Don’t let his name fool you. Or the fact that he has no legs. Wimp Ballard is as tough as they come. LIVINGSTON – Don’t let his name fool you. Or the fact that he has no legs. Wimp Ballard is as tough as they come. With one leg blown off in the Vietnam War and the other amputated shortly afterward, Ballard, a member at First Baptist Livingston, rarely lets an opportunity to serve others, especially veterans, pass him by. “He never demonstrates a negative attitude and is an inspiration to all who know him,” said David Brown, Director of Missions for the Eastern Louisiana Baptist Association. “He has an indomitable spirit and is a vibrant witness for the Lord.” Born in Corbin – now Walker – La., on Dec. 21, 1944, Ballard, married in 1964, was drafted in 1968, he said. He arrived “in country” Vietnam May 14, 1968, and was wounded Sept. 23, less than four months later. After field surgery in Vietnam, Ballard was flown to Tokyo, Japan, with raw wounds, he said. There, doctors closed his wounds, and Ballard began working with a therapist who talked with him about the Lord. Even though he’d made a profession of faith as a young boy, no one had gone through the gospel with him, Ballard said. As a result, he … [Read more...]

The tragic deaths of 12 and the miraculous survival of one in the Sago coalmining explosion in West Virginia captured the world’s attention to start the news watch of 2006. ANALYSIS: 2006 news in review By Will Hall Executive Editor, Baptist Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – The tragic deaths of 12 and the miraculous survival of one in the Sago coalmining explosion in West Virginia captured the world’s attention to start the news watch of 2006. Other tragedies dominated the year’s reporting, including the death of the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, who was fatally pierced in the chest by a stingray while he snorkeled at the Great Barrier Reef. However, nothing dominated the 2006 news in the United States and abroad like the mounting death toll in the war in Iraq. WORLD’S WARS Violence that re-erupted in Lebanon and Israel elevated global concerns for more than a month beginning in July when Hamas forces bombed Israel and kidnapped a Jewish settler and an Israeli soldier. The body of the 18-year-old settler was found in Ramallah. Israel sent troops into Gaza – a territory it had withdrawn from last year as a concession to the Palestinians – and bombed targets in Lebanon. The United … [Read more...]

For too long the issue of personal stewardship has been neglected in many churches and the results have been detrimental in a consumer-driven society where Americans are pressured to spend, often more than they earn, SBC leaders say. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – For too long the issue of personal stewardship has been neglected in many churches and the results have been detrimental in a consumer-driven society where Americans are pressured to spend, often more than they earn, SBC leaders say. “Easy money, credit card debt and consumer debt have become a big problem not just in American culture but frankly in Southern Baptist culture,” said Ashley Clayton, associate vice president for stewardship at the Executive Committee to Baptist Press. “What we’re finding is the conditions inside the church are not much different than they are outside the church. Christians are overspending and are in as much trouble as non-Christians.” Church leaders including pastors and staff are not immune to the problem, he added, so the Executive Committee has entered an alliance with Crown Financial Ministries to help Southern Baptists grasp the crucial knowledge they need to implement God’s perspective on managing their … [Read more...]

Like many other young families, Cliff and Aimee Doughty, and their 3-year-old son, Benjamin, enjoyed the fruit of their labors with frequent meals out and basket-bulging trips to Wal-Mart. TIOGA – Like many other young families, Cliff and Aimee Doughty, and their 3-year-old son, Benjamin, enjoyed the fruit of their labors with frequent meals out and basket-bulging trips to Wal-Mart. Now they’re doing less, and enjoying it more. “You could look back at the end of the month, and you couldn’t pinpoint anything you’ve got in excess, even though you may have had a little extra to spend,” said Cliff Doughty, a biomedical technician. “That aggravates you after awhile.” Members of Faith Tioga, the Doughtys recently graduated from Financial Peace University, a 13-week course they took at the church where Clark Palmer is pastor. “I feel we have a much tighter grasp on our money and where it goes,” Cliff Doughty said. “There’s not too much in the ways of lost moneys around this house any more. That makes you feel so much better.” The Doughtys learned to allocate their money to make the best use of it. For example, they could eat out as much as they wanted, or they could put money into … [Read more...]

Many American households are drowning in debt and see no way out of the pit that continues to grow deeper by the month. The problem is so profound that 75 percent of Americans are a mere three paychecks away from bankruptcy. ALEXANDRIA – Many American households are drowning in debt and see no way out of the pit that continues to grow deeper by the month. The problem is so profound that 75 percent of Americans are a mere three paychecks away from bankruptcy. In 2003, American households racked up $412 billion in credit card charges, up 185 percent from the previous five years, according to Standard & Poor’s. The average balance on open credit cards in December 2005 was $4,616.90. If a household has more than one credit card, the average amount of consumer debt is in excess of $8,000. An ever-mounting consumer debt can wreck one’s judgment, job performance and relationships. There are people, even Christians, who are so far behind they sense the enemy has cast them into a demonic bondage and there is no hope except for bankruptcy, a lottery win, a consolidation loan or cashing out the equity of a home. All of those scenarios carry problems within themselves and tend to exacerbate the debt … [Read more...]

