PINEVILLE – Two Louisiana Colleges will spend part of their summer in Oxford, England, as part of the inaugural class of the National Religious Broadcasters Distinguished Scholar’s Term. From June 28 to July 12, Mark Klein and Miranda Quartermont will participate in one-on-one tutorials in research and writing with a distinguished scholar at Jesus College in the heart of Oxford University. The students also will complete four essays in either the field of communication, ethics, film, philosophy or theology. Klein is a senior and Quartermont is a junior. Students considered must have at least a 3.5 Grade Point Average, obtain a reference letter from their professors and submit an essay or video indicating their desire to attend the term. All eligible students must be members of iNRB, which is the collegiate division of NRB, a non-partisan, international association of Christian communicator whose mission is to advance biblical truth, defend free speech and promote media excellence. “It’s such a big honor for both of them, and we could not be more excited to see them get it,” said Al Quartemont, coordinator for the LC Department of Convergence Media. “It speaks to the commitment Dr. Johnson has made to helping us develop the next … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/13/2014 - 12:17 Culminating the four-day Haughton Adventure Weekend was a family fun day which featured free food, entertainment, games and well-known celebrities such as evangelist Jay Lowder, Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson, singer Jason Crabb and fisherman Jimmy Houston. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer HAUGHTON – Rock wall climbing, free chicken fingers, festive music, a classic car show, demonstrations by a professional fisherman and giant inflatables recently provided the backdrop for a perfect witnessing opportunity on Haughton High School’s football field. Thousands from Haughton and other nearby communities came together for a block party on a sunny spring May Saturday. The family fun day was more than just an opportunity to enjoy free games, food and entertainment. For four days in Haughton, thousands turned out for a ladies night, youth night, men’s beast feast and a community-wide celebration service – all which were designed to point some to a first-time relationship with Christ. The Haughton Adventure Weekend included giveaways such as a new car, gift cards and an RV. Among those appearing at the events were Jay Lowder, evangelist and founder of Jay Lowder … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/13/2014 - 12:19 Four students with Louisiana ties received doctorates from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary May 17. Pictured from left to right: Randy Howard Burdeaux from Bogalusa, La., who serves as senior pastor at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in West Monroe, received the doctor of ministry degree; Joshua Neal Burnham from Oxford, Miss., who serves as senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Gramercy, received the doctor of philosophy degree; NOBTS President Chuck Kelley; Mark Alan Fenn from Morgan City who serves as global ministries pastor at First Baptist Church of West Monroe, received the doctor of ministry degree; and Michael Paul Naylor from Macomb, Ill., who serves as pastor at First Baptist Church in LaPlace, received the doctor of ministry degree. NEW ORLEANS (BP) – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley told the seminary’s spring graduates that Psalm 103 comes to his mind as he prays for them, reminding him of God’s blessing on their lives. “This is my prayer for you: That you will make an irrevocable act of faith and bless God all the days of your life,” Kelley said. New Orleans Seminary celebrated a total of 268 graduates who received both … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Juan (wife Diana) Puente new as Hispanic Pastor Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport. Ben and Carrie Spizzirri new as Youth Pastor and Children at Bethany Baptist Church. Keith Payne is new as Missions Director at Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport. Bob Adams is new as transitional pastor for Immanuel Baptist Church, Hammond. Gary Dennis is new as pastor at Old Zion Hill Baptist Church, Independence. Randy (wife Khristy) Ellis is the new pastor at St Clair Baptist Church, Boyce. Chris Fuselier is new as pastor at First Baptist Church, Youngsville. Melvin Mendoza is new as pastor to the Hispanic works at Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia and First Baptist Church, Lafayette. Kevin Williams is new as minister of worship at Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia. Tommy Hicks is new as pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Tickfaw. Jerry St. Pierre is new as pastor First Baptist Church, Madisonville. Bobby LeCompte is worship leader/director at Mulberry Baptist Church, Houma. Chris Tillman is new as student pastor at Woodland Park Baptist Church, Hammond. Jeff Oates is new as youth and education pastor at New Zion Baptist Church, Covington.   REVIVAL/HOMECOMING   Philadelphia Baptist Church, … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/13/2014 - 12:24 Pastors and community leaders in the Montgomery area recently donated money to buy two industrial-sized fans for the town’s high school, just in time for graduation ceremonies. Patti Williams, Montgomery’s principal, said the school’s gymnasium A/C system is broken beyond repair and is in need of replacement but the $75,000 needed is not available. Kevin Billiot, pastor of Northside Baptist in Montgomery, approached Williams and asked if the school was in need of any assistance that the churches might be able to help with. Williams promptly requested two large fans to help cool the gym for their classes and upcoming graduation ceremonies. Billiot, working with pastors and businesses in the area, raised $1,200 for two large fans. Donors in the photo are (from left): Chuck LaCroix, pastor of Union Hill Baptist; Ray Teal, pastor of of First Baptist Montgomery; Mayor Susie Waters representing the Bon Dieux Falls Ladies Club; Vince Bartley representing Montgomery’s Pharmacy and the Montgomery Masonic Lodge; Princi Select rating Give it 1/5 Give it 2/5 Give it 3/5 Give it 4/5 Give it 5/5 Give it 1/5 Give it 2/5 Give it 3/5 Give it 4/5 Give it 5/5   … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/13/2014 - 12:25 New Hope Baptist Church, Choudrant dedicated its new Patterson Family Life Center on April 27. The 8,750 square foot building includes a regulation basketball and volleball courts. Pictured at the dedication was Gary and Rachel Patterson and Pastor Dwayne L. Monk. Select rating Give it 1/5 Give it 2/5 Give it 3/5 Give it 4/5 Give it 5/5 Give it 1/5 Give it 2/5 Give it 3/5 Give it 4/5 Give it 5/5   … [Read more...]

