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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Now is the time for Southern Baptists to help BEAT world hunger, leaders say

Hunger is a worldwide problem - but Southern Baptist Convention leaders are doing their best to rally members of their churches to "BEAT" it.   As the 2002 observance of the convention’s world hunger emphasis nears, leaders are calling on Southern Baptist churches to schedule a "Believers Everywhere ATtack Hunger" weekend as a way of raising awareness - and funds.   The need for both are plain. Hunger is a worldwide problem - but Southern Baptist Convention leaders are doing their best to rally members of their churches to "BEAT" it.   As the 2002 observance of the convention’s world hunger emphasis nears, leaders are calling on Southern Baptist churches to schedule a "Believers Everywhere ATtack Hunger" weekend as a way of raising awareness - and funds.   The need for both are plain.   Giving through the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund is down - 15 percent in 2001 and 11 percent already this year.   That translates to millions of dollars.   And that translates to millions left untouched by hunger ministries - even as the needs mount around the world.   A BEAT Hunger weekend can help change that picture, … [Read more...]

Weekly Announcements

For the week of September 26, 2002 Potpourri • SHREVEPORT - Emmanual church: "My Cup Runneth Over" fourth annual women’s conference; Oct. 5, 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.; $10 per person, which includes lunch; child care available; Abby Shields, Barbara Brady, Nell Bice and Joyce Jordan, scheduled guest speakers; to register or for information, call (318) 686-7548; Bill Stowell, pastor.   • WINNSBORO - New Zion church: In cooperation with Oak Grove church will feature Malachi in concert; Sept. 29, 6 p.m.; fellowship to follow concert; Tommy Basco, pastor.   • DERIDDER - Mt. Carmel church: The Beasleys in concert; Sept. 29, 6 p.m.; Frederick Hartzell, pastor.   • CALHOUN - First church: Lay Ministry Weekend; Sept. 27, 6 p.m. covered dish supper, 7:15-9:30 p.m. sessions; Sept. 28, 9:15 a.m.-noon sessions, 6 p.m. covered dish supper, 7:15-9:30 p.m. sessions; Sept. 29, 8 a.m-noon; Ivan Harliss, Lay Ministry Weekend coordinator; Neal Everett, pastor. Revivals • BALL - First church of Ball: Sept. 29, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 7 p.m.; Ronnie Tullos, evangelist; Randy Ryland, music; Mike Hedrick, pastor.   • RAYVILLE - Woodlawn church: Oct. 6, 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Oct. 7-9, 7 … [Read more...]

LC quality remains high, reports indicate

Enrollment, academic quality and spiritual atmosphere and commitment remain high at Louisiana College, recent reports indicate.   During their scheduled meeting last week, trustees of the Louisiana Baptist school in Pineville learned that:   • Enrollment this semester fell 4.4 percent from last fall but still represents the second-highest level in 23 years and the sixth-highest mark in school history. Enrollment, academic quality and spiritual atmosphere and commitment remain high at Louisiana College, recent reports indicate.   During their scheduled meeting last week, trustees of the Louisiana Baptist school in Pineville learned that:   • Enrollment this semester fell 4.4 percent from last fall but still represents the second-highest level in 23 years and the sixth-highest mark in school history.   The full-time equivalency totaled 1,076, which includes 1,161 full- and part-time students. While a strong total, the numbers still are lower than anticipated.   On-campus housing numbers reflect a similar story. Down from last fall, the total still ranks as the third-highest in history.   • Academic quality continues to rise at … [Read more...]

Louisiana College trustees focus on ensuring future

Louisiana College trustees focused on ensuring the school’s Christian character and ties to the state convention during their scheduled meeting last week.   Trustees approved a motion for the school to join the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Membership in the council will provide the Pineville school with a valuable resource for faculty development from a Christian worldview and for finding Christian professors, trustees explained. Louisiana College trustees focused on ensuring the school’s Christian character and ties to the state convention during their scheduled meeting last week.   Trustees approved a motion for the school to join the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Membership in the council will provide the Pineville school with a valuable resource for faculty development from a Christian worldview and for finding Christian professors, trustees explained.   After about an hour of executive session discussion, trustees also approved a resolution reaffirming the ties between the college and the Louisiana Baptist Convention.   They also heard reports on various areas of the college and elected board officers for the new year. (See … [Read more...]

Southern Baptist body declines to recognize new Missouri convention

The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee has declined to recognize the new Baptist General Convention of Missouri as a collecting agent for the national denomination.   Committee members also have declined to limit the number of stat e conventions recognized by the national body - as a referred 2002 motion had urged. The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee has declined to recognize the new Baptist General Convention of Missouri as a collecting agent for the national denomination.   Committee members also have declined to limit the number of stat e conventions recognized by the national body - as a referred 2002 motion had urged.   The actions mean that the new moderate/conservative convention in Missouri cannot forward funds through the SBC Cooperative Program or through Southern Baptist missions offerings. Churches affiliated with the new convention either will have to send gifts directly to the national convention or funnel them through the existing Missouri Baptist Convention.   The action was not unexpected but did draw discussion at last week’s scheduled committee meeting.   A pair of guests addressed the issue during the meeting. … [Read more...]

