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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

God is SO good! (Part One)

God is SO good! A trio of stories involving Louisiana Baptists in some way tell the tale - how God can make impossible dreams come true, use simple efforts for incredible results and even restore the one who has fallen   If Gabriela Poenar Henson ever doubts whether God is truly good or not - all she has to do is look at her own life for proof. God is SO good! A trio of stories involving Louisiana Baptists in some way tell the tale - how God can make impossible dreams come true, use simple efforts for incredible results and even restore the one who has fallen   If Gabriela Poenar Henson ever doubts whether God is truly good or not - all she has to do is look at her own life for proof.   From living in Romania under a brutal communist regime to teaching in a Christian college in the United States, Henson’s journey has been one of miracles, she says.   "Just like it says in the Bible, what is impossible for men is possible for God, ..." explains Henson, who spoke at the recent Louisiana Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union annual meeting at First Baptist Church of Lake Charles.   Henson acknowledges that achieving her dream seemed very impossible not so many years … [Read more...]

Legislative session continues – several key measures cited

The 2003 Louisiana legislative session continues - with a number of moral and social issues expected to begin moving soon.   Bills have been filed on various issues, including abortion, AIDS, alcohol, gambling, marriage and pornography. The 2003 Louisiana legislative session continues - with a number of moral and social issues expected to begin moving soon.   Bills have been filed on various issues, including abortion, AIDS, alcohol, gambling, marriage and pornography.   Because of the various issues at stake during the legislative session, it is vital that concerned citizens remain alert and aware, emphasized Ken Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation.   "Persons need to be informed and ready to respond appropriately and timely relative as issues are debated and decided in this session of the Louisiana Legislature," Ward said. "Louisiana is fortunate in the sense that the citizens of this state has more access to the legislative than most states in our nation, but the access is only valuable if it is used."   One means of staying informed is through the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation, Ward reminded persons. Persons may e-mail … [Read more...]

Weekly Announcements

For the week of April 24, 2003 Potpourri • MONROE - Loch Arbor church: Southern Charm in concert; May 4, 11 a.m.; Andy Myrick; pastor.   • MONROE - Loch Arbor church: Northeast Association "Growing in Grace" women’s conference; May 3, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Cindy Townsend, guest speaker; Southern Charm, worship leader; Brenda Myrick, coordinator; Andy Myrick, pastor.   • PORT BARRE - First church: 2003 French Rally; April 25, 5:30 p.m. fellowship/supper followed by French singing groups and service at 7 p.m.; Elie Woerner, guest speaker; Lloyd Gibbs, pastor.   • HOUMA - Mulberry church: Adolphe Stagg Associational VBS Clinic; May 6, 6:30 p.m.; Tommy Harrell, pastor.   • SHREVEPORT - Emmanuel church: Northwest Associational VBS Clinic: May 8, 6-8:30 p.m.; Bill Stowell, pastor.   • DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: Couples’ Retreat; May 2, 6 p.m. - May 3, 2 p.m.; Ray and Carolyn Wells, guest speakers; $60 per couple/$40 per commuter; Curt Iles, camp manager.   • COLUMBIA - Columbia Heights church: Associational VBS Clinic; April 26, 9-11 a.m.; Janice Steele, clinic leader; Bruce McGee, pastor.   • BAKER - First church: Spring Keyboard Concert; May 4, 6 … [Read more...]

Deadline set for overseas missionaries to affirm Baptist Faith and Message

Southern Baptist International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin has given missionaries who have not yet affirmed the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message until May 5 to do so.   Those who decline are asked to resign by that date or face termination by trustees. Southern Baptist International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin has given missionaries who have not yet affirmed the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message until May 5 to do so.   Those who decline are asked to resign by that date or face termination by trustees.   In a letter sent April 11 to 18 missionary units (31 people), Rankin noted he asked Southern Baptist field personnel to affirm the faith statement more than a year ago. Since then, 98.7 percent of the 5,500 overseas workers have affirmed the document.   Rankin wrote: "I am grateful for your years of service and would be delighted if you should decide to affirm the current Baptist Faith and Message and continue your effective ministry. ... Apart from that, I would like to ask that you consider resigning rather than maintaining a position that would undermine the integrity and credibility of the (International Mission Board).   "If I do not hear from … [Read more...]

U.S. education secretary defends religious comments

A recent Baptist Press profile of U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige has attracted a lot of attention - but not all favorable.   Paige has been hit by critics for comments attributed to him in the profile published April 7. He has fired back by citing the transcripts of his interview - which he taped - and standing by his views. A recent Baptist Press profile of U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige has attracted a lot of attention - but not all favorable.   Paige has been hit by critics for comments attributed to him in the profile published April 7. He has fired back by citing the transcripts of his interview - which he taped - and standing by his views.   Meanwhile, the Southern Baptist Convention news service has announced it has fired one of its contributing writers because of his handling of the story. On April 11, Baptist Press announced it had discontinued use of articles written by Todd Starnes because of "factual and contextual errors" contained in the April 7 release. Starnes is a former Baptist Press reporter who now serves as director of public affairs at Union University in Jackson, Tenn.   The April 7 story offered a personal and professional glimpse at Paige, … [Read more...]

