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"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Avery Willis

The nomination of Avery Willis, a former Southern Baptist missionary and retired International Mission Board administrator, for president of the Southern Baptist Convention was announced May 6 by John Marshall, senior pastor of Second Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--The nomination of Avery Willis, a former Southern Baptist missionary and retired International Mission Board administrator, for president of the Southern Baptist Convention was announced May 6 by John Marshall, senior pastor of Second Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo. Willis is one of six candidates Southern Baptist messengers will consider. Baptist Press asked each candidate to participate in a survey of mostly standardized questions, but the questionnaire included at least one query individualized for each candidate. Willis’ answers to the questions posed by Baptist Press follow: 1) What has God done in your life and ministry to prepare you to be president of the Southern Baptist Convention? He has saved me, called me to preach and be a missionary and used me by the power of His Spirit as a Southern Baptist in a variety of settings. Since you ask, I’ll list them, but all the credit goes to God for whatever He has … [Read more...]

William L. (Bill) Wagner

William L. (Bill) Wagner, a former Southern Baptist missionary and current chief academic officer of Olivet University International in San Francisco, announced Sept. 7, 2007, that he would allow his name to be placed in nomination for president of the Southern Baptist Convention. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--William L. (Bill) Wagner, a former Southern Baptist missionary and current chief academic officer of Olivet University International in San Francisco, announced Sept. 7, 2007, that he would allow his name to be placed in nomination for president of the Southern Baptist Convention. The identity of his nominator has not been announced. Wagner is one of six candidates Southern Baptist messengers will consider. Baptist Press asked each candidate to participate in a survey of mostly standardized questions, but the questionnaire included at least one query individualized for each candidate. Wagner’s answers to the questions posed by Baptist Press follow: 1) What has God done in your life and ministry to prepare you to be president of the Southern Baptist Convention? First, it should be said that I have been serving in the SBC for over 50 years. In the beginning, I was the New Mexico State Baptist Student Union … [Read more...]

Frank Cox

The nomination of Frank Cox, pastor of North Metro First Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, Ga., for president of the Southern Baptist Convention was announced Feb. 7 by Alabama evangelist Junior Hill. ASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--The nomination of Frank Cox, pastor of North Metro First Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, Ga., for president of the Southern Baptist Convention was announced Feb. 7 by Alabama evangelist Junior Hill. Cox is one of six candidates Southern Baptist messengers will consider. Baptist Press asked each candidate to participate in a survey of mostly standardized questions, but the questionnaire included at least one query individualized for each candidate. Cox’s answers to the questions posed by Baptist Press follow: 1) What has God done in your life and ministry to prepare you to be president of the Southern Baptist Convention? First and foremost, God, in His grace, allowed me to be birthed into a Southern Baptist pastor’s home. I am a third-generation Southern Baptist preacher. It was there I learned about the grace of God and salvation offered me through Jesus Christ. He saved me at 8 years of age, called me to preach at the age of 17, and I was educated by Southern Baptists for effective … [Read more...]

Johnny M. Hunt

The nomination of Johnny M. Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Ga., for president of the Southern Baptist Convention was announced May 6 by Ted Traylor, pastor of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, Fla. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--The nomination of Johnny M. Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Ga., for president of the Southern Baptist Convention was announced May 6 by Ted Traylor, pastor of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, Fla. Hunt is one of six candidates Southern Baptist messengers will consider. Baptist Press asked each candidate to participate in a survey of mostly standardized questions, but the questionnaire included at least one query individualized for each candidate. Hunt’s answers to the questions posed by Baptist Press follow: 1) What has God done in your life and ministry to prepare you to be president of the Southern Baptist Convention? For the last four or five terms, I have had different men to ask me for the privilege to place my name in nomination. After praying through it, I never felt led. Oftentimes, it has been said that I had placed my name in nomination and removed it. That is not a true statement. My name has never been placed in nomination. With that … [Read more...]

Les Puryear

The nomination of Les Puryear, senior pastor of Lewisville (N.C.) Baptist Church, for president of the Southern Baptist Convention was announced May 12 by Dwight McKissic, senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--The nomination of Les Puryear, senior pastor of Lewisville (N.C.) Baptist Church, for president of the Southern Baptist Convention was announced May 12 by Dwight McKissic, senior pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas. Puryear is one of six candidates Southern Baptist messengers will consider. Baptist Press asked each candidate to participate in a survey of mostly standardized questions, but the questionnaire included at least one query individualized for each candidate. Puryear’s answers to the questions posed by Baptist Press follow: 1) What has God done in your life and ministry to prepare you to be president of the Southern Baptist Convention? I have pastored for 11 years and worked in the business world for 25 years. I believe I have a unique combination of a solid theological foundation with a practical business approach to getting things done. Also, God has given me a passion for encouraging leaders of small churches. Since … [Read more...]

