Little Anatoliy Odnoralov often came home after school with a bloody nose – the result of just another day as a Christian at his school in the North Caucasus region of the old Soviet Union.   DENVER, COLO. – Little Anatoliy Odnoralov often came home after school with a bloody nose – the result of just another day as a Christian at his school in the North Caucasus region of the old Soviet Union. “Since early childhood, I knew the price for my convictions,” he says. Anatoliy was the third-born son of an ordinary shoemaker, who, along with his wife, were faithful believers in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, they were believers living in a godless, atheistic nation dedicated to the persecution of Christians. As the family grew to 13, the senior Odnoralov continued to draw his family together, reading them stories from the Bible and urging them to pray.   With his meager cobbler’s pay, he would later purchase some musical instruments – a guitar, an accordion – and taught himself and his children to play.  He even formed a family band – pretty easy with 13 children in the house. “The school where we were studying mocked us for our convictions and belief in God,” recalls Anatoliy, today 43 and a North … [Read more...]

DiscipleNow is an at-home retreat that combines big events at the church with small group studies in host homes.   STATEWIDE – DiscipleNow is an at-home retreat that combines big events at the church with small group studies in host homes. Many youth leaders have found that a DiscipleNow weekend helps “reach students for Christ, encourage them in their faith, and get them excited about continuing discipleship,” according to LifeWay’s website In general, students are divided into groups of no more than about 10 and assigned a host home. Many churches prefer the groups to be organized by gender first and then by age, though the actual organization can depend on many factors. Some youth leaders say constructing the small groups is one of the most time-consuming parts of the planning process, as “chemistry” among students is vital for the small group sessions to work. In addition, finding the right time of the year to conduct the weekend can also be a challenge. Many churches choose January, February or March, while others choose early summer for their weekends. In any case, knowledge of community events is helpful in making that decision. Last year, First Blanchard’s D-Now weekend ended up being … [Read more...]

Robert Terrell, youth pastor at Parkview Baptist here, usually writes his own material for DiscipleNow, which he posts on the Internet and loans out to other churches.   BATON ROUGE – Robert Terrell, youth pastor at Parkview Baptist here, usually writes his own material for DiscipleNow, which he posts on the Internet and loans out to other churches. A veteran of D-Now weekends—12 years and counting as a leader—Terrell has been at Parkview for 6 years. Parkview’s weekend is slated for the month of June. “The small groups would be what I would say is the greatest thing [about D-Now], Terrell said. “That seems to be where the most impact comes to kids lives. It’s where people seem to grow the most, leadership wise. “For the kids, they have a chance to ask questions,” he explained. “A lot of times we put them in situations that are sermons or prepared Bible studies,” he said. D-Now at its best provides organized discussion. “It allows feedback, questions, and answers,” he continued. “Sometimes the questions are the best part about it because ultimately we have a faith that requires trust. Faith doesn’t always lend itself to answers. We have a person who is the answer. Sometimes we may never … [Read more...]

Eight years ago, God got Deb Corkern’s undivided attention. Since then He has led this utility clerk in rural Washington Parish to establish an orphanage in India.   WASHINGTON PARISH – Eight years ago, God got Deb Corkern’s undivided attention. Since then He has led this utility clerk in rural Washington Parish to establish an orphanage in India. Corkern was at her Franklinton home, recovering from surgery, when God spoke to her. “It was so loud it would bust your eardrums, but it was total silence,” she said. “He told me I wasn’t a Christian and I was going to hell.” This message contradicted her life. She had been a church member since she prayed with a camp counselor while in the sixth grade. Still, Corkern recognized the truth. Her youthful conversion “was a lie.” Without hesitation, Corkern invited Jesus to take control of her life. Feeling an urgency to make this public, she called her pastor and asked him to meet her at their church, Bethel Baptist just outside of Franklinton. Even though she was not supposed to drive, she joined him at the church and told him of her experience. The following Sunday she was baptized. Her life since then has been a Spirit-filled adventure. “The … [Read more...]

Ganesh Paletti is an honorary member of the Superior Avenue Baptist Church Team Kids, although he lives halfway around the world.   BOGALUSA – Ganesh Paletti is an honorary member of the Superior Avenue Baptist Church Team Kids, although he lives halfway around the world. Team Kid is a  discipleship-based Bible study produced by LifeWay Christian Resources for K-5 through sixth grade, during which God’s word is studied from a practical point of view. A Bible drill, missions study and related play are included in the Sunday evening/Midweek curriculum. The Team Kids adopted the 8-year-old East Indian boy when they chose to be his sponsor and pay the $20 a month needed to feed, clothe, and educate him. The group was looking for a mission project. Their leader, Jo Purvis, was at a meeting when Deb Corkern spoke about the Corkern Christian Orphanage in India. “She passed around pictures of the children,” Purvis said. “As I held that picture, I knew that was what we needed to do as our project.” Purvis took the picture to her Team Kid group of about a dozen first through fifth grade children. When they read the back of the picture, they were touched. “The father and mother of this child are … [Read more...]

