Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. With the elections of United States senators representing our great state of Louisiana just a few short weeks away, I feel led of the Lord to write this letter. The Bible says pray for your leaders in Romans 13. Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. With the elections of United States senators representing our great state of Louisiana just a few short weeks away, I feel led of the Lord to write this letter. The Bible says pray for your leaders in Romans 13.   I would encourage all Louisiana Baptists to proclaim a day of prayer and fasting for this important election. Such a day could be either on Saturday, November 2 or on Monday, November 4. Most importantly, we must seek God’s face, ask for his direction and, then, go out and vote on Tuesday, November 5.   Would you help me by encouraging and promoting this message that we call all Louisiana Southern Baptists to fast and pray on a designated day as indicated above for the 2002 Senate race.   David Campbell, Pastor Goodwood Baptist Church Baton Rouge … [Read more...]

No question, Larry Walters had an extraordinary dose of wanderlust flowing in his blood. He was a truck driver, but that is only part of the symptoms of his ailment.   As he drove across this great country - yea, even since he was a lad of 13 years - he dreamed of soaring into the wild blue yonder in a weather balloon.   Who knows why? Maybe his mother was frightened by one when she was carrying him; as we will see, it is a good thing it was not a kite. Note: The following On Second Thought by Editor Lynn P. Clayton was published in the March 15, 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.   No question, Larry Walters had an extraordinary dose of wanderlust flowing in his blood. He was a truck driver, but that is only part of the symptoms of his ailment.   As he drove across this great country - yea, even since he was a lad of 13 years - he dreamed of soaring into the wild blue yonder in a weather balloon.   Who knows why? Maybe his mother was frightened by one when she was carrying him; as we will see, it is a good thing it was not a … [Read more...]

For the week of October 24, 2002 Potpourri • OAKDALE - Trinity church: "Hope For the Home" asociational Bible conference; Nov. 3, 10:45 a.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Nov. 4-6, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. with lunch to follow, 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Bill Riddick, Charles Robinson, Craig James, Ronnie Tarver and Wayne Squyres, guest speakers; Wayne Clark, music; for more information, call (318) 335-2757; Tony Robinson, pastor.   • BREAUX BRIDGE - Teche church: Higher Faith in concert; Nov. 2, 7 p.m.; Wayne Lyons, pastor.   • MONROE - Loch Arbor church: The Hemphills in concert; Nov. 3 10:50 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Andy Myrick, pastor.   • SLIDELL - Grace Memorial church: "Becoming Complete" conference; Nov. 3, 8:15 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 6:15 p.m.; Nov. 4-6, 7 p.m.; Jerry Pipes, conference leader; Keith Davis, student leader; Scott Adkins, music leader; for more information, call (985) 643-6017; Bob Heustess, pastor.   • EUNICE - First church: Women’s Conference; Nov. 9, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Elizabeth George, guest speaker; $10 per ticket, tickets can be purchased by calling (337) 457-2361; Michael DeRosier, pastor.   • ALBANY - Albany church: "Hellhouse" drama; Oct. 25-26 and Nov. 1-2, … [Read more...]

A decade after Southern Baptist leaders launched the most recognizable teenage sexual abstinence program in the world, the effort continues - and looks to expand its focus.   "We have had the True Love Waits (sexual abstinence) message take hold from Australia to Zimbabwe," said Jimmy Hester, a staff member with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, the agency sponsoring the effort. A decade after Southern Baptist leaders launched the most recognizable teenage sexual abstinence program in the world, the effort continues - and looks to expand its focus.   "We have had the True Love Waits (sexual abstinence) message take hold from Australia to Zimbabwe," said Jimmy Hester, a staff member with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, the agency sponsoring the effort.   "Students all over the world are seeing the wisdom of - and making - a commitment to living a lifestyle of purity."   Tens of thousands of young people have embraced True Love Waits, signing pledge cards that call them to remain sexual abstinent until marriage. And now, True Love Waits leaders want even more people - and not just teenagers to join in the … [Read more...]

God has gifted ministers’ wives in particular ways and wants to use those particular gifts through their lives, a trio of speakers emphasized recently.   "God will use your particular shape and will use you like he won’t use anyone else," Debi Sharkey told women attending the 22nd annual Annie Elias Leavell Lectures at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. God has gifted ministers’ wives in particular ways and wants to use those particular gifts through their lives, a trio of speakers emphasized recently.   "God will use your particular shape and will use you like he won’t use anyone else," Debi Sharkey told women attending the 22nd annual Annie Elias Leavell Lectures at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.   "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."   With a theme of "God’s Plan ... My Part," this year’s event focused on the ministers’ wives’ relationship with God, responsibility to the family and role in ministry.   The lives of ministers’ wives can stimulate faith in others, said Rhonda Kelley, whose husband, Chuck, is president of New Orleans Seminary.   Indeed, God expects his people to be holy or set apart, which means … [Read more...]

