When Russ and Alice Sharrock first came from Toccoa, Ga., to Nenana, Alaska, in 1998 to assist with a Christian radio station, they were struck by the need they encountered.   Specifically, they recall feeling deeply burdened by the need for a new church - a church that would be vitally involved in the sometimes troubled local life of this Alaskan interior river village.   Naysayers predicted it would take five long years to establish a church in such a hardened mission field. When Russ and Alice Sharrock first came from Toccoa, Ga., to Nenana, Alaska, in 1998 to assist with a Christian radio station, they were struck by the need they encountered.   Specifically, they recall feeling deeply burdened by the need for a new church - a church that would be vitally involved in the sometimes troubled local life of this Alaskan interior river village.   Naysayers predicted it would take five long years to establish a church in such a hardened mission field.   But despite such warnings and armed with the support of others, the Sharrocks returned in 2000 as church planters.   Nenana Community Church was born.   "We had a church within four weeks of … [Read more...]

As a duo of horses arrive in the arena at West Monroe’s Ike-Hamilton Exposition Center, a crowd of 300 eagerly anticipate Paul Daily’s afternoon performance of roping a horse. Before Daily enters the arena, the American and Christian flags are displayed, with music such as the National Anthem played in the background. It is around 2:30 when the professional roper makes his way into the pavilion, dressed in his cowboy attire, with the horse he is going to rope standing nearby. This is one of two performances the Jena resident will do on this Saturday afternoon. The first show draws 150. As a duo of horses arrive in the arena at West Monroe’s Ike-Hamilton Exposition Center, a crowd of 300 eagerly anticipate Paul Daily’s afternoon performance of roping a horse. Before Daily enters the arena, the American and Christian flags are displayed, with music such as the National Anthem played in the background. It is around 2:30 when the professional roper makes his way into the pavilion, dressed in his cowboy attire, with the horse he is going to rope standing nearby. This is one of two performances the Jena resident will do on this Saturday afternoon. The first show draws 150. While this may seem like a regular rodeo, … [Read more...]

At one point last week, a volunteer worker walked across the street from the First Baptist Church of Abbeville to talk to the man who lived there about helping to cut up a tree laying in his yard. As the men talked, the local resident acknowledged he was Catholic and had had little use for Baptists through the years. However, he also acknowledged his views had changed. At one point last week, a volunteer worker walked across the street from the First Baptist Church of Abbeville to talk to the man who lived there about helping to cut up a tree laying in his yard. As the men talked, the local resident acknowledged he was Catholic and had had little use for Baptists through the years. However, he also acknowledged his views had changed. He confessed to the volunteer disaster relief worker - "I don’t know what those Baptists are doing or what they got, but I know on Sunday morning, I’m going across the street to that First Baptist there, and that’s where I’m going to church." As parts of South Louisiana shovel and sweep and cut their way out of the effects of Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili, they are finding Baptist after Baptist working alongside them - and they are responding with thanks. "The people … [Read more...]

I was saddened to read that Louisiana Baptists have lost one of their greatest servants and friends with the passing of Earl Mercer. Earl was a devoted Christian and family man who sought to honor God in all he did. He was noted beyond Louisiana for the excellent work he accomplished in service to Louisiana Baptists and children. He was a friend, an encourager and mentor to me as I have followed my calling. I was saddened to read that Louisiana Baptists have lost one of their greatest servants and friends with the passing of Earl Mercer. Earl was a devoted Christian and family man who sought to honor God in all he did. He was noted beyond Louisiana for the excellent work he accomplished in service to Louisiana Baptists and children. He was a friend, an encourager and mentor to me as I have followed my calling.   Earl was a pioneer Christian communicator. Before the bookstores were filled with "how to be a great communicator" books, Earl was writing living volumes of his own as he perfected his craft as the public relations director for the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home in Monroe.   I first met Earl at an association meeting. He presented the Children’s Home report. He guided the attentive … [Read more...]

For the week of October 17, 2002 Potpourri • DEQUINCY - DeQuincy First church: Sportsman’s banquet and deer hunting seminar; Oct. 22, 6 p.m.; David Fortenberry, guest speaker; $5 per ticket; to reserve tickets, call (337) 786-7072; salad, bread, dessert and drinks provided/bring main game dish; Byron Comish, pastor.   • WEST MONROE - Trinity church: Liberty Boys, in concert; Oct.19, 6 p.m.; Wesley Pittman, pastor.   • NEW ORLEANS - Lakeview church: Bob Stewart, guest speaker; Oct. 27, 6 p.m.; David Brown, pastor.   • COLFAX - Hudson Creek church: Annual Fun Day; Oct. 19, 12 noon; Bill Calloway, pastor.   • WOODWORTH - Tall Timbers Conference Center: "Louisiana Health Mission Update" Nursing Fellowship fall retreat; Nov. 1-2; Charles Norwood and Charles Walker, guest speakers; to register, call (800) 622-6549 or (318) 445-6797; Sam White, camp director.   • RAYVILLE - Eastside church: Richland association "Concert of Prayer," Oct. 22, 6:30 p.m.; Dick DeBusk, guest speaker; Mary Ann Parks, associational prayer coordinator; Kyle Coates, pastor.   • BETHANY - Camp Bethany: Senior adult retreat; Oct. 28 (registration at 8:30 a.m.) - Oct. 30 (ends at 9 … [Read more...]

