This is not the way one wants to start the day.   The street to work develops a left turning lane.   It is a good thing. Without it and the traffic signal that provides brief opportunities to turn left, one would see the dawning of the third millennium before having a safe chance to turn left. This is not the way one wants to start the day.   The street to work develops a left turning lane.   It is a good thing. Without it and the traffic signal that provides brief opportunities to turn left, one would see the dawning of the third millennium before having a safe chance to turn left.   I pull into the left lane as it forms. Suddenly, the SUV to the right starts pulling over toward me. Traffic headed the opposite direction in the lane to my left prevents me from even considering pulling into that lane.   The driver is talking on the cell phone with great animation. She has no idea that she is only three or four feet from plowing into me.   My reflex action jerks my hand to the horn.   The driver does not hear the horn at first, but then suddenly the ratcheting sound grabs her attention and she quickly pulls the SUV back into the … [Read more...]

For the week of May 15, 2003 Missionaries terminated   Southern Baptist International Mission Board trustees have terminated 13 missionaries who refused to affirm the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. Another 20 international missionaries resigned rather than sign the statement. Ten others took retirement. These join at least 34 missionaries who resigned last year in protest of the requirement to sign the faith statement. All in all, that means at least 77 missionaries have left the mission field because of the new faith statement - presumably the agency’s largest exodus ever over one issue. However, the number reflects but a fraction of the total missionary force. The International Mission Board employs about 5,500 missionaries, including career and short-term appointees. Board officials report 99 percent of the workers agreed to the new statement. Board President Jerry Rankin said he is "grateful" for the missionaries who signed willingly. "We regret that any of our missionaries have chosen to resign rather than affirm the faith statement, but we feel it is time to move forward and keep our focus on sharing Christ with a lost world," he said in a press release. Rankin said signing the statement is … [Read more...]

Former Secretary of Education William Bennett has taken it on the chin the last couple of weeks or so for his casino gambling. The haymakers generally have come from predictable areas of ideologies, as have Former Secretary of Education William Bennett has taken it on the chin the last couple of weeks or so for his casino gambling. The haymakers generally have come from predictable areas of ideologies, as have   his defenders. Most of his defenders do not want to see his pronouncements on other subjects undermined; his attackers have seemed delighted by what they know many Americans will see as a contradiction in his strong moral stands.   Personally, this editor finds understanding how a person who seems to have such strong, conservative grasps of many moral and ethical issues could be so far off on gambling. Perhaps his explanation, "I have gambled all of my life and I have never felt it to be a moral issue," sheds some light on that.   Mr. Bennett may have enormous wealth, but apparently no one has revealed that. But for him to be surprised that people were astounded that a former government appointee could lose $8-million dollars in some three years, certainly sets him apart … [Read more...]

A new faculty member at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary will be teaching students about sharing the gospel in the midst of persecution.   It is a subject he knows all too well. A new faculty member at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary will be teaching students about sharing the gospel in the midst of persecution.   It is a subject he knows all too well.   John Moldovan is Southwestern’s first faculty member from the former Soviet bloc. He once languished in a Romanian prison cell, fearful of what might happen to him and his family. Communist officers tortured his body, mind and soul, and he eventually collapsed from the pressure, he says.   Only his faith in Christ sustained him and absolved his fears, says Moldovan, who is associate professor of evangelism and intercultural studies at the seminary.   Moldovan grew up in communist Romania, where he struggled to follow in the Christian heritage of his grandfather and father. His grandfather converted to the Baptist faith while imprisoned in a Russian camp in World War I. He later was sentenced to death because of his zeal to spread the gospel but was able to escape.   His father also … [Read more...]

Five years ago, Ukrainian Maria Korchevnyuk began working toward achieving her lifelong dream to travel to the United States.   She had prayed and asked God for that chance. On April 25, 2002, she received her answer - with First Baptist Church of Westlake playing a part in her dream. Five years ago, Ukrainian Maria Korchevnyuk began working toward achieving her lifelong dream to travel to the United States.   She had prayed and asked God for that chance. On April 25, 2002, she received her answer - with First Baptist Church of Westlake playing a part in her dream.   The American Council informed Korchevnyuk - who now attends First Baptist Church of Westlake - that she was one of 1,268 high school students selected to participate in the Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX).   Administered by the Office of Citizen Exchanges at the United States Department of State, students from the former Soviet Union are eligible to participate in the one-year program, Program Manager Diana Aronson says.   "(April 25,2002) was the most memorable day of my life," Korchevnyuk says. "This day changed all my family’s life, and we will remember this day all our … [Read more...]

