HORNBECK--After 16 years, the Airharts are calling it quits, “unless God has a different idea,” Buddy Airhart, a Southern Baptist minister, told a crowd of about 100 people gathered at his mother’s house for the annual Easter Celebration on Saturday, April 15. By Tammy Sharp Special to the Message HORNBECK – After 16 years, the Airharts are calling it quits, “unless God has a different idea,” Buddy Airhart, a Southern Baptist minister, told a crowd of about 100 people gathered at his mother’s house for the annual Easter Celebration on Saturday, April 15. Carol Airhart and her husband, Billy, now deceased, began the big Easter bash in 1990 as a blood drive for Billy’s sister, Virginia Hale, who was facing open heart surgery at the time. “That year we had about 50 people show up, and we loaded everybody up to go donate blood,” Carol said. Since then, the celebration has grown to involve the whole community. “It’s not just a family thing. It’s an all-God’s-children thing,” Carol said. In 1995, the Airharts hosted the biggest celebration ever, with about 500 people in attendance. One guest, Pinkus Spears, made corn meal while a local law enforcement officer, Gary Howell, demonstrated drug enforcement … [Read more...]

LEESVILLE – When Helping Hands Storefront Ministry Director Modie Philips prayed about whether to continue offering English as a second language (ESL), a program which was experiencing a major slump in activity, her answer came in a card from a former student. By Tammy Sharp Special to the Message LEESVILLE – When Helping Hands Storefront Ministry Director Modie Philips prayed about whether to continue offering English as a second language (ESL), a program which was experiencing a major slump in activity, her answer came in a card from a former student. “Stefan was our student 10 years ago,” Phillips said. “He was from Germany and stayed with his sister and her husband at Fort Polk. He would ride his bicycle every week from Fort Polk to North Leesville for his lesson. That’s a long way. “And now I’ve got this card from him,” Phillips continued. “He says he’ll never forget us for helping him learn English. It’s helped him find a very good job, and now he has a nice home, and he’s married. I know that’s God’s answer to my pray. We should continue to help people in this area.” With renewed vigor, Philips is determined to help the nearly 4,300 people in Vernon Parish who speak a language other than … [Read more...]

GREENSBORO, N.C. – New Orleans Pastor Eddie Scott has been invited to preach the keynote sermon at the worship service for the National African American Fellowship (NAAF), which will meet in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention June 13-14 in Greensboro. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor GREENSBORO, N.C. – New Orleans Pastor Eddie Scott has been invited to preach the keynote sermon at the worship service for the National African American Fellowship (NAAF), which will meet in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention June 13-14 in Greensboro. NAAF counts more than 4,500 churches as members. Pastors and church leaders from across the nation are expected to participate in NAAF’s annual two-day gathering, which starts this year with the June 11 evening worship service at Immanuel Baptist Church in Greensboro. “We’re excited to have Pastor Scott preach for us,” said Mark Croston, NAAF president and pastor of East End Baptist Church in Suffolk, Va. “Pastor Scott has a growing reputation as a fine pastor, and we want people across the nation to hear what he has to say.” He was surprised by the invitation, but was glad for the … [Read more...]

MCNEILL, Miss. – Bivocational ministers from across the Southern Baptist Convention will gather May 6 at the Pearl River Baptist Association Camp for their annual meeting. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer MCNEILL, Miss. – Bivocational ministers from across the Southern Baptist Convention will gather May 6 at the Pearl River Baptist Association Camp for their annual meeting. Originally scheduled at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, the meeting was moved to Mississippi because of a lack of hotel space in the city ravaged by two two hurricanes and breached levees. The camp is located 25 miles north of Slidell. Testimonies from people impacted by Hurricane Katrina, music by Pearl River Baptist Church in Albany, Miss., and a video produced by the Louisiana Baptist Convention about the storm’s impact in New Orleans are among the planned activities. “We’ll also focus on rebuilding churches in Mississippi and Louisiana that were damaged by the recent hurricane,” said Gary Mitchell, Louisiana Baptist Convention small church strategist and a longtime SBC leader in bivocational ministry. Called “Bivos Helping Bivos,” the bivocational ministers and their laity will help two churches damaged by … [Read more...]

HAUGHTON – Gene Gibson said a fire that destroyed most of Beulah Land Baptist Church three years ago was the best thing that ever happened to his congregation. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer HAUGHTON – Gene Gibson said a fire that destroyed most of Beulah Land Baptist Church three years ago was the best thing that ever happened to his congregation. “We lost our material possessions but gained something else,” said the pastor of the Northwest Louisiana church. Six months after the fire, the church building was rebuilt and the membership increased from 65 to 100. “I’ve not been able to put the reason on why that happened, except that it was all God,” Gibson said. “But the fire sparked a desire to get God’s work done. This was done because of the willingness of our members.” Martha Potts, a member since 1995, had this to say: “This church is my rock, just as Jesus is my rock. We’re like one big, happy family because we have fun when we fellowship and worship.” In a day when Southern Baptists last year baptized the lowest number of new believers in their churches since 1993 (see related article, page eight), Beulah Land Baptist is bucking that trend. Last year, the church baptized 46 new … [Read more...]