A majority of United States high school students now are virgins, recent statistics indicate. The percentage of U.S. high school students who say they are virgins rose to 54.1 percent during the 10-year period of 1991-2001, data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. A decade ago, the number stood at just 45.6 percent, marking a key turnaround. A majority of United States high school students now are virgins, recent statistics indicate. The percentage of U.S. high school students who say they are virgins rose to 54.1 percent during the 10-year period of 1991-2001, data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. A decade ago, the number stood at just 45.6 percent, marking a key turnaround. The trend holds true among both female and male students, 10th-12th-grade students and black and white students, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey of more than 10,000 high school students shows. Various decade-long improvements in teenage sexual risk behavior noted in the survey are parallel to decreases in the rates of gonorrhea, pregnancy and birth rates among adolescents, said Lloyd Kolbe, who directs Center for Disease Control’s adolescent and school health … [Read more...]

For awhile, it looked as if Miss Ameri-can pageant officials were going to try to muzzle their latest champion.   A report last week indicated that Miss America 2003 winner Erika Harold had been told she could not promote sexual abstinence, a cause she has championed for the past four years. For awhile, it looked as if Miss Ameri-can pageant officials were going to try to muzzle their latest champion.   A report last week indicated that Miss America 2003 winner Erika Harold had been told she could not promote sexual abstinence, a cause she has championed for the past four years.   However, within a matter of days, a second report had been released - announcing Miss America is free to talk about sexual abstinence after all.   Erika Harold was crowned as Miss America 2003 in September. Earlier this month, she told reporters she had been informed there would be no restrictions on her discussion of chastity as part of her youth violence prevention platform.   An article in the Washington Times reported on the efforts to ban discussion of the subject by Harold. The Times also reported comments made by Harold at a press conference, during which she indicated her … [Read more...]

Warning: This is a hunting story. Animal rights people be forewarned and stop here. No, hunting is not all I do. It is just that hunting puts humans in unnatural settings that produce humiliating, self-deprecating experiences that are sometimes, in the eyes of others, entertaining. At least, that is what happens on those occasions this writer ventures hunting. Note: The following On Second Thought by Editor Lynn P. Clayton was published in the January 18, 1996 issue of the Louisiana Baptist Message. It is reprinted in this issue as Editor Clayton continues to recover from successful surgery on a brain abscess.   Warning: This is a hunting story. Animal rights people be forewarned and stop here. No, hunting is not all I do. It is just that hunting puts humans in unnatural settings that produce humiliating, self-deprecating experiences that are sometimes, in the eyes of others, entertaining. At least, that is what happens on those occasions this writer ventures hunting.   This is a goose hunt. Perry Sanders, pastor of the world’s largest Cajun mission, is the host - and a right good one at that. He furnishes sleeping accommodations, food, transportation, blind, decoys and dog. Me? I furnish … [Read more...]

For the week of October 24, 2002 Washington-area sniper A Baptist church member was the second of the eleven people murdered in a sniper’s random attacks in the Washington, D.C., area, since Oct. 2. James "Sonny" Buchanan’s funeral was conducted Oct. 11 at First Baptist Church in Gaithersburg, Md., where he had been baptized as a child. Buchanan, a 39-year-old landscaper, was killed the morning of Oct. 3 by a bullet to the chest as he was mowing a lawn. He had remained a member of the Gaithersburg church through the years but had devoted his volunteer energies to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. Sudan Peace Act Congress has approved a revised bill designed to promote peace in the African country of Sudan, which has suffered under the militant practices of its Islamic government. Passage comes just weeks after it seemed the measure was destined for failure because the House and Senate had passed differing versions. However, differences were resolved. The approved legislation provides immediate aid to southern Sudan’s beleaguered citizens and requires the White House to monitor peace negotiations and to enforce sanctions on the Khartoum regime if it is not negotiating in good faith or is interfering … [Read more...]

Many Americans are transmitting one of their worst diseases on to their children. The disease? Acute materialism.   No lesser publication than U.S. News & World Report has featured at least one multi-page article on the sad phenomenon.   Experts in the field of child psychology say more and more children are victims of the "out of control ... buy-buy cycle ... of ... overspending." ‘Acute materialism’ disease infecting U.S. children   Note: The following editorial by Editor Lynn P. Clayton was published in the March 22, 1990 issue of the Louisiana Baptist Message. It is reprinted in this issue as Editor Clayton continues to recover from successful surgery on a brain abscess.   Many Americans are transmitting one of their worst diseases on to their children. The disease? Acute materialism.   No lesser publication than U.S. News & World Report has featured at least one multi-page article on the sad phenomenon.   Experts in the field of child psychology say more and more children are victims of the "out of control ... buy-buy cycle ... of ... overspending."   The children are surrounded by the infectious virus. Barons of Madison … [Read more...]