Because of term limits that take effect this year along with regular end-of-term elections, the state is facing a colossal turnover in government. STATEWIDE  – Because of term limits that take effect this year along with regular end-of-term elections, the state is facing a colossal turnover in government.  Up for election are the positions of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, commissioners of agriculture and insurance, all eight members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, all 39 senatorial seats, all 105 seats in the House of Representatives as well as two district judges (districts 24 and 31).  “This year’s election is a strategic time for godly statesmen and stateswomen to step up to public service,” said John L. Yeats, LBC Communications Team director. “Term limits provides the opportunity for new people with fresh ideas and biblically based core values to make it into office. “I lived in a state [Oklahoma] that was controlled by a “good ole boys” network. Term limits help bring the voice and the values of the grassroots citizens to the forefront,” Yeats continued. “What we desperately need in Louisiana are state leaders who possess and make decisions … [Read more...]

LifeWay Christian Resources and Holman Bible Outreach International have teamed with Task Force Patriot USA, the U.S. Air Force, General Motors and Stone Mountain Park to sponsor a Memorial Day weekend tribute to active duty and veteran U.S. troops and their families. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – LifeWay Christian Resources and Holman Bible Outreach International have teamed with Task Force Patriot USA, the U.S. Air Force, General Motors and Stone Mountain Park to sponsor a Memorial Day weekend tribute to active duty and veteran U.S. troops and their families. “Task Force Patriot Salute to the Troops,” May 26-28 at the Atlanta-area Stone Mountain Park is expected to draw more than 100,000 people. Former SBC President Bobby Welch, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and author of You, The Warrior Leader, will be among the featured speakers. Welch recently was named strategist for global evangelical relations with the SBC Executive Committee. Holman Bible Outreach International will introduce its new paperback Holman CSB Military Bible and give away 3,000 copies to veterans and others during the weekend celebration. HBOI, an entity of LifeWay Christian Resources, functions as a Bible society to facilitate the distribution of … [Read more...]

Sgt. 1st Class Bruce Cutshall shouted at his wife and son as they looked for a parking space. When his son finally parked the pickup, Cutshall slammed the door and stalked across the parking lot. Sgt. 1st Class Bruce Cutshall shouted at his wife and son as they looked for a parking space. When his son finally parked the pickup, Cutshall slammed the door and stalked across the parking lot. “Within 15 or 20 steps, I knew what I’d done,” he recalls. “I knew they were sitting in the truck thinking, ‘They told us he’d be kookin’ out.’ And I’m thinking, ‘I was just in Iraq making life-and-death decisions. Now my family’s deadlocked over choosing a parking space.’” Cutshall couldn’t believe he was already lashing out. During the last year in Iraq, all he’d wanted to do was come home to be with his wife, LaDonna, and their two sons, Jim and Jeremiah. As a National Guard medic he’d seen death and destruction from all angles. Now, his family had picked him up at Fort Lewis, Wash., and he thought the nightmare was over. It wasn’t. Cutshall’s fight to reintegrate into civilian life was just beginning. Two years later, the 45-year-old veteran is back to being a husband, father, firefighter and wrestling coach. But he’s still coming … [Read more...]

This year’s Bible Drill had a total of 435 participants. Of those, 242 were Children’s Bible Drillers, 188 were Youth Bible Drillers, and five were Youth Speaker’s Tournament participants. ALEXANDRIA — This year’s Bible Drill had a total of 435 participants. Of those, 242 were Children’s Bible Drillers, 188 were Youth Bible Drillers, and five were Youth Speaker’s Tournament participants. Incentive: The first-place winner of the eleventh-grade youth speakers tournament wins a $4,500 scholarship to Louisiana College for four years. Second and third place in this category receive scholarships of $3,500 and $2,500 respectively, per year for four years,  Of the Children’s Bible Drillers, 136 competed at Louisiana College on May 5, along with the five youth speakers, and 106 competed elsewhere in the state at regional events.  Eight students won in four seventh grade groups: Alissa Clouse, Woodlawn Baptist, Baton Rouge; Julie Hinson, First Baptist Gonzales; Megan Desoto, East Winnfield Baptist, Joyce; Morgan Monk, Riverside Baptist, Denham Springs; Victoria Rutledge, Crossroads Baptist, Kenner; and Paul Vige’-Bible Baptist, DeQuincy.  Eight students also won in three eighth grade groups: Kimberly Landry, Riverside … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE – Among Louisiana College’s 155 graduates from four states and two other nations on May 12, 20 received a BS degree in nursing, and one of those, Sara Irene Jarrell of Anacoco, received a commission to the U.S. Army Nurses Corps. Another 82 graduates received a BA degree; 19 earned a non-nursing BS degree; five earned a bachelor’s degree in social work and nine graduated with a bachelor of general studies degree. MONTEREY – Brad Mount, a member at Lismore Baptist near Jonesville is an up-and-coming country gospel singer, with performance dates May 26 at Welcome Home Baptist Church in Winnfield and May 31 at Cross Trails Cowboy Church in Kilbourne. Listen to snippets of his down-home country voice at www.bradmount.com. A third annual golf tournament to benefit Mount’s Walking By Faith Ministries is set for June 2 at the Duncan Park Golf Course in Natchez, Miss. Cost is $85/person for a two-person scramble (includes green fee and cart) and a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Trophies for top three winners, and for everyone, a drawing for a 26-inch HD flat screen LCD TV. For more information email eddiewaltman@bellsouth.net or call 318.308.4684. COVINGTON – Pilgrim Rest Baptist needs a new building and the … [Read more...]