By Bob Stewart, NOBTS In my previous articles I described what worldviews are and how they work, sketched out the Christian worldview, and discussed how to critique a worldview. Now I want to ask an important question: “So what?”  Why does any of this matter? It matters because all worldviews come with practical and existential commitments. Every worldview makes demands upon those who hold to it.  So certain truths follow from the basic truths of the Christian worldview: Creation, Rebellion, and Redemption. The Christian worldview implies a particular understanding of God and a unique view of Creation and our place in the world as God’s creatures.  In other words, we hold to a Christian theory of being rooted in the existence of God.  This implies a particular way of knowing, grounded in the nature of reality.  The fact of God’s existence makes demands upon those who exist because he has chosen to create them.  In other words, we are obliged to God. Allow me to list some of these obligations by drawing from philosopher David Naugle’s book Worldview: The History of a Concept. Because reality is grounded in God: n We don’t have the freedom to create or ascribe an independent meaning to the universe because God already has … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Editor Baptist Message “Mom’s Night Out,” a movie currently in theaters, is being ravaged by film critics. On the popular Internet site Rotten Tomatoes, which aggregates movie reviews, only 17 percent of reviews have been positive. The film features three mothers who seek to have a night out away from their families, especially their children. Predictably – it is a comedic movie after all – everything goes wrong and an evening of humorous chaos ensues. The acting performances in the film are fine. Anchoring the cast are Sarah Drew of the hit TV show “Grey’s Anatomy,” Patricia Heaton of television’s “The Middle” and “Everyone Loves Raymond,” and Sean Astin who was in the “Lord of the Rings” films and starred in the movie “Rudy.” So what is the problem critics have with the movie? Why have 83 percent dismissed the film? Here’s a sampling of critic complaints: “There’s nothing inherently wrong with faith-based entertainment. The problem comes when, as with any heavily slanted perspective, the faith takes precedent over the entertainment.” – Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News. “Depressingly regressive and borderline dangerous, ‘Mom’s Night Out’ peddles archaic notions of gender roles in the name of wacky … [Read more...]

Ashley Clayton, SBC Vice-President for Cooperative Program and Stewardship Are you ready for some good news? The most recent Annual Church Profile (ACP) data reveals a new and positive direction in Southern Baptist missions and ministries funding through the Cooperative Program. Over the past three decades, the average Cooperative Program gift per church, as a percentage of a church’s undesignated receipts, had steadily declined. For example, in 1982, across all Southern Baptist churches, the average Cooperative Program gift per church was 10.7 percent of a church’s undesignated receipts. Each year since 1982, with the exception of three slight upticks in 1995, 1997 and 1999, there was a predictable and steady decline of average Cooperative Program gifts per church. Since 1999, average percent of undesignated gifts from cooperating churches has declined by about two-tenths of a percent per year, reaching its lowest point in 2011 – 5.407 percent across all SBC churches. But, we see signs of hope. In 2012, the average Cooperative Program gift per church ticked up slightly to 5.414 percent. Now, for some really good news: The 2013 Cooperative Program reports and SBC Annual Church Profile data show the average Cooperative … [Read more...]

By James B. Law, Pastor First Baptist Church Gonzales In recent days, many of us have followed with great interest the story of the Sudanese woman, Mariam Ibrahim, who was sentenced to death.  Her crime? She was found guilty of apostasy because she converted to Christianity from Islam. In addition to the death penalty Ibrahim was also sentenced to receive 100 lashes for adultery in marrying a Christian man. Giving the story global traction has been the presence of Ibrahim’s children with her in prison, a 21 month old boy and her daughter who was born in prison last month. Thankfully, we have received encouraging reports of an appeals process and it is expected that Mariam will be released soon. Christians have been always been comforted by the promises of God. We treasure these promises as they strengthen faith and resolve and give to us hope to press on. However, there are some promises that we would like to ignore. The promise of persecution is one we would shelve, but if we would follow Jesus faithfully, we are promised suffering and persecution in this life. My ministry was inaugurated in some of the roughest sections of New Orleans.  In 1989, I pastored a church in St. Bernard parish and on one particular day I was … [Read more...]