http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage "Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ" Thu, 04 Jun 2015 15:13:48 +0000 en-US 1.2 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage 1kennymccunekenny@megaphondesigns.com 1525brianblackwellbrian@baptistmessage.com 1328philipphilip@baptistmessage.com http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.2 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16574 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16574 16574 2015-05-26 19:15:25 0000-00-00 00:00:00 closed open draft 0 0 post 0 _edit_last http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16577 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16577 16577 2015-05-28 20:11:12 0000-00-00 00:00:00 closed open draft 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/gov-jindal-signs-executive-order-to-protect-religious-liberty-in-louisiana/ Thu, 28 May 2015 20:28:07 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16582 Legislator Michael Johnson, R-Bossier City and author of the bill.[/caption] With the Supreme Court’s imminent ruling on a landmark same-sex marriage case set for June 18, Johnson said he felt his legislation was necessary as there would be an increasing number of conflicts “between the old idea of religious freedom and new changing ideas about marriage.” “As was just mentioned a few weeks ago in oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court, it is incumbent upon every state to address this important issue as soon as possible,” Johnson continued. “This is a good resolution for our state for now.” However, the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee did not agree and defeated the measure when legislators voted 10-2 to return the legislation to the calendar after hours of testimony from both sides including Louisiana Baptists’ Executive Director David Hankins and Louisiana Family Forum’s President Gene Mills. “Thank you to all who signed the petition and supported the position statement put forth by me, Dr. (Steve) Horn, and Dr. (David) Goza,” said Hankins. “While the hesitancy of our representatives is disappointing, I am thankful the governor signed an executive order which will provide protection for people of faith who live out their convictions.” Gene Mills, President of Louisiana Family Forum, said, “We are very disappointed in the fact Rep. Neil Abramson, D-New Orleans and chairman of the committee, did not even extend the courtesy of allowing Rep. Johnson to place his amendments on the bill. “Rep. Johnson did everything possible to answer the spectacular claims of the opponents and to make his bill clear and concise, but the chairman, aided by Rep. John Bel Edwards (D-Amite), motioned to return the bill to the calendar before the author could amend his bill,” said Mills. “By voting with the chairman today, the House Civil Law committee effectively ignored two-thirds of Louisiana voters, endorsing both the state’s ability to discriminate and the LGBT advocacy groups. The website www.LA4Liberty.com has registered over 500 businesses and 1,000 citizens in Louisiana in support of the bill. These voices were ignored by today’s committee vote,” Mills concluded. Louisiana Family Forum Vice President Rick Edmonds wrote in a statement, “We are so grateful for a victory today for marriage and family. We are equally grateful for a victory for Louisiana and all of America. “We want to say thanks to you. While religious freedom in America is being attacked on every corner, believers like you in Louisiana continue to make a difference. Many of you have been praying, signing petitions, speaking to legislators, informing friends and even making your way to Baton Rouge to make a difference. Congratulations, your hard work and prayers have paid off,” wrote Edmonds. Equality Louisiana, an LGBT advocacy group, and Louisiana Progress Action issued a joint statement condemning Jindal’s Executive Order saying it would only hurt the state’s economy. “It is shameful that Gov. Jindal has decided that abusing his executive power to accomplish the goals of House Bill 707, even after it was tabled indefinitely by our legislature today, is worth more effort than fixing our disastrous state budget. He may have forgotten what every day Louisianians value the most, but the testimony today against HB 707 should have reminded him. Discrimination is not a Louisiana value.” However, a poll taken by Louisiana Family Forum on May 14 and May 17 indicated that a majority of voters in Louisiana supported the Louisiana Marriage and Conscience act by a margin of over two to one (67 to 25 percent). Moreover, voters from nearly all key demographic groups in Louisiana overwhelmingly supported the Louisiana Marriage and Conscience Act. In 2004, 78 percent of Louisianians amended the constitution to affirm traditional marriage. However, officials from both the Louisiana tourism and business industry strongly opposed the bill according to a story in the New Orleans Times-Picayune. In testifying against the bill, New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Stephen Perry called it “a radioactive, poisonous message for (tourism).” “The state could lose millions – up to $65 million a year – in state tax revenue because of lost business as a result the bill and perceptions that it is discriminatory,” Perry said. “Let’s not create discriminatory elements in the marketplace that destroy our economy.’ Johnson, though, was skeptical about Perry’s loss projections. “Those numbers are unsubstantiated,” he said. “So much of this is based on mischaracterization of the bill.” Perry said the state could lose out on bids for Super Bowls, the final four and national championships because of the perception of the legislation. “Companies feel it would make it harder to recruit workers to Louisiana,” Greater New Orleans Inc. CEO Michael Heck said during the hearing. Louisiana Baptist Convention President Steve Horn said in recent days he has been holding to Proverbs 24:10, which states If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited. “As we await a decision by the Supreme Court in just a few weeks now, I am thankful for leadership in our state that would have the courage to do something in a difficult time,” said Horn, pastor of First Baptist Church in Lafayette. “I fear that once again we have allowed the minority position to speak for the majority. Instead of continuing to have an honest debate about a matter that is going to define our culture, the Committee’s decision yesterday disallows the debate to continue.” Johnson said he plans to reintroduce the bill during next year’s legislative session. “All of this effort has been about one simple thing – the need to preserve the most fundamental of all human rights, which is our right of conscience and the freedom of belief,” Johnson said. “Everyone in our society deserves dignity and respect, but part of that is upholding the right of people to adhere to their faith.”]]> 16582 2015-05-28 20:28:07 2015-05-28 20:28:07 closed open gov-jindal-signs-executive-order-to-protect-religious-liberty-in-louisiana publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id rcp_show_excerpt rcp_access_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16585 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16585 ]]> 16585 2015-05-28 20:36:16 0000-00-00 00:00:00 closed open draft 0 0 post 0 _edit_last http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/father-and-son-earn-their-u-s-citizenship/ Thu, 28 May 2015 20:39:51 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16586 Arturo Us and his son, Arturo Jr, proudly display their US citizenship certificates in front of the courthouse in Alexandria. The two are pastors of Louisiana Baptist Hispanic congregations and received their citizenship during a naturalization ceremony on May 13.[/caption]]]> 16586 2015-05-28 20:39:51 2015-05-28 20:39:51 closed open father-and-son-earn-their-u-s-citizenship publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id rcp_show_excerpt rcp_access_level rcp_subscription_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/louisiana-colleges-rick-brewer-to-grads-do-hard-work-and-then-some/ Thu, 28 May 2015 20:52:46 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16590 16590 2015-05-28 20:52:46 2015-05-28 20:52:46 closed open louisiana-colleges-rick-brewer-to-grads-do-hard-work-and-then-some publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id rcp_access_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/horn-humbled-and-blown-away-by-positive-response-to-the-pledge/ Fri, 29 May 2015 13:20:57 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16598 16598 2015-05-29 13:20:57 2015-05-29 13:20:57 closed open horn-humbled-and-blown-away-by-positive-response-to-the-pledge publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id _is_paid rcp_access_level rcp_subscription_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/whats-on-my-heart-for-sbc/ Fri, 29 May 2015 13:24:43 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16603 Coming together Yes, coming together is on my heart. I pray we will come together in Columbus, Ohio, on June 16-17. I pray we will come together in unity. While our uniqueness and various perspectives express themselves at times, we do need to resolve: We will come together, stay together, and leave together as followers of our Lord in our Southern Baptist family. I pray we will come together in Columbus with great expectation. This expectation does not need to be in men or programs, but in the Lord Himself. He is doing some mighty things among us and I pray when we are together, He will do some mighty things in us. Come expecting God to meet with us powerfully and send us out extraordinarily. Loving one another Loving one another is on my heart. As a people who love the Bible so much, we also need to love one another. I have attended at least 31 of our last 35 national Southern Baptist Convention annual meetings. At times, loving one another did not always seem to exist. Now in the day of endless blogs, articles, emails and interviews, the tendency is to criticize more than love and to create suspicion more than trust. We need to fall in love with Jesus again. When we do, we will love one another. Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) Jesus said it is love that sets us apart from others. May this be said about us. Celebrating together God is doing some wonderful things through our churches in the work we do together as Southern Baptists. We need to celebrate together what the Lord is doing. Even in this critical time in our nation, more than ever, we need the joy of the Lord to be our strength. While sin is abounding in our nation, grace abounds even more. Yes, we need to celebrate together the great grace of our Lord. Our sessions will be filled with some defining moments. Yet, God alone will create these moments we will never forget. These are moments that deserve our highest celebration together, offered to our Lord Jesus Christ.]]