Comings and Goings George Treutlein is new as pastor at First Tullos from First Fort Jessup. Mark (wife Becky) Surber from Prestonwood, Plano, Texas, where he was pastor at a Prestonwood satellite in Prosper, Texas. John Elliott is new as pastor at Emmanuel Natchitoches from First Patterson. Beau Guidry is new minister of youth and education at First Longville, from minister to collegiates plus at First Lafayette. Tim Crabtree is new as minister of education and administrator for Calvary Baptist School, at Calvary Slidell. Reggie (wife Julie) Smith is new as pastor of Northside Slidell. East Central Baptist Association is accepting resumes for director of missions until June 8. Mail to Dan Glenn, moderator, 100 N. Hickory, Vidalia LA 71373. First Lafayette Spanish Mission seeks a pastor. Send resumes to First Lafayette Pastor Steve.horn@fbclaf.org or call 337-233-1412 for more information. Pauline Payne is retiring after 20 years as financial secretary at First Moss Bluff. Mary Dowden is new as children’s minister at Mulberry Houma. East Jena Baptist seeks a full-time minister of students. Send resumes to East Jena Baptist Church, Attn: Minister of Students Search Committee, PO Box 383, Jena LA … [Read more...]

Martha Bailey is someone you ought to know. Editor’s note: Following is an excerpt from a recent edition of the blog updated about twice a week by Joe McKeever, director of missions for the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans. COVINGTON – Martha Bailey is someone you ought to know. But, unless you live on what is euphemistically called “New Orleans’ Northshore,” so you can drive to the First Baptist Church of Covington where her husband Waylon has been pastor for some 20 years or more, you may not have had the opportunity. Until now. She’s written a book. And I guarantee you that after reading it, you will feel that a) you know Martha Bailey and b) you like this lady. Some will recall that in December of 2005, the FBC of Covington hosted all our ministers and spouses for our annual Christmas banquet. They are not part of our association, being separated from us by 25 miles of Lake Pontchartrain, and they had taken massive damage from Hurricane Katrina themselves, but under the leadership of Waylon and Martha Bailey, the church did that banquet, did it first-class, and rolled out the red carpet for nearly 200 of our folks. Not only was it free, but they gave everyone gifts of money. Lots of money – … [Read more...]

About 70 women participated in a recent 'spa day' at the Baptist Associaiont of Greater New Orleans. NEW ORLEANS – “I really needed this.” “This was just what I needed.” These and similar comments referred to a recent ‘spa day’ that took place in the greenery-adorned BSU room at the offices of the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans. About 70 women participated. Brainchild of Author/Speaker Rebecca Hughes – that’s her in the top left photo – and Dramatist Kathy Frady – that’s her garbed as Consuela in lower left photo – the event was designed to give the wives of pastors and ministry leaders in Greater New Orleans a day free from responsibility. “I don’t get to see a lot of the pastors’ wives,” said Christina Bajewski.“I thought it would be good to get to be with them.” “I was just excited someone would treat like this,” said Fran Chatham. “Just being away from my husband and kids and not having to worry about tending to them is a real treat,” Amaris Genovese said. “My husband encouraged me to go,” said Joanie Gestes. “One of the best things is to get away with women who are in ministry, and in a relaxing atmosphere.” Massage therapist Amber Beroni was hands down the most popular part of the day. … [Read more...]

One hundred years ago, American missionaries took the Gospel to South Korea.  MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (BP) – One hundred years ago, American missionaries took the Gospel to South Korea. Today, there are more than 17,000 Korean missionaries taking the Gospel throughout the world. Southern Baptist Koreans want to do their part. Hence the Acts 1:8 Missions Celebration at New Community Baptist Church in Mountain View, Calif., jointly sponsored with the Northern California Korean Baptist Fellowship, the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board. The aim: to help Korean Baptist leaders from the area learn more about opportunities for missionary service locally and around the world. Korean Southern Baptists already are active in mission work in their communities, in the nation and internationally. The first Korean international missionary was appointed by the IMB in 1987; 300 more have been appointed, mostly to non-Korean people groups. “The Korean missionaries are very effective wherever they go,” said Gihwang Shin, Korean-American mobilization consultant with the IMB. “That is because of prayer and because Koreans are familiar with being immigrants, having to adapt to another culture.” The … [Read more...]

ouTube, MySpace and FaceBook are realities of the social networking age in which today’s student generation lives. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – YouTube, MySpace and FaceBook are realities of the social networking age in which today’s student generation lives. Southern Baptists have picked up on this cultural phenomenon. As millions gravitate to online communities and blogs, HolmanTV will be there to offer an alternative message. B&H Publishing Group, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources, on May 14 launched HolmanTV, an innovative video blog with two- to five-minute episodes designed for the 20-something media-savvy generation. The aim is to expose high school and college students to the new Holman Student Bible that releases in July. Tim Jordan, B&H marketing manager, and Steve NeSmith, director of B&H’s e-business, realized after looking at marketing trends that old methods won’t reach new crowds. Jordan and NeSmith decided to create a campaign tailored to capture the attention of a student audience. “We began the campaign by asking where the students are,” Jordan said. “They are online. Social networking sites are where they are. In the last two years, social networking has exploded.” YouTube … [Read more...]