Tom Brokaw, anchor of "NBC Nightly News," painted a noted Southern Baptist pastor as "preaching hate" during a recent newscast.   At the outset of the Feb. 25 program, Brokaw touted an upcoming segment focusing on Jerry Vines with three clipped sentences: "Preaching hate. When words from the pulpit sound like words of war. American versus American." Tom Brokaw, anchor of "NBC Nightly News," painted a noted Southern Baptist pastor as "preaching hate" during a recent newscast.   At the outset of the Feb. 25 program, Brokaw touted an upcoming segment focusing on Jerry Vines with three clipped sentences: "Preaching hate. When words from the pulpit sound like words of war. American versus American."   The targeting of Vines stems from Vines’ declaration last summer that Muslim prophet Muhammad was a "demon-possessed pedophile" for having married one of his wives at age 6 and consummating the union when she was 9.   He later cited Islamic writings known as the Hadith as the source of his statement. Vines is pastor at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla., and a former Southern Baptist Convention president.   In introducing the segment, Brokaw stated: "Tonight, … [Read more...]

A Southern Baptist missionary was killed and another missionary and her children were injured when a bomb exploded March 4 at the airport in Davao City, Philippines.   William P. "Bill" Hyde, 59, died in surgery from severe head and leg injuries. Barbara Wallis Stevens, 33, was slightly injured, as were her 4-year-old daughter, Sarah. Her 10-month-old son, Nathan, suffered a shrapnel wound to the liver. He was in delicate condition for 48 hours before being released from intensive care and upgraded to stable condition at mid-week. A Southern Baptist missionary was killed and another missionary and her children were injured when a bomb exploded March 4 at the airport in Davao City, Philippines.   William P. "Bill" Hyde, 59, died in surgery from severe head and leg injuries. Barbara Wallis Stevens, 33, was slightly injured, as were her 4-year-old daughter, Sarah. Her 10-month-old son, Nathan, suffered a shrapnel wound to the liver. He was in delicate condition for 48 hours before being released from intensive care and upgraded to stable condition at mid-week.   "Our hearts go out to these families and their co-workers, ..." said Larry Cox, a spokesperson for the Southern Baptist … [Read more...]

The weather was terrible. Horrid. Putrid. Miserable. Virulent.   Did I say the weather was bad?   That guy kept sitting there in his boat, casting as if there were no tomorrow, as well there might not be for him.   Early morning fog eerily shrouded the entire lake. On those rare occasions one could see fifty yards away, one would celebrate the opening. The openings always closed quickly. The weather was terrible. Horrid. Putrid. Miserable. Virulent.   Did I say the weather was bad?   That guy kept sitting there in his boat, casting as if there were no tomorrow, as well there might not be for him.   Early morning fog eerily shrouded the entire lake. On those rare occasions one could see fifty yards away, one would celebrate the opening. The openings always closed quickly.   The shoreline was nothing more than a dim outline. The defining outline of trees blurred into indefinite shapes. No one should be outside this day, much less on a lake.   Then came the rain. Starting as a heavy mist, the precipitation gradually became a light shower. The size of the water droplets became larger and the shower became a light rain.   The … [Read more...]

She is going about her work with intensity. One would think the task far more important by watching her work than one might otherwise consider the job.   She was picking up trash around the entrance of the business. No piece was too small for attention. Cigarette butts, large pieces of paper, tiny pieces of paper. She is going about her work with intensity. One would think the task far more important by watching her work than one might otherwise consider the job.   She was picking up trash around the entrance of the business. No piece was too small for attention. Cigarette butts, large pieces of paper, tiny pieces of paper.   Her hands were soon full. She walked quickly to the trash container and put the collected trash in the repository.   She went back at her task. Soon, another handful, and another trip to the trash repository.   Her circle of attention expanded and soon, there was no piece of trash anywhere around.   She could have done her job more quickly and easily if she had carried a trash bag around with her. But one strongly suspects that she had not intended to start her day picking up trash. Rather, it seemed more impulsive, like she … [Read more...]

When fisherman Jimmy Houston heard the BASS pro fishing circuit would require anglers to promote Busch beer during official events, he says he thought of the 12-year-old boy he had led to Christ last spring.   The youth had responded during an invitation at First Southern Baptist Church of Keys, Okla., where Houston is a member and serves as a deacon.   After Houston prayed with the boy, the youth asked the famed American fisherman for a favor. When fisherman Jimmy Houston heard the BASS pro fishing circuit would require anglers to promote Busch beer during official events, he says he thought of the 12-year-old boy he had led to Christ last spring.   The youth had responded during an invitation at First Southern Baptist Church of Keys, Okla., where Houston is a member and serves as a deacon.   After Houston prayed with the boy, the youth asked the famed American fisherman for a favor.   "Will you talk to my dad about his drinking problem?" he said.   Reluctantly, Houston agreed.   The boy’s dad was receptive but said he did not have a drinking problem.   "If what you’re telling me is true, it doesn’t sound to me like you have a … [Read more...]