In a meeting short on business, members of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board received various reports and focused on plans for the future.   Board members handled only a few items of business - all without debate or dissent. In a meeting short on business, members of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board received various reports and focused on plans for the future.   Board members handled only a few items of business - all without debate or dissent.   Instead, they focused their time on hearing reports about ongoing efforts and work.   In his report, LBC Executive Director Dean Doster cited the ongoing year-long emphasis on prayer among Louisiana Baptists. He said churches across the state are emphasizing prayer in extraordinary ways.   "Prayer changes things," Doster insisted. "(And) I believe our emphasis on prayer is a key to God’s blessing our efforts."   Doster also noted that state Cooperative Program receipts exceeded the monthly budget goal in April, after falling short the previous three months.   Despite the fact that overall gifts are behind last year’s pace, Doster said there is no indication of … [Read more...]

It may come as a surprise to most Christians - but Satan has no problem with a church that is growing, Charles Lawless said.   In fact, he probably wants churches to grow - as long as they are not growing in the right way and threatening his kingdom, said Lawless, associate professor of evangelism and church growth at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.   Huh?   How is that possible? It may come as a surprise to most Christians - but Satan has no problem with a church that is growing, Charles Lawless said.   In fact, he probably wants churches to grow - as long as they are not growing in the right way and threatening his kingdom, said Lawless, associate professor of evangelism and church growth at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.   Huh?   How is that possible?   It is possible when a church is growing without salvation experiences but simply through transfer growth, Lawless said. Indeed, while there are some legitimate reasons for transfer growth, it can be incredibly deceptive, he warned.   "We see people make some kind of public decision, and we automatically assume that God is all over that ... and is … [Read more...]

For the week of May 15, 2003 Potpourri • SLAUGHTER - First church: The Providentials in concert; May 25, 11 a.m.; Basil Wicker, pastor.   • SULPHUR - Parkview church: Darry Lisemby, guest speaker; May 18, 11 a.m.; Randall Chesson, pastor.   • TIOGA - Paradise church: Tommy Drewitt Family in concert; May 23, 7 p.m.; Farrell McMorris, pastor.   • BATON ROUGE - Jefferson church: Robert Rivard, pianist, in concert; May 17, 2:30 p.m.; T. C. French, Jr., pastor.   • ALEXANDRIA - Louisiana Convention: The BodyLife Journey Training Seminars; John Powers, leader; $70 per church/includes materials and meal for one, each additional person is $12; registration at 8:30 a.m.; seminars at 9 a.m.; five locations as follows: May 22-North Monroe church in Monroe; May 23-First church in Lafayette; May 24-First church in Pineville; May 27-Trinity church in Lake Charles; and May 28-Emmanuel church in Shreveport; to register, call Ken Mooney at (318) 448-3402 or (800) 622-6549.   • JONESBORO - Missions and Ministry center: Shady Grove Assocaition Pastor/Spouse Encouragement Conference; May 29, 6:30 p.m.; Alan and Sandy Miller, leaders; Clovis Sturdivant, director of … [Read more...]

Inside Bishop Cottage at this Minnesota Correctional Facility, a small choir of men harmonize in one corner - "Change my heart, oh God. Make it ever true. Change my heart, oh God. May I be like you."   In the library next door, two men’s heads are bowed over a table as they spend time together in prayer. Minutes later, they all will be gathered in a classroom to continue a Bible-based education aiming to transform them. Inside Bishop Cottage at this Minnesota Correctional Facility, a small choir of men harmonize in one corner - "Change my heart, oh God. Make it ever true. Change my heart, oh God. May I be like you."   In the library next door, two men’s heads are bowed over a table as they spend time together in prayer. Minutes later, they all will be gathered in a classroom to continue a Bible-based education aiming to transform them.   This is life in prison at the InnerChange Freedom Initiative, a Christian-infused program seeking to change men in prison in hopes they will not return once they have been released from behind the barbed wire and security gates.   "It really is a two-pronged effect," said Dan Kingery, director of the program in Lino Lakes, Minn. … [Read more...]

Pop quiz time - guess in what country the largest block of lost people in the world live?   China - no real surprise there.   Now, guess where the second-largest block of lost people in the world live.   India - which may or may not readily have come to mind.   Okay, now, guess where the third-largest block of lost people live.   Give up?   North America. Pop quiz time - guess in what country the largest block of lost people in the world live?   China - no real surprise there.   Now, guess where the second-largest block of lost people in the world live.   India - which may or may not readily have come to mind.   Okay, now, guess where the third-largest block of lost people live.   Give up?   North America.   "It is also true that North America is the only continent where Christianity is in decline in terms of the ratio of Christians to the population, ..." said Curt Watke, director of the Kim School of Intercultural Studies at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary.   "We are just beginning to realize that we have been sending missionaries to countries around the … [Read more...]