> 16603 2015-05-29 13:24:43 2015-05-29 13:24:43 closed open whats-on-my-heart-for-sbc publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id rcp_access_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/is-any-problem-too-big-for-god/ Fri, 29 May 2015 13:27:35 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16606 Lost in space Ever felt lost in space, drifting along, helpless, wondering if even God is stumped by your situation? We know God can solve problems, but in your darkest moments you wonder if He is even working on it. Friend, He is! Look at the Apollo 13 situation in a split-screen format: three astronauts on the left screen huddled in their freezing spacecraft, speaking little to conserve energy, fighting to stay awake, with only a flashlight – dark, cold, silent. On the right side of the screen, just the opposite, a beehive of brightly-lit problem-solving is taking place. Given instructions that a plan was in the works, the astronauts had to be patient. They couldn’t work the problem, so they had to believe someone else could. That’s exactly what we as Christians have to do when we have a problem with no solution in sight. We can’t work it but we have to believe that God can –and He is working on our behalf.   Problem solving in the image of God Sometimes, using the gifts and abilities God gives us, we can solve serious problems, as in the Apollo 13 mission. But other times, we have to call upon God. When we are stretched beyond our human limits, we find ourselves in His limitless domain. He welcomes our cries and loves to provide solutions. When asking God to help us solve problems, we have to remember that His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). God provided “surprise solutions” to people facing problems in the Bible: n Big problem, small solution. The Israelite army had a giant problem named Goliath. God’s solution was a teenager about 3 feet shorter. No armor or sword, but David had giant faith: “The Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:47). Sometimes God’s solutions are smaller than our problems in order to create faith in us. n Physical problem, spiritual solution. Hindered in ministry by a physical problem, the apostle Paul called out to God three times for healing. Instead of bringing a physical one, God brought a spiritual one: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). God may allow a problem to be its own solution when it forces us to rely more on God for grace to endure. n Personal problem, corporate solution. When Paul was journeying toward Jerusalem to deliver relief monies to the church, he was well aware of the danger from opponents of the Gospel. He shared his personal problem with the church at Rome, asking them to pray for his safety: “I beg you, brethren … that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe” (Romans 15:30-31). God may want to use others to be a partial or total solution to your problem – but you have to ask. The Bible, church history and hopefully your life are filled with examples of how God has solved problems His way, in His time, according to His purposes. There is no problem too big for God. Be encouraged as you trust Him to get involved in whatever problem you are facing today.]]> 16606 2015-05-29 13:27:35 2015-05-29 13:27:35 closed open is-any-problem-too-big-for-god publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id rcp_access_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/moral-conviction-and-not-popular-opinion-essential-in-democracy/ Fri, 29 May 2015 13:30:07 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16609 16609 2015-05-29 13:30:07 2015-05-29 13:30:07 closed open moral-conviction-and-not-popular-opinion-essential-in-democracy publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id rcp_access_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/hebron-celebrates-storied-past-in-new-surroundings/ Fri, 29 May 2015 13:34:53 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16612 Hebron Baptist Church of Denham Springs, senior Pastor Joe Alain and his wife Rhonda pose in the foyer of the church's new sanctuary on May 3, the church's 178th homecoming. Photo by Mark H. Hunter[/caption] Phil Ortego, 55, pastor of Scotts Hills Baptist Church in Wilmington, N.C. for the past 21 years, was the homecoming preacher. “I got saved in this church when I was a senior in high school,” Ortego said. He grew up as a Catholic. “Before I came here I was really abusing drugs and alcohol - my life was just a mess.” “A friend from this church invited me to come hear the One Way Singers youth choir on a Thursday night … there were some good looking girls in the choir - so I came for the girls,” Ortego said with a grin. “But that night I met Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and he transformed my life radically from that point on.” “I’m kinda like the boy who moved away and gets to come back to share in the abundance of the ministry God has brought here,” Ortego said. “God has had His hand on this church for 178 years. The best days are not behind this church but