By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer GREENWELL SPRINGS – Changing the culture for Christ in a drastic way can take just 80 minutes a month, believes Walter “Hank” Hankins Jr. And Hankins believes it can happen with churches of all denominations throughout the country, including Louisiana Baptists. The target audience is the country’s elected officials. The method is Culture Impact Team, a network of individual, multi-denominational churches whose sole purpose is to be salt and light, as Jesus intended in Matthew 5:13-16. By holding just one monthly 60 minute meeting and church members taking five minutes every week to contact their elected officials about issues discussed at the meeting, the results can be monumental. “If a pastor can get the congregation to commit to 80 minutes, we can change the culture,” said Hankins, chairman of Greenwell Springs Baptist Church’s Culture Impact Team. “When elected officials are receiving calls and e-mails and our voices and positions are being heard by standing on biblical principles, this culture would be turned around.” The Culture Impact Team strives to equip Christians with the answer of what they can do to change society, the same question Hankins wrestled with a few years ago … [Read more...]
ESL becoming tool for outreach, cross-cultural ministry
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Students trickle into Helping Hands storefront classes which host between 60 and 70 students each week. Throughout the hour of study for each student, tutors mix in questions about their day-to-day lives with lessons about the English language. Tutors enjoy the one-on-one connection just as much as helping the students learn to speak fluent English. “The students drive me,” said tutor Sallie Brown. “You become a part of their lives while they are here.” The students are from such countries as Cambodia, China, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Some students remain for months while others just a few weeks. The Leesville location is one of many throughout the state who are embracing ESL ministry, said Shannon Brown, the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s regional literacy missions coordinator for Southeast Louisiana. “From what I see now, the Lord is moving in our state with regards to ESL ministry,” Brown said. “More churches are expressing interest and we have more opportunities than ever to use it as a tool for mission outreach and cross-cultural ministry.” Next month, an ESL workshop is scheduled at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The workshop on two Saturdays, Aug. … [Read more...]
PreTeen Invasion offers teens two sites, two dates
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer This year’s PreTeen Invasion promises twice the fun. For the first time, fourth through sixth graders and their leaders will have two choices of where to attend the annual evangelism conference that began in 2011. Temple Baptist in Ruston will host the first PreTeen Invasion on Aug. 16 and First Baptist Lafayette will host the other on Aug. 23. David Anderson, Children’s Ministry Strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, said the decision to hold PreTeen Invasion at two locations was to give as many kids across our state the opportunity to attend this upbeat and fun event. “We want every child to have the chance to hear and respond to the Gospel in a fun environment that they can also bring their friends to.” While PreTeen Invasion will take place in two separate locations on two separate dates, the format will be the same. The event will feature encouraging messages by Mark Jones of Oklahoma City, music by Broken Vessels of DeRidder and a demonstration by Christian powerlifter Steve Carrier, of Megaforce. Free inflatables will be available during registration at 8 am and during lunch on-your-own at noon. The theme of PreTeen Invasion is “Stand Strong,” based on Joshua 1:9. … [Read more...]
Once dying church re-launches after closing, begins new focus
By Tobin Perry, Baptist Press JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (BP) – When Jim Jackson became the pastor of Faith Fellowship Church in Johnson City, Tenn., in January 2013, his first move wasn’t what most people might expect. He closed the church. The church had been near its end for several decades as the community around it changed and the church didn’t adjust to better reach its neighbors. Faith Fellowship seemed destined to become one of the 1,000 churches Southern Baptists close annually. But God didn’t appear to be finished with the church quite yet. Just 18 months since Jackson closed the church, Faith Fellowship has found life. Today, where a dying Tennessee church once stood, more than 160 people regularly worship together. Jackson is among a growing trend of Southern Baptist church planters who are replanting dying churches. Yet Faith Fellowship’s story of rebirth almost never happened. Jackson had been busy revitalizing a Kentucky Baptist church. “It was one of the best ministry experiences of my life,” Jackson said. His wife Tina had a well-paying job as a nurse practitioner. And he wasn’t looking for a new assignment. That’s when the couple sensed God drawing them to medical school for Tina. This would allow her to have … [Read more...]
‘MARK LOWRY LIVE’ WITH SPECIAL GUEST JASON CRABB COMES TO ALEXANDRIA Aug. 9
Submitted by philip on Thu, 07/24/2014 - 14:04 Mark Lowry ALEXANDRIA -- Singer, songwriter and comedian Mark Lowry, along with Grammy winner Jason Crabb will bring an enjoyable evening of music, comedy and ministry to the Alexandria Riverfront Center in Alexandria on Aug. 9. Presented by Muse Concerts and sponsored by Feed the Children, Mark Lowry Live will be held at the Alexandria Riverfront Center located at 707 Second Street in Alexandria. The show starts at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m. Mark Lowry is best known for penning the Christmas classic, “Mary Did You Know?” and for years singing baritone in the Grammy-Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band. His unique gift of communicating profound truths through music, humor and storytelling has been entertaining audiences since age 11. Lowry’s life work includes a long list of recordings and DVDs reflecting a wide range of influences, including his most recent release, Unforgettable Classics (June 2013). This collection contains timeless hits such as “Unforgettable,” “It Had to Be You,” “Smile” and more. Joining Mark will be one of Christian music’s most celebrated artists, Jason Crabb, whose most recent project Love is Stronger (2012) was co-produced by Rascal … [Read more...]
