Submitted by philip on Fri, 10/03/2014 - 10:34 David Cranford, pastor of First Baptist Ponchatoula, (left) speaks during a recent meeting of the Next Generation Task Force. This group is focusing on how to reach the next generation of Louisiana Baptists and is one of two audiences identified to reach as part of the President’s 2020 Commission. The 2020 recommendations were crafted collaboratively by a commission of 400 Louisiana Baptist leaders, pastors, staff members, laymen and women working in 20 subcommittees of 20 members each. By Marilyn Stewart, Regional Reporter Like a familiar landmark leading a wayward traveler home, the 2020 strategy for reaching Louisiana with the Gospel by the year 2020 can help a church get back on the right track. So said Philip Robertson, pastor of Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville and a 2020 Commission subcommittee chairperson, in a written statement reflecting on the potential of the 2020 vision, a seven-year initiative that seeks to maximize Louisiana Baptists effectiveness in Gospel ministry. Robertson, an avid hunter, compared the 2020 initiative to finding directional bearings again after being lost in the woods. “There is an incredible sense of relief when you find that … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 10/03/2014 - 10:38 Following a recent meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries trustees, a re-dedication ceremony was held for Hope Cottage. The home built in the 1970s was renovated with new flooring, updated kitchen and elimination of paneling inside the home. A nearby apartment for cottage parents also was updated. Those photographed at the ribbon cutting were, from left, Perry Hancock, Children’s Home president, Bobby G. and Sandra McCullin (donors), and William L. Smith, chairman of the LBCH board of trustees. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MONROE – Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries staff members understand the value of having the proper living arrangements for residents on their campus and what effect it can have in a successful and changed life during their months and years there. “It’s a warm and inviting environment,” said Perry Hancock, CEO and President of the Louisiana Baptist entity. “When they can move into a place that looks like a home, it helps our children to be acclimated more easily.” Since 2013, quite a bit of activity has occurred on its campus in Monroe for renovations and construction of cottages – a home for up … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – How can your church grow by 10 percent and baptize at least one more child and youth annually as we head toward the year 2020? This is the question being proposed to Louisiana’s 1600 congregations by the Evangelism and Church Growth Team of Louisiana Baptists as part of a church revitalization strategy. “Nothing happens without intentionality,” said Louisiana Baptists Evangelism Associate Keith Manuel. “We will never reach anyone if we don’t intend to do it. It takes hard, intentional work, bathed in prayer and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to accomplish the task. “Every third person you see in Louisiana is not in any religious place of worship,” he continued. “The fields are ripe for the harvest.” This revitalization strategy is in response to the final report of the President’s 2020 Commission. Appointed after the 2012 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in West Monroe, the President’s 2020 Commission was tasked with developing and recommending a seven-year ministry strategy for maximizing the effectiveness of Louisiana Baptists in reaching the lost through the year 2020. The commission was comprised of 400 Louisiana Baptist leaders broken into 20 sub … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 10/03/2014 - 10:42 The predominantly black Genesis Baptist Church and the predominantly white Trinity Baptist Church officially became one church in late July. Ernie Davis is missions and education minister while Samuel Blaylock is pastor of the merged church, which is now Trinity Baptist Church in New Iberia. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW IBERIA – The meeting at the local Starbucks that November morning was originally a discussion by Genesis Baptist Church to utilize Trinity Baptist Church’s facility for just worship services. But little did the pastors of the two churches realize at the time that God had much more in store for the New Iberia congregations, one predominantly white and the other predominantly black. Early on, everything happened as planned. The two congregations unanimously approved the idea and plans were made for the two congregations to fellowship over donuts and coffee. Soon, the congregations felt led to hold a joint Vacation Bible School. A closer relationship and bond was being formed. “The congregations grew closer and it was at that time that the Holy Spirit began to move upon the hearts of both congregations that they needed to be one body,” … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer VIXEN – Nearly 23 years ago, Yvonne Jones thought she had met the man of her dreams. Recently separated from her husband of eight years, Jones was treated by this new man in her life to candlelight dinners, roses and special attention given to her son as well. “After a few short months I found myself being swept off my feet,” Jones said. However, the joyful experience was short-lived, as Jones moved in with the man and began to suffer abuse. “Because I was a Christian and was ashamed of the mistake I had made, I stayed praying that somehow I could get him to change,” Jones said. “He played guitar and sang gospel music in church and I played piano and sang myself so I knew if I just prayed, things would be OK.” However, the situation turned worse. The abuse continued not only for Jones but for her children. One year after their relationship began, this man who was now her husband was convicted of murder of her six-year-old son. After the funeral, Jones and her husband were arrested, though Jones said the district attorney said she had nothing to do with the murder. “The DA said he knew I had nothing to do with what happened and he wasn’t charging me for what I did, but what I didn’t … [Read more...]