the best years for this church are still ahead.” On the internet: www.hbcdenham.org]]> 16612 2015-05-29 13:34:53 2015-05-29 13:34:53 closed open hebron-celebrates-storied-past-in-new-surroundings publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id _is_paid rcp_access_level rcp_subscription_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/lbch-trustees-updated-on-foster-care-ministry-construction-projects/ Fri, 29 May 2015 13:49:47 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16618 16618 2015-05-29 13:49:47 2015-05-29 13:49:47 closed open lbch-trustees-updated-on-foster-care-ministry-construction-projects publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id rcp_access_level rcp_user_level http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/16621/ Fri, 29 May 2015 13:57:47 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16621 ON THE MOVE • Michael Devillier resigned as pastor at Downsville Baptist Church • Josh Cagle new as pastor at Red River Baptist Church, Benton. • Harold Ashcraft new as music minister at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Shreveport. • Ed Baswell resigned as pastor at Clarion Baptist Church, Elm Grove. • Elijah Teh-Teh resigned as pastor at New Zion Baptist Church, Bossier City. • R. C. (wife Lilly) Flournoy new as associate pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church, Shreveport. • Daniel Faulkner new as minister of students at Brookwood Baptist Church, Shreveport. HOMECOMING • Holloway Baptist Church, Deville: Homecoming Celebration, June 7, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. with dinner on the grounds to follow. Speaker: Frank Shields (former pastor). Music: Melody Slocum. Pastor: Jack West. • First Baptist Church, Vidalia: Celebration Sunday, June 7, 10:30 p.m. Speaker: Dan Glenn. There will be a potluck meal after the service. Pastor: Bill McCullin. • Salem Baptist Church, Plain Dealing: Homecoming Celebration, June 12, Speaker: Don McCormick. Dinner on the grounds following services. The Palmer Family in concert at 1:30 p.m. Pastor: Eddy Taylor. LAGNIAPPE • Susan Sanson, 67, a member of Metairie Baptist Church and an International Mission Board missionary, died unexpectedly on May 18 from malaria in Zomba, Malawi. Susan developed a sudden onset of malaria and treatment was begun immediately.  However, early the next morning her husband Billy woke to find her unresponsive. He rushed her to the hospital, but she passed away as medical staff were examining her. Her husband Billy is a chaplain and university minister at Chancellor College in Zomba. Funeral arrangements are pending. • Satsuma Baptist Church, Livingston: “Hometown Nazareth” VBS, June 1-5, 5:30-8 p.m. Pastor: Brad Delaughter. • Safehaven Bible Church, Lake Charles: Dedication Service, June 6, 11 a.m. Speaker: Fred Luter. Meet & Greet: Food, fun and fellowship, 2-5 p.m.; First worship service, June 7, 9:30 a.m. For more information, call 337-502-8074 or e-mail at safehavenlakecharles@gmail.com. Pastor: Kedrick D. Holiday, Sr. • Elwood Baptist Church, Forest Hill: Louisiana College President Rick Brewer will bring the Gospel message in both music and preaching of the Word for Sunday service, June 7, 10:30 a.m. A meal and fellowship will follow. All are invited to attend. Pastor: Mike Evans. • Trees Baptist Church, Vivian: Finding Favour in Concert, June 7, 10:45 a.m. A love offering will be taken. Pastor: Mark Crook. • Ouachita Baptist Church, West Monroe: Mega Sports Camp, June 8-12, 6-8 p.m. for ages 3 years old thru the sixth grade. Sports to choose from include flag football, baseball, basketball, soccer and cheerleading. All children, 3-years-olds thru kindergarten, will play kickball. Pre-game kickoff/registration will be June 6 from 10-11:30 a.m. For more information, call the church office at 318.387.6372. Pastor: Dennis R. Hensley, Jr. • Airline Baptist Church, Bossier City: Airline Baptist Children’s Ministry presents ‘Down by the Creek Bank,’ June 12-13, 6:30 p.m. Cost: $10. Please contact the church office at 318.746.3495 to purchase tickets. • Cypress Baptist Church, Natchitoches: Palmer Family of Farmerville in concert, June 13, 6 p.m. A fellowship will follow the concert. Pastor: Billy Shugart. • Holloway Baptist Church, Deville: VBS, June 14 – 18.  For more information call 318.466.3180. Pastor: Jack West. • First Baptist Church, DeRidder: Infinity Sports Camp, June 15-19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The camp will offer basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, cheerleading, flag football and softball for kindergarten through sixth grade. Cost: $135. For more information call the church office at 337.463.9047. Pastor: Lindsey Burns. • Hebron Baptist Church, Denham Springs: Worship Arts Camp, June 15-19. Cost: $35. Register online at www.hbcdenham.org, call 225.665.6278 or at the Welcome Center. The Perrys in concert, June 18, 7 p.m. A love offering will be received. Pastor: Joe Alain. • The National Campers on Mission Rally will be held at Tom Johnsons Rally Park, Marion, N.C., June 16-18. Campers on Mission is an organization of evangelical Christians who own RV equipment and participate in various mission projects across the United States. The program will include Christian comedians, Gospel singing groups, seminars and inspirational speakers. A registration form may be found at campersonmission.org. For additional information contact Jeb41938@gmail.com. • Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport: Chonda Pierce It’s a Girl Thing, June 19, 7 p.m.  