Looking for a larger purpose in your life, but doubt you can make a difference in this world?         Looking for a larger purpose in your life, but doubt you can make a difference in this world?   You owe it to yourself to see the movie "Amazing Grace,"   If you care about a kid, a teen or a young adult who needs life purpose, take him or her to see it.   "Amazing Grace" (Rated PG for mild language and thematic elements involving slavery) exposes once again the lie that impersonal forces shape human history. That theory, long popular among secular historians, cannot account for a man like William Wilberforce (1759–1833). What did this 5-foot-tall colossus accomplish? Nothing less than an end to the slave trade throughout the British Empire. He did it in the face of staggering odds, overwhelming opposition, contempt, ridicule and long years of defeat.   The British Parliament, of which Wilberforce was a member, finally abolished slave trading Feb. 23, 1807, after a lonely, 20-year campaign by this evangelical believer. On the day of the vote, he bowed his head and wept as other members stood in Parliament and cheered him. But it would take an additional 26 years for Parliament to muster the … [Read more...]

Some examine the stars or world history to foretell the future. I scrutinize the movies.         Some examine the stars or world history to foretell the future. I scrutinize the movies. Therefore, I’m issuing the following alert: If certain people in the artistic community have their way, Christians and Christianity will at some point be outlawed.   And maybe sooner than later.   "Oh, that can’t happen here!" That’s what many throughout history have said as, slowly, their cultures crumbled into the hands of tyrants. Heed the following:   Though moviemakers have always thrown spitballs at the followers of the Christian faith, intolerance has suddenly become the percussion of their profession. Take, for instance, two films that were nominated for an Oscar as best documentary.   "Jesus Camp" seems bent on warning unbelievers that evangelicals have a powerful voice in the political world, one that threatens proponents of homosexuality, abortion and other secular progressive agendas.   The film features Mike Papantonio, an Air America radio host, who offers unabashed disdain for Christianity. Mr. Papantonio comes across so shrill that his "concerns" seem not just anti-Christian, but … [Read more...]

When the North American Mission Board and the Arkansas Baptist Convention appointed Diana Lewis as state ministry evangelism director here almost 15 years ago, it was something akin to throwing a wily rabbit into the proverbial briar patch.         LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – When the North American Mission Board and the Arkansas Baptist Convention appointed Diana Lewis as state ministry evangelism director here almost 15 years ago, it was something akin to throwing a wily rabbit into the proverbial briar patch.   A native of Springdale, Ark., the Ouachita Baptist University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary graduate all too well knows the bittersweet taste of Arkansas.   "Arkansas’ nickname is ‘The Natural State.’ We have lots of beautiful state parks, lakes, rivers, mountains and farmland. We go from the Delta to the edge of the Ozark Mountains. It’s a very, very beautiful state." And whether it’s winning football or basketball, Arkansans are proud of their University of Arkansas Razorbacks.   But Lewis would also be the first tell you about the less attractive, more depressing parts and pictures of Arkansas that aren’t played up in the glossy state Chamber of Commerce brochures or flashed … [Read more...]

Girlfriends and God - both are biblical relationships necessary in the life of a Christian woman, according to a topical study shared by author and speaker Beth Moore at a Living Proof Live event held Feb. 16-17 in Detroit. DETROIT, Mich. – Girlfriends and God - both are biblical relationships necessary in the life of a Christian woman, according to a topical study shared by author and speaker Beth Moore at a Living Proof Live event held Feb. 16-17 in Detroit. More than 7,000 event attendees from several states and Canada came to hear the international Bible teacher share what God had revealed to her about the need for biblical friendships. Seventeen women publicly accepted Christ as Savior, taking the first step towards friendship with God. True friendships with others Moore associated five characteristics to biblically sound friendships. First, she said that truest friendships are distinctive from any other relationship. "People in today’s culture are quick to misname acquaintances as friends," she said. "A close friend should be someone you feel free to love and with whom you have common interests." Moore held her hand high in the air with fingers extended, proclaiming, "You should only have as many close friends as you … [Read more...]

Dine trees and peace are the most attractive commodities of Washington Parish. With only two cities, Franklinton and Bogalusa, and a handful of towns, the parish remains a rural outpost, offering visitors a chance to tube, fish, hunt, or just enjoy the outdoors. FRANKLINTON – Pine trees and peace are the most attractive commodities of Washington Parish. With only two cities, Franklinton and Bogalusa, and a handful of towns, the parish remains a rural outpost, offering visitors a chance to tube, fish, hunt, or just enjoy the outdoors. A new state park is in the building phase and a recreational reservoir is in the planning stage. With a population of just under 44,000, according to the 2000 census, the population density is only 66 people per mile. Using the parish phone directory as a guide, there are at least 140 churches in the parish; 36 of those are Southern Baptist, making a church of some description for every 314 people. Director of Missions Joe Baugh said there are only about seven growing Southern Baptist churches in the parish, using the criteria that an increasing Sunday school equals a growing church. Most of the others are plateaued, with a handful in decline. "It’s not necessarily bad for a church to be … [Read more...]

