Baptist Collegiate Ministry is a Cooperative Program ministry on 34 campuses funded by the Louisiana Baptist Convention. It is a ministry that works to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ on campus, help students grow in their commitment to Christ and gives students the opportunity to serve locally and around the world. Baptist Collegiate Ministry is a Cooperative Program ministry on 34 campuses funded by the Louisiana Baptist Convention. It is a ministry that works to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ on campus, help students grow in their commitment to Christ and gives students the opportunity to serve locally and around the world. Mark Robinson is state director. Contact him at mark.robinson@lbc.org or call 318-448-3402 or (in Louisiana) 1-800-622-6549. The campus directors are: Reginald Alford, Grambling State University reginaldalford@bellsouth.net 318.255.1982 Scott Belmore, University of Lafayette scott@ullbcm.com 337.234.8732 Keith Cating, McNeese State University kcating@hotmail.com 337.477.4866 Bill Collins, Northwestern State University of Louisiana nsubcm@cox-internet.com 318.357.6464 Patrick Frey, Louisiana State University at Alexandria & Louisiana … [Read more...]

It has been nearly two years since an earthquake and a deadly tsunami hit parts of eight Asian nations, including Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Many survivors have tried to move on with their lives, while others are still working to regain normalcy and stability. RICHMOND, Va. (BP) – It has been nearly two years since an earthquake and a deadly tsunami hit parts of eight Asian nations, including Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Many survivors have tried to move on with their lives, while others are still working to regain normalcy and stability. There are constant reminders of the day family, friends, homes and businesses were lost. But many survivors have found hope through the Southern Baptist Convention. In a new website launched through the International Mission Board, tsunami victims thank Southern Baptists for helping them rebuild their lives. The new website features personal “thank yous” from tsunami survivors, video footage of the devastation and rebuilding efforts plus witnesses’ personal accounts of that tragic day. Many Southern Baptists traveled to South and Southeast Asia volunteering their time. Others offered $16.8 million in financial support to help hundreds of … [Read more...]

The Southern Baptist Convention was formed in 1845 mainly to create two mission boards—the Foreign Mission Board and the Domestic Mission Board (now North American Mission Board). Staff International Mission Board RICHMOND, Va. – The  Southern Baptist Convention was formed in 1845 mainly  to create two mission boards—the Foreign Mission  Board and the Domestic Mission Board (now North American  Mission Board). This was precipitated by controversy  with northern Baptists over appointing slave owners  as missionaries. The Foreign Mission Board, in Richmond,  Va., held its first commissioning service in 1846.  Since then more than 15,000 missionaries have been appointed,  a third of them still serving today. After Southern Baptists assumed support for some missionaries in China, the denomination’s missionary efforts grew slowly. The Civil War and the South’s agrarian economy made support difficult, and the board often was hampered by debt between 1861 and 1943. Significant growth in the board’s overseas work did not occur until after World War II. Empowered by the support of the Cooperative Program, founded in 1925, and an enlarged worldview, Southern Baptists answered the call, reaching 1,000 … [Read more...]

“Society is staggering from the effects of over-promiscuity,” Philip Cosby of the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families told a chapel audience at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. By Staff Baptist Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP) – “Society is staggering from the effects of over-promiscuity,” Philip Cosby of the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families told a chapel audience at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Cosby, who heads the coalition’s work in the Kansas City, Mo., area, referenced Promise Keepers surveys showing that pornography had invaded the lives and homes of more than half the men in attendance. Since his retirement from a 22-year Army career, Cosby has been at the front lines of the war against pornography and, as the law calls them, “sexually oriented businesses” SOBs in three cities. Cosby first moved to Abilene, Kan., a “Norman Rockwell town” as he describes it, completely unprepared for the ambush of a pornography outlet, the Lion’s Den. Having just moved there, Cosby knew no one and no one knew him. However, he knew something had to be done, and his efforts resulted “Operation Daniel,” in which he and 140 … [Read more...]

The influx of pornography and strip bars into American society can be stopped, a community values activist told a conference for state convention workers at the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission in Nashville, Tenn. By Samuel Smith Baptist Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – The influx of pornography and strip bars into American society can be stopped, a community values activist told a conference for state convention workers at the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission in Nashville, Tenn. Hardcore pornography is not protected by the First Amendment, said Phil Burress of Citizens for Community Values. “In Miller v. California in 1973, the United States Supreme Court said that every community is allowed to apply their own community standards.” In 45 of the 50 states, Burress said, strong laws are on the books that outlaw hardcore pornography, which involves actual or simulated sexual activity. The problem is, the laws are not being enforced, he noted. “Hardcore pornography is what is being sold in the backroom of video stores and in hotel rooms today,” he said. “The question is, ‘Will the prosecutor prosecute?’” Burress said the sale of … [Read more...]

