A final destination for Truth looms on the horizon, but the essence of the contemporary Christian musical groups lies in its long journey. A final destination for Truth looms on the horizon, but the essence of the contemporary Christian musical groups lies in its long journey.   In May, Truth founder Roger Breland announced the ensemble would conclude its 30th year with a Farewell Tour, culminating in a final concert on June 16, 2002, in Nashville Tenn. "For the past year, my family and I have been praying about our future," Breland says. "We believe this final chapter will complete the vision God launched 30 years ago."   During the past three decades, the 21-member cast of musicians and technicians has performed almost 10,000 concerts, recorded 50 albums, traveled to more than two dozen countries and been heard in live concerts by more than 10 million people.   However, Truth began its gigantic music ministry under modest circumstances.   In August 1967, Breland became minister of music at Spring Hill Baptist Church in Mobile, Ala. Inspired by the Ralph Carmichael musical "Good News," the former high school teacher introduced a contemporary sound into his youth … [Read more...]

While terrorist attacks and military retaliation create uncertainty about the future for many people, Southern Baptists must "seize the day" for Jesus Christ, said Jerry Rankin, president of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. While terrorist attacks and military retaliation create uncertainty about the future for many people, Southern Baptists must "seize the day" for Jesus Christ, said Jerry Rankin, president of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board.   "This is not a time for putting missionary activity on hold," Rankin said. "It is a time for seizing the opportunity to proclaim our living savior in every effort to extend the kingdom of God into the strongholds of darkness."   Southern Baptist missionary work was temporarily disrupted by the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 and the military strikes launched in reply on Oct. 7, Rankin said.   "A number of families were temporarily withdrawn from the more vulnerable situations, and others in isolated and remote assignments were relocated," he said. "Some public events overseas were postponed, some travel restricted and a few volunteer projects canceled for the immediate future.   "But we feel these … [Read more...]

You are as handy as a shirt pocket." Folks said that when I was growing up. Being something of a literalist in those days, that saying made little sense to me. You are as handy as a shirt pocket." Folks said that when I was growing up. Being something of a literalist in those days, that saying made little sense to me. I never had anything to go into a shirt pocket. So, one day after someone said that, I asked, "What does that mean?" The kind person helped me with my lack of imagination. "You know how handy your shirt pocket is, don’t you? Well, don’t you?" Responding further to my blank stare, my friend said, "You know, you can keep your pencil there or stick notes into it or put your chewing gum in there. It is just handy to have around. And you know how unhandy it is to have a shirt without a pocket." "Oooh, I see," thinking I was getting it. "And there is nothing worse than a pocket that has a hole in it." My friend’s expression said, "I never saw anyone that thickheaded." Since that day, I have never taken pockets for granted. I try to appreciate them and say a good word for them whenever given the chance. They are handy. Pocket lovers have a field day nowadays. Designers put pockets everywhere. Last … [Read more...]

Leonard Sweet is glad to tell people "what makes him tick" - that he is crazy in love with Jesus.   "And I think it’s your job and mine to help a whole new generation to say the same thing," Sweet reminded a group of preschool and children’s workers at a recent Southern Baptist conference. Leonard Sweet is glad to tell people "what makes him tick" - that he is crazy in love with Jesus.   "And I think it’s your job and mine to help a whole new generation to say the same thing," Sweet reminded a group of preschool and children’s workers at a recent Southern Baptist conference.   The task will not be easy, noted Sweet, an author and E. Stanley Jones professor at Drew University in New York.   Indeed, Sweet compared the challenge of adults born prior to 1962 sharing Christ with people born after that year to immigrants trying to communicate with natives.   People born after 1962 are"A.C." (after computers and natives to today’s culture, Sweet explained. Those born before 1962 are "B.C." (before computers) and represent immigrants, he said.   "It’s time we went native," Sweet emphasized. "How can we reach them without imposing our immigrant … [Read more...]

A year or two ago, these folks would have spent Sunday mornings sleeping in, mowing the lawn, reading the paper.   Now they are going to church - and a researcher from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary wants to know why and why they picked the church they did. A year or two ago, these folks would have spent Sunday mornings sleeping in, mowing the lawn, reading the paper.   Now they are going to church - and a researcher from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary wants to know why and why they picked the church they did.   Thom Rainer is dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth at the seminary in Louisville, Ky. In search of the answers to his questions, Rainer has interviewed new members at growing churches to find out why they chose that church over others and what that church is doing that works.   Among the answers he has found:   • It is not because of the church’s name. In this crowd, denominationalism does not cut it, Rainer notes. The denomination often played no role at all in the person’s decision to choose a particular church.   • These new Christians want to know what a church believes in and want it to … [Read more...]

A Central Louisiana church that started in a cannonball-scarred plantation home in 1901 recently celebrated its 100th birthday by giving a party for six times as many people as it presently averages in attendance. A Central Louisiana church that started in a cannonball-scarred plantation home in 1901 recently celebrated its 100th birthday by giving a party for six times as many people as it presently averages in attendance.   Macedonia Baptist Church in Effie, worked for more than a year to have a celebration worthy of "the great blessings God has bestowed on our fellowship," Pastor Blaine A. Stafford explained.   Former members and others with ties to the church’s membership overflowed the auditorium for the homecoming service. The day’s activities included a cochon de lait, for which six pigs were roasted. The pork was served with roasted turkey and a potluck meal. The congregation that averages 64 in attendance fed 440 people - "and the ladies served them all in 40 minutes," reported Bill Clark, a layperson who worked on the anniversary celebration.   Participants were able to view five classrooms that became galleries of photographs, articles and other artifacts representing the … [Read more...]

As a former faculty member at Louisiana College in the Department of History and Political Science from 1961-1973, I continued to subscribe to the Baptist Message following our move to Mississippi College, my B.A. alma mater. As a former faculty member at Louisiana College in the Department of History and Political Science from 1961-1973, I continued to subscribe to the Baptist Message following our move to Mississippi College, my B.A. alma mater.   Your full page feature on Wayland College’s decision to integrate fifty years ago revived special memories for me. In 1951, the year of the college’s integration, my wife, Carnette, and I began a decade of service there. My first African-American student was one from Shreveport. However, the largest number were from Nigeria. They had deep facial tribal slashes, with such names as Ojo, Bankole, Bamijoko and Akanda. Samuel Akande recently retired as the executive secretary of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. All of these were outstanding academic performers who enriched my classes notably.   As recorded in the news release, Dr. Bill Marshall was an effective promoter for the college worldwide. Thanks for an informative presentation about a … [Read more...]

P>Once again, Saudi millionaire Osama bin Laden has urged Muslim faithful to arms against the United States, calling for a jihad "over the forces of infidels and tyranny." Once again, Saudi millionaire Osama bin Laden has urged Muslim faithful to arms against the United States, calling for a jihad "over the forces of infidels and tyranny."   Such battle cries have echoed across the Middle East and beyond in recent decades. In the name of Islam, extremist groups have waged war against the governments of Algeria and Egypt, against Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and against Russian control of Chechnya.   Indeed, 22 years ago, militants in Iran propelled Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini to the head of a theocratic state.   Strictly defined, jihad comes from the Arabic term for struggle or striving. But today, many Americans define jihad - however incorrectly - by the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.   And while condemned by the majority of mainstream Muslims believers, jihad by the sword still has gained a rhetorical edge - and a large degree of sympathy - within the tumultuous currents of the Middle East political world.   Tellingly, the Grand … [Read more...]

For the week of October 25, 2001 Potpourri • ALEXANDRIA - Calvary church: "Connections--Plugging Into Life’s Essential Relationships" presented by Central La. Association; Nov. 10, 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Dennis Swanberg, keynote speaker; Welby and Jeanine Bozeman, David Brooks, Kevin Boles and Stephen Trammell to speak; early registration before Nov. 1 is $15; afterwards, tickets are $20; tickets available at area Christian bookstores; for information, call the associational office at (318) 445-5772 or contact the church office at (318) 445-5640; David Brooks, pastor.   • BATON ROUGE - First church: "For Such a Time As This..." women’s conference; Nov. 2; registration, 5:30 p.m.; conference, 6:30 p.m.; Nov. 3; breakfast, 8 a.m.; conference, 8:45 a.m.; Marilyn Osbourn and Liz Luter, speakers; cost is $30; limited childcare available with telephone registration only; for information, contact Faye Scott or Brenda O’Neal at (225) 343-0397; Burn Page, pastor.   • BATON ROUGE - First church: "Experiencing God--The Musical"; Nov. 2, 8 p.m.; Nov. 4, 6 p.m.; Doran Bugg, minister of music; Burn Page, pastor.   • LAKE CHARLES - Boulevard church: "Anger Management" seminar; Nov. 7, 6 p.m.; Bill … [Read more...]