Reginald Alford came to faith in Christ during his sophomore year of college after a violent street incident nearly cost him his life. Editor’s note: The week of prayer for Louisiana’s Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering is Sept. 16-23. The state goal is $1.5 million. At least one recipient of the State Mission Offering will be highlighted every issue leading up to the Week of Prayer, to give you snapshots of your missions offering at work around the state. GRAMBLING – Reginald Alford came to faith in Christ during his sophomore year of college after a violent street incident nearly cost him his life. Encouraged by his campus minister to consider that God had spared his life for a purpose, Alford committed his life to Christ. Now as the Baptist Collegiate Minister at Grambling State University, Alford has found that his campus is “fertile ground” for the Gospel. Marking a return to the campus after an eight-year absence, the Baptist Collegiate Ministry grew quickly to average 180 in weekly attendance, with dozens of decisions for Christ. “The purpose of the BCM ministry here at Grambling State University is to fulfill the Great Commission,” Alford said. Through the collegiate ministry, a student who had … [Read more...]

The “ladies” dressed in formal wear know how to move and how to speak. UPPER MARLBORO, Md. – The “ladies” dressed in formal wear know how to move and how to speak. They learned in a ministry called Amazing Grace, and are tonight are involved in an end-of- year pageant at Cornerstone Peaceful Bible (Southern Baptist) Church to celebrate the graduates. The girls sing, do skits and speak to show their inward and outward beauty, and their style and grace as they model godly character. “The girls are so beautiful,” Tia Collins, Amazing Grace coordinator said. The program runs September to May. Girls attend different classes based on their ages. The youngest girls, ages 9 to 12, go into the “God’s Precious Diamonds” class. “Daughters of Destiny” is for girls ages 13 to 15, and the “Sophisticated Ladies” is for older teens, ages 16 to 18. About 30 girls participate each year. They attend classes dressed appropriately – no jeans, tennis shoes or sports clothing. Each lesson has an objective and key Bible verse. Sessions include lessons on social skills, modeling, tasteful dress, public speaking, making choices, and poise and posture. “I loved the program,” ten-year-old Desiree Satchell said cheerfully. Satchell … [Read more...]

A new study from LifeWay Research reveals that more than two-thirds of young adults who attend a Protestant church for at least a year in high school will stop attending church regularly for at least a year between the ages of 18 and 22. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – A new study from LifeWay Research reveals that more than two-thirds of young adults who attend a Protestant church for at least a year in high school will stop attending church regularly for at least a year between the ages of 18 and 22. LifeWay Research conducted the survey of more than 1,000 adults ages 18-30 in April and May. Each indicated that they had attended a Protestant church regularly for at least a year in high school. SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO? According to the study, 70 percent of young adults ages 23-30 stopped attending church regularly for at least a year between ages 18-22. In most cases, the decision to leave was not planned far in advance. Only 20 percent of these “church dropouts” agree that while they were attending church regularly in high school they “planned on taking a break from church once [they] finished high school.” Among those who predetermined to leave church, few told anyone about their desire. One reflected, “I just told … [Read more...]

John attended church consistently in high school. He was there almost every Sunday morning and many Wednesday nights. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – John attended church consistently in high school. He was there almost every Sunday morning and many Wednesday nights. He said he never planned to stop attending church when he went away to college; nonetheless, that is exactly what happened. “I just didn’t make it a priority,” said the 24-year-old, who now lives in Middle Tennessee and once again is actively involved in a church. “College was just a whole different world.” The latest study by LifeWay Research revealed that John’s disappearance from church during his college years is far from an exception to the rule. According to the study, 70 percent of 23-30 year-olds stopped attending church regularly for at least a year during their college years (18-22 years old). “As we uncovered the scope of the problem of young people leaving the church, the importance of churches and denominations working together to combat the issue became evident,” said Scott McConnell, associate director of LifeWay Research. “Youth Transition Network already is doing that.” The Youth Transition Network (YTN) is a coalition of national high … [Read more...]

Parents and churches together can help their teenagers decide to stay in church as young adults, new research from LifeWay Christian Resources indicates. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Parents and churches together can help their teenagers decide to stay in church as young adults, new research from LifeWay Christian Resources indicates. Despite appearances, teens do want guidance when it comes to the decisions they face in everyday life, and parents and churches who meet those needs make it more likely those teens will stay in church as young adults, according to the survey of more than 1,000 adults ages 18-30. LifeWay Research conducted the survey in April and May 2007. While the study revealed that 70 percent of young adults ages 23 to 30 stopped attending church regularly for at least a year between 18 and 22, it also indicated several tangible ways parents and churches could make them more likely to stay in church. Two-thirds of the teens who stay in church as young adults describe the church as “a vital part of my relationship with God” – demonstrating the importance of each teen having a strong relationship with God, as well as the importance of church attendance, said Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research. “Teens … [Read more...]