Wiley Drake

The nomination of Wiley Drake, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park, Calif., for president of the Southern Baptist Convention was confirmed May 20 by Bob Bosworth, the congregation’s music minister.    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--The nomination of Wiley Drake, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park, Calif., for president of the Southern Baptist Convention was confirmed May 20 by Bob Bosworth, the congregation’s music minister. Drake is one of six candidates Southern Baptist messengers will consider. Baptist Press asked each candidate to participate in a survey of mostly standardized questions, but the questionnaire included at least one query individualized for each candidate. Drake’s answers to the questions posed by Baptist Press follow: 1) What has God done in your life and ministry to prepare you to be president of the Southern Baptist Convention? Forty-two years pastor of SBC churches in California, Texas, New Jersey, Arkansas. Seeing God save 300-plus each year for the past 10 years and allowing us to disciple them. God has allowed me to serve as moderator of our association twice and as second vice president of our SBC. He has allowed me to serve as a … [Read more...]

Majesty of Spain: they thought their money could buy it all

The Majesty of Spain is an incredible representation of the wealth of the Spanish monarchy from 1745 to 1833, from Fernando VI to Fernando VII. So, I was surprised to know that in one major way, I have more to bank on than they thought they had. The Majesty of Spain is an incredible representation of the wealth of the Spanish monarchy from 1745 to 1833, from Fernando VI to Fernando VII. So, I was surprised to know that in one major way, I have more to bank on than they thought they had.   The cost of bringing the display from Madrid, Spain, to Jackson, Mississippi, must have been monumental. Just getting the prize pieces of art from there to Jackson certainly was a mind boggling achievement. One does not take a most prized painting, like Anton Rafael Mengs "Crucifixion of Christ," considered Spain’s most important neoclassical painting, worth millions of dollars to the pack-and-ship store and say, "Send this to the Mississippi Arts Pavilion in Jackson, Mississippi, USA."   Many of the pieces are not paintings. There are chairs, large bronze tables, marble statuary, a full horse-drawn carriage replete with eight model horses in full harness and even a large gold-leafed gondola that must have … [Read more...]

Observers react with concern after Dutch leaders vote to legalize euthanasia

Concerned reaction from around the world has greeted a recent Dutch vote to legalize euthanasia, with opponents decrying implications of the action and voicing doubts about incorporated safeguards. Concerned reaction from around the world has greeted a recent Dutch vote to legalize euthanasia, with opponents decrying implications of the action and voicing doubts about incorporated safeguards. "Banning intentional killing protects each of us impartially, embodying the belief that all are equal, whether they are young or old, fit or sick, able or disabled," asserted Peter Millard of the British organization Alert (Against Legalized Euthanasia - Research and Teaching). "By legislating for euthanasia, the Dutch government has undermined the very nature of their society. How safe would you feel if you knew that your doctor carried in his bag the instruments of death as well as life?" A spokesperson for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children agreed, warning that the Dutch action promotes a culture of death. "The only way to prevent further proliferation of a pro-death culture is to defend the fundamental premise that human life, at every stage and in every situation, possesses an inherent dignity of … [Read more...]

Southern Baptists climb toward 16 million members

Membership in Southern Baptist churches continued to climb ever so slowly toward the 16 million mark in 2000, with an increase of 108,552 persons.   The increase of 0.7 percent brings the total number of church members to an all-time high of 15,960,308. Membership in Southern Baptist churches continued to climb ever so slowly toward the 16 million mark in 2000, with an increase of 108,552 persons.   The increase of 0.7 percent brings the total number of church members to an all-time high of 15,960,308.   That surpasses the all-time high of 15,891,514 - set in 1997. Even so, it comes with a slowed rate of growth. In 1999, membership increased by 0.8 percent.   Recently-released statistics show such increases - as well as some declines - in various areas of Southern Baptist Convention life.   For instance, in one key area, total baptisms surpassed 400,000 for the fourth consecutive year in 2000. Nevertheless, annual total of 414,657 baptisms represented a decline of 4,685 (1.1 percent) from 1999.   Sunday School enrollment increased by 38,958 (0.5 percent) last year to a total of 8,186,415. The jump comes on the heels of a 0.01 percent decrease in … [Read more...]

Speaker urges students to ‘anchor’ their lives

As Moses prepared to go talk to Pharoah about releasing the Israelite people, God emphasized the importance of his spokesperson maintaining three "anchors" in his life.   The lesson still applies, Dave Edwards stressed to more than 140 Louisiana Baptist college students commissioned recently for summer missions work. As Moses prepared to go talk to Pharoah about releasing the Israelite people, God emphasized the importance of his spokesperson maintaining three "anchors" in his life.   The lesson still applies, Dave Edwards stressed to more than 140 Louisiana Baptist college students commissioned recently for summer missions work.   ‘For as long as Moses did these things (outlined by God), his life worked," said Edwards, an Oklahoma City preacher.   Edwards spoke at the recent commissioning of the Louisiana Baptist students at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria. The commissioning service was a highlight of the annual Louisiana Baptist Collegiate Ministries Spring Assembly.   During his address, Edwards challenged the student missionaries to carry the three "anchors" identified by God with them.   As long as these anchors are held firmly in place, … [Read more...]