There is something easy to do – what could go wrong?

How much trouble can this be? Our little mission church needs six fresh, home-baked loaves of bread this Sunday. Wife Leah volunteers. We decide to fudge a little and buy frozen bread dough and bake it.   On Saturday evening, we buy the dough and aluminum pans on the way to the small guest house where we are staying. I assure Leah, "I’ll take care of the bread." How much trouble can this be? Our little mission church needs six fresh, home-baked loaves of bread this Sunday. Wife Leah volunteers. We decide to fudge a little and buy frozen bread dough and bake it.   On Saturday evening, we buy the dough and aluminum pans on the way to the small guest house where we are staying. I assure Leah, "I’ll take care of the bread."   After a long, hard week, wife Leah lies on the bed to "rest for a minute" and is out for the night.   No problem.   The wrappers on the dough have directions. But who needs directions? This will be a snap.   Being almost as exhausted as my wife, I spray the pans with that non-stick stuff and plop the dough in each one. I "set out" the dough in a "warm place" on top of the range to rise. I can hardly wait to get into the bed. I cover … [Read more...]

A church’s careful self-examination would be revealing

How much accountability does the church have for changing lives that in turn change the world?   Certainly a church is not just a business, but some businesses exercise careful self-analyses that reveal how effective they are at what they do. Companies that survive and thrive in the competitive world of business know they must continually monitor their costs per unit, expenses, employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction, percentage of profit and the bottom line. How much accountability does the church have for changing lives that in turn change the world?   Certainly a church is not just a business, but some businesses exercise careful self-analyses that reveal how effective they are at what they do. Companies that survive and thrive in the competitive world of business know they must continually monitor their costs per unit, expenses, employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction, percentage of profit and the bottom line. If businesses do not practice careful monitoring of how well they are performing, they probably will be beaten into non-existence by companies that do.   Think for a minute about what would happen if a church entered a careful self-analysis of how well it is … [Read more...]

Weekly Briefs

For the week of March 6, 2003 Court decision The U.S. Supreme Court declared last week that the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) statute was wrongly used against the pro-life movement. The law was designed to combat drug dealers and organized crime. "This decision is a tremendous victory for those who engage in social protests," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice. "The Supreme Court forcefully rejected the argument that pro-life demonstrators were racketeers engaged in extortion. ... The ruling clearly shuts the door on using (the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations act) against the pro-life movement. The decision came as the nation’s high court reviewed a case involving the Operation Rescue pro-life organization. Lower courts had ruled pro-life demonstrators were liable for "extortion" and "racketeering" under the federal statute and awarded damages to abortion businesses. The high court said, while some coercion may have been involved in the protest, extortion and racketeering did not exist. Agricultural fellowship The Louisiana Baptist Agricultural Missions Fellowship recently held its annual meeting, where members heard a trio of … [Read more...]

LC weathering tough economic times well, Lee says

One can forgive Louisiana College President Rory Lee if he begins his days feeling as if he is living Murphy’s Law.   However, in this case, it is not as if everything that can go wrong - will.   It already has.   A projected enrollment increase failed to materialize last fall.   The national economy hit the skids. One can forgive Louisiana College President Rory Lee if he begins his days feeling as if he is living Murphy’s Law.   However, in this case, it is not as if everything that can go wrong - will.   It already has.   A projected enrollment increase failed to materialize last fall.   The national economy hit the skids.   Investment income took a nose dive.   Louisiana Baptist Cooperative Program money came in well under expectations.   Outside gifts became scarce.   That is the bad news - the Murphy’s Law-multiplied type of bad news.   The incomprehensibly good news is - Louisiana College remains in good shape.   "The overall financial state of the college is strong," Lee emphasized recently. "Our reserve is slightly above $1.3 million, which is 30 days … [Read more...]

Leaders call Louisiana Baptists to time of focused prayer

Louisiana Baptists around the state are being called to a time of intense, focused prayer as the 2003 Easter season approaches.   Many Baptists throughout the state have launched a 40-day prayer emphasis set to culminate in organized prayerwalks and prayer journey throughout the state. Louisiana Baptists around the state are being called to a time of intense, focused prayer as the 2003 Easter season approaches.   Many Baptists throughout the state have launched a 40-day prayer emphasis set to culminate in organized prayerwalks and prayer journey throughout the state.   The 40-day prayer emphasis and prayerwalk are part of a year-long "It’s Time to Pray" focus by Louisiana Baptists. Leaders planned the focus in conjunction with the "Changing Lives in Changing Times" state strategic plan.   The goal is to help Louisiana Baptist churches become "houses of prayer," as Jesus said they should be, leaders say.   The goal also is to engage in serious prayer that will shape the very future of the convention and state, they add.   "We’re talking about the future of our churches," LBC Executive Director Dean Doster has said of the ongoing effort. "We’re talking … [Read more...]