Legend has it that there’s gold in the hills at the end of Robert Smart Road, once known as Snell Road and close to the junction of highways 392 and 111 West. ANACOCO – Legend has it that there’s gold in the hills at the end of Robert Smart Road, once known as Snell Road and close to the junction of highways 392 and 111 West. Les and Debi Comeaux – owners of the 80 acres of pasture, bottomland, and forest – believe it. “When I can look into a tent and see people giving testimony and praise to what God has done through this property, that’s the gold,” Les said. “Just not the kind most people want to hunt for.” That tent gets put up on a regular basis as the couple invites small groups of people out to their property, Haven Ministries, for an encounter with God. Working mostly with families or with leadership groups from local churches or even Fort Polk, the couple provides space and time for people to explore God’s creation and experience moments that help them hear the Holy Spirit and help them bind together, Les said. At the cattle gap, look west and you’ll see rolling pastures dotted with goats, cows and horses as well as the occasional sycamore or oak. To the east, pasture slopes gently down to Sandy Creek, an … [Read more...]

Recently, I had the privilege of participating with 11 other Southern Baptist information technology (IT) professionals in the most extraordinary encounter I have ever had with the Cooperative Program. OKLAHOMA CITY (BP) – Recently, I had the privilege of participating with 11 other Southern Baptist information technology (IT) professionals in the most extraordinary encounter I have ever had with the Cooperative Program. For 20-plus years, IT directors/managers from several state conventions have come together for a conference to share and discuss common problems and solutions in a cooperative manner. Last year, we decided to try something new and add an element of missions to our conference, and we planned an event to assist Yellowstone Baptist College in Billings, Mont. The small college relied on a contractor charging $125 per hour for their computer design and major repair issues for about 20 computers and three servers to meet a wide variety of needs for both staff and students. The servers were not doing anything for the school when we arrived but by the end of our conference we had built an entire network for the school that provided for much greater security, sharing of files and printers, automated virus … [Read more...]

Ruined buildings, their walls peppered by bullets and shrapnel, still mark Lebanon’s landscape a year after the 34-day conflict with Israel ended. Where homes and schools once stood, empty lots remain. SOUTHERN LEBANON (BP) – Ruined buildings, their walls peppered by bullets and shrapnel, still mark Lebanon’s landscape a year after the 34-day conflict with Israel ended. Where homes and schools once stood, empty lots remain. On the surface, it doesn’t appear much different from last summer when Baptist relief workers came to provide medical care for the injured, distribute blankets and heaters, water and food -- and Bibles -- to those who had been caught in the crossfire. Rami,* a local believer, remembers that time. He was one of the Lebanese Christians who worked alongside the American volunteers. He was afraid of identifying himself as a Christian in this predominantly Muslim area. He remembers sitting in a van, afraid to get out, afraid he would jeopardize the safety of his family if he did. He also remembers that the hardest step to take was the first one. When Baptist workers “asked me to go with them to pass out things, I hesitated a little bit,” he recalled. He feared for the safety of his family. “I didn’t … [Read more...]

We’ve all seen situations involving children that made us uncomfortable. Perhaps it was a parent in the grocery lecturing loudly as a shamed toddler bawled, or a youngster with a runny nose and dirty clothes. Either scenario might set off mental alarm bells about child neglect or abuse. We’ve all seen situations involving children that made us uncomfortable. Perhaps it was a parent in the grocery lecturing loudly as a shamed toddler bawled, or a youngster with a runny nose and dirty clothes. Either scenario might set off mental alarm bells about child neglect or abuse. Yet it is possible that neither situation might be as it seems. The first parent might have endured a grueling day at the office, then snapped when her curious two-year-old dismantled a store display. The second child may have allergies that cause a perpetually runny nose but don’t keep him from searching for mud puddles. Sadly, child abuse and neglect have far more insidious aspects than short tempers and runny noses. This is why Christians must be able to decipher between neglect, abuse, and a parent having a bad day. Whereas unsubstantiated reports of abuse can pose untold damage to innocent parents or caregivers, failure to report abuse can cost a … [Read more...]

'Experiencing God' has become one of the most popular Bible study resources ever published. And now this powerful resource has been revised and expanded. The new 'Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God' is now available. NASHVILLE – Experiencing God has become one of the most popular Bible study resources ever published. And now this powerful resource has been revised and expanded. The new Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God is now available. For more than 16 years, God has used this study to invite people to join Him in what He is doing. While many people simply ask God to bless their plans, Experiencing God helps lead believers into a deeper love relationship, teaching them to pray to and hear from God, and to join with God in accomplishing what He purposes to do. Leader Kit New features include DVD messages from authors Henry and Richard Blackaby and a new Unit 12 with lessons on experiencing God in your marriage, with your children, and in your marketplace. There are also new applications and stories - from Angola Prison inmates earning seminary degrees to the spiritual and economic rebirth of a poor Appalachian community. Henry Blackaby originally wrote Experiencing God as a … [Read more...]