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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Pacesetting church

On behalf of FamilyNet, the Southern Baptist television network, I want to commend Dr. David Uth and the First Baptist Church of West Monroe. On behalf of FamilyNet, the Southern Baptist television network, I want to commend Dr. David Uth and the First Baptist Church of West Monroe. This pacesetting Louisiana Baptist church is featured on this month’s Great Churches of America Series on FamilyNet. Contacts received by the church since the first program aired on June 5 indicate that people are being won to Christ and others are being touched as well.   R. Chip Turner Fort Worth, Texas … [Read more...]

Christian responsibility

Re: Kentucky preachers who "experimented" with being homeless Re: Kentucky preachers who "experimented" with being homeless I was never chronically homeless, but from the ages of 12 to 24, I was on the borderline. Too physically ill to work or to have my own place, attempting to make it through school, with a family full of drunks and druggies. More than once I woke hungry on a muddy sidewalk on Sunday morning, walked home for a shower and a change of clothes (no one knew I’d been gone); and have my temporarily sober Dad drive me to a Southern Baptist church. Anyone I reached out to, usually ignored me, thought I was lying or said stuff like, if only I were a better Christian, my dad wouldn’t drink and my Mom wouldn’t hit me. Certain church elements (generally older men) warned me away from foster homes, Al-anon and any sort of support group or psy- chological counseling. The article hit the nail on the head about what it is like out there. Sometimes in summer I was "homeless" for a couple of weeks at a time, and without any sack lunch or any money, I’m lucky I don’t have AIDS from how I had to survive, lucky I didn’t die out there. I am born again and know I cannot lose my Christian salvation, but I left the … [Read more...]

Wonderful resource

This is in response to the article abut the counseling ministry of the Children’s Home. As a recipient of counseling I want to thank them for this much-needed service. This is in response to the article abut the counseling ministry of the Children’s Home. As a recipient of counseling I want to thank them for this much-needed service. I was full of hopelessness and despair. I didn’t know how I was going to be able to go on. Then I read in our church newsletter about this new service provided in our area. I called, made an appointment, and found that it was something I could afford. I went every week for awhile, finding only love, acceptance, and the much-needed help. After a year or so, my family and I are being restored and healed. I urge anyone who needs help with some problem that seems too big to handle, to take advantage of this wonderful resource. It will put you on the road to recovery if you really want to work on it! Thank you again for such a great ministry.   Name withheld Winnsboro … [Read more...]

Weekly Announcements

For the week of June 28, 2001 Potpourri •LAFAYETTE - First church: "His Truth is Marching On" patriotic musical presented by sanctuary choir and orchestra; July 1, 8:30 and 11 a.m.; Luther Burney, minister of music; Perry Sanders, pastor.   •LECOMPTE - Lamourie church: Bruce and Beth Roach, medical missionaries, to speak July 8, 9:45 and 10:45 a.m.; Joe Kite, pastor.   •LIVINGSTON - Doyle church: Marty Haggard, son of Merle Haggard, to share testimony and minister in music, during the worship service, July 15, 11 a.m.; Yancy Wilmot, interim pastor.   •SHREVEPORT - First church: "Hand in Hand" childhood education workshop; July 27-28; registration, 7:45 a.m.; sessions, 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.; lunch, 12 p.m.; general session and keynote speakers, 12:45 p.m.; sessions, 2 - 4:15 p.m.; Tommy Sanders, speaker, July 27; Ann Parnell, speaker, July 28; for costs, registration or for other information, contact Childhood Education Dept., LBC, at (318) 448-3402 or 1-800-622-6549; Jon Stubblefield, pastor.   •WEST MONROE - First church: 2001 Single Adult Conference; July 13; supper, 5 p.m.; Big Session 1, 6:30 p.m; 4HIM in concert, 8 p.m.; Dennis Swanberg to speak, 10 p.m.; July 14; … [Read more...]

Louisianians recognized as ‘champions for the faith’

Richard Land did not present the typical agency report to messengers at the recent Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans. Richard Land did not present the typical agency report to messengers at the recent Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans.   Instead, Land recognized several Louisiana Baptists as "champions for the faith" during his report as president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.   "How will our less fortunate neighbors know that we truly love them while we often ignore their struggle with gambling, drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness and hunger?" Land asked during his report. "How will underprivileged children ever know the rich promise of this great nation while they languish in the despair of abject poverty, oblivious to the hope found in the gospel of Jesus Christ?   "How will we ever transform families, churches and communities while our nation is held hostage by a contemporary ‘culture of convenience,’ where the sanctity of human life is wantonly discarded and the very foundation of the family - the covenant of marriage - is crumbling?"   The task will be accomplished through the efforts of champions for the … [Read more...]

