Two prominent Southern Baptists expressed thankfulness Aug. 28 that the Taliban apparently will release 19 South Korean Christian hostages, but dismay that as part of the deal the South Korean government will ban Christian missionary work in Afghanistan.  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Two prominent Southern Baptists expressed thankfulness Aug. 28 that the Taliban apparently will release 19 South Korean Christian hostages, but dismay that as part of the deal the South Korean government will ban Christian missionary work in Afghanistan. The 19 hostages from Saemmul Presbyterian Church just outside of Seoul were kidnapped July 19 when armed Taliban gunmen stopped their bus as it traveled on a road to Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. The party actually had 23 members at the time, but two later were executed and two were released. The 19 hostages aren’t free yet, though, and other details must be worked out, South Korea presidential spokesman Cheon Ho-seon said, according to various news reports. In return for the hostages’ release, Cheon said, South Korea agreed to keep its promise to pull its troops out of Afghanistan by the end of this year – something it had announced last year – and to ban “missionary work by Korean … [Read more...]

Pastors and lay leaders are learning how -– and why -- to expand Bible-based education at two-day “Christian School 101” workshops sponsored by the Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools. WINDERMERE, Fla. (BP) – Pastors and lay leaders are learning how -– and why -- to expand Bible-based education at two-day “Christian School 101” workshops sponsored by the Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools. “Our goal is to help pastors reduce the fear factor in starting a Christian school or home school network in their churches,” said Ed Gamble, executive director of the Florida-based association. “Nationally, we see a rising wave of pastors and lay leaders who feel God is calling them to this endeavor, but obstacles like the lack of how-to knowledge are preventing them from moving ahead.” A “Christian School 101” workshop just finished, but it will be repeated at least three more times at other locations to give participants the basic tools and information they need to plan and start a well-run Christian school. “God has impressed upon us the need to take what looks to some folks like an insurmountable wall and make it look more like a picket fence by teaching them how to start a school and providing them … [Read more...]

Ralph Hodge has a simple goal for LifeWay church relations and consulting: to help churches be healthy and effective. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Ralph Hodge has a simple goal for LifeWay church relations and consulting: to help churches be healthy and effective. Simple? Yes. Easy? No. Hodge is director of the newly created church relations and consulting area of LifeWay Christian Resources that will be working closely with churches by strengthening the coordination of services available from the Nashville-based entity of the Southern Baptist Convention. Toward helping churches become healthier and more effective, Hodge said, “One of the toughest issues for a church to face is getting a clear reality of where it is.” In any given church, he noted that the pastor may have one idea of where the church is, the deacons another idea, the missions committee another and the laity yet another. Bringing all these ideas together for a clear picture is crucial. LifeWay church relations and consulting uses a variety of assessment tools and processes to help churches discover their reality. “We offer a church health assessment that also involves a personal interview process,” Hodge said. “We can adapt it and expand it with a … [Read more...]

Prior to 2004, Macedonia Baptist Church’s heart beat almost solely for its members. FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (BP) – Prior to 2004, Macedonia Baptist Church’s heart beat almost solely for its members. “We were a bunch of older folks who pretty much attended church for ourselves,” said Gerald Williams, a member of the Fayetteville, N.C., congregation. “We were self-centered in a lot of our church work.” But three years ago, that all changed when the church underwent an EKG analysis. Not a medical procedure, EKG stands for “Empowering Kingdom Growth: The Heartbeat of God,” a 40-day Bible study by Ken Hemphill, the Southern Baptist Convention’s Empowering Kingdom Growth strategist. “EKG changed our total church outlook. It really got our minds on the future and helped us see that we’re all in a Kingdom process instead of a church process,” Williams said. “We have a totally different outlook at what work is going on not only in our community, but in North Carolina, the U.S. and the world. “It’s got us mission-minded,” he said. “That’s the biggest concept we’ve learned.” Today, the heartbeat of Macedonia Baptist, which averages 71 in Sunday School, shows such vital signs as: n the near-completion of a … [Read more...]

In a law enforcement career that has spanned 35 years, Sheriff William Earl Hilton has let his faith guide him. ALEXANDRIA – In a law enforcement career that has spanned 35 years, Sheriff William Earl Hilton has let his faith guide him. “My faith has always been a big part of my life and my work,” said Hilton, who has served Rapides Parish as sheriff since 1992. “I wonder at times what it would be like if everybody acted like Christians and did what was right? “There would be far less crime,” he said. “And people would be able to get along so much better with their neighbors.” While Hilton grew up in a law enforcement family, his parents, both Southern Baptists, made sure church was an integral part of his life, and taught him Christian values and morals. Some of his fondest memories, as a young boy growing up, centered on activities at Lone Star Baptist Church. “We went to church twice on Sunday and Wednesday evening,” he said. “I sang in the choir, went on wiener roasts, and participated in the cake walks. I always looked forward to going to church.” Throughout his career, he has used the lessons learned from his parents as well as those gained from his church upbringing in his dealings with the public, the … [Read more...]

