Louisiana Baptist Convention messengers gave unanimous approval to a record Cooperative Program budget goal for 2002 last week.   The action was one of only three matters brought to messengers from the LBC Executive Board at last week’s convention. Louisiana Baptist Convention messengers gave unanimous approval to a record Cooperative Program budget goal for 2002 last week.   The action was one of only three matters brought to messengers from the LBC Executive Board at last week’s convention.   The approved budget of $23,923,076 represents an increase of $1,173,076 (5.2 percent) from the current goal.   It also represents a major challenge for Louisiana Baptists, who have enjoyed strong giving in recent years.   However, economic unrest has impacted giving this year. At last week’s annual meeting, convention leaders acknowledged gifts may fall as much as $1 million below budget by the close of the calendar year.   If that happens, it means giving would have to increase by almost $2.2 million next year in order to reach the 2002 goal.   However, that scenario did not prove daunting to convention messengers, who approved the 2002 budget without … [Read more...]

A trio of Louisiana Baptist preachers urged state pastors last week to preach the Bible, depend on Jesus and have a vision for winning all of the world to Christ.   The three Louisiana preachers were among 10 speakers at the annual Louisiana Baptist Pastors’ Conference, which held three sessions at Celebration Church in Metairie prior to the Louisiana Baptist Convention last week. A trio of Louisiana Baptist preachers urged state pastors last week to preach the Bible, depend on Jesus and have a vision for winning all of the world to Christ.   The three Louisiana preachers were among 10 speakers at the annual Louisiana Baptist Pastors’ Conference, which held three sessions at Celebration Church in Metairie prior to the Louisiana Baptist Convention last week.   "The Word of God ought to do an effective work, ..." proclaimed Jimmy Robertson pastor at Milldale Baptist Church in Zachary. "And I believe it will. But first of all, if people are going to hear it as the Word of God, it must be preached as the Word of God, without any question, without any doubt. ... It must be preached as the eternal, infallible Word of God."   The Bible must be preached under the authority and … [Read more...]

In the end, what figured to be another close election for Louisiana Baptist Convention president turned out to be a virtual landslide.   And with the election of Steve James as president - and two other fundamental/conservative nominees as vice presidents - messengers sent a decisive message regarding the future direction of the state convention. James is pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles. In the end, what figured to be another close election for Louisiana Baptist Convention president turned out to be a virtual landslide.   And with the election of Steve James as president - and two other fundamental/conservative nominees as vice presidents - messengers sent a decisive message regarding the future direction of the state convention. James is pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles.   Election of James means that fundamental/conservatives presidents have won the last three contested open elections and will have occupied the convention’s top office for five of the last seven years.   The string is broken only in 1997 and 1998, when Louisiana Baptists gathered around a consensus peace candidate and granted Bob Anderson of Baton Rouge two terms as … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists approved six resolutions last week, all without discussion or debate.   In addition to traditional resolutions of appreciation for the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation and convention organizers, messengers to last week’s annual state convention approved statements on: Louisiana Baptists approved six resolutions last week, all without discussion or debate.   In addition to traditional resolutions of appreciation for the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation and convention organizers, messengers to last week’s annual state convention approved statements on:   • The nature of the Bible.   The approved statement notes that Baptists always have believed the Bible to be the "holy,inspired, written Word of God."   But some have claimed to discover errors in it, the resolution notes. "Doubters of God’s Word have manipulated definitions of words such as ‘infallible,’ ‘perfect’ and ‘true’ to allege falsehood in the Bible or to claim the Bible to be true in one area of knowledge and not in others."   In response, the resolution declares "that the Bible is inerrant, infallible, true, trustworthy, without mixture of error and … [Read more...]

For the week of November 22, 2001 Potpourri • ALEXANDRIA - Calvary church: "Family Gift Seminar" one-night seminar for parents and children; Nov. 29, 6:30 p.m.; cost is $5 per family; Bill Beausay, speaker; for information, call the church office at (318) 445-5640; David Brooks, pastor.   • OPELOUSAS - Cecilia church: John Yates, ventriloquist, to perform, Dec. 2, 10:30 a.m.; Francis Soileau, pastor. Homecomings • RAYVILLE - Boeuf River church: Dec. 2, 11 a.m.; S. B. Boyett, speaker; dinner to follow; Benton Moore, pastor. Ordinations • BATON ROUGE - Woodlawn church: Mike O’Neal to gospel ministry; Tommy Middleton, pastor. Youth • MORGAN CITY - First church: youth choir to present"Because We Believe" (youth-led worship experience) Nov. 25, 6 p.m.; Kathy Kinnison, minister of youth; Earl Waggoner, pastor. Christmas Programs • MINDEN - First church: youth choir to present "The Ultimate Youth Christmas"; Dec. 2, 6:30 p.m.; Max Hutto, minister of music; Roy Strother, pastor. Ministers Needed • FOLSOM - Red Bluff church: interim pastor and full-time pastor; for information, contact Bryant Laird at (985) 796-0381.   • LECOMPTE - First church: part-time youth minister and part-time minister … [Read more...]

President George Bush confirmed the news in an impromptu news conference on Nov. 15 - the imprisoned aid workers in Afghanistan had been rescued.   That same evening, the father of Dayna Curry received a telephone call that began with her words, "Dad, I’m free." President George Bush confirmed the news in an impromptu news conference on Nov. 15 - the imprisoned aid workers in Afghanistan had been rescued.   That same evening, the father of Dayna Curry received a telephone call that began with her words, "Dad, I’m free."   Curry and Heather Mercer and six other western aid workers were in Pakistan, after being rescued in pre-dawn Afghanistan, having been freed amid an anti-Taliban uprising in the city of Ghazni.   The workers had been taken to the city by Taliban forces retreating from the nation’s capital as U.S.-backed Northern Alliance forces were advancing.   Sixteen Afghan aid workers who also had been held by Taliban authorities were freed when Northern Alliance forces entered Kabul, news reports indicate.   The aid workers are affiliated with the German-based Shelter Now International ministry. They were arrested in August on Taliban … [Read more...]

Most members of churches in the 12 largest denominations in America have beliefs that "fall far short of orthodox Christianity," T.C. "Tommy" French told messengers to the Louisiana Baptist Convention. He based the statement on the recently-released finding of a Barna Institute survey. Most members of churches in the 12 largest denominations in America have beliefs that "fall far short of orthodox Christianity," T.C. "Tommy" French told messengers to the Louisiana Baptist Convention. He based the statement on the recently-released finding of a Barna Institute survey.   These "shocking" statistics "represent only the surface of a deeper crisis of faith and practice within the Christian faith and our Southern Baptist Zion," French said during his presidential address to last week’s annual meeting.   French’s texts for his message - entitled "Another Generation" - were Judges 2:6-10 and Hosea 4:6. They record the "transition from a godly to an ungodly generation of Hebrews that was ignorant of God’s Word and of his mighty works," he said. "They were uneducated in God’s Word and in their historical relationship with God. ...   "Have we raised up a new generation that knows … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists must live Christian lives worth something for God, Wayne VanHorn stressed last week.   "It’s all about using this Word (the Bible) to get us to the ultimate Word, so we can be a living Word, so lost people can come to Jesus," said VanHorn, pastor at First Baptist Church of Columbia, Miss. Louisiana Baptists must live Christian lives worth something for God, Wayne VanHorn stressed last week.   "It’s all about using this Word (the Bible) to get us to the ultimate Word, so we can be a living Word, so lost people can come to Jesus," said VanHorn, pastor at First Baptist Church of Columbia, Miss.   VanHorn led Louisiana Baptists in three Bible studies during last week’s annual state convention in Westwego. During them, he emphasized the nature of the Bible, challenged Louisiana Baptists to live worthy lives and called on the nation to return to God or face peril.   In his first study, VanHorn reminded persons that the Bible provides the answer for all the troubles and problems of life.   "No matter what shape your life is in, this book will straighten you out," he said of the Bible. "It’s easy to follow. It gives few and uncomplicated … [Read more...]

In addition to handling business last week, Louisiana Baptists also took time to fellowship and hear a challenge to demonstrate Christian love to a lost and needy world   Louisiana Baptists have the necessary message for these uncertain times, but they must truly love one another if they hope to reach people with it, W.D. "Step" Martin warned. In addition to handling business last week, Louisiana Baptists also took time to fellowship and hear a challenge to demonstrate Christian love to a lost and needy world   Louisiana Baptists have the necessary message for these uncertain times, but they must truly love one another if they hope to reach people with it, W.D. "Step" Martin warned.   "We live in perilous times, ..." noted Martin, pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Shreveport. "Devastation is everywhere. If there’s ever an opportunity for us as Baptists to step up and stand up, it’s now.   "What an opportunity is before us - and we have the message. But we have to get the message across to the hearers," Martin said during the convention sermon at last week’s annual meeting of Louisiana Baptists. "And sometimes, I’m afraid that we lose the message in our struggles and … [Read more...]

Creede, Colorado, has two faces.   In the summer, people from across the South find their ways to the area around this mountain village. Ceede’s luxurious mountain setting, cool evenings and mild days are magnets for heat-weary Southerners. Creede, Colorado, has two faces.   In the summer, people from across the South find their ways to the area around this mountain village. Ceede’s luxurious mountain setting, cool evenings and mild days are magnets for heat-weary Southerners.   The Rio Grande River’s birthplace is only thirty miles up the Rio Grande Valley. The river provides excellent trout fishing for those thirty miles west, and another twenty miles east of Creede. Plus, you need more than your fingers and toes to count the trout-filled lakes. Countless creeks - with names such as Deep Creek, Rat Creek, Miner’s Creek - are nestled in almost every valley of size. People who have been going to Creede for decades have not managed to fish every place touted as "excellent." Two of the busiest businesses are the fly-fishing shops.   Just to the west of Creede is the Weminuche Wilderness Area. Backpackers roam the millions of acres there knowing the pristine experience will … [Read more...]