When it comes to reaching Muslims with the gospel of Jesus Christ, relationships and conversation can lead to evangelism, George Braswell said.   "The best way to win a Muslim to Christ is through your example," said Braswell, a former missionary to Iran and professor of missions and world religions at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. When it comes to reaching Muslims with the gospel of Jesus Christ, relationships and conversation can lead to evangelism, George Braswell said.   "The best way to win a Muslim to Christ is through your example," said Braswell, a former missionary to Iran and professor of missions and world religions at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C.   It is a simple process - and coupled with a sincere desire to understand Muslims, it is one that can prove effective in leading them to a relationship with Jesus, he said.   Most Muslims live peaceful lives, separated from the violence and terrorism often associated with the faith as reported in the media, Braswell noted. He added that learning to move past negative preconceptions is vital to witnessing effectively to Muslims.   "Both … [Read more...]

For the week of March 20, 2003 Potpourri • DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: "True Contentment" ladies retreat; April 4, 6 p.m.- April 5, noon; Rhonda Kelley,guest speaker; Paulette May, music; $35 per person/lodging, $25/commuters and $15/one day; for information or to register, call (318) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager.   • BENTON - Red River church: "Spring Fling" community block party; March 22, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Brian D. Prucey, pastor.   • FERRIDAY - Lake St. John Community church: "Singspiration" presented by the combined choirs of Lake St. John Community church and Lakeshore church; March 30, 6 p.m.; Carl Wilson, pastor.   • NATCHITOCHES - First church: Sherry Blackwell, guest speaker; April 3, 6:30 p.m.; Clarence Powell, interim pastor.   • HOUMA - Christ church: Leo Humphrey, guest speaker; March 23, 10:45 a.m.; John C. Baye, Jr., pastor.   • COUSHATTA - First church: Red River Association Fifth Sunday Singing featuring the associational choir; March 29, 6 p.m.; Benny Alford, pastor.   • BATON ROUGE - Florida Blvd. church: The Singing Ministers of Louisiana in concert; March 27, 7 p.m; Stephen Trammell, pastor.   • DEQUINCY - Northside … [Read more...]

This has been an issue with me for some time - "my church," "your church," "our church." I hear these statements constantly. Yes, I am guilty also. This has been an issue with me for some time - "my church," "your church," "our church." I hear these statements constantly. Yes, I am guilty also.   The fact of the matter is that the Bible states the church belongs to Christ Jesus. Col. 1:18 says, "He is the head of the body, the church; and he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that he himself might come to have first place in everything." Matt. 18:18 says, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it." In Matthew, as Jesus spoke this verse, there is no other name given. He did not say, "Let us build our church."   My brothers and sisters in Christ, do we have a right to claim the church ours? Acts 20:28 states that Jesus purchased the church with his own blood. What price have we paid to claim the church to be ours?   Even John, when he wrote to the churches in the Book of Revelation, addressed "to the church in Smyrna" and so forth. The Bible addresses the church as being the … [Read more...]

To understand the impact of the current economic situation on the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, one first must understand important facts about how the ministry is funded, Darrell Washam said.   Important fact one - the home receives only about 15 percent of its annual budget through the Louisiana Baptist Cooperative Program.   Important fact two - the home generates only about 12 percent of its annual budget through investments and such things as oil and gas leases on properties. To understand the impact of the current economic situation on the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, one first must understand important facts about how the ministry is funded, Darrell Washam said.   Important fact one - the home receives only about 15 percent of its annual budget through the Louisiana Baptist Cooperative Program.   Important fact two - the home generates only about 12 percent of its annual budget through investments and such things as oil and gas leases on properties.   Important fact three - the home must generate the remaining 73 percent of its budget through another source.   Important fact four - the home has no ready-made channel of revenue that … [Read more...]

Two of the three attorneys participating in a recent hearing related to a federal case challenging Louisiana sales tax exemptions for religious groups and churches left the courtroom encouraged.   That is good news for religious groups that hope to have the exemptions restored - after a federal judge ruled them unconstitutional last year. Two of the three attorneys participating in a recent hearing related to a federal case challenging Louisiana sales tax exemptions for religious groups and churches left the courtroom encouraged.   That is good news for religious groups that hope to have the exemptions restored - after a federal judge ruled them unconstitutional last year.   Attorneys Charles Braud and Greg Erwin both agreed they were cheered by the direction of oral arguments for a reversal of that decision before the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.   "I think it went great," said Braud, assistant district attorney for the state of Louisiana.   "The questions by the judges were encouraging," added Erwin, attorney for the Louisiana Baptist Convention.   The pair of attorneys took the lead in arguments before the three-judge federal … [Read more...]