COMINGS, GOINGS Gary Funderburk, new as congregational care pastor of East Bayou Baptist Lafayette. Hochul Song, new as youth minister of Korean Baptist Lafayette NEEDED Bienville Baptist Association needs pastors at the following churches: First Castor, Old Saline Castor, Calvary Homer, Calvary Springhill, Cotton Valley First and Fellowship Dubberly. Youth minister is needed at First Baptist Arcadia. Part-time youth director is needed at Smyrna Baptist, DeRidder. Call 337.328.8558. REVIVALS AND RELATED EVENTS GIBSON – Gibson Baptist has set revival services for 7 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, Nov. 14 – 17 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 18. Eldon Myers is evangelist. John Williams is pastor. PIONEER – New Prospect Baptist has set revival services for 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 15 – 17 and 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 18. A Thanksgiving meal is to be served following the service. Woody Sonnier, speaker; Frank Self, music director. Walter Cloud, pastor. WINNSBORO – Oak Grove Baptist has set revival services for 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25 and 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 26 – 28. Jack Daniels is evangelist. Cory Bruce is pastor. CONCERTS NATCHITOCHES – The senior adult choir of … [Read more...]

In the not so distant future, the Youth Evangelism Celebration – YEC – may be forced to leave the Rapides Parish Coliseum. ALEXANDRIA – In the not so distant future, the Youth Evangelism Celebration – YEC – may be forced to leave the Rapides Parish Coliseum. And when that happens, Kevin Boles, Coordinator of YEC and the Youth Ministry Team at the Louisiana Baptist Convention, will go happily, because it will mean the event has finally outgrown the facility. “We are already looking at four to five years down the road of having to find another venue,” Boles said as he prepared for the 19th annual YEC on Nov. 18-20.  “We are having to rearrange the chairs in order to get more people in the building.” Last year, the event, despite some residual effects from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, drew approximately 4,100 of which 362 made decisions for salvation. This year, Boles expects those numbers to swell. “I believe we could easily surpass 5,000,” Boles said. “Leading up to the two storms, we averaged 5,000, This year, though, I think we could see a significant increase in those numbers – significant.” The star-packed lineup should only help overflow crowds. “Students and adults come to YEC for the speakers, … [Read more...]

God is moving in unprecedented ways around the world and Southern Baptists face the challenge of joining their missionaries in “whatever it takes” to make disciples of all peoples, International Mission Board trustees were told during their Nov. 6-7 meeting in Springfield, Ill. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (BP)–God is moving in unprecedented ways around the world and Southern Baptists face the challenge of joining their missionaries in “whatever it takes” to make disciples of all peoples, International Mission Board trustees were told during their Nov. 6-7 meeting in Springfield, Ill. Eighty-two new missionaries were appointed to overseas service in a ceremony held in conjunction with the 100th annual meeting of the Illinois Baptist State Association. Southern Baptists were challenged to make the same kind of sacrificial commitment the new workers are making – laying aside careers, families and lifestyles to take the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ to those who might never hear otherwise. “We can look around the world and see God is doing something unprecedented in the history of the International Mission Board and its work,” Gordon Fort, IMB vice president for overseas operations, told the trustees. “God is planting His … [Read more...]

Bivocational pastor's sermon is highlight. ALEXANDRIA - A bivocational pastor's sermon was the high point of the 160th annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, which took place Nov. 12-13 at the Riverfront Convention Center with "Empowering Kingdom Growth--Louisiana" as its theme. When, during a time of new pastor introductions, Chaz Estes identified himself as Hardy Estes' son, the annual meeting attendees spontaneously took the opportunity for a fourth extended time of applause for Estes' plain-spoken convention sermon that likened sin to a fancy fishing lure wiggling its way through the water. Estes' message was filled with references to the outdoors and being a soldier of the Lord even when the conditions are miserable. Hardy Estes, pastor of Marlow Baptist in Pitkin, La. for the last seven years, works in house painting and Sheetrocking. His son Chaz is youth pastor at Trinity Baptist, Oakdale. “Hardship’s not easy, and ‘must’ say it’s coming,” Estes preached, referring to 2 Timothy 2:3-4 – You, therefore, must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ – after describing how his son found him face down in the dirt one long, hard day of church work. He was kicking and flailing and punching the … [Read more...]

Several months ago, a small group of women serving vocationally in Louisiana Baptist churches and entities began discussing the possibility of and need for an affinity group. ALEXANDRIA – Several months ago, a small group of women serving vocationally in Louisiana Baptist churches and entities began discussing the possibility of and need for an affinity group. About 30 women gathered Nov. 12 at Emmanuel Baptist to discuss at greater length the concept of such an organization. By the close of the three-hour session the consensus was that enough interest existed for a second meeting, set to take place prior to the LBC Evangelism Conference in January. “This first gathering was inspiring and encouraging to me as a woman in ministry,” said Andrea McKenzie of Oakdale, who spearheaded the group’s organization. “I can’t recall a time, even at seminary, being in a room with so many women who have also experienced God’s call on their lives.” Women seated at half-a-dozen round tables were welcomed by McKenzie to the meeting and invited to partake of “chocolate and caffeine” set up at one end of Emmanuel’s fellowship hall; she then gave her reasons for wanting to help birth the organization. “There are a lot of women serving … [Read more...]