The gospel – ‘unbound’: In the cities of Taiwan, Louisiana volunteers and others work to set the gospel loose among students

On any college campus throughout the United States, ‘Vip’ Vipperman would fit right in with other students.   There is that constant, easygoing grin and eyes darting around - looking for eye contact. A flash of recognition is followed by a pointed exclamation of, "Aww, brah! What’s up?" - a high-five ready and waiting.   At six feet, three inches, the 1999 graduate from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge is one of the tallest guys on the campus of Dongwoo University in Taipei, Taiwan. Editor’s Note: The pair of articles related to the work of Louisianians in Taiwan were provided special to the Louisiana Baptist Message through the Southern Baptist International Mission Board News Service.   On any college campus throughout the United States, ‘Vip’ Vipperman would fit right in with other students.   There is that constant, easygoing grin and eyes darting around - looking for eye contact. A flash of recognition is followed by a pointed exclamation of, "Aww, brah! What’s up?" - a high-five ready and waiting.   At six feet, three inches, the 1999 graduate from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge is one of the tallest guys on the campus of Dongwoo … [Read more...]

Committee offers lesson on conducting open business

The Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board’s study committee on the employment and supervision of the state’s directors of associational missions has stirred significant interest.   Perhaps, the interest in the committee’s work reflects grassroots’ feelings about the directors of missions and their work. The Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board’s study committee on the employment and supervision of the state’s directors of associational missions has stirred significant interest.   Perhaps, the interest in the committee’s work reflects grassroots’ feelings about the directors of missions and their work.   Directors of missions are the closest "denominational" position to local churches, their members and their ministers. Many ministers look to them as their "pastor," and many churches look to them as their "overseer" and, often, protector. They are the closest to the churches and, therefore, "give a face" to the cooperative work of Baptists.   So, when any consideration of these positions and the men who fill them is undertaken, Baptists take special notice.   The study committee, under its chair Paul Roney, has wisely made its considerations public … [Read more...]

For this Louisiana Baptist, her work was ‘a calling from the Lord and not a job’

Joyce Marcantel recalls well her first year as the First Baptist Church of DeQuincy secretary.   Now, this servant has retired from a job she has cherished for 45 years.   The church thought so highly of this longtime secretary that the membership celebrated "Joyce Marcantel Day" on June 2. Joyce Marcantel recalls well her first year as the First Baptist Church of DeQuincy secretary.   Now, this servant has retired from a job she has cherished for 45 years.   The church thought so highly of this longtime secretary that the membership celebrated "Joyce Marcantel Day" on June 2.   "The main thing was all the wonderful friends who were there," Marcantel says. "I thank the Lord for the years I was able to spend in his service."   DeQuincy Mayor L.A. Hexagan presented Marcantel with a framed proclamation of this special day and a key to the city. During the evening activities, the church showered her with a money tree, cards and a navy blue reclining chair.   A resident of DeQuincy most of her life, Marcantel grew up in First Baptist Church, where she professed her faith early in her childhood. When Elizabeth Perkins resigned as the church … [Read more...]

A proposed change

The current system of the state convention employing and administering associational directors of missions provides for a level of accountability and a degree of unified strategy that cannot be beat.   The current system of the state convention employing and administering associational directors of missions violates the biblical principle of local church autonomy and sets the pyramid of Baptist polity upside down.   Which is it? A proposed change: A pending recommendation would change the LBC director of missions structure - some say such an overhaul is needed, while others express concerns about its impact   The current system of the state convention employing and administering associational directors of missions provides for a level of accountability and a degree of unified strategy that cannot be beat.   The current system of the state convention employing and administering associational directors of missions violates the biblical principle of local church autonomy and sets the pyramid of Baptist polity upside down.   Which is it?   Consider the issues involved and make a choice - that is what Louisiana Baptists are doing these days as they discuss … [Read more...]

Longtime Louisiana Baptist minister, former president dies

Former Louisiana Baptist Convention President Robert S. Magee died July 23 in Ruston.   Magee was 70.   Magee was a Mississippi native but spent well more than half of his pastoral ministry at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston. Former Louisiana Baptist Convention President Robert S. Magee died July 23 in Ruston.   Magee was 70.   Magee was a Mississippi native but spent well more than half of his pastoral ministry at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston.   Magee received a doctor of theology degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary before entering the full-time pastoral ministry.   However, he served in several student pastorates in Mississippi during that time, leading four congregations during a 15-year span.   In 1964, just two years after graduating from seminary, Magee was called from his fourth Mississippi Baptist church to become pastor of the Temple congregation. He would serve in that post until he retired in 1998 and was named pastor emeritus of the church.   In Louisiana, Magee would serve as state convention president, elected to one-year terms in 1985 and 1986.   He also preached the state convention … [Read more...]