Host of recent convention motions referred for action

Southern Baptist Convention messengers only acted on three motions during their recent meeting in New Orleans - but they proposed many more. Southern Baptist Convention messengers only acted on three motions during their recent meeting in New Orleans - but they proposed many more.   A total of 26 motions were offered. Three that sought to amend wording in the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message were easily rejected by messengers. Most of the others were referred to convention agencies for consideration.   Of the proposed motions, six related to the issue of homosexuality. These included requests for:   •Development of ministry resources for parents who have a homosexual child. (Referred to the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board)   •Southern Baptist Convention seminaries to work to train students on reaching and discipling homosexuals. (Referred to all six seminaries)   •A former homosexual to be invited to speak at the 2002 annual convention. (Ruled out of order - but a spokesperson said convention planners would consider the request.)     The convention president to write a letter commending President George Bush for not proclaiming June as … [Read more...]

Majesty of Spain: they thought their money could buy it all

The Majesty of Spain is an incredible representation of the wealth of the Spanish monarchy from 1745 to 1833, from Fernando VI to Fernando VII. So, I was surprised to know that in one major way, I have more to bank on than they thought they had. The Majesty of Spain is an incredible representation of the wealth of the Spanish monarchy from 1745 to 1833, from Fernando VI to Fernando VII. So, I was surprised to know that in one major way, I have more to bank on than they thought they had.   The cost of bringing the display from Madrid, Spain, to Jackson, Mississippi, must have been monumental. Just getting the prize pieces of art from there to Jackson certainly was a mind boggling achievement. One does not take a most prized painting, like Anton Rafael Mengs "Crucifixion of Christ," considered Spain’s most important neoclassical painting, worth millions of dollars to the pack-and-ship store and say, "Send this to the Mississippi Arts Pavilion in Jackson, Mississippi, USA."   Many of the pieces are not paintings. There are chairs, large bronze tables, marble statuary, a full horse-drawn carriage replete with eight model horses in full harness and even a large gold-leafed gondola that must have … [Read more...]

Observers react with concern after Dutch leaders vote to legalize euthanasia

Concerned reaction from around the world has greeted a recent Dutch vote to legalize euthanasia, with opponents decrying implications of the action and voicing doubts about incorporated safeguards. Concerned reaction from around the world has greeted a recent Dutch vote to legalize euthanasia, with opponents decrying implications of the action and voicing doubts about incorporated safeguards. "Banning intentional killing protects each of us impartially, embodying the belief that all are equal, whether they are young or old, fit or sick, able or disabled," asserted Peter Millard of the British organization Alert (Against Legalized Euthanasia - Research and Teaching). "By legislating for euthanasia, the Dutch government has undermined the very nature of their society. How safe would you feel if you knew that your doctor carried in his bag the instruments of death as well as life?"   A spokesperson for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children agreed, warning that the Dutch action promotes a culture of death.   "The only way to prevent further proliferation of a pro-death culture is to defend the fundamental premise that human life, at every stage and in every situation, possesses an … [Read more...]

Southern Baptists climb toward 16 million members

Membership in Southern Baptist churches continued to climb ever so slowly toward the 16 million mark in 2000, with an increase of 108,552 persons.   The increase of 0.7 percent brings the total number of church members to an all-time high of 15,960,308. Membership in Southern Baptist churches continued to climb ever so slowly toward the 16 million mark in 2000, with an increase of 108,552 persons.   The increase of 0.7 percent brings the total number of church members to an all-time high of 15,960,308.   That surpasses the all-time high of 15,891,514 - set in 1997. Even so, it comes with a slowed rate of growth. In 1999, membership increased by 0.8 percent.   Recently-released statistics show such increases - as well as some declines - in various areas of Southern Baptist Convention life.   For instance, in one key area, total baptisms surpassed 400,000 for the fourth consecutive year in 2000. Nevertheless, annual total of 414,657 baptisms represented a decline of 4,685 (1.1 percent) from 1999.   Sunday School enrollment increased by 38,958 (0.5 percent) last year to a total of 8,186,415. The jump comes on the heels of a 0.01 percent decrease in … [Read more...]

Speaker urges students to ‘anchor’ their lives

As Moses prepared to go talk to Pharoah about releasing the Israelite people, God emphasized the importance of his spokesperson maintaining three "anchors" in his life.   The lesson still applies, Dave Edwards stressed to more than 140 Louisiana Baptist college students commissioned recently for summer missions work. As Moses prepared to go talk to Pharoah about releasing the Israelite people, God emphasized the importance of his spokesperson maintaining three "anchors" in his life.   The lesson still applies, Dave Edwards stressed to more than 140 Louisiana Baptist college students commissioned recently for summer missions work.   ‘For as long as Moses did these things (outlined by God), his life worked," said Edwards, an Oklahoma City preacher.   Edwards spoke at the recent commissioning of the Louisiana Baptist students at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria. The commissioning service was a highlight of the annual Louisiana Baptist Collegiate Ministries Spring Assembly.   During his address, Edwards challenged the student missionaries to carry the three "anchors" identified by God with them.   As long as these anchors are held firmly in place, … [Read more...]