It’s cold. Dorothy can see her breath crystallize in the morning air as soon as she exhales. She wraps her scarf tighter around her neck and stamps her feet in a bid for warmth.     LUBBOCK, Texas – It’s cold. Dorothy can see her breath crystallize in the morning air as soon as she exhales. She wraps her scarf tighter around her neck and stamps her feet in a bid for warmth.   All she has to do is wait.   She’s done this for the past 15 years – waiting on the sidewalk outside Lubbock’s Aaron’s Women Clinic to dissuade young women from seeking abortions. From 7:00-7:30 a.m. every Thursday and every other Tuesday morning, women begin to line up on the sidewalk outside the abortion clinic for appointments to terminate their pregnancies.   Some have family members or friends with them, and a few boyfriends linger nervously outside.   Acting as a sidewalk counselor, Dorothy quickly hands out gospel tracts and pamphlets and shares her testimony with them.   Although not everyone will talk to her or accept her tracts, no one can avoid viewing the large magnetic signs on the side of her parked car. One sign shows the head of an aborted fetus. Next to it is a picture of a healthy, smiling baby.   The pictures are gruesome, … [Read more...]

During the recent mid-term elections, Rush Limbaugh really put his foot in his mouth. He accused Michael J. Fox of exaggerating his Parkinson’s symptoms. Jim Richards   Executive Director, Southern Baptist of Texas state convention   During the recent mid-term elections, Rush Limbaugh really put his foot in his mouth. He accused Michael J. Fox of exaggerating his Parkinson’s symptoms to gain sympathy for a vote on stem cell research. Fox appeared in a pro-embryonic stem cell research ad that played in Missouri and other states that were to vote on the issue. Missourians were probably not fully informed about the difference between adult stem cell research and embryonic stem cell research. Embryonic stem cell research requires the taking of life. If life begins at conception, and I believe the Bible to teach it does, then embryonic stem cell research is not an option. Unfortunately, the law passed in Missouri.   Once a culture begins to manipulate life at one end of the spectrum, it will not be long before the lines have blurred at the other end. Oregon is the only state with a "death with dignity" law on the books. Active or involuntary euthanasia will be next on the list. Those who are too old, too sick or who might have … [Read more...]

Scientists have announced the discovery of cells that have much the same potential as embryonic stem cells but without their ethical drawback, even as the House of Representatives prepares to vote again to fund experiments that destroy human embryos. WASHINGTON D.C. (BP) – Scientists have announced the discovery of cells that have much the same potential as embryonic stem cells but without their ethical drawback, even as the House of Representatives prepares to vote again to fund experiments that destroy human embryos. A team of researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital in Boston found the stem cells in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women, according to The Washington Post. Unlike embryonic stem cell research, the extraction of the cells from the fluid that surrounds an unborn child does not require the destruction of a tiny human being. These cells have the ability to develop into a variety of tissues, a trait of embryonic stem cells, but do not have the tendency to form tumors, a propensity that has plagued research on cells from embryos. The promising research, reported Jan. 7 in the online version of the journal Nature Biotechnology, was announced only days before the House is … [Read more...]

A 1.7.1 spiritual emphasis was outlined Jan. 7 for the congregation of Calvary Baptist. ALEXANDRIA – A 1.7.1 spiritual emphasis was outlined Jan. 7 for the congregation of Calvary Baptist.   It’s an effort to lead members of the church to devote themselves as one person living seven days a week for one person.   Pastor David Brooks talked about three eternal realities that, he preached, all Christians should recognize: --There really is a heaven and a hell and everyone will spend eternity somewhere. --All Christians can be used by God to help someone live "abundantly today on earth and land in heaven for eternity," Brooks said. n Each person should have some overarching purpose during 2007. Dr. Brooks spoke about cooperation, cultivation and conversation in outlining "ways we can live for another person every day of the week, every week of the year," according to the Calvary Courier newsletter. "While we may not every day see the person who is our personal concern, we ought to live prepared for the moments God gives us to invite him/her to some spiritually-uplifting event, or to share our personal faith stories." By the end of the morning, more than 900 half-cards of commitment to be a person of concern for … [Read more...]

Lisa Whelchel – Blair Warner on NBC’s "The Facts of Life" – is to be guest speaker for the women’s conference "The Real Facts of Life," presented by Aroma of Christ Women’s Ministry and MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). COVINGTON – Lisa Whelchel – Blair Warner on NBC’s "The Facts of Life" – is to be guest speaker for the women’s conference "The Real Facts of Life," presented by Aroma of Christ Women’s Ministry and MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), scheduled for 7-9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 2; and 9-Noon, Saturday, Feb. 3, at First Baptist Covington.   Each session will feature Whelchel and also include praise and worship led by the ladies of First Covington, said Martha Bailey, pastor’s wife at First Baptist Covington and a leader in Aroma of Christ Ministries.   "Women of all ages will benefit from Lisa’s diverse life as she shares her passion as a wife, mother, teacher, writer, and even an avid scrapbooker," said Lynn Perkins in First Covington’s press release concerning the event.   Tickets are $20, if purchased in advance, or $25 at the door. Tickets went on sale Jan. 8 and may be purchased online until Jan. 26 at www.fbccov.org, or at Simple Goodness in Covington.   Lisa Whelchel is well known as an actress, but her current … [Read more...]