Cost: Group of 10 or more, $18, General Admission, $22, Gold Circle, $28 and VIP, $50.  For more information call the church office at 318.686.1470. Pastor: Aaron Burgner.]]> 16621 2015-05-29 13:57:47 2015-05-29 13:57:47 closed open 16621 publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _is_paid rcp_access_level rcp_subscription_level rcp_user_level _thumbnail_id http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/page-obamas-comments-on-poverty-disappointing/ Fri, 29 May 2015 14:21:48 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16631 Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee[/caption]]]> 16631 2015-05-29 14:21:48 2015-05-29 14:21:48 closed open page-obamas-comments-on-poverty-disappointing publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last rcp_access_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count _thumbnail_id http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/boy-scouts-should-allow-gay-leaders-bsa-president-says/ Fri, 29 May 2015 14:34:45 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16635 16635 2015-05-29 14:34:45 2015-05-29 14:34:45 closed open boy-scouts-should-allow-gay-leaders-bsa-president-says publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id rcp_access_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/procter-retiring-from-alaska-convention/ Fri, 29 May 2015 14:38:44 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16638 16638 2015-05-29 14:38:44 2015-05-29 14:38:44 closed open procter-retiring-from-alaska-convention publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id rcp_access_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/ireland-will-not-force-churches-to-wed-gays/ Fri, 29 May 2015 14:41:20 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16641 16641 2015-05-29 14:41:20 2015-05-29 14:41:20 closed open ireland-will-not-force-churches-to-wed-gays publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last rcp_access_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/tidal-wave-of-chinese-believers-encouraged-to-persevere/ Fri, 29 May 2015 14:46:10 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16643 *Name changed.]]> 16643 2015-05-29 14:46:10 2015-05-29 14:46:10 closed open tidal-wave-of-chinese-believers-encouraged-to-persevere publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id rcp_access_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/in-nepal-forgotten-village-receives-food/ Fri, 29 May 2015 14:52:01 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16646 Finding 'impact' communities Baptist Global Response continues to find pockets of need in Nepal. Their goal is to find five or six "impact communities" -- like this village -- to work in long-term. These are communities that have been hit hard by two devastating earthquakes just 17 days apart. "These type of communities are away from the help of other organizations and meet the criteria which facilitates local church involvement and volunteer opportunities with our Southern Baptist partners," Jeff Palmer, BGR's executive director, said. So far, BGR and their local partners have distributed 2,275 bags of rice that benefited more than 11,000 people. They plan to continue in this initial relief phase of food distributions and providing temporary shelter until impact communities have been identified and moved past the "just surviving" stage. Francis Horton, who is coordinating the earthquake response for BGR, explained that this process is called "Disaster to Development." He estimated it might take anywhere from six to 12 months and will require the help of local believers and Southern Baptist partners. The Southern Baptist Disaster relief network is deploying two Rapid Assistance Teams to help with more distributions and clearing away some of the rubble. Their help will be welcomed in this village. Most of the mud-brick homes were totally destroyed. 'Slowly, we will get it done' From the spot where BGR distributed rice, the destruction is hard to see. You have to walk up a path to even get a glimpse. A group of children wanted to show her their homes to Claire Mullins,* a BGR partner in the Nepal earthquake relief effort. Mullins followed the children. As they rounded a corner, she stopped dead in her tracks. The site was overwhelming. In the piles of broken brick and wood, two windows still stood in their frame. No walls around them, much less a house. One girl pointed to the windows and said, "That's my house." She and a friend joined hands and skipped over the rubble that was once a house. Mullins slowly followed after them. The girls stopped and pointed to a mound or rubble -- the other girl's home. Then they turned to another friend, who had been following shyly behind the group. This girl pointed to her home, a half collapsed structure that looked as if the remains would come tumbling down at any moment. "That's where we found her," the oldest said, pointing to the shy girl, whose head was shaved and had a large contusion still soft to the touch. "She was buried in there and the whole village dug her out." One of their fathers walked past, hefting the big bag of rice BGR had delivered. He carried it down