Unlike the infamous Bermuda Triangle, where victims disappear and hope is lost, the Triangle of Hope Ministry, based in Bogalusa, is focused on destroying despair and building hope.         BOGALUSA – Unlike the infamous Bermuda Triangle, where victims disappear and hope is lost, the Triangle of Hope Ministry, based in Bogalusa, is focused on destroying despair and building hope. The name came from the fact that churches in Arizona, Iowa, and Florida all felt led specifically to provide relief in Bogalusa. The three congregations formed a triangle around the devastated community.   Katrina greatly impacted ministry in Washington Baptist Association. Some pre-storm ministries died or were put on the back burner, while disaster-related projects blossomed. A year-and-a half after the storm, the Triangle of Hope continues to provide disaster relief for families whose homes were destroyed by the storm.   "With so many trees down, it has been a little easier to look up," said Pastor Marcus Rosa of Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church in Bogalusa. "This is true not only in the physical sense, with so many trees down in the Bogalusa area, but in the spiritual sense as well."   Rosa’s church serves as the … [Read more...]

When Joe Baugh, Director of Missions for Washington Baptist Association, makes a commitment, his allegiance and enthusiasm are unflagging, say pastors in his association.         When Joe Baugh, Director of Missions for Washington Baptist Association, makes a commitment, his allegiance and enthusiasm are unflagging, say pastors in his association.   That started as a tenth-grader, when Baugh surrendered to Christ. In his first year at Mississippi College, he answered the call to the ministry.   "My conversion was a life-changing experience for me," he said. "Those first years with God were really great. When God called me [to preach], I literally had cold chills."   Forty years later, after serving God in the same region for the duration of his ministry, Baugh said he still gets chills when he thinks about the privilege of serving His God.   The other relationship that gives him goose bumps is the one he committed to in 1965, when he married Barbara Spencer. He met her while a student at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Working at his job in Maison Blanche, a building that is now part of the NOBTS complex, he served a young woman who came in to buy a present as a thank you to her … [Read more...]

When Chris Tomlin was asked to write an additional part to the hymn         AUSTIN, Texas (BP) — When Chris Tomlin was asked to write an additional part to the hymn "Amazing Grace" – for the movie released in late February about the life of British abolitionist William Wilberforce – he wasn’t so sure he wanted to change the popular song.   "I was completely floored when they asked of all people – me – to write a new verse for one of the most sacred and recognized hymns of all time," Tomlin told Baptist Press. "At first, I was like, ‘No, you don’t mess with that.’ But then, God got me thinking about slavery, and these words just came out: My chains are gone,   I’ve been set free   My God, my Savior has ransomed me   And like a flood His mercy reigns   Unending love, Amazing grace. After doing some research, Tomlin discovered that the hymn has withstood previous additions.   "Even the famous last verse – ‘ when we’ve been there 10,000 years’ – was written after John Newton wrote the poem," Tomlin said. The songwriter found the original last verse – the earth shall soon dissolve like snow – and incorporated it into the new rendition of the classic hymn entitled, "Amazing Grace (My … [Read more...]

Louisiana State University Baptist Campus Ministry students spent their Mardi Gras break in disaster relief ministry on two fronts: teams traveled to New Orleans and Jay, Okla.         BATON ROUGE – Louisiana State University Baptist Campus Ministry students spent their Mardi Gras break in disaster relief ministry on two fronts: teams traveled to New Orleans and Jay, Okla.   The BCM at LSU – recognized as the nation’s only BCM that is NAMB-certified as a chain saw disaster relief team – has participated in at least 23 disaster relief projects since Katrina.   "We’ve found that our students want to take every break they can to serve the Lord," said Steve Masters, collegiate ministry director at LSU.   "The missionary culture that exists at the LSU BCM is a result of the leadership of Steve Masters and his vision for reaching the world for Christ, and challenging students to come alongside him," said Mark Robinson, LBC’s BCM strategist.   Masters led a team to his hometown, Jay, Okla., over Mardi Gras. The Northeast Oklahoma community received "extensive damage" in a recent ice storm.   Thousands of trees fell in the storm, and left many homes without electricity and water for as long as two … [Read more...]

The pastor of one of Baton Rouge’s largest Southern Baptist churches preached his farewell sermon March 4, before moving to a megachurch in Houston. BATON ROUGE – The pastor of one of Baton Rouge’s largest Southern Baptist churches preached his farewell sermon March 4, before moving to a megachurch in Houston. Stephen Trammell, senior pastor of Florida Boulevard Baptist Church for six years, will become pastor of leadership and care at Champion Forest Baptist Church, a 10,000-member church. Trammell’s departure will leave three of Baton Rouge’s largest Southern Baptist churches looking for new pastors, noted the Rev. Rodrick Conerly, executive director of the Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge. Istrouma Baptist and Parkview Baptist are also without lead pastors. Trammell’s decision to move came unexpectedly, after the Rev. David Fleming, Champion’s senior pastor and Trammell’s longtime friend, extended an invitation several weeks ago to join that ministry. "My wife, Tonya, and I have always kept ‘our yes on the altar’ and said ‘Lord we’ll go where you want us to go and do what you want us to do,’" Trammell, 37, said Wednesday in his now-empty office at Florida Boulevard Baptist Church. "I wasn’t shopping for other … [Read more...]