Mark your calendar! It’s time for the WMU annual meeting Friday and Saturday, March 30-31. SHREVEPORT-- Mark your calendar! It’s time for the WMU annual meeting Friday and Saturday, March 30-31. This is an event for the entire family to enjoy. “We invite everyone – men, women, boys and girls – We offer something for everyone to live the call and inspire others to fulfill the call,” says current state WMU president Nelda Seal. In 119 years, WMU has not veered from its purpose, which is to pray for, give and do missions locally, nationally and internationally, Seal said. “Annual meeting is a time to celebrate what we do in Louisiana, bring us together for inspiration, and challenge us to take our calling – to take the cause of Christ through missions one step further,” said Janie Wise, interim director of Women’s Missions and Ministry. Throughout the meeting, dynamic speakers, Kaye Miller, president, Woman’s Missionary Union – Southern Baptist Convention; Diana Lewis of the North American Mission Board, and Michael and Madelyn [last name deleted for security purposes] of the International Mission Board, will encourage attendees to continue to ‘Live the Call.’ “We are delighted to have Kaye … [Read more...]

hurches that otherwise don’t have the resources to host a revival can contact the Louisiana chapter of Campers on Mission [COM].   STATEWIDE – Churches that otherwise don’t have the resources to host a revival can contact the Louisiana chapter of Campers on Mission [COM]. The COM group, which has about 250 members statewide, is known nationally for campground ministries. In Louisiana as in other states, COM also are involved in construction ministry of various types, including off-season repairs and maintenance at six Baptist camps across the state. Not as well known is the COM revival ministry. “It’s designed mainly to help smaller churches,” said Chaplain Bryant Barnett, of First Baptist, Ferriday. “We do everything from preaching, singing, music, handing out flyers ahead of time – whatever the church needs for us to do. ... there is no charge and we do not accept money. “We have a layman who can preach; we also have a couple of ordained ministers,” Barnett continued. “We have people within the organization who can lead singing and some who can play instruments.” Call Barnett at 318-757-4362 or Louisiana COM President Louie Miller at 318-255-2652 to make a revival request or for … [Read more...]

  SHREVEPORT – Jews for Jesus are to present: a “Christ In the Passover” Seder Service at 7 p.m. Good Friday, April 6, at Trinity Heights Baptist, Shreveport. A love offering will be taken. Lane Moore is interim pastor. ZWOLLE – AimwellBaptistChurch is to be involved in a Lay Renewal Weekend March 30 and 31, and April 1.   A 24-hour prayer vigil for the lay renewal is to start at 5 p.m. Thursday. Friday’s activities are to begin with a church-wide supper at 6:30 p.m.  Ivan Harless is the coordinator; Angie Primeaux, chairperson.  Roy W. Taylor is pastor. SHREVEPORT — The Kingstonaires are to present the Easter cantata Who Do You Say I Am? At 6 p.m. Saturday, March 31, at Kingston Road Baptist. WINNFIELD – At First Baptist, where Lindsey Burns is pastor, at 11 a.m. Palm Sunday, April 1, the worship service is to begin with a palm processional that will include the presentation of festive banners led by the sanctuary choir, assisted by members of the student ministry. At 6 p.m. Palm Sunday, the sanctuary choir at First Winnfield is to provide musical backdrop for a dramatic account of the Last Supper, which is to include the observance of the Lord’s Supper. SLIDELL – A Good Friday service … [Read more...]

Cooperative Program giving in February from the state’s nearly 1,600 Southern Baptist churches was 8.59 percent below February 2006 totals, but up 6.46 percent for the year from a year ago, according to figures released from the LBC business office.   ALEXANDRIA – Cooperative Program giving in February from the state’s nearly 1,600 Southern Baptist churches was 8.59 percent below February 2006 totals, but up 6.46 percent for the year from a year ago, according to figures released from the LBC business office. “Because of the lostness of this world, we are confident Louisiana Baptist churches will continue to use Cooperative Program giving and to move forward with greater levels of mission giving,” said Dale Lingenfelter, LBC business manager. “The Louisiana Baptist Convention adopted a $21 million budget for 2007,” Lingerfelter continued. “Cooperative Program dollars are used for starting churches, assisting churches with church health initiatives such as EKG, equipping lay leaders, scholarships for Louisiana College students, care for children at the Louisiana Baptist Homes for Children, international missionaries, language missions and many other ministries that serve the local church.” … [Read more...]

New post-abortion electronic cards from an organization with a decidedly pro-choice bent are “infuriating,” says a pro-life leader who has experienced the deadly procedure.   New: ‘Happy Abortion’ cards: (BP) – New post-abortion electronic cards from an organization with a decidedly pro-choice bent are “infuriating,” says a pro-life leader who has experienced the deadly procedure. Exhale, which describes itself as the United States’ “only nationwide non-judgmental after-abortion talkline,” is promoting the first e-mail greeting cards for women after they have abortions. The ecards “provide friends and family with an opportunity to express support and respect for loved ones after an abortion,” according to a March 13 news release from the Oakland, Calif.-based nonprofit organization. Each of the five greeting cards on Exhale’s website includes a message, with space also provided for a personal note from the sender. Caron Strong, national director of Operation Outcry, decried the incongruity of the messages. “It is absolutely tragic to affirm life in one card and support the taking of life in another,” Caron said, according to LifeNews.com. “On one hand, ‘You did the right thing’; on the other, … [Read more...]