Submitted by philip on Fri, 12/19/2014 - 11:55 By Diana Davis, Author and Speaker A tattoo artist, a CEO, and a homeless guy walk into your church’s worship service… But when those strangers walk into church, will they receive a warm welcome? How can a church assure that outsiders are accepted? The answer is spelled with just three letters: Y-O-U. Yes, you – the normal Christian person sitting in the pew on Sunday morning. It’s nice when the greeter at the door says hello, and it’s great if the pastor or church leaders have a moment to speak to guests, but what really makes a difference is when you offer a sincere hand of friendship to a guest. Will you make a New Year’s resolution to welcome every guest who sits near you during worship? Try this strategy: n Make a specific commitment. Look at your church layout and select an area, such as a section of seats, or three pews nearest you. Make a personal commitment to God to welcome anyone who sits in that area. Don’t fret if others greet them; no one complains about being over-welcomed. n Say a silent prayer as you enter church every Sunday. Ask God to direct you to those who need a welcome and to give you boldness to show His love to them. n Just say “hello.” Speak to … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 12/19/2014 - 11:59 Thirty-eight years after a car wreck left him paralyzed, Mike Richardson killed a magnificent Texas whitetail thanks to the Woodland Baptist Church Outdoor Ministry. The ministry helps those with disabilities to be able to enjoy the outdoors and receive a message from the gospel. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD – When a brain aneurism left Daniel Hoover paralyzed at 30, he felt that meant he never would have the opportunity to kill a buck again. However, this setback turned to hope when Hoover was introduced to a ministry at Woodland Baptist Church that allows individuals with disabilities, Down’s Syndrome and other conditions that make them unable to hunt to fully participate in a hunt. “He got out on a hunt and it was unbelievable the joy we saw on his face,” said Hoover’s father, Glenn, who accompanied him on the first hunt. “It brought more joy to me for him to kill one than all the deer I had killed in my life.” Since that first hunt, Daniel Hoover has killed three deer in all. His father, who is a volunteer with the ministry and a member of Woodland Baptist Church, said his son’s story is not unique. In all, more than 100 hunters have taken … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 12/19/2014 - 12:02 South Lafourche Baptist always has had a strong commitment to missions giving. But when Shane Terrebonne became pastor, he believed the church could take missions a step further through evangelism and reaching out to the community – something the congregation has wholeheartedly embraced such as through its food ministry. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer CUT OFF – South Lafourche Baptist Church is in the business of bridge building these days. When Shane Terrebonne first started as pastor of the church in September 2013, he noticed that many in the oil and fishing community were unaware that a church was there. So he decided a way to build a bridge would be through showing the love of Christ with various ministries. Nine months later, Sunday morning worship attendance has increased from 20 to 55 people and a growing number in the community are realizing that the South Louisiana church is there and cares for them. “We want to plug them into Jesus,” Terrebonne said. “This church has been without a pastor for a long time and had a reputation of being just there. The first few months we were trying to re-introduce ourselves to the community. “There’s a sense of … [Read more...]

By Gary Myers, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS (BP) – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s trustee executive board elected two new faculty members and approved a new undergraduate certificate center location during their Dec. 2 meeting. Trustees elected Arthur “Bo” Rice to the NOBTS faculty as assistant professor of evangelism and preaching. Rice will also serve as associate dean of supervised ministry and mentoring programs. NOBTS will task Rice with updating and enhancing the school’s supervised ministry efforts to better reflect the needs of today’s ministers, and launch its new mentoring program. NOBTS Trustee D.J. Horton, pastor of Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church in Anderson, S.C., noted Rice “makes NOBTS stronger for three reasons. He brings youthful energy and enthusiasm, a proven pastoral track record, and a heart to grow new leaders ready to be more effective in their own ministries.” Rice completed his bachelor’s degree at Auburn University and earned master of divinity, master of theology and doctor of philosophy degrees from NOBTS. During his studies in the NOBTS graduate program, Rice received the LifeWay Pastoral Leadership Award and preached the senior week chapel service in Leavell Chapel. While still … [Read more...]

MOUNT VERNON Ga. (BP) – The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has reaffirmed the accreditation of Brewton-Parker College, reversing an earlier decision. The Dec. 9 announcement means the Georgia Baptist college, which had been on probation and then lost its academic ranking on June 19, will remain fully accredited without any blemish on its record. The governing group announced its decision earlier today at the conclusion of its annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn. BPC President Ergun Caner and members of his executive cabinet met for an hour on Dec. 6 in Nashville with the SACSCOC Committee on Compliance and Reports to present new verified material evidence demonstrating the college’s compliance with the Principles of Accreditation. The evidence submitted and reviewed by SACSCOC shows Brewton-Parker College has sufficient financial resources to meet its obligations and its mission, is financially stable, is in control of its finances, and complies with its Title IV program responsibilities to the United States Department of Education. “This is a great day for Brewton-Parker College,” Caner said in a prepared statement. “We are thankful that after reviewing all the evidence SACSCOC removed us … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Paul (wife Joyce) Pearson new as Pastor at First Baptist Church, Doyline. Shadd Pittman new as Pastor at Thomas Baptist Church, Franklinton. Seth Ott new as part-time Youth Minister at Watson Baptist Church, Denham Springs. Lauren Serrapica is new as Minister to Youth at First Haynesville. Evan (wife Kaiti) McFarland new as middle school pastor at First Baptist Church, Bossier Donna Simms music retired at Northwood Baptist Church, Shreveport. Josh Cagle new as Youth Minister from Laity at North Shreve Baptist Church, Shreveport. Jay Avance new as pastor at First Baptist Church, Baker. REVIVAL Judson Baptist Church, Walker: Revival, Jan. 18-21, Noon on Jan. 19, 20, 21 and 6:30 p.m. each evening. Evangelist: Richard Green. Pastor: David Lane. LAGNIAPPE Beauregard Baptist Association Women’s Mission and Ministry Quarterly Meeting, Jan. 6, 6:30 p.m. Guest Speakers: Ugandan missionaries Curt and Dede Iles. Everyone is welcomed to attend the meeting. DOM: Tim Patrick. Calvary Baptist Church, Shreveport: Price Harris Ministries presents Night of Praise, Jan. 9, 6 p.m. Featuring Jake Cowley, Angela Peyton, Johnny Parrack, Allen Family and Green Acres Choir from Tyler, Texas. First Baptist Church, Winnsboro: … [Read more...]