Dear Lord: Thank You for bearing with us for another year. Your mercy never ceases to amaze. RICHMOND, Va. (BP)—Dear Lord: Thank You for bearing with us for another year. Your mercy never ceases to amaze. For those who continue to believe that human nature must be improved by effort and good intentions – rather than redeemed by Your grace – this past year has been another case study in failure. Given the choice between peace and violence, traditional enemies continue to fight. “New” hostilities that burst upon international awareness, such as the blood feud between Shiite and Sunni Muslims, are actually centuries old. Other hatreds persist with depressing reliability. With few exceptions, nations still seek their own interests first and last, which is what nations have done throughout history. If others benefit, it’s often a happy accident, not a policy. Allies typically help each other because it is expedient, not because they love each other – or You. Nations act like people: Our individual lives follow the same pattern of self-interest and indifference toward others. We tend to look out for ourselves and our families – and the devil take the rest (he is only too happy to oblige). All have gone their own way. None … [Read more...]

The vast majority of us were taught from an early age that we should express gratitude upon receiving something from someone. The vast majority of us were taught from an early age that we should express gratitude upon receiving something from someone. Whether it was a compliment or a gift, we were instructed to say “thank you” to the person that extended the kindness. As we mature, our sense of gratitude develops and finds expression in one of two forms and is determined by the quality of the gift or kindness we receive. One form is what I call “polite gratitude.” Polite gratitude is reserved for those “it’s the thought that counts” gifts. If you have ever received a Chia Pet for Christmas, you probably used the polite form of gratitude. A polite “thank you” is utilized when you are less than thrilled about the gift you have received. You muster a smile as you accept the combination toilet brush/can opener and mouth “thanks,” but inside you feel like you have just been notified that you are being audited by the IRS. The other form of gratitude that develops in our lives is “profound gratitude.” This expression of thanks occurs when you receive something significant, even life-altering. Words are woefully inadequate … [Read more...]

Trustees of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board, meeting in executive session Nov. 6, voted to censure trustee Wade Burleson of Oklahoma. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (BP) – Trustees of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board, meeting in executive session Nov. 6, voted to censure trustee Wade Burleson of Oklahoma and suspend him from their next four meetings for multiple violations of the trustees’ code of conduct. The censure motion stated that Burleson had “repeatedly failed” to abide by provisions in the code of conduct adopted in March 2006 governing trustee service, including requirements that trustees “refrain from public criticism of Board approved actions” and “scrupulously avoid either the fact or the appearance” of having disclosed information or private conversations from trustees meetings. The motion also cited requirements that trustees “speak in positive and supportive terms as they interpret and report on actions by the board, regardless of whether they personally support the action” and that trustees “are to refrain from speaking in disparaging terms about IMB personnel and fellow trustees.” Burleson, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Enid, Okla., became the focus of controversy in 2005 … [Read more...]

When Hardy Estes is not preaching and pastoring at Marlow Baptist Church in Leesville, he's working in the construction trades. ALEXANDRIA – When Hardy Estes is not preaching and pastoring at Marlow Baptist Church in Leesville, he’s working in the construction trades as a house painter and Sheetrocker. Estes is one of more than 900 men serving as pastors in Louisiana Baptist churches whose income does not come solely from the church – though he is quick to say it all comes from God. He was asked to bring the convention sermon as a way of recognizing the state’s bivocational – bivo – pastors. “Ever been a nervous wreck?” These were the first words  spoken by Estes, closely followed by, “I can’t tell you how many times in the last couple of days I’ve heard, ‘Who is Hardy Estes?’ I don’t know how I got here either!” The audience chuckled its appreciation for his self-deprecating humor. “I know I love Jesus,” Estes continued in a quick segue to seriousness. “I know I am called  by my Lord and I know He will equip me for the hour in which He has appointed me, and I will today proclaim Him as my Commander in Chief.” This article cannot do justice to the power unleashed in Estes’ words. Call 1.866.430.8273 to … [Read more...]

“We had a great Pastors’Conference again this year,” said outgoing Secretary-Treasurer Roy W. Davis, pastor of North Shreve Baptist in Shreveport. “I want to thank everyone who gave an offering at this year’s conference. This is how the expenses are paid.” ALEXANDRIA – “We had a great Pastors’Conference again this year,” said outgoing Secretary-Treasurer Roy W. Davis, pastor of North Shreve Baptist in Shreveport. “I want to thank everyone who gave an offering at this year’s conference. This is how the expenses are paid.” As part of his duties, Davis set up an LBC Pastors’ Conference Fund through the Louisiana Baptist Foundation. “This should be a blessing to all future LBC Pastors’ Conference officers for several reasons,” Davis said. He listed three. 1. The officers of the Pastors’ Conference take on the responsibility of planning the program,inviting the guest speakers/preachers and musicians, making the hotel, travel, and meal arrangements for the program personalities, doing the publicity for the event, printing up the programs for the event, and finally, they are responsible for paying all of the expenses. 2. The money to pay the expenses comes out of the offerings that are taken up at the conference. 3. The … [Read more...]