A recent crackdown on Christianity apparently is continuing in the strict Islamic world of Afghanistan.   Ruling Taliban authorities arrested 35 more Afghan aid workers earlier this month. Thus far, more than 50 Afghans have been jailed by the strict regime since early August on suspicion of aiding covert Christian missionary work. A recent crackdown on Christianity apparently is continuing in the strict Islamic world of Afghanistan.   Ruling Taliban authorities arrested 35 more Afghan aid workers earlier this month. Thus far, more than 50 Afghans have been jailed by the strict regime since early August on suspicion of aiding covert Christian missionary work.   International aid workers say at least 35 Afghans employed by the recently-banned International Assistance Mission were taken into custody when they came to get their final salary payment.   Sources said a state-run radio broadcast had ordered Afghan staffers of the banned agency to come and collect their pay.   "When the Afghans showed up, they were arrested," Associated Press reported.   In an Associated Press of Pakistan story, an expatriate aid worker said she knew of some 15 to 17 Afghan … [Read more...]

For the week of September 20, 2001 Potpourri •EUNICE - Acadian center: La. State CMA (Christian Motorcyclists Association) Rally 2001 featuring Curtis Clements, evangelist; Sept. 27-30; for information, contact Al Simms, La. State Coordinator, at (318) 865-2453; James Newsom, camp manager.   •MANSFIELD - Southside church: "Eternity" presentation; Sept. 29, 7 p.m.; Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m. and Oct. 1-3, 7 p.m.; Oliver D. Cagle, Jr., pastor.   •TIOGA - Harmony church: Kingdom Bound Quartet in concert; Sept. 30, 6 p.m.; Stephen Richardson, pastor. Homecomings •NEGREET - Zion Hill church: Sept. 20, 6 p.m.; Clovis Sturdivant, evangelist; Kevin Cheatwood, music; Jimmie Glover, pastor.   •SLAUGHTER - Redwood church: Sept. 30, 9:30 a.m.; Dale Phillips, speaker; Raymond Taylor, music; dinner to follow; Marvin Rieger, pastor. Anniversaries •AMITE - Montpelier church: 93rd; Sept. 30; Sunday School, 10 a.m.; worship service, 11 a.m.; Chip Price, speaker; dinner to follow; Eric Williams, pastor.   •EUNICE - University church: 10th; Sept. 30, 10:45 a.m.; Glen Howie, speaker.   •RUSTON - Temple church to honor Margie Hearn for 30 years of service as church pianist on Sept. 23. … [Read more...]

The United States of America is at war. This nation has never declared this kind of war before now. It is a war not against one nation, or even a group of nations, but against certain people in as many as 60 countries. The United States of America is at war. This nation has never declared this kind of war before now. It is a war not against one nation, or even a group of nations, but against certain people in as many as 60 countries. There will not be a single symbol of our enemy - no one flag or national symbol. Terrorism wears many faces, originates from many nations, employs uncoordinated and unpredictable tactics, attacks from unexpected places against unprepared targets.   The overwhelming majority of the citizens of this land believe such a war is justified if not outright demanded. Every time the images of the rubble where once stood the World Trade Center flash across the vision of America, the cries for justice intensify. Every time the nation sees or hears another person tell of a lost loved one, the country’s level of outrage kicks up another notch.   What is the church’s role in this unknown land of national exertion of power?   The church should not underestimate its … [Read more...]

Jennifer Lee Virginia Religious Herald   Paul Smith once lived in New Orleans as a drug addict - now, he works on the streets of Big Stone Gap, Va., to help others avoid and overcome addictions to drugs and alcohol. Paul Smith once lived in New Orleans as a drug addict - now, he works on the streets of Big Stone Gap, Va., to help others avoid and overcome addictions to drugs and alcohol.   Drug abuse in Southwest Virginia has made headlines during the past year, especially with the rise of OxyContin abuse in the Appalachian region.   Virginia Baptists are responding to the needs and have partnered with the His Ministries, Inc., drug and alcohol referral and outreach program run by Smith.   Smith and his wife, Shirley, founded the ministry in 1996 to help persons avoid and deal with the troubles of addiction.   Smith is all too familiar with those troubles. Indeed, it was just 10 years ago that he was caught in the grips of drug addiction as well.   Smith grew up in his father’s hometown of Big Stone Gap, but he lived in Florida and Louisiana with his mother and sister as well. He also lived on the street at times, growing up around drug and alcohol … [Read more...]

In an area where the desert has been transformed into a dense maze of homes, stores and offices in the past three years, it only made sense that a new church would be started with the same sort of fast-track zeal. In an area where the desert has been transformed into a dense maze of homes, stores and offices in the past three years, it only made sense that a new church would be started with the same sort of fast-track zeal.   And in the newest southern suburb of Las Vegas, Hope Baptist Church has not failed to deliver.   The congregation began in January with a staff of three and their families, along with several other families who moved from sponsoring churches in Georgia and Tennessee. While plans called for delaying public worship until September, the "core group" had risen to about 135 by late summer.   And even before the leadership team actually moved to the city, the plan was to be a "reproducing" congregation - starting a new church within two to three years and a total of 10 churches in the first 10 years.   "We believe strongly that the Great Commission is best fulfilled through planting of churches, and we are living in a city of 1.4 million people that is … [Read more...]