to a shelter he had fashioned in their bare cornfield. The girls skipped happily after him, eager to show Mullins their new home: a lean-to with three open sides. A tarp served as the roof. The back was the terrace wall of the mountainside field. Three families and their animals lived under it. Mullins asked how they plan to rebuild their house and plant fields at the same time. The girls looked to the man and shook their heads as he responded. "Slowly … slowly," the oldest girl translated. "Slowly, we will get it done." Volunteer requests are in process for teams to work with forgotten villages like this. Their needs are great. Most residents need to not only build temporary shelters for protection during monsoon season, but they also need to plant their crops. If they don't get the seeds in the ground, it could jeopardize food security for next year. *Name changed.]]> 16646 2015-05-29 14:52:01 2015-05-29 14:52:01 closed open in-nepal-forgotten-village-receives-food publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id rcp_access_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16659 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16659 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/P1.pdf]]> 16659 2015-05-29 15:22:02 0000-00-00 00:00:00 closed open draft 0 0 post 0 _oembed_e4b723472754d27be197a867369bbefa _edit_last http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/message-unveils-more-user-friendly-redesigned-website/ Fri, 29 May 2015 14:17:48 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16624 Baptist Message launched a redesigned website June 4 offering a variety of features making baptistmessage.com easier to navigate and a better complement to Louisiana Baptists’ newspaper. “The digital redesign is a great improvement, incorporating new features that make the online Baptist Message a better partner for the print edition,” said Will Hall, who recently joined the newsjournal as editor. “But also, it reflects well on the professionalism and commitment of the news staff for completing such a large change effort while in the midst of a leadership transition,” said Hall. “It’s exciting to be joining this Baptist Message team.” The new features include a more user-friendly presentation of articles, a PDF version of the print edition and an improved archives section that allows searching for articles by descending order of date whether published in print or online. Video clips may be added to articles, and users may now comment on reports and easily share stories through social media links such as Twitter and Facebook. The new website also offers new advertising possibilities. Churches, businesses and others can take advantage of a pop-up ad option on the website and benefit from reduced prices when they advertise in both print and online. Craig Beeman, a Baptist Message trustee and pastor at First Baptist Church in Winnsboro, said he is especially excited about the improved archives section and said with each revision the website keeps getting better and better. “In the times in which we live, a business, ministry or even a church does not exist if it has no web presence,” said Beeman, who in December becomes the next chairman of the Baptist Message board of trustees. “As the Baptist Message continues to reach out through the Internet, its reach will span much further than any print subscription could. I am excited for the future of the paper. “In our day and age of getting to news quickly, the new website for Louisiana Baptist Message subscribers will certainly allow one to find the Baptist news they wish to find in a quick, clean and refreshed way,” he added. “I am excited for subscribers to see what awaits them on the website.” Access to the website is included in the cost of a print subscription. Users who already have a password do not need to request a new one. Those with a paid print subscription who do not possess a username and password need only contact the Baptist Message office to get a password. For more information on the new website, subscription options or advertising services, visit  baptistmessage.com or call 318.442.7728.]]> 16624 2015-05-29 14:17:48 2015-05-29 14:17:48 closed open message-unveils-more-user-friendly-redesigned-website trash 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id rcp_access_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count _wp_trash_meta_status _wp_trash_meta_time http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/believing-god-for-our-upcoming-southern-baptist-convention/ Fri, 29 May 2015 14:56:48 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16649 Let's refuse unbelief I am reminded of the words recorded in Matthew 13:58, "And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief." I am convinced this is the reason we see a limited work of God in many churches in America. I assure you, in our own church, business as usual is Satan's weapon to create unbelief. This year in our convention gathering, let's refuse unbelief! It is the opposite of faith; therefore, we should refuse it in every way. As pastors and church leaders, let us not be guilty of what we accuse our people of at times: coming together with little to no expectation of God doing anything among us. As leaders coming to Columbus, Ohio, we do not need to sit, listen, evaluate and critique. Let's refuse this way of thinking along