are living with the same secret and they, like me, are suffering from the damage and pain it causes. I was born into a pastor’s home, the sixth of nine children and the only girl. We, of course, attended church regularly and seemed to be the normal pastor’s family. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior following an Easter service when I was five-years old. My father was the one who led me to Christ. The secret began when I was about ten-years old. It was then that my father chose to misuse his position of authority over me. He raped me. Then he repeatedly raped and molested me whenever he found an opportunity. This abuse continued until I was seventeen or eighteen. I cannot tell you how many times I was raped by my father — but it was something I constantly dreaded. Each day as I came home from school, I would pray, “Oh Lord, help him not to be home,” or “Lord, please help him to stop.” But the abuse didn’t stop. I felt trapped — a prisoner in my own home. God gave my father many gifts, but he chose to abuse and squander those gifts. He not only failed to meet the responsibility … [Read more...]

When child abuse (physical or sexual) is experienced, suspected, or discovered, the information needs to be shared with someone in a position to protect the child. This is a matter of biblical instruction and legal responsibility. Any suspected or known abuse needs to be reported immediately upon learning of the alleged incident(s). When child abuse (physical or sexual) is experienced, suspected, or discovered, the information needs to be shared with someone in a position to protect the child. This is a matter of biblical instruction and legal responsibility. Any suspected or known abuse needs to be reported immediately upon learning of the alleged incident(s). Reporting to Public Authorities Child Welfare Information Gateway is a service of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). DHHS is the primary child protection agency of the federal government. Its Information Gateway can be accessed at http://www.childwelfare.gov. This site provides information about who in your state is required by law to report, how to report, and to whom a report should be made. It also provides information about special rules related to ministerial confidentiality. It even gives a telephone number where one may call for … [Read more...]

I’m not scared of dyin,’ and I don’t really care. If it’s peace you find in dyin,’ well then let the time be near.” – “When I Die,” Blood, Sweat, and Tears, 1969 I’m not scared of dyin,’ and I don’t really care. If it’s peace you find in dyin,’ well then let the time be near.” – “When I Die,” Blood, Sweat, and Tears, 1969 There’s the rub. Is it peace you find in dying, or something more? Our sometimes bluff attitude towards death makes too little of its inevitability and finality. Death is cause for healthy fear and respect. The sting of death is sin, we’re told in 1 Corinthians 15:56. Sin is the first cause of death and the reason death is as ubiquitous as sin. As such we dread it rightly. Those outside of Christ dread it because their own faith leaves them uncertain as to their eternal state before the god they worship. Many know in their hearts they are unprepared to meet the God they have denied their whole lives. Death for them is accountability for a life lived in godlessness. For Christians, the matter is still monumental. While we can have confidence in our eternal destiny, much of what will occur after death is unknown to us. Additionally, the process of dying often is fearsome. Even the pain and … [Read more...]

Five young preachers caught the eye of Jimmy Keene, pastor of Temple Baptist Church, during the revival that swept into Jena, La., from mid-February into April. JENA, La. (BP) – Five young preachers caught the eye of Jimmy Keene, pastor of Temple Baptist Church, during the revival that swept into Jena, La., from mid-February into April. Keene took note that the five preachers were regulars in each night’s crowd – and that numerous young adults were drawn to the spirit-filled meetings. In response, Keene, who also is moderator of the LaSalle Baptist Association, planned a Monday-through-Thursday gathering in May,  hosted by Temple Baptist, with contemporary music and four of the five young preachers filling the pulpit. “[T]he response was tremendous. These guys had sermons bottled up in them for nine weeks of the revival,” Keene said, “and when they had their opportunity to preach, they preached hard and long. It was a great week.” Several decisions were made and the altars were filled just as they had been during the nine-week revival in a town that, last year, was pushed it into the national spotlight by racial tensions. Prior to each of the services in May, the young preachers gathered in the church’s prayer … [Read more...]

In a city too often known for scandal and financial wrongdoing, Southern Baptists want to be sure no one confuses their ongoing Operation NOAH (New Orleans Area Hope) Rebuild ministry with a city-affiliated agency that has been accused of misappropriating housing funds.  NEW ORLEANS (BP) – In a city too often known for scandal and financial wrongdoing, Southern Baptists want to be sure no one confuses their ongoing Operation NOAH (New Orleans Area Hope) Rebuild ministry with a city-affiliated agency that has been accused of misappropriating housing funds. The city agency – New Orleans Affordable Homeownership – also is known as “NOAH.” The agency’s stated purpose is to help elderly and low-income homeowners rebuild their houses that had been damaged by Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent levee breaches. But a report that aired Monday, July 21, by WWL-TV in New Orleans alleged that a large number of jobs the agency claims were completed were never even started. Southern Baptists working with the Operation NOAH Rebuild ministry are speaking up to distinguish their NOAH from the city’s. “We have worked hard and we have a great reputation in the community,” said David Maxwell, Operation NOAH Rebuild coordinator. “I would … [Read more...]

Last week LC broke ground on a multi-million dollar combination football/soccer stadium. While no there is no timetable for completion of the project, college officials plan to play at least one game at the facility this season. PINEVILLE – Last week LC broke ground on a multi-million dollar combination football/soccer stadium. While no there is no timetable for completion of the project, college officials plan to play at least one game at the facility this season. “We’ve had this dream for a long time,” said LC Athletics Director Tim Whitman. “To finally be standing here, a lot of people’s hard work has come to fruition.” “For 2 ½ years I’ve been speaking on faith that we would have a stadium by the fall of ’08,” Dunn said. “It becoming a reality is truly exciting and a credit to all those involved.”  Phase one of the stadium, which will be constructed on the site of the current soccer field, is to include laying down a state-of-the-art artificial surface, putting up bleachers and installing a scoreboard. The second phase of the project is to construct a brick façade, press box and dressing rooms. The price tag for the football/soccer stadium, which is expected to seat 5,000, is $4 million. Whitman indicated that … [Read more...]

When it snowed, they slid down the levee behind the old Baptist Hospital on stainless steel bedpans. They taught each other to crochet. They played ukuleles. ALEXANDRIA – When it snowed, they slid down the levee behind the old Baptist Hospital on stainless steel bedpans. They taught each other to crochet. They played ukuleles. And were all nursing students living on the second floor of the Medical Arts building in the old Baptist Hospital in the 1950s. Eight of the – mostly retired – registered nurses returned on June 6 for a reunion in the Cascade Room of Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital in honor of their former instructor, Ruby Hall. “We’ve been meeting like this off and on for 20 years, ever since we graduated,” said Louise Tankersley. “We were a family. It was easy for us to be together.” The ladies, some accompanied by daughters, friends or husbands, took a tour of the South Tower of Rapides Regional Medical Center – specifically the medical library and the third floor – and their former home in the Medical Arts building. “We had a really good time with them,” said Clara Wiley, RN, 3 South Unit Manager. “They reminded us of how ‘good’ we have it now.” The ladies were the first graduating nursing … [Read more...]