“There can be no revival without repentance,” thundered Evangelist Jerry Spencer at the Labor Day Camp Meeting at Milldale Baptist Church and Conference Center, located in the country about 15 miles north of Baton Rouge. ZACHARY – “There can be no revival without repentance,” thundered Evangelist Jerry Spencer at the Labor Day Camp Meeting at Milldale Baptist Church and Conference Center, located in the country about 15 miles north of Baton Rouge. Milldale brought several words to light that we don’t much talk about today, at least not with any focus on Christians doing anything about “confessing” and “repenting” and “begging God’s forgiveness.” We’ve been programmed to use these words in telling nonbelievers what they need to do. But revival –  and that’s what these words together add up to for Christians – is what Milldale is all about. “We believe we’ll have a visitation from God, that the blessings of God, the presence of God, will be here,” said Jimmy Robertson in the week before Labor Day. He was founder in 1963 of the Milldale church and camp meeting and today is co-host of the camp with Danny Greig, pastor of Milldale Baptist. Several people said the camp meeting achieved its purpose. “You hear God’s … [Read more...]

After a year of testing, LBC launches the Empowering Kingdom Growth-Louisiana initiative in October. Ten orientation sessions are planned to equip pastors and lay leaders with the essentials for a successful experience. ALEXANDRIA – After a year of testing, LBC launches the Empowering Kingdom Growth-Louisiana initiative in October. Ten orientation sessions are planned to equip pastors and lay leaders with the essentials for a successful experience. EKG-LA is a three-phase process. A church is led to examine its heart for God, its strategy of missions and its practices with Kingdom resources. The primary resources are two study books by Ken Hemphill: EKG, The Heartbeat of God and Making Change. Both volumes are published by B&H Publishing and supported by LifeWay resources. The second phase of the process involves the church in an Acts 1:8 experience that includes a study of The Acts 1:8 Challenge by Nate Adams. “The Kingdom of God is not a trivial slogan. Neither is the EKG-LA process an inconsequential initiative destined for insignificance,” said David E. Hankins, LBC executive director. “Our God is passionate about His Kingdom. The Lord spoke so often about the Kingdom and its importance to the ways of God. I want … [Read more...]

Pastor Chuck Pourciau has agreed to allow his name to be placed in nomination as a candidate for the 2007 presidency of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. SHREVEPORT – Pastor Chuck Pourciau has agreed to allow his name to be placed in nomination as a candidate for the 2007 presidency of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. “This all started several months ago, when a group of pastors, who I respect a lot, came to me and asked me to pray about running,” Pourciau said. “After much prayer, I feel like it is the Lord’s will that I run. “I am not a political animal, nor am I running against anybody,” he said. “If the Lord wants me to be known, let me be known for His two greatest commandments. Whether I will get elected is in His hands.” A native of Louisiana, and NOBTS graduate – M.Div. and Ph.D – Pourciau was ordained a pastor in September 1984.  “If elected president, Chuck Pourciau will emphasize missions – both in giving and participation,” wrote Wayne DuBose, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Minden, in presenting Pourciau to Baptist Message readers. “He will bring a passion for evangelism and growth to his presidency. And, he will seek to help lead the Louisiana Baptist Convention to position itself … [Read more...]

I’ve heard many “calls” for revival recently but with very little teaching and exposition on revival. I’ve heard many “calls” for revival recently but with very little teaching and exposition on revival. It seems that in these urgent days there are too few leaders who actually are leading God’s people corporately to repent, pray, seek holiness and return to God. Do we not realize that scripturally it is impossible to have a call for revival without a call for repentance? This has always been God’s requirement for His people. The passionate, unceasing corporate prayer that is always present in revival is desperately lacking as well. In short, I see little evidence of sincere brokenness among God’s people for our present condition or the condition of our nation. We call for revival without actually crying with tears and brokenness for revival. The “call for revival” seems almost like a spiritual fad, with no true passion and sincerity of heart. Many will say “amen” when they hear mention of the need for revival. But the “call” is fleeting and soon passes away. And then we quickly move on to other activity and return to our business as usual with no follow-through by the leaders of God’s people. We must … [Read more...]

“Public-relations specialists,” observed Alan Harrington, “make flower arrangements of the facts, placing them so that the wilted and less attractive petals are hidden by sturdy blooms.” The deceased novelist’s description is quite accurate, and it is a technique that has been mastered by many activist organizations – especially homosexual activist groups. “Public-relations specialists,” observed Alan Harrington, “make flower arrangements of the facts, placing them so that the wilted and less attractive petals are hidden by sturdy blooms.” The deceased novelist’s description is quite accurate, and it is a technique that has been mastered by many activist organizations – especially homosexual activist groups. It would be an understatement to say that homosexual activist groups have been successful. Led by organizations like the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and Lambda Legal, activists now have a majority of America embracing behaviors that less than twenty years ago were considered repulsive and even illegal.  Homosexual activist groups have done a masterful job of hiding the unattractive reality of aberrant behaviors behind gaudy blooms springing forth from piles of public relations manure. A … [Read more...]