LAKE CHARLES – The Third District Court of Appeals recently affirmed the decision of a lower court in a lawsuit filed by “alumni and financial supporters of Louisiana College” related to the legality of the January 2005 election of Joe Aguillard as president of Lousiana College. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor LAKE CHARLES – The Third District Court of Appeals recently affirmed the decision of a lower court in a lawsuit filed by “alumni and financial supporters of Louisiana College” related to the legality of the January 2005 election of Joe Aguillard as president of Lousiana College. The appellate court ruled the January 2005 election was legal. In their written decision, the appellate judges focused on two issues: mandamus and money. The plaintiff’s first point was that the trial court erred when it did not issue a writ of mandamus, the appellate judges wrote. The plaintiff’s second point was that it should not have to pay for unnecessary expert testimony called by the defense. “Mandamus is an extraordinary remedy which is used sparingly by the courts,” the appellate justices wrote. “Further, mandamus is to be used only when there is a clear and specific legal right to be enforced or a … [Read more...]

MONROE – The post-Easter season often means relaxing on the porch, barbecuing on the grill and spending time on the beach for Louisianans. But for Pam Jones, the season’s main focus is Bible Drill. By Brian Blackwell Staff Writer MONROE – The post-Easter season often means relaxing on the porch, barbecuing on the grill and spending time on the beach for Louisianans. But for Pam Jones, the season’s main focus is Bible Drill. Next month, several children and teens from First Baptist Church in Monroe will compete in the state Bible Drill competition. The Northeast Louisiana church on May 2 will host one of seven Children’s Drills across the state. “Bible Drill gives our children and youth a good foundation and excellent tool to hide God’s Word in their heart,” said Jones, children’s director at First Baptist. Since mid-September, the church’s participants have practiced each week to prepare for Bible Drill. Fourth, fifth and sixth graders practice on Wednesday afternoons while seventh, eighth and ninth graders rehearse on Sunday afternoons. Their instructors utilize music, games and puzzles to help the children and youth memorize verses and books of the Bible. “We use any way we can that helps … [Read more...]

KENTWOOD – About 30 minutes north of Hammond (and 90 minutes northwest of New Orleans) stands First Baptist Church of Kentwood, with red brick walls, white columns and a steeple soaring high. By Karen L. Willoughby Managing Editor KENTWOOD – About 30 minutes north of Hammond (and 90 minutes northwest of New Orleans) stands First Baptist Church of Kentwood, with red brick walls, white columns and a steeple soaring high. Inside, a modified Gothic feel, with beautifully intricate stained glass windows and an unusual bulletin: Typical info on the back cover; order of service on the front. This left the inside pages for sermon notes. First Kentwood is a strong, substantial church – about 325 attend Sunday worship – with apparently excellent programs for each age group, as evidenced by the children’s sermon given by Chinero Fowler. Each child was given a Hershey’s kiss to keep or give away, their choice, and Fowler gave them time to run through the worship center if the youngsters wanted to give them away. When the youngsters reassembled on the steps to the pulpit, she made sure everyone was happy with the choice they made (it was about 50/50 keep or share). Then the surprise: Those who gave … [Read more...]

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – Robert E. Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board, announced his resignation April 17 from the Southern Baptist entity he has led since its creation nine years ago. By Martin King NAMB Staff Writer ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – Robert E. Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board, announced his resignation April 17 from the Southern Baptist entity he has led since its creation nine years ago. Speaking to nearly 200 NAMB staff members at NAMB’s Atlanta-area offices, Reccord said he made the decision, which was effective immediately, with “mixed emotions.” “I am thankful for the countless numbers of people we have seen come to Christ and the thousands of churches we have seen planted and nurtured,” he said. “On the other hand, I regret we were not able to complete a number of things we have started or dreamed about. I regret that events of recent weeks have created an environment which makes it difficult to lead the organization and to stay on mission.” The events Reccord referred to resulted from a lengthy article two months ago in The Christian Index, newsjournal of the Georgia Baptist Convention. The article led to an investigation by NAMB’s board of … [Read more...]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Recently compiled statistics for the Southern Baptist Convention show that baptisms – which rebounded in 2004 after a four-year decline – slumped again in 2005, according to LifeWay Christian Resources President and CEO Thom S. Rainer. By Russ Rankin Baptist Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Recently compiled statistics for the Southern Baptist Convention show that baptisms – which rebounded in 2004 after a four-year decline – slumped again in 2005, according to LifeWay Christian Resources President and CEO Thom S. Rainer. According to the Annual Church Profile (ACP), information gathered by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, baptisms last year dropped from 387,947 to 371,850, or -4.15 percent. “Southern Baptists should view this report as a wakeup call,” Rainer said, noting that the totals for baptisms dropped to the lowest since 1993. “We must focus our efforts, prayers and resources on reaching people for Christ. “Baptism is the outward act of obedience that pictures God’s work of redemption in a believer’s life, and so for Southern Baptists the ACP figures indicate we are faltering in our efforts to reach a lost world.” There was growth in … [Read more...]