SBC leaders lament lack of evangelistic passion evidenced by annual report
By Carol Pipes, LifeWay Communications NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Southern Baptists experienced growth in the number of churches affiliated with the convention in 2013, while other key measures declined, according to the Annual Church Profile (ACP) compiled by LifeWay Christian Resources in cooperation with Baptist state conventions. The number of churches in the Southern Baptist Convention grew by 91 to 46,125, a 0.2 percent increase over 2012. SBC churches also reported 4,789 church-type missions last year, a decline of 203 from 2012. However, some state conventions no longer use the designation of church-type mission, which may have impacted the total. While the number of SBC churches increased, reported membership of those churches declined by 136,764, down 0.9 percent to 15.7 million members. Primary worship attendance declined 2.21 percent to an average of 5.8 million Sunday worshippers. For the second year in a row, Southern Baptists experienced a decline in baptisms, down 1.46 percent to 310,368. Reported baptisms have declined seven of the last nine years. However, the decline in 2013 is not as sharp as the previous year’s decline. In 2012 baptisms declined 5.5 percent. "I am grieved we are clearly losing our evangelistic … [Read more...]
HHS abortion mandate: SBC entities back GuideStone challenge to health care law
Submitted by philip on Mon, 06/02/2014 - 08:47 By Tom Strode, Baptist Press WASHINGTON (BP) -- Three Southern Baptist entities have called on a federal appeals court to protect the religious liberty of the convention's health and financial benefits organization. In a friend-of-the-court brief filed May 27, GuideStone Financial Resources received support from sister entities in its challenge to the Obama administration's abortion/contraception mandate. The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), International Mission Board (IMB), Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and SBTS President R. Albert Mohler Jr. called in the brief for the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver to uphold a lower court's preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the requirement for the time being. GuideStone and two of the organizations that participate in its health plans filed a class-action suit against a rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that requires employers to provide for their workers drugs and devices that potentially can cause abortions. In their brief, the ERLC, IMB, SBTS and Mohler say the Bible and Southern Baptist doctrine teach it is a sin to support directly or indirectly the … [Read more...]
Baptist-related college to close June 30
Submitted by philip on Mon, 06/02/2014 - 08:54 By Staff, Baptist Press MAYFIELD, Ky. (BP) -- A Kentucky college with strong Southern Baptist ties will close its doors by June 30, citing a "myriad of circumstances" as the cause of its closure. Trustees of Mid-Continent University near Paducah, Ky., met for more than three hours April 15 before announcing their decision to close the school, which was organized by western Kentucky pastors in 1949 with the endorsement of the West Kentucky Baptist Association. Mid-Continent moved to Mayfield, its current location, in 1957. The university is not affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention but has long enjoyed close ties to Kentucky Baptist churches. "The Board regrets the myriad of circumstances that brought forth this unfortunate situation," acting president Tom Walden said in a notice to students posted on Mid-Continent's website. "We are working diligently to develop plans for the continuation of your educational programs with as little [disturbance] in your programs as possible. Please complete all courses in which you are enrolled. "We want to offer you multiple options with the goal of continuing quality Christ-centered educational programs for current … [Read more...]
The Duck Commander will highlight Sept. 6 Outdoor Extravaganza
Submitted by philip on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 14:27 Phil Robertson and his oldest son Alan will highlight an Outdoor Extravaganza on Sept. 6 sponsored by First Bossier and Cypress Baptist of Benton. By Brian Blackwell Message Staff Writer BOSSIER CITY -Phil Robertson, better known as the Duck Commander, is coming to the CenturyLink Center in Bossier City and the goal is to see many lost people come to Christ Sept. 6. Phil and son Alan Robertson, recently introduced on the hit A&E show as "the beardless brother," will highlight an Outdoor Extravaganza featuring giveaways and exhibits by the nation’s top outdoor vendors. “Phil and Alan Robertson will entertain, inspire and without apology, share the reason for all they do in life—the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Jerry Pipes, executive pastor at First Baptist Bossier City. “Our prayer is that families will be strengthened and that scores of hurting people will find hope through beginning a relationship with Jesus Christ.” Tickets go on sale at 12:01 am on June 25 but churches can reserve group delete tickets prior to that by calling Jake Wood at 318.747.2501. Any group tickets not paid for by the end of the day on June 24 will be available for general admission … [Read more...]
SBC elects Floyd, prays for revival and restoration at SBC Annual Meeting
Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/13/2014 - 11:42 Newly elected 2014 officers of the Southern Baptist Convention are: (left to right) Jim Wells, registration secretary; John L. Yeats, recording secretary; Ronnie Floyd, president; Clint Pressley, pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C., first vice president; and Hance Dilbeck, pastor of Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Okla., second vice president. BALTIMORE (BP) – Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention elected Arkansas pastor Ronnie Floyd as president and heard repeated calls for prayer and revival – highlighted by outgoing President Fred Luter’s presidential sermon. Messengers also gave the first of two required approvals to an amendment of the SBC constitution, requested information about a Muslim student who was admitted to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and heard Executive Committee President Frank S. Page call for a “Great Commission Advance” in SBC missions. The June 10-11 convention’s 5,294 messengers marked an increase from 5,103 in Houston last year. It is a three percent bump from last year’s meeting. Virginia had more messengers than any other state at the Baltimore convention with 497. Maryland was second … [Read more...]
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