When God speaks, Helen Driscoll listens and obeys. METAIRIE—When God speaks, Helen Driscoll listens and obeys. Driscoll, 91, spends much of her time teaching Sunday school at Williams Boulevard Baptist Church in Kenner, witnessing to the people around her, and thanking God for a wonderful life, she said. “She still feels impressed to go door to door and tell people about Jesus,” said John Faull, pastor of Williams Boulevard. “Last year she organized a group of people, took a map, set up a grid, and went door to door. In a month we baptized 14 people because of her outreach ministry. “I’m sure that there were more that were saved,” the pastor continued. “The number of responses we got were many times that. It is not uncommon for her to come to me at the close of the service and to say to me that her heart is yearning to see people saved.” Driscoll herself isn’t much worried about numbers, she said. “I’m not sure how many,” she said, referring to those who may have been baptized as a result of the door-to-door visitation. “[The church] keeps the records. I just help them to get saved and baptized and into Sunday school.” Driscoll mapped out a large square area from Williams Boulevard to Power Drive, and then … [Read more...]

D.C. Black He was born in Lafayette County, Miss. on Dec. 27, 1896. A layman and a deacon, Black served as director of music and religious education in various churches following the completion of his study at the Seminary in New Orleans (Baptist Bible Institute) in 1927. On June 1, 1946, he succeeded T.W. Gayer (1941-1946) as superintendent of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s home. During his stint, he was one of the organizers of the Child Care Executives of Southern Baptists, and he served as president of the Louisiana Baptist Training Union Convention in 1943 and in 1944. Gayer and Murrell Cottages were completed shortly after he became superintendent of the home. Subsequently, three more cottages were erected from 1951 to 1956 – Cole (1951), Mobley and Readhimer (1956). He would retire in August 1962 after serving as the Home’s superintendent for 16 years. G. Earl Guinn The first graduate of Louisiana College to return as its president, George Earl Guinn assumed the reins of the college in the summer of 1951. Guinn earned a doctorate at New Orleans Seminary, served in distinguished pastorates, and later taught at Southwestern Seminary in Ft. Worth before taking up his position as LC’s … [Read more...]

The LONGs & THE ALLENs First Baptist Church in Winnfield has the distinction of having helped influence and equip three Louisiana governors (Huey P. Long, Earl K. Long, and O.K. Allen), a U.S. Representative (Shannon “Doc” Long) and U.S. Senators (Huey Long and A. Leonard Allen}. The Long brothers were one of nine children born to Huey Pierce Long Sr. and Caledonia Palestine Tison in the small community of Winnfield. The elder Longs were devout members of the First Baptist Winnfield, and they made sure to expose their children to constant religious training. Huey Sr. was a student of the Testaments and Caledonia worked on various money-raising projects for the church. Huey Jr. did attend seminary classes at Oklahoma Baptist University at the urging of his mother, but decided he was not suited to preaching. He turned to politics and was elected Governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and was elected a U.S. senator from 1932 to 1935. He was assassinated by Dr. Carl Weiss in the Capitol building in Baton Rouge on Sept. 8, 1935. Huey’s brother Earl acquired the nickname “preacher” because of his regular Sunday school attendance. His favorite hymn was “In the Garden.” Though always ready to declare publicly he … [Read more...]

Alvin Fogleman, a deacon at Colfax Baptist Church, stands next to the sign announcing a revival. Alvin Fogleman, a deacon at Colfax Baptist Church, stands next to the sign announcing a revival. The revival was kicked off by a churchwide fish fry, followed by a pizza party for the youth on Tuesday night and hot dogs for the children. “What we were trying to do was to give each group their own night,” Fogleman said. “We were trying to get all segments of our church involved in this revival,”Fogleman said. Wayne Jenkins was the evanglist. “We are hoping this revival will be a springboard for growth and to help bring new people into our church.” The church placed signs all around town, held a prayer vigil on Saturday, and worked hard to get the word out about the revival, the deacon added.   … [Read more...]

COMINGS, GOINGS Tim Lee resigned from Northside Baptist Montgomery. He is available for supply, revivals, youth rallies and interims. Call 318.715.4557. NEEDED Peniel Baptist West Monroe requests resumes for pastor. Send to Paul Holton, Chairman, Pastor Search Committee, Peniel Baptist Church, 1924 Jonesboro Road, West Monroe LA 71292. Sherwood Baptist Baton Rouge needs part-time pre-school/children’s director. Email resume tothechurch@sherwoodbc.org or fax to Personnel Committee at 225-275-2649. AVAILABLE Kenn Gordon of Effie, interim pastorates and pulpit supply. 318.240.1956 or 318.447.0198. Johnny Parker of Monroe. Will travel within a 100-mile      radius of Monroe. 318.388.4157 or 318.348.0420. REVIVALS PLAIN DEALING – Salem Baptist is to hold revival services at 7 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, Oct. 21-24. Ben Jordan, evangelist; Sam Marino, pastor. RIDGECREST – Ridgecrest Baptist is to hold revival services at 7 p.m. Sunday through Friday, Sept. 30 – Oct. 5. Jay Morgan, evangelist; Jeffrey Goodman, music. BERNICE – Pisgah Baptist is to hold a Family Crusade at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7 and 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday Oct. 8–10. 2TALK42 Ministries are to be featured. Jerry Dark, … [Read more...]