By Staff, World News Magazine Four years after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a California university could force Christian groups to accept non-Christian leaders, all of the state’s public universities have adopted the policy, pushing one of the nation’s largest Christian groups off 19 campuses. Leaders with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship announced this month that all 23 of its affiliated chapters in the California State University System would move off-campus this fall, operating as unofficial student groups. California’s challenge to Christian student groups started with the Christian Legal Society (CLS) at the University of California’s Hastings Law School. Administrators at Hastings instituted an “all-comers” policy that required all groups to be open to all students, regardless of beliefs. CLS and other Christian groups, including InterVarsity, ask student leaders to affirm a statement of faith that defines their shared Christian belief. In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the policy in a narrow ruling that pertained only to Hastings. Although the California university system has rolled out the policy at all its campuses, conservative legal experts say they’re taking the interpretation too far. At Hastings, the … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message MINDEN – Zip lines, archery, BB guns and a dog used to share the gospel are all on the schedule of activities for this year’s Camp-o-ree. The event will take place Oct. 17-18 at Camp Harris Retreat and Conference Center in Minden. Johnny Morgan of the ministry Obedience 2 Death based out of Denham Springs will use his trained Labrador retriever, Glory, to communicate the message of Jesus Christ. Also on the schedule is a testimony from a family from the area near Camp Harris, who will share their story about a call to missions in Nicaragua and ways they can be supported while on mission there. Other highlights of the camp will include a chance to participate in such outdoor activities as zip line, archery, BB guns, first aid education, sawing logs and camp crafts. “I believe this will be a very memorable event where boys will learn about faith and obedience from Bro. Johnny Morgan and participate in lots of fun outdoor activities,” said Mike Collie, RA and Men’s Ministry Consultant. The cost to stay in a dormitory at Camp-o-ree is $45 and those staying in a tent will pay $35. To attend without lodging is $20. All meals are included in the fees. The deadline to registration is Oct. 10. To register, … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting Nov. 10-11, 2014 First Baptist Church, Lafayette, La. Bylaw Amendment Change The Executive Board will present the following Louisiana Baptist Convention Bylaw Amendment to the messengers at the annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention meeting at First Baptist Church, Lafayette, November 10-11. According to Article VII of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Bylaws, amendments sponsored by the Executive Board shall be posted to the LBC website and published in one(1) issue of the Baptist Message no later than fifteen (15) days before the meeting of the Convention. That the Executive Board of the Louisiana Baptist Convention recommend to the Louisiana Baptist Convention meeting at First Baptist Church, Lafayette, November 10-11, 2014, that the duties of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Committee on Louisiana Baptist History be assigned to the state mission services staff and that Article III, Section 8 of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Bylaws regarding the Committee on Louisiana Baptist History be deleted and that Article II (Permanent Plan of Organization of the Convention and its Committees and Boards) be amended as follows: Permanent organization of the Convention shall be … [Read more...]

ubmitted by philip on Fri, 10/03/2014 - 11:31 Volunteer Dorothy Wargo (far right) dishes up food at Ozanam Inn, or ‘The Oz,’ as part of First Baptist Church of New Orleans’ hunger ministry to its neglected neighbors. The church uses Southern Baptist Global Hunger Relief funds at the Oz and one other fixed feeding location as well as to help provide meals for the homeless and homebound. Also pictured are volunteers (from far left) Rufus Johnson, Jerry Seetin, Beth Akin and Victor Mitchell. By Kristen Camp, Baptist Press NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Victor is one of thousands of people left homeless and hungry after Hurricane Katrina stormed through New Orleans in 2005. The trauma drove Victor to become significantly dependent on alcohol. He began to seek help from a feeding ministry at Gentilly Lowe’s, a neighborhood in Louisiana that was severely damaged by Katrina. This feeding ministry falls under the umbrella of The Care Effect, one of a dozen community engagement ministries First Baptist Church of New Orleans uses to serve its neglected neighbors. Nearly 100 volunteers assist each week, some of which are church members while others are community residents. “The Care Effect was born when our staff began to pray and … [Read more...]

By Joe Westbury, Baptist Press MOUNT VERNON, Ga. (BP) – Brewton-Parker College has been notified that it will remain an accredited member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) while appealing its accreditation status. Brewton-Parker, one of three educational institutions affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention, was notified of the decision Sept. 29 – 103 days after it learned on June 19 that SACSCOC was suspending its accreditation. In a prepared statement on Sept. 30, Brewton-Parker stated it had been informed that “the Appeals Committee of SACSCOC ordered a remand of the decision of the Board of Trustees of SACSCOC to remove Brewton-Parker College as a member. Brewton-Parker’s case will now go to the Committee on Compliance and Reports of SACSCOC for reconsideration.” The statement further noted that the effect of the decision is to continue BPC’s accreditation, on probation, as it existed before the June 19 vote by SACSCOC trustees. Peter Lumpkins, vice president of communications at the south Georgia college, said it had presented new material evidence demonstrating improvement in its financial position that “warranted a remand and the continuation of its … [Read more...]