NATCHITOCHES – Westside Baptist is working with Olan Mills on a new pictorial directory for the church family. Photo dates are Jan. 25-31. SHREVEPORT – Youth Minister Joe Ward at Pine-croft Baptist reports, “We are working on youth choir and puppet ministry. We should have the puppets ready in a few short weeks. The choir is doing great. We will still begin eachWednesday night with Bible devotion and prayer, then encouraging words of how to be involved with our community.” Marty Wright is pastor. SHREVEPORT – “How to Study and Correctly Interpret the Bible is being taught at 6:30 p.m. Mondays in “Cliff’s Class” at the Northwest Louisiana  Baptist Association office. Cost: $20. Eddie DeHondt is DOM. SHREVEPORT – Baptist Bible Fellowship prepared 600 baskets of food for Thanksgiving, 350 with turkeys. About 300 were given to Hispanic families. MORGAN CITY – Congressman Bobby Jindal is sharing his testimony at the 10:45 a.m. service Jan. 14 at First Baptist. David Willoughby is pastor. BATON ROUGE – Crosspoint, where Landon Dowden is pastor, plans to start discipleship “equipping” classes: “Tell the Truth” on Jan. 21; “Discovering God’s Way of Handling Money” on Jan. 14. Kids 4 … [Read more...]

January, 2007 11 – Singing Ministers & Singing Women Concert, Brookwood, Shreveport. LBC contact: Randy Turner. 12 – Area Baptist All-State Youth Choir Auditions. First Winnfield. LBC contact: Randy Turner. 13 – Area Baptist All-State Youth Choir Auditions. Baptist Building, Alexandria. LBC contact: Randy Turner. 15 – Area Baptist All-State Youth Choir Auditions. Temple, Ruston. LBC contact: Randy Turner. 19 – Area Baptist All-State Youth Choir Auditions. Williams Boulevard, Kenner. LBC contact: Randy Turner. 19 – Missions Camping Workshop, Baptist Building, Alexandria. LBC contact: Janie Wise. 19-20 – “First Ever” Bible Drill Training Retreat, Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center, Woodworth. Cost: $55. LBC contact: Chantel McCoy. 20 – Area Baptist All-State Youth Choir Auditions. Florida Boulevard, Baton Rouge. LBC contact: Randy Turner. 22-23 – Evangelism Conference, First Baptist, New Orleans. LBC contact: Syd Smith. 23 – Senior Adult Luncheon, New Orleans. LBC contact: Jo Lynn Chesser or Alan Miller. 26 – Area Keyboard Festival, Eunice. LBC contact: Teresa Thomason. 26 – Louisiana Baptist Foundation Board of Trustees Meeting, Baptist … [Read more...]

Staff changes Jeff Jinks resigned First Castor Dec. 10. Deacon chairman Chris Guin is coordinating pulpit supply. Carlos (wife Lupe) Meza is new pastor (former interim) at Iglesia del Calvario in Shreveport. Three new staff at First Baptist, Bossier City: Perry (wife Diana) Gaines, executive pastor; Kenny (wife Cindy) Joyner, evangelism minister; Chad (wife Jimren) Fuller, high school minister. Freddie Williford from interim to pastor at Ford Park Baptist, Shreveport. Pastor Search Committee is at work at Northside Baptist, Lafayette. The church has two missions. Guy (wife Rebecca) Atkinson is new as outdoor education minister at Acadian Baptist Center, Eunice. Trey Guillory is new youth minister at Lakeshore, Monroe. Perry Kim Bearden is new minister to single adults at North Monroe, Monroe. Earnest (wife Daucy) Jarrell is retiring Jan. 20 from Canaan Baptist, Leesville, after 56 years in ministry. He will be available for supply and revivals. Tom Pennell, retiring as full time minister in Media and Counseling at Broadmoor Shreveport; continuing with counseling. Billy Crosby of Trinity Heights Shreveport, retiring from pastorate. Mitch (wife Pat) Harris resigned from Goodwood Baptist in … [Read more...]

Every February for the last 16 years, duck hunters, deer hunters, coon hunters, and fishermen emerge – minus face paint, camouflage and weapons – from the piney woods that surround this town and converge on First Baptist Church for a feast featuring game of every kind, door prizes to make the most well-equipped outdoorsman salivate, and a speaker who unabashedly shares his love for the outdoors right alongside his love for Jesus Christ. HORNBECK – Every February for the last 16 years, duck hunters, deer hunters, coon hunters, and fishermen emerge – minus face paint, camouflage and weapons – from the piney woods that surround this town and converge on First Baptist Church for a feast featuring game of every kind, door prizes to make the most well-equipped outdoorsman salivate, and a speaker who unabashedly shares his love for the outdoors right alongside his love for Jesus Christ. The 17th annual Wild Game Feast is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 16. Church planners for the event are excited about what God is going to do this year, they said. Last year, at least 450 men and boys attended, with 56 making professions of faith or renewing their walk with Christ. “The heart of the church is to see as many … [Read more...]

Bordered on the west by 1,200 miles (the length of the parish) of Toledo Bend Dam shoreline, and with a sparse population scattered throughout its piney woods, Sabine Parish is a paradise for those who enjoy the outdoors. Editor’s note: The year 2007 marks the 300th anniversary of Baptist associations in America, and to honor this milestone the Message plans to take an up-close look at one of Louisiana’s 48 Baptist associations each week this year, in no particular order. Watch for your association even as you see how God is working through the state’s other associations. SABINE ASSOCIATION – Bordered on the west by 1,200 miles (the length of the parish) of Toledo Bend Dam shoreline, and with a sparse population scattered throughout its piney woods, Sabine Parish is a paradise for those who enjoy the outdoors. People enjoy canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, boating, r.v.-ing, scuba diving, swimming, flower and bird watching, golfing, and more. This is what keeps tourists coming back every year and the more than 23,000 residents sticking around. Toledo Bend Dam, the largest man-made reservoir in the South and the fifth-largest in the nation, is one of the state’s jewels, … [Read more...]