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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Milestones

Staff changes David "Eddy" Shoemaker has accepted the position of interim pastor at Ouachita Baptist West Monroe.  He begins this service in addition to his full-time position as staff chaplain at St. Francis Medical Center. John Long is the new Associate Pastor/Youth Minister at Calvary Slidell. Charles Starnes is pastor. Seeking staff Full-time pastor needed: Send resume to First Baptist Church, Attn: Pastor Search Committee, PO Box 205, Castor LA 71016. Organist needed at Calvary Slidell.  Please call 985-643-6957. Charles Starnes is pastor. Part-time minister of music needed; small church: Indian Mound Baptist Church, PO Box 275, Greenwell Springs, La. 70739;Contact: imbcinformer@gmail.com or 225-261-8271. Jim Effersonis pastor. First Baptist Church, Farmerville, is accepting resumes for pastor.  Video tape messages are welcomed.  Send to First Baptist Church, Mrs. Una George, Chairman, Pastor Search Committee, PO Box 296, Farmerville LA 71241. Director of Education, part-time to full-time. Broadmoor Baptist, Shreveport. John Goodwin, pastor. Part-time youh minister needed at Grace Baptist, Jonesville. Deaths Virgil Groves, a pastor in Louisiana for at least 50 years, died Feb. 14 in Minden. He was 80. … [Read more...]

Life Digest from Baptist Press and other sources

The scientist whose group took part in groundbreaking embryonic stem cell research in 1998 says cures using embryonic stem cells are likely decades away. Embryonic stem cell pioneer says cures likely decades away   LAKE DELTON, Wis. (BP) – The scientist whose group took part in groundbreaking embryonic stem cell research in 1998 says cures using embryonic stem cells are likely decades away.   University of Wisconsin scientist James Thomson made the comments during a speech Feb. 8 in Lake Delton, Wis., to the Wisconsin Newspaper Association’s annual convention, the Associated Press reported. In 1998, Thomson’s team became the first group to grow human embryonic stem cells in culture, sparking a controversy over the use of embryos in stem cell research that continues to this day.   Although some supporters of embryonic stem cell research have implied cures are just around the corner, Thomson cautioned that cures probably are decades away, AP said. While Thomson believes researchers will learn how to grow embryonic stem cells into various forms of body tissue and organs within a decade, he also thinks safety concerns will delay cures for humans, AP reported.   "I don’t want to sound too pessimistic … [Read more...]

Baptist Center at New Orleans launches new Web initiatives

New initiatives launched recently by the Baptist Center for Theology and Ministry at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary combine pastoral experience and academic scholarship to answer common questions like "What does it mean to be a Baptist?" and "Why be a Baptist?" NEW ORLEANS (BP) – New initiatives launched recently by the Baptist Center for Theology and Ministry at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary combine pastoral experience and academic scholarship to answer common questions like "What does it mean to be a Baptist?" and "Why be a Baptist?"   The initiatives include a download of the week -- free MP3s and podcasts of presentations by Baptist speakers -- and a blog for conversations regarding the identity and direction of Southern Baptists.   The "Baptist Center Blog," which provides conversational exchanges with Southern Baptist leaders, coupled with the academic presentations of Baptist theology available on the center’s website, www.baptistcenter.com, is intended to give every Baptist the opportunity to examine why being a Baptist is a sound biblical choice.   "Probably at no other time has there been more confusion about what it means to be a Baptist," Steve Lemke, the center’s acting director, said. … [Read more...]

LifeWay trustees elect new VP

Trustees of LifeWay Christian Resources elected a new vice president of research and ministry development and heard details of strong first-quarter ministry results at their semiannual meeting Feb. 12-13 in Nashville, Tenn. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Trustees of LifeWay Christian Resources elected a new vice president of research and ministry development and heard details of strong first-quarter ministry results at their semiannual meeting Feb. 12-13 in Nashville, Tenn. Trustees approved the recommendation to establish a vice president of research and ministry development and elected Brad Waggoner to the new position, effective immediately. Waggoner, who has served as director of LifeWay Research since 2006, now also will oversee the E.C. Dargan Research Library, LifeWay International, ministry development and strategic projects. Additionally, he will serve as theologian in residence as a resource provider for LifeWay employees and as academic liaison with Southern Baptist seminaries, colleges and universities. LifeWay President Thom S. Rainer noted three major issues facing LifeWay in his address to trustees: integrity and openness; LifeWay as a bridge builder; and the need to establish the new research and ministry … [Read more...]

VBS preview builds momentum for outreach

Nearly 2,000 Vacation Bible School leaders are more prepared than ever before for this year’s outreach thanks to VBS previews featuring a new interactive expo. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Nearly 2,000 Vacation Bible School leaders are more prepared than ever before for this year’s outreach thanks to VBS previews featuring a new interactive expo. VBS Expo allowed attendees at four VBS previews to be among the first to see all the resources available for churches to use at their Vacation Bible Schools, to meet some of the people who work on the VBS material and to make the crafts and snacks for themselves. "Game Day Central: Where Heroes are Made!" is the theme for VBS that most churches will use this summer. It is designed for babies through adults, and it includes a track for children and adults with special needs. The theme can be adapted for churches of any size and is available in English and Spanish. "Club VBS: Jungle Jaunt" is the theme for VBS that is sometimes called "VBS in a Box." The resource is designed for smaller churches, mission trips, backyard Bible clubs or any other group of up to 40 children and 10 preschoolers. Everything necessary for a complete VBS is included in one box. LifeWay Christian Resources of the … [Read more...]

