On occasion I get asked about an “investment” opportunity that is paying a much higher rate of return than most other investments. Without even looking at the details of the investment offer, I know it is not a sound or safe investment. If it sounds too good to be true – it usually is. That’s an old adage that is brimming with wisdom. In our work at the Foundation, we assist individuals who want to make gifts to Baptist causes and ministries. We also field calls and answer questions regarding investments and finances in general. On occasion I get asked about an “investment” opportunity that is paying a much higher rate of return than most other investments. Without even looking at the details of the investment offer, I know it is not a sound or safe investment. For years I have examined investments promising higher than average rates of return and I also have come to have a solid understanding of investments in general. As a result, I know that an investment opportunity that claims a higher than usual rate of return is either a scam or very unsafe investment. The general phrase I use is that the person or company offering this “special rate” is “either stupid or criminal.” In either … [Read more...]

Louisiana College, your college, has made a choice to stand firm within the roots of our heritage and commitment to Christ Philippians 1:27 says, Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. Louisiana College, your college, has made a choice to stand firm within the roots of our heritage and commitment to Christ, Christian higher education, and the promulgation of our mission – “to provide a liberal arts education characterized by academic excellence, a commitment to the preeminence of the Lord Jesus, an allegiance to the authority of the Holy Scriptures, and a passion for changing the world for Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Will you stand with us? Louisiana College is unified in the delivery of our mission.  This semester the faculty passed a resolution of support for our Board of Trustees and the President of the college. The Academic Council also passed a resolution of support for the Board of Trustees and the President.  In turn, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution of support for the … [Read more...]

Is your church ready to adopt a people group in West Africa? BURKINA FASO, West Africa – Is your church ready to adopt a people group in West Africa? If so, you will need to be prepared for “a total commitment,” says David Wood, a Southern Baptist missionary in Burkina Faso. “These people need the Lord, but it’s going to take an extreme commitment. It’s going to be hard.” Churches that accept this task need to be willing to sacrifice time, money, resources and the comforts of home. And, most importantly, they need to pray. In this part of the world, electricity and running water are considered luxuries. About the only fast food comes from a roadside stand. And just getting to a West African village from the United States involves days of travel. It’s not a job for everyone. “If you have to take a shower every day, this job probably isn’t for you,” Wood says. “If you can’t survive with a little muck and dirt on your feet and hands all day long, this is probably not the place for you.” Other challenges include language and cultural differences. For the best impact, volunteers will eventually need to learn the basics of the language of their people group. However, it’s not … [Read more...]

Potpourri SULPHUR – First church:  The Dove Brothers Quartet in concert; Jan. 4, 2007, 6:30 p.m.; $10 per person/$12 at the door; for tickets, call 337-527-5231; David Holder, pastor. BLANCHARD – First church:  “Revival for Kingdom Growth” prayer seminar; Jan. 6, 2007, 5-8 p.m.; Jan. 7, 10:30 a.m. and 4:45-7 p.m.; Bob Eklund, seminar leader; for information, call 318-929-2346; James D. Hill, pastor. HOUMA – Mulberry church:  Testament to perform; Dec. 17, 10:30 a.m.; Steve Graves, pastor. RUSTON – Temple church:  “Sunday School Growth” conference; Jan. 8, 2007, 6:30-9 p.m.; Josh and Missy Hunt, conference leaders; free/pre-registration required; to register, call 318-255-3745 or emailkaren.sanders@temple-ruston.org; Alan Miller, interim pastor. MANY – First church:  Marty Haggard to perform; Dec. 17, 6 p.m.; Steve Kelly, pastor. Anniversaries SHREVEPORT – Pinecroft church:  Marty Wright, five years as pastor. MINDEN – First church:  Becky Wilson, five years as minister to students; Wayne DuBose, pastor. Ordinations LIBUSE – Unity church:  Dale Winegeart and Donald Dipuma to the deacon’s ministry; Dec. 17, 6 p.m.; Donald Lemmons, interim pastor. BERNICE – Pisgah church:  Larry Smith to the gospel … [Read more...]

About 1,200 people attend Sunday worship at First Baptist here, where John Alley has been interim pastor for about two years. DERIDDER – About 1,200 people attend Sunday worship at First Baptist here, where John Alley has been interim pastor for about two years. The worship center still is big enough, but parking has become a problem. “The church looked at renovation and just made the decision to relocate,” said Bill Pianki, youth minister since May. “We had no parking, no where to expand to.” First DeRidder is on a corner lot next to the parish courthouse. It’s a substantial red brick building with an 1,100-seat worship center and more than 40 classrooms, plus a family life center and a preschool facility. But with a strong interest in reaching more of its 10,000-person community, church members saw the need for expanded facilities. “We bought this property because of its location and the lack of smaller properties on the market,” Pianki said. “It’s beautiful. It’s prime – it has almost 30,000 cars a day go by it.” The pecan grove and pasture land is on state highway 171 South, a major thoroughfare between Shreveport and Lake Charles. First DeRidder accepted … [Read more...]

