By Jimmy Draper, Interim President Criswell College The interview was wrapping up when the reporter asked a prominent leader in the rapidly expanding Chinese house church movement how American Christians could pray for believers in China. “Stop praying for persecution in China to end,” the leader responded, “for it is through persecution that the church has grown.” What astounding faith he demonstrated. My admiration of his faith was quickly tempered by what he said next. “In fact, we are praying that the American church might taste the same persecution, so revival would come to the American church like we have seen in China.” Once I recovered from the shock of such a disturbing yet profound statement, I thought about the irony. We in America keep praying for God to bless us, while persecuted Christians in other nations are praying God will dismantle our arrogance through suffering so that we will become the vibrant and significant blessing God made us to be. The Bible is replete with examples of God humbling the haughty. Arrogance followed by judgment is a recurring theme. Survey the Old Testament and confirm it for yourself. Before dismissing those examples as ancient history, flip to Revelation and read Christ’s seven … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/13/2014 - 12:40 Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources, gives a report June 11 during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting saying "LifeWay is thriving and using all its proceeds to advance Great Commission ministries." by Bob Smietana, Baptist Press BALTIMORE (BP)-- During his report at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Baltimore, LifeWay Christian Resources president and CEO Thom S. Rainer introduced an initiative to help churches start 100,000 new small groups, honored two longtime Southern Baptist leaders, and explained LifeWay's decision to sell the Glorieta Conference Center in New Mexico. "LifeWay Christian Resources is committed to make more of a difference today than we did yesterday, and to be more effective tomorrow than we are now," Rainer told messengers. In response to a messenger's question, Rainer relayed a report he'd received from Glorieta 2.0, the Christian camping ministry that bought the conference center from LifeWay last year. Attendance at the center is up this year, he said, and "literally tens of thousands will be reached for the Gospel." John Yarbrough, a messenger from First Baptist Church of Carrollton, Texas, owns a … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE – The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has placed Louisiana College on probation because of issues related to trustee board governance (3.2.4), institutional integrity (1.1), personnel policies (3.2.9; 3.2.10), and audit findings that pertain to some financial control matters and student financial aid (3.10.3; 4.7). The announcement comes following a vote of the accrediting agency’s Board of Trustees at their annual June meeting in San Antonio, Texas. “Although the decision is disappointing, it represents an opportunity for Louisiana College to address the issues in preparation for the arrival of a new president.” said Dr. Argile Smith, President pro tempore. “Fortunately, the issues don’t bring into question in any way the excellent classroom work being done by our professors and students. The issues have to do with administrative areas.” The decision by SACSCOC does not change the status of Louisiana College as a fully accredited school. Louisiana College has been continuously accredited since 1925. In fact, the accrediting agency reaffirmed Louisiana College’s accreditation in December 2013. The faculty has worked diligently to maintain and exceed the standards set by … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE -- The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states, has placed Louisiana College on probation according to a news release issued by the school June 19. SACSCOC, voted to sanction LC due to “issues related to trustee board governance (3.2.4), institutional integrity (1.1), personnel policies (3.2.9; 3.2.10), and audit findings that pertain to some financial control matters and student financial aid (3.10.3; 4.7),” according to the statement. “Although the decision is disappointing, it represents an opportunity for Louisiana College to address the issues in preparation for the arrival of a new president.” Argile Smith, President pro tempore,” was quoted in the release. “Fortunately, the issues don’t bring into question in any way the excellent classroom work being done by our professors and students. The issues have to do with administrative areas.” The probationary status in no way affects the current accreditation of LC. “The school has been continuously accredited since 1925,” the LC press release noted. In Dec. 2013 SACSCOC removed LC from a two-year warning status and … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/27/2014 - 13:10 A pastor kneels to pray at First Baptist Lafayette. Nearly 80 pastors and other Louisiana Baptists gathered for a day of prayer, which Louisiana Baptist Convention President Steve Horn called to take place. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer LAFAYETTE – If revival is to come, it must start with God’s people humbling themselves and praying for repentance, one Louisiana Baptist pastor said at a recent prayer gathering. “No revival has taken place apart from prayer,” Philip Robertson prayed. “I want to see our nation experience a mighty move of God. “Maybe, just maybe, God is getting ready to send the breeze but maybe he’s waiting because he sees our sails aren’t raised,” continued Robertson, who serves as pastor of Philadelphia Baptist in Deville. “Let’s say ‘God bring me to the place where I can set my sails so when the winds of revival come, I’ll be ready.” The called day of prayer at First Baptist Lafayette drew 77 pastors and other Louisiana Baptists from throughout the state. Throughout the day those in attendance worshiped through a few songs and enjoyed fellowship but primarily prayed individually, with one another in pairs, around tables and out loud with … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Editor The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states, has placed Louisiana College on probation, according to a news release issued by the school June 19. SACSCOC voted to sanction LC due to “issues related to trustee board governance (3.2.4), institutional integrity (1.1), personnel policies (3.2.9; 3.2.10), and audit findings that pertain to some financial control matters and student financial aid (3.10.3; 4.7),” according to the statement. “Although the decision is disappointing, it represents an opportunity for Louisiana College to address the issues in preparation for the arrival of a new president.” Argile Smith, President pro tempore was quoted in the release. “Fortunately, the issues don’t bring into question in any way the excellent classroom work being done by our professors and students. The issues have to do with administrative areas.” The probationary status in no way affects the current accreditation of LC. “The school has been continuously accredited since 1925,” the LC press release noted. In December 2013 SACSCOC removed LC from a two-year warning … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/27/2014 - 13:17 Karlee Richards, a member of Searcy Baptist Church in Jena, has already undergone seven surgeries to repair extensive injuries to her legs and back after falling 70 feet to the ground while using a zip line. Three churches in Jena have banded together to support her and her family. By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer JENA – A group of churches is coming together to help a Louisiana Baptist youth who was seriously injured while zip lining at a Missouri camp in early June. And with prayers and an outpouring of support from others throughout the state, Richards and her family have hope for a faster-than-expected recovery. The accident occurred in early June, when Karlee Richards and other fellow members of the Searcy Baptist youth group were attending a Student Life Camp atWindermere Baptist Conference Center in Roach, Mo. Richards was in the process of using the zip line when she fell 70 feet to the ground, causing extensive injuries to her legs and back. In fact, the incident was so traumatic for the students who witnessed the fall that they find it difficult to discuss what happened, said Reid Terry, pastor of Searcy Baptist Church in Trout. Richards was … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA – Louisiana Baptists are invited to submit names of nominees for service on state convention boards and committees and to submit resolutions for possible consideration for the 2014 Louisiana Baptist Convention. The Louisiana Baptist Committee on Committees is beginning its work to nominate persons to serve on various state convention committees. Currently, 19 nominees are needed for service on committees on Credentials, Louisiana Baptist History, Moral and Social Concerns, Nominations, Order of Business and Resolutions. Committee on Committees Chair is Carl Gulde. In addition, the Louisiana Baptist Committee on Nominations is beginning its work to fill vacancies on state boards. At this point, 18 nominees are needed to serve on the Convention Executive Board and as trustees of Louisiana College, the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries, the Baptist Message, and the Baptist Foundation. The Committee on Nominations chair is Richard Blue. As in previous years, persons should submit names of nominees and the committee or board for which they are being nominated. Submissions should include information on the nominee’s church membership and current employment. Nominations should be submitted no later … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 06/27/2014 - 13:20 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Taxpayer dollars could soon pay for sex reassignment surgeries for elderly or disabled Americans on Medicare, thanks to a ruling earlier this month from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The agency’s Departmental Appeals Board lifted a three-decade-old ban on using Medicare funds for transsexual surgeries. The decision means the government considers the surgeries medically necessary and effective treatment for some individuals who do not identify with their biological sex. The policy reversal came in response to a request from 74-year-old Army veteran Denee Mallon to have Medicare pay for genital reconstruction. Mallon, from Albuquerque, N. M., was born a man but has been diagnosed with “gender dysphoria,” a state of distress about one’s biological gender. Medicare denied Mallon’s request for surgery two years ago, but today the appeals board overturned that decision. Gender reassignment surgeries vary by type and scope: For men, they can involve castration and genital reconstruction. For women, they can involve mastectomy and the implantation of a prosthetic. The cost of transsexual surgeries range from $7,000 to $50,000, according to the … [Read more...]