One people group never will hear the good news of God’s love, even if a missionary knocks on their door.   These 30 million people worldwide never will hear because they are deaf. Isolated socially and immersed in a culture radically different from the hearing world, the deaf have little hope of even learning about Christ, much less understanding the gospel and receiving him as savior. One people group never will hear the good news of God’s love, even if a missionary knocks on their door.   These 30 million people worldwide never will hear because they are deaf. Isolated socially and immersed in a culture radically different from the hearing world, the deaf have little hope of even learning about Christ, much less understanding the gospel and receiving him as savior.   However, leaders from the Southern Baptist Conference of the Deaf and Southern Baptist International Mission Board want to change that fact.   They recently met to discuss ways to do so.   During the meeting, the leaders forged a partnership to direct more missionary outreach to deaf populations worldwide.   They also discussed possible creation of a center to prepare Southern … [Read more...]

The Middle East conflict has deep roots and hard-to-find answers The following reflections on the Middle East conflict are from a layperson’s perspective and certainly not that of a government diplomat or academic student of the Middle East. The following reflections on the Middle East conflict are from a layperson’s perspective and certainly not that of a government diplomat or academic student of the Middle East. There is absolutely no claim of any kind as an authority. I write simply as someone who has talked to people on both sides of the Jordan River - leaders of government and people on the street - during five trips to the Middle East, two of which were as a guest of the Israeli and Jordanian governments. With the unrest in Israel growing more and more violent, the following is presented in the hope that it will help readers gain some informal understanding of the conflict raging in the area that Jews and Christians call the Holy Land. Jordan and Israel 23 years ago My first trip to the Middle East was 23 years ago. Technically, Jordan and Israel were still at war, although the actual fighting had stopped, except for some border skirmishes, small guerilla raids and retaliatory strikes. Incredibly, … [Read more...]

For an antonym of peace, look at the land of the Prince of Peace. Hardly a place on earth exists where convulsive conflict rules more than in Palestine, the land that is now home of Israel and the Israeli occupied land of the Palestinians. For an antonym of peace, look at the land of the Prince of Peace. Hardly a place on earth exists where convulsive conflict rules more than in Palestine, the land that is now home of Israel and the Israeli occupied land of the Palestinians.   The Land of the Bible is filled with the stuff of ongoing, intense conflict - two distinctly different cultures, two languages, two religions, two heritages, two worldviews in one land to which both claim divine right. Millions of people on both sides are packed into a land less than 300 miles long and about 70 miles wide at its broadest point - much of the land too arid to sustain life. Within these very limited borders rest the holiest sites of Judaism, Christianity and two of the holiest sites of Islam.   The intensity of the two groups living in such a small area puts more and more pressure on the volatile situation. The only questions become how much will the pressure build before conflict erupts, where will it erupt … [Read more...]

Some ideologues keep public schools firmly in their cross hairs for severe criticism. According to the more severe critics, nothing good rests in the schools or can be said about them. Some critics apparently have broader agendas at work behind these criticisms, and others are sincerely concerned about legitimate problems of public education. Either way, their harsh negativism slams this basic institution of community life. Some ideologues keep public schools firmly in their cross hairs for severe criticism. According to the more severe critics, nothing good rests in the schools or can be said about them. Some critics apparently have broader agendas at work behind these criticisms, and others are sincerely concerned about legitimate problems of public education. Either way, their harsh negativism slams this basic institution of community life.   Acknowledging the shortcomings of public education should not, however, keep the general population, including Christians, from appreciating the significant work done in public schools by multitudes of people.   Thousands of people who work in the Louisiana public education system do so as what they believe is their major place of ministry. It is part … [Read more...]

Like 90 percent of the ministers in America, David Wallace uses electronic mail in his professional and personal life.   But for the new associate pastor at Montgomery Community Baptist church in Erlanger, Ky., this efficient method of communication will never replace face-to-face conversations. Like 90 percent of the ministers in America, David Wallace uses electronic mail in his professional and personal life.   But for the new associate pastor at Montgomery Community Baptist church in Erlanger, Ky., this efficient method of communication will never replace face-to-face conversations. "One of the frustrations I have with e-mail is if I have something sensitive to discuss with a church member, I’m afraid the printed word will not convey personal feelings," Wallace said.   "So, I will call someone or have lunch with them," he said. "In personal conversation, you can have all the color and depth that e-mail doesn’t. Being an authentic person requires human touch and being with other people. Jesus ministered through human touch and conversation. He did miracles by touch."   Wallace’s comments reflect one side of an ongoing discussion within religious and professional … [Read more...]