If I could write a description of the lay leader “to die for,” meaning “the kind every church wants,” it might look like this: If I could write a description of the lay leader “to die for,” meaning “the kind every church wants,” it might look like this: “WANTED: a man or a woman who is solidly Christian with excellent mental health, who thinks clearly, listens well, speaks carefully, loves the Lord, knows his Bible, and wants the people of the Lord to do well. He supports his pastor until the day he does something unethical, unbiblical, or immoral. He seeks no glory for himself, does not need to chair a committee to be an effective member of it, and is as faithful a follower as he is leader. His personal life is beyond reproach, although he is thoroughly human and enjoys telling a great joke or funny story. His family is a reflection of his godly values. The bulk of his spiritual life is lived in private, with the part seen in public only the tip of the iceberg.” How does that old line go – “Give me a handful of men (and women) like that and I will change the world.” A final word.  Perhaps after reading this, you identify yours as a Church-On-The-Upswing with faithful and godly leaders. Consider clipping out the … [Read more...]

When Camp Living Waters showed signs of some much-needed T.L.C. (tender loving cleanup) 40 men, women and youth from First Baptist Church Springfield, along with members of Bethel Baptist Church and Bedico Baptist Church partnered together to get the job done. LORANGER – When Camp Living Waters showed signs of some much-needed T.L.C. (tender loving cleanup) 40 men, women and youth from First Baptist Church Springfield, along with members of Bethel Baptist Church and Bedico Baptist Church partnered together to get the job done. Also lending a helping hand was a registered nurse from Jerusalem Baptist Church who came prepared to assist in the event of a medical emergency. Fortunately, none occurred. Armed with rakes, chain saws, pressure washer, paint brushes, and great attitudes, the volunteers accomplished the cleanup in record time, leaving Camp Living Waters better prepared to serve Him, as they serve others. Praise God. Following Hurricane Katrina, the camp housed the North American Mission Board incident command center until late December. The camp also accommodated some 120 relief groups right after the storm and another 20 disaster relief groups through early summer. The associational partnership, though, … [Read more...]

Just across the sea wall from where the Ouachita, Tensas and Little rivers flow into the Black River stands one of the oldest Southern Baptist storefront ministries in the state of Louisiana. JONESVILLE – Just across the sea wall from where the Ouachita, Tensas and Little rivers flow into the Black River stands one of the oldest Southern Baptist storefront ministries in the state of Louisiana. It is the Breadcrumb Baptist Ministry Center and just outside its front door is Four Rivers Park, at the confluence of the four rivers. In Jonesville the names Breadcrumb and Jennie Belle White just go together. Mrs. White set the wheels in motion some 22 years ago and still serves as the director of the center. The Breadcrumb provides food, clothing and tutoring ministries as well as evangelistic services. Rev. Ken Gilmore, director of missions for Ouachita Association, said Mrs. White and the Breadcrumb illustrate what Jesus did when he was on the earth. He met the needs of the people, and that is what the Breadcrumb is doing. He said the ministry offered an excellent opportunity for Christians to “do” missions rather than just talk about them. Jennie Belle, as she is affectionately known around Catahoula Parish, was an … [Read more...]

Homewood Baptist, where Jimmy Koonce is pastor, is canceling its poster-sized advertisement in the town’s Alexandria Mall, where it’s been for a year. ALEXANDRIA – Homewood Baptist, where Jimmy Koonce is pastor, is canceling its poster-sized advertisement in the town’s Alexandria Mall, where it’s been for a year. The poster, which features the church’s signature lighthouse in full color and the words “Fundamental in doctrine, liberal in love, fervent in prayer” in addition to the church name and contact information, is a 3x5-foot placard on a carousel of advertisements and mall directory, located at one intersection of the dogleg mall. Cost: $275/month. “It was an undertaking of faith for us to do this [buy the advertising space for a year] but we felt like with the traffic in the mall, it would raise the awareness of the church, what we are and what we proclaim,” Koonce said. He didn’t see people drawn to the church as a result of the ad, he said. He also didn’t see response to a previous ad on a bench the church set out for at least three years at Jackson Street and Texas Avenue, and anticipates radio and television advertising next. Homewood anticipates a better response to a series of revival services called … [Read more...]

SHREVEPORT – A Financial Security Workshop is to take place at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at North Shreve Baptist. “What Every Christian Should Know About Finances” is to be presented by Asset Preservation Ministries. SHREVEPORT – A Financial Security Workshop is to take place at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at North Shreve Baptist. “What Every Christian Should Know About Finances” is to be presented by Asset Preservation Ministries. “Our mission is to strengthen the financial position of churches, leaders and members so we can carry out the Great Commission,” is printed on the ministry’s brochure. “We teach many strategies and choices available in today’s complicated financial world. Some of these strategies are seldom shared and often misunderstood.” Asset Preservation Ministries’ financial ministers [aka speakers] are supported and the ministry is funded by a nonprofit foundation, according to the brochure. “We accept no donations, love offerings or payment of any kind.” The ministry’s website indicates it is a solidly Southern Baptist enterprise, founded by two high school buddies who both went on to lucrative careers.  “It was time to give something back,” says Wayne Rogers on the website. He’s co-founder – … [Read more...]