Church taps men’s curriculum

HOUSTON (BP) – With four decades of ministry experience, Buddy Griffin has never been more excited about leading men to a new appreciation for their roles as fathers, husbands and spiritual leaders.         HOUSTON (BP) – With four decades of ministry experience, Buddy Griffin has never been more excited about leading men to a new appreciation for their roles as fathers, husbands and spiritual leaders.   The director of men’s ministry and prayer at Sagemont Church in Houston, the 66-year-old Griffin attributes much of the Southern Baptist congregation’s growth to "Men’s Fraternity."   The discipleship and spiritual growth curriculum, covered over a three-year span, was written by Arkansas pastor Robert Lewis and is distributed by LifeWay Christian Resources.   "This has absolutely revolutionized me and my family," said Griffin, who came to Sagemont in 2001. "I can tell you story after story about what’s happening in the church. Men are reconciling with their dads, reconciling with their families and being the men they should be."   John Morgan, the church’s only pastor during its 40 years, gets excited when he drives into the parking lot on Tuesday mornings and sees it so full he could easily … [Read more...]

Recap recalls year’s news

ALEXANDRIA – The continuing saga of hurricane relief, recovery and rebuild efforts in New Orleans dominated the news pages of the Louisiana Baptist Message in 2006. ALEXANDRIA –   ALEXANDRIA – The continuing saga of hurricane relief, recovery and rebuild efforts in New Orleans dominated the news pages of the Louisiana Baptist Message in 2006. "This was a year that showed the strength and resiliency and the big hearts of Louisiana’s people," Editor Kelly Boggs said. "It also showed what the Cooperative Program is all about – it’s us, pulling together to accomplish God’s work in ways none of us could do nearly as effectively alone."   A month-by-month recap of major news and feature articles as they appeared week-by-week in the Messagefollows:   n January: Kelly Boggs launches forward as Message editor; Louisiana Agricultural Fellowship ministers in southern Mexico; Southeastern Baptist Seminary faculty ‘adopt’ New Orleans Seminary faculty; Karen Willoughby named managing editor; Louisiana and Illinois state conventions host ‘grief retreat’ for children victimized by Katrina and Rita; Georgia Barnette giving sets $1.2 million record increase; more than 1,000 participate in 2006 Evangelism Conference; 200 return to … [Read more...]

Louisianians exceed missions goal

Louisiana Baptist Convention business office official announced Jan. 5 that Louisiana Baptists exceeded the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering goal by more than $176,000. The actual amount received totaled $1,476,827.70. ALEXANDRIA – Louisiana Baptist Convention business office official announced Jan. 5 that Louisiana Baptists exceeded the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering goal by more than $176,000. The actual amount received totaled $1,476,827.70. This exceeds by more than $200,000 the record $1,215,339.47 that was received in 2005. “Louisiana Baptists have once again stepped up to the plate and made a bold statement for missions,” said David E. Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. “Our state mission staff is humbled by the generosity of Louisiana Baptist churches.” The Georgia Barnette State Mission Offering is used in many ways, such as scholarships at Louisiana College for students interested in missions, as well as church planting, disaster relief, mission supplements, prison ministries and special mission projects. “With words, deeds and dollars Louisiana Baptist churches have exhibited through the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering … [Read more...]

LC plans busy winter

Excitement is building across Louisiana as plans are being made for the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s 2007 Evangelism Conference ALEXANDRIA – Excitement is building across Louisiana as plans are being made for the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s 2007 Evangelism Conference. State leaders suggest three reasons for the excitement: locale of the Jan. 22-23 event, lineup of speakers, and the longing for a fresh word from God that pastors and laypeople across Louisiana are expressing. “We’ve prayed hard and worked hard to make this year’s Evangelism Conference even better than last year’s,” said Wayne Jenkins, director of the LBC evangelism and church growth ministry team. “New Orleans is ready for you, with excellent hotels and even better food, and the speakers are primed with their prayers and preparation for a powerhouse event that’s going to minister to you and bless you.” The Evangelism Conference is to take place at First Baptist New Orleans, which because of an additional 18 inches of landfill under the foundation of its new worship center was not flooded in the wake of Katrina and breached levees. Nearby hotels – and those farther away as well – have been renovated and are looking forward … [Read more...]

NOBTS graduates eight students from Louisiana

Eight students with Louisiana ties graduated Dec. 16 from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. NEW ORLEANS -- Eight students with Louisiana ties graduated Dec. 16 from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Jimmie Miller from Livingston, La., received the master of divinity. Miller, pastor of Bedico Baptist Church in Ponchatoula, La., is married to the former Deborah Jones of Livingston,  La. He is the son of Jimmie B. and Shirley Miller of Livingston,  La. Miller’s home church is Doyle Baptist Church in Livingston, La. Trisha Stevens from Shreveport, La., received the master of divinity. Stevens, minister to students at First Baptist Church of Zachary, La., is married to Jordan Stevens of Grand Cane, La. She is the daughter of Steve Turrentine of Hackberry, La., and Cindy Turrentine of Carrollton, Texas. Stevens’ home church is First Baptist Church of Zachary, La. NEW ORLEANS -- Samuel Greer from Bush, La., received the master of divinity in expository preaching. Greer, pastor of Hebron Baptist Church in Bush, La., is married to the former Tonya Tillman of Richland, Miss. He is the son of Ruth Greer Wilkinson and the late James Evin Greer of Brandon, Miss. Greer’s home church … [Read more...]