Most people would not think of using a Camry with a sunroof as an evangelistic tool, but for Gerry Captain, this is one way to reach others.   "They come up and like that car," Captain says. "It opens up a way for me to reach them." Most people would not think of using a Camry with a sunroof as an evangelistic tool, but for Gerry Captain, this is one way to reach others.   "They come up and like that car," Captain says. "It opens up a way for me to reach them."   Captain says that while she is evangelizing in the impoverished streets of Lake Charles, it is nothing for her to witness drug deals occurring in the afternoon. But she says that when those times come, God takes away her fear.   In this seemingly-hopeless environment, this brave warrior brings a glimpse of hope and light to a neighborhood in need of love and change for the better.   The hope comes via Grace Ministries, which is "a multi-faceted ministry that could be used to inspire individuals and families to experience a full and meaningful life in their schools, homes, churches and community," Captain notes.   Carey Baptist Association sponsors the ministry, and the center is supported … [Read more...]

Most people would not think of using a Camry with a sunroof as an evangelistic tool, but for Gerry Captain, this is one way to reach others.   "They come up and like that car," Captain says. "It opens up a way for me to reach them." Most people would not think of using a Camry with a sunroof as an evangelistic tool, but for Gerry Captain, this is one way to reach others.   "They come up and like that car," Captain says. "It opens up a way for me to reach them."   Captain says that while she is evangelizing in the impoverished streets of Lake Charles, it is nothing for her to witness drug deals occurring in the afternoon. But she says that when those times come, God takes away her fear.   In this seemingly-hopeless environment, this brave warrior brings a glimpse of hope and light to a neighborhood in need of love and change for the better.   The hope comes via Grace Ministries, which is "a multi-faceted ministry that could be used to inspire individuals and families to experience a full and meaningful life in their schools, homes, churches and community," Captain notes.   Carey Baptist Association sponsors the ministry, and the center is supported … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist women were urged to "discover the joy of missions" during the recent state Woman’s Missionary Union annual meeting.   "The desire to obey (God) has got to be stronger than anything else in our lives, ..." Southern Baptist missionary Patty Higginbotham challenged during the two-day gathering at Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. Louisiana Baptist women were urged to "discover the joy of missions" during the recent state Woman’s Missionary Union annual meeting.   "The desire to obey (God) has got to be stronger than anything else in our lives, ..." Southern Baptist missionary Patty Higginbotham challenged during the two-day gathering at Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge.   "God is preparing all of us for something. We may not know what it is. But we have to ask him to keep preparing us. ... We all need to be prepared."   Indeed, there are needs to be met and opportunities to serve everywhere, another speaker reminded women.   "We have to keep our eyes open," women were reminded during the closing session of the meeting. "We have to keep our hearts open. We have to listen to God. ...   "Don’t say there isn’t anything to … [Read more...]

As Ray Dry encountered the world of the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, he asked one inmate what it felt like to live in prison.   "Lock yourself up in your bathroom for 20 or 30 years and see how it feels," the inmate answered. "I’m in this cell, by myself, 23 hours a day. I’ve got a daughter, 16 (years old). I’ve been here 14 years. As Ray Dry encountered the world of the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, he asked one inmate what it felt like to live in prison.   "Lock yourself up in your bathroom for 20 or 30 years and see how it feels," the inmate answered. "I’m in this cell, by myself, 23 hours a day. I’ve got a daughter, 16 (years old). I’ve been here 14 years.   "Here, see her photo? I miss her. I’ve got 10 more (years) to go."   One who visits the Angola prison is likely to see a little bit of everything, men imprisoned for any range of criminal activity, acknowledged Dry, a member at University Baptist Church in Baton Rouge.   However, late last month, Dry had the opportunity to see something that most people probably would not consider a likely sight in a state prison — an Easter service open to the public.   "I read you guys … [Read more...]

Your prison chaplains, active and retired, surely are some of the most grateful clergy in Louisiana; thankful to God and some of his special people for the chapels completed and those planned for the state’s prisons. Just the presence of a chapel speaks volumes to prisoners about God’s love and about what is important in that prison’s program activities. Your prison chaplains, active and retired, surely are some of the most grateful clergy in Louisiana; thankful to God and some of his special people for the chapels completed and those planned for the state’s prisons. Just the presence of a chapel speaks volumes to prisoners about God’s love and about what is important in that prison’s program activities.   One warden at Angola (Louisiana State Prison) regularly said, "The only thing that will take a man out of this prison and guarantee that he stays out is a genuine conversion to Jesus Christ as Lord."   With 18 years in prison ministry, I know that is true. After seeing that miracle many times, I call myself A God Watcher — like, "Okay Lord, what are you going to do next?" Several inmates have come out of one prison and directly into seminary. One of those will graduate with the master of … [Read more...]