Fall has arrived in Louisiana with bright blue skies and the kind of cool weather that the state enjoys too infrequently.   Gone are the worries of Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili. Few stories are found in the newspaper regarding the two storms that lashed the southern part of Louisiana within a week’s time. Fall has arrived in Louisiana with bright blue skies and the kind of cool weather that the state enjoys too infrequently.   Gone are the worries of Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili. Few stories are found in the newspaper regarding the two storms that lashed the southern part of Louisiana within a week’s time.   But that does not mean everyone has recovered from the wind and water pushed into the state in late September and early October. People remain in need.   And that can only mean that Louisiana Baptists remain at work.   By the middle of this week, all of the disaster relief feeding kitchens were expected to be closed. By that time, they would have served close to 250,000 meals in the aftermath of the two storms.   By the start of next week, the major recovery operations could be complete as well, said Buddy Day, director of … [Read more...]

It is these persons who will be responsible for conducting convention business during the rest of the year - for the state offices and various agencies.   Thus, the process of nominating and electing state committee and board members represents an integral part of Louisiana Baptist life.   It begins with convention structure, which includes seven ongoing committees to address areas of Louisiana Baptist life. Also, each convention agency is governed by a separate trustee board. There is an executive board to handle denominational business during the year as well. It is these persons who will be responsible for conducting convention business during the rest of the year - for the state offices and various agencies.   Thus, the process of nominating and electing state committee and board members represents an integral part of Louisiana Baptist life.   It begins with convention structure, which includes seven ongoing committees to address areas of Louisiana Baptist life. Also, each convention agency is governed by a separate trustee board. There is an executive board to handle denominational business during the year as well.   A total of 64 persons serve on … [Read more...]

If Halloween is just around the corner and Thanksgiving is less than a month away, that can mean only one thing - Louisiana Baptists are getting ready to gather for their annual convention.   This year, church members from across the state are preparing to meet in Bossier City at the Bossier City Civic Center on Nov. 11-12 for their annual two-day gathering of business, fellowship and inspiration. If Halloween is just around the corner and Thanksgiving is less than a month away, that can mean only one thing - Louisiana Baptists are getting ready to gather for their annual convention.   This year, church members from across the state are preparing to meet in Bossier City at the Bossier City Civic Center on Nov. 11-12 for their annual two-day gathering of business, fellowship and inspiration.   The annual convention is set to begin with a Monday evening session and conclude late Tuesday afternoon.   However, in those 24 hours and three sessions, Louisiana Baptists will pack a full agenda.   As in past years, election of officers will be a highlight item of business, especially when it comes to president.   However, this year’s top election appears no … [Read more...]

In one way, the numbers tell the story of John Williams’ tenure as executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.   Endowment climbed past $21 million. Some 950 children went through the home during his 16 years of leadership. More than a dozen counseling centers were opened around the state to aid families in crisis.   But those are not the numbers Williams talks about when he reflects on his work at the Louisiana Baptist agency. In one way, the numbers tell the story of John Williams’ tenure as executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.   Endowment climbed past $21 million. Some 950 children went through the home during his 16 years of leadership. More than a dozen counseling centers were opened around the state to aid families in crisis.   But those are not the numbers Williams talks about when he reflects on his work at the Louisiana Baptist agency.   Williams speaks of the one boy who became the first to attend college in his family and now is pursuing a doctorate.   He speaks of the one girl who left the home, got married and now is rearing children of her own in a Christian home.   And he speaks of the … [Read more...]

For the week of October 31, 2002 Missionary affirmations Nearly 99 percent of Southern Baptist missionaries have complied with a request to affirm the 2000 "Baptist Faith and Message," Southern Baptist International Mission Board officials report. Senior Vice President Avery Willis reportedly is talking personally with missionaries who have not yet complied with a January request to sign an affirmation of the faith statement. A total of 26 missionaries have resigned while specifically citing the request as a factor in their decision. Resignations for six others are awaiting trustee action in November. A total of 5,437 international missionaries currently serve with the mission board. Graham crusade Southern Baptist Evangelist Billy Graham broke attendance records for Texas Stadium the last two nights of the Oct. 17-20 Metroplex Mission. Organizers said that 11,097 spiritual decisions were recorded during the crusade. Officials said 4.4 percent of the nearly 255,000 people attending mission meetings made decisions for Christ. A Saturday night service aimed at a youth audience broke the attendance record for the Dallas-area stadium in Irving, drawing 82,000. The following Sunday evening service broke that record … [Read more...]