Following is a list by date of what Louisiana’s Southern Baptist churches are doing as outreaches in each church’s community. STATEWIDE – Following is a list by date of what Louisiana’s Southern Baptist churches are doing as outreaches in each church’s community. This information was gleaned from church newsletters and emails. If your church’s Christmas outreaches are not included this year, please make sure to let the Message know next year by Thanksgiving what you’re doing to spread God’s glory, hope and love around your community during the Christmas season. Ongoing Tioga First, Salvation Army bell ringers. First Jena, Giving Tree. Broadmoor Baptist, Baton Rouge,  “Patricia’s Home in LaCombe,” making it possible for Patricia Pierre, whose home was flooded by Hurricane Katrina, to be back in her home by Christmas. Calvary Alexandria, Encouragement for the Holidays, support group for those coping with grief, loss of any kind, stress from the season, strained relationships, and illnesses. First Simpson, distributing food baskets in community. First Sulphur, distributing blankets in community. First Haynesville, Angel Tree. Calvary Slidell, Youth … [Read more...]

More than 149 million people enjoy outdoor recreation annually, whether hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, camping or horseback riding. WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP) – More than 149 million people enjoy outdoor recreation annually, whether hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, camping or horseback riding. Ministers like William Johnson in Montana realize the importance and popularity of such outdoor recreation, as well as the ministry potential. Johnson’s congregation, Gallatin Valley Baptist Fellowship in Manhattan, Mont., hosts sportsmen’s rallies for hunters and fishermen in his area. “The weekends are the only times when men who hold full time jobs get to enjoy these activities,” Johnson said. “They place recreation as a higher priority than coming to church on Sunday mornings. If we offer a rally during the work week, they make time to come.” The rally allows Johnson and other church members to meet many men who have never been involved in a church. It also offers an opportunity for men in the church to use their passions for God. “It has helped us gain the image that we meet people where they are instead of just inviting them to come join us,” Johnson said. “It shows genuine caring and has … [Read more...]

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has announced the establishment of the Robert S. Magee Doctoral Fellowship in honor of the late Robert S. Magee for his fifty years of pastoral ministry to Southern Baptists, including thirty-four years as pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, La. NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has announced the establishment of the Robert S. Magee Doctoral Fellowship in honor of the late Robert S. Magee for his fifty years of pastoral ministry to Southern Baptists, including thirty-four years as pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, La. The fund, the first of its kind for NOBTS, will award fellowships to new and currently enrolled students in the institution’s research doctoral program. Awards will be based upon the student’s academic achievement and scholarly potential. NOBTS administrators believe the fund will help in recruiting top quality students. As a man who distinguished himself in preaching, his major field of study during his doctoral work, Magee served as a mentor to many in vocational ministry. “He was a model for ministry for me and for dozens of other men who felt called into ministry through his decades as pastor of … [Read more...]

GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention is expanding its investment choices for eligible participants with the Jan. 2 launch of MyDestination Funds. DALLAS (BP) – GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention is expanding its investment choices for eligible participants with the Jan. 2 launch of MyDestination Funds. These five registered date target funds will be managed to specific retirement dates and may be suitable for investors of all ages looking to create or maintain a diversified age-appropriate retirement choice in a single fund. Each of the MyDestination Funds is a diversified “fund-of-funds” with an asset allocation that gradually becomes more conservative as an investor approaches retirement. The five funds are managed to specific target dates and 15 years after retirement in 10-year increments – 2015, 2025, 2035 and 2045 – allowing investors simply to choose the year closest to their planned retirement. The funds are designed for investors willing to bear additional expenses in exchange for automatic rebalancing. By investing in the MyDestination Funds, participants will incur the expenses of the funds in addition to those of the underlying … [Read more...]

ad to say, “Christian” films often do one (or both) of two things – they either make Christians look silly or they misinterpret the Bible. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Sad to say, “Christian” films often do one (or both) of two things – they either make Christians look silly or they misinterpret the Bible. When I was invited to an early screening of The Nativity Story in mid-October, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Thankfully, the feature film about the events of Christ’s birth, which opened nationwide Dec. 1, portrays “the greatest story ever told” with compelling acting, beautiful cinematography, moving music, cultural authenticity and, best of all, biblical accuracy. It’s a Christian film with all of the “wow” factors you want from a Hollywood production (realistic costumes, impressive locations, believable characters and dialogue) and none of the “ugh” factors you often find in films of the genre (sappy dialogue, cheesy costumes, preachy/melodramatic characters). Both the Mary and Joseph characters are complex and fallible – necessary qualities in a good protagonist. They’re not perfect, which makes their accomplishments all the more inspiring. I found myself reciting the biblical … [Read more...]