Stanley and Kathleen Clark are Louisiana natives and graduates of Louisiana College, and Stanley Clark is a doctoral graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as well.   He has been a Louisiana Baptist pastor and has taught at both Louisiana College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. For the past 40 years, Stanley and Kathleen Clark have served as representatives of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Note: The following is the second in a series of articles to be published in the Baptist Message regarding the Cooperative Program and how it is at work throughout Louisiana. Subsequent articles will appear during the year to highlight the Cooperative Program missions and ministry work.   Stanley and Kathleen Clark are Louisiana natives and graduates of Louisiana College, and Stanley Clark is a doctoral graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as well.   He has been a Louisiana Baptist pastor and has taught at both Louisiana College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. For the past 40 years, Stanley and Kathleen Clark have served as representatives of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board in … [Read more...]

In the early weeks of the year, leaders of the Baptist Retirement Center in Arcadia acknowledged the financial straits the agency was negotiating.   "Right now, we’re dead in the water," Executive Director Bob Nelson told Louisiana Baptist Convention leaders.   A couple of months later, Nelson does not use the same characterization regarding the center. But it would not be a reach to say the center still is treading water. In the early weeks of the year, leaders of the Baptist Retirement Center in Arcadia acknowledged the financial straits the agency was negotiating.   "Right now, we’re dead in the water," Executive Director Bob Nelson told Louisiana Baptist Convention leaders.   A couple of months later, Nelson does not use the same characterization regarding the center. But it would not be a reach to say the center still is treading water.   And, as with other agencies, the factors at play are almost totally out of the control of the center and its leaders.   How did the state convention nursing home facility - valued at about $7.5 million - get to this point?   And why is Nelson convinced the center can and will - and should - … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists may rest assured - if terrorists attack this region, state convention entities are prepared.   Heightened terrorist alerts have prompted some citizens to stockpile food and duct tape while certain businesses have developed preparedness plans, including Louisiana Baptist Convention entities.   LBC Disaster Relief Coordinator Buddy Day said, "Families should be prepared for a disaster of any kind at any time - terrorist, tornado, hurricane, etc., (as should churches). Louisiana Baptists may rest assured - if terrorists attack this region, state convention entities are prepared.   Heightened terrorist alerts have prompted some citizens to stockpile food and duct tape while certain businesses have developed preparedness plans, including Louisiana Baptist Convention entities.   LBC Disaster Relief Coordinator Buddy Day said, "Families should be prepared for a disaster of any kind at any time - terrorist, tornado, hurricane, etc., (as should churches).   "Disasters are occurring in greater number and doing greater damage than at previous times," Day added.   "Also, more people are living in disaster prone areas. We also now must contend … [Read more...]

the have heard it preached everywhere that we need to pray for America during this present time of crisis. We do, of course, need to do that. I believe, however, that 911 should have been a wake-up call for the church - not America. I have heard it preached everywhere that we need to pray for America during this present time of crisis. We do, of course, need to do that. I believe, however, that 911 should have been a wake-up call for the church - not America.   It is easy for me to see the influence of the church in the formation of our country. I think that today the church has lost its power and influence. I don’t think that 9/11 was enough to wake up the church.   America will never experience renewal, in my judgment, till the church in America is revived. Second Chronicles 7:l4 is addressed to the people of God primarily. I think our future as a country looks bleak unless the church is genuinely revived. My prayer is that God would continue to raise up revivalists to help the church "see" what she needs to be and do and only then will America be spared any future attacks.   Jerry Bass New Orleans … [Read more...]

As an employee of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home in Monroe, my heart was literally hurt when I read comments regarding the search for a new executive director of the home. As an employee of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home in Monroe, my heart was literally hurt when I read comments regarding the search for a new executive director of the home.   That "actual child care experience would be one of the least important qualifications" for the head of an institution that has been committed to child care ministry for 104 years reflects a lack of understanding of the nature of child care ministry. The home must have a godly leader who has an understanding and background in child care ministry. That we must have a "pastor out there" is a personal attack on every godly man and woman who works day in and day out providing spiritual guidance to the children under their care.   We have six ordained men with many years of pastoral experience. Other committed Christians daily pray for, pray with and model their faith for our girls and boys. Our girls and boys are "pastored" much more diligently and consistently than most church members will ever experience.   I invite you to join us … [Read more...]

Re: Baptist Message, January 30, 2003, Page Two, "Chaplaincy Change"   How distressing to read that Chaplain Colonel Bob Vickers has "left" his position as director of chaplaincy evangelism at the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board. Re: Baptist Message, January 30, 2003, Page Two, "Chaplaincy Change"   How distressing to read that Chaplain Colonel Bob Vickers has "left" his position as director of chaplaincy evangelism at the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board.   What a contradicting statement from NAMB Vice President John Yarbrough to praise Chaplain Vickers as a "tremendous Christian gentleman" and say he will continue to be "a part of the Southern Baptist chaplain family" and then give no reason for the dismissal. A paraphrase could be, "He is a good man, but we don’t want him here on our staff" for undisclosed reasons.   Chaplain Vickers has served the military and our Lord and denomination in an outstanding ministry. It was with great disgust and sadness that I learned of his dismissal.   At a time such as our nation faces now, what a contradiction of statement and, in my opinion, an absence of wisdom and good judgment to … [Read more...]

I find it horrifying that the president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Richard Land, would publicly support state-sponsored killing of human beings. ("Death penalty support," Baptist Message, January 30, 2003, Page Two) I find it horrifying that the president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Richard Land, would publicly support state-sponsored killing of human beings. ("Death penalty support," Baptist Message, January 30, 2003, Page Two) Can anyone imagine Jesus indulging in the kind of calculation which claims that by killing one person, we can save 18 more? It sounds more like the reasoning employed by Caiaphas (John 11:49-50) when he was arguing for the execution of Jesus.   Larry D. Johnson Monroe … [Read more...]

My father, Earl D. Mercer, invested twenty-eight years of his life to the ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. He worked with two excellent executive directors, Wade B. East and. John R. Williams, neither of whom came from the pastorate. My father, Earl D. Mercer, invested twenty-eight years of his life to the ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home. He worked with two excellent executive directors, Wade B. East and. John R. Williams, neither of whom came from the pastorate.   I was grieved to read the article (February 20) about the search for a new executive director for the home. Rev. Danny Pitts, trustee, made statements that were of great concern, saying that it was important to have an executive director who could direct children spiritually and that having childcare experience would be one of the least important qualifications. He said, "The kids need a pastor out there, if you will, someone who can spiritually train them. It needs to be a spiritual atmosphere."   Those statements are hurtful to the committed Christian men and women who have given - and give - their lives to the spiritual development of the children’s home and to the pastors, youth … [Read more...]

Baptist Message 2/20/03, Re: Search for the new LBCH leader.   I am concerned and disheartened to know those seeking a leader would say that an individual has to be a pastor and have seminary training. My Bible teaches that pastors are to be shepherds to lead, guide and encourage the congregation, not dictate commands and jurisdiction. Baptist Message 2/20/03, Re: Search for the new LBCH leader.   I am concerned and disheartened to know those seeking a leader would say that an individual has to be a pastor and have seminary training. My Bible teaches that pastors are to be shepherds to lead, guide and encourage the congregation, not dictate commands and jurisdiction. There are many lay individuals who have much to offer in the spiritual training aspect for all youth, from cradle roll up. There are several pastors already on the campus who do a tremendous job of teaching, training, encouraging, loving and caring for youth.   Many boys and girls have been saved through the leadership at the LBCH or the church they attend as a cottage group or church activities in which they participate, plus the LBCH chapel worship held on Wednesdays.   Laypeople, some of whom can’t be on … [Read more...]

For the week of March 13, 2003 Potpourri • WEST MONROE - McClendon church: Selah in concert; March 20, 7 p.m.; $10 per ticket; for tickets, call (318) 322-2782; Rick Crandall, pastor.   • HEBERT - Welcome Home church: The Forgiven Choir in concert; March 23, 11 a.m.; Bill Gueringer, pastor.   • SWARTZ - First church: Hosting a free baseball clinic at East Ouachita Swartz Recration Center featuring Clay Parker, former major league pitcher; March 15, 10 a.m. - noon; to register, call the church at (318) 343-0287 or Steve Dark at (318) 343-1630; please give name and age; Collin Wimberly, pastor.   • LAFAYETTE - First church: "Planting the Seed" associational missions picnic; March 21, 6 p.m registration and 6:30 p.m. program; Paul McDaniel, guest speaker; $6 per person; to register, call Deb Roseman at (337) 856-6484; deadline March 16; Perry Sanders, pastor.   • DENHAM SPRINGS - Riverside church: "Why and How to Live Debt Free" Financial Freedom Seminar; March 23, 10:15 a.m. and 6 p.m.; March 24, 7 p.m.; nursery provided; Wayne Coleman, seminar leader; Gerald S. Martin, pastor.   • JONESVILLE - Patton church: Area wide gospel singing; March 15, 6:30 p.m.; Tommy … [Read more...]