Scholarships remain available for bivocational pastors to participate in the F.A.I.T.H. Sunday School Evangelism Training Clinic, Oct. 26-28. The Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Church Development Division and LifeWay Christian Resources are sponsoring the clinic that will be at Broussard First Baptist. Scholarships remain available for bivocational pastors to participate in the F.A.I.T.H. Sunday School Evangelism Training Clinic, Oct. 26-28. The Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Church Development Division and LifeWay Christian Resources are sponsoring the clinic that will be at Broussard First Baptist. There is an Oct. 5 deadline for the scholarships. The clinic targets bivocational pastors. "Bivocational pastors usually are unable to attend the training for this excellent evangelism program," said Jim Gifford, SBC Church Growth and Sunday School Director. "This is the first time the training has ever been over Sunday and it is to give men who work other than their pastorates an opportunity to participate." Gifford said that bivocational pastors who participate can receive a scholarship with a total value of $550 which includes the participation fee, materials, meals and $100 for expenses. In addition, one … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Convention President Tommy French has urged persons to "express the compassion of Jesus Christ" in the wake of recent terrorist attacks on America. Louisiana Baptist Convention President Tommy French has urged persons to "express the compassion of Jesus Christ" in the wake of recent terrorist attacks on America.   French made the plea in an open letter to Louisiana Baptists. French is pastor at Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge and is completing his second term as convention president.   His letter reads:   "Many Louisiana Baptists have called, asking what they can do to assist in the disaster relief recovery efforts created by the tragic terrorist attacks in both New York and Washington, D.C.   "I spoke with Dr. Bob Reccord, president of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board. He reported to me that the Southern Baptist presence at disaster sites in New York City and Washington, D.C., is everywhere. Southern Baptists have sent hundreds of chaplains to counsel and comfort the families of the victims of the Attack on America. Our disaster vans are working around the clock in preparing food for the rescue workers and others involved in … [Read more...]

Quitman First Baptist Church recently marked its centennial year, celebrating 100 years of ministry within and beyond the Louisiana community. Quitman First Baptist Church recently marked its centennial year, celebrating 100 years of ministry within and beyond the Louisiana community.   Church members marked the 100th anniversary of the church during September 9 activities that focused on the theme, "Crown of Rejoicing Celebration."   The day’s services included special music by the King’s Messengers quartet, a reading of the church history and remembrances from a trio of former pastors on hand for the events - C.C. Milstead of Ruston, Paul Johnson of El Dorado, Ark., and Lowell Reichardt of Florien.   Milstead was the 15th pastor of the church and served from 1946-53. Johnson served as the 18th pastor of the congregation from 1964-65. Reichardt was the 23rd pastor in 1972-78.   During centennial services, current Pastor Donald Rudd based his anniversary message on 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, which speaks of the hope and glory of the Christian church and its members.   Quitman First Baptist Church was established on September 1, 1901. Many of the records from the … [Read more...]

As the nation struggles to recover from the nightmare of recent terrorist attacks, some Muslim leaders are voicing fears about a possible revival of anti-Muslim sentiment in the nation.   They have good reason, with evidence mounting that an Islamic faction was behind the recent attacks and reports of violence against Muslims living in the United States already making news. As the nation struggles to recover from the nightmare of recent terrorist attacks, some Muslim leaders are voicing fears about a possible revival of anti-Muslim sentiment in the nation.   They have good reason, with evidence mounting that an Islamic faction was behind the recent attacks and reports of violence against Muslims living in the United States already making news.   However, the extremists who launched the recent attacks on the United States are not typical of the world’s 1.2 billion Muslims, Southern Baptist missionaries insist.   Indeed, most of those Islam adherents are as outraged over the attacks as anyone, missionaries say. In turn, they urge Christians not to succumb to any anti-Muslim hysteria inspired by the attacks.   Television news programs have replayed footage of some … [Read more...]

David Winfrey Kentucky Western Recorder   Be it the chaplain in Manhattan, the pastor in Pittsburgh or the farmer in Kentucky, Christians across the country searched for answers to explain what happened September 11 and to offer a God-centered response.   From the Oval Office to the pulpit, one word came up consistently to describe the recent terrorist attacks - evil. Be it the chaplain in Manhattan, the pastor in Pittsburgh or the farmer in Kentucky, Christians across the country searched for answers to explain what happened September 11 and to offer a God-centered response.   From the Oval Office to the pulpit, one word came up consistently to describe the recent terrorist attacks - evil.   Charting a Christian response to such evil requires prayer, pause and purpose, observers emphasize.   "You have what Paul called the ‘mystery of iniquity,’ and evil is there," said Henlee Barnette, professor emeritus of Christian ethics at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.   "It’s everywhere, and the challenge to the Christian is to respond in an intelligent, reasonable way to evil in his or her own life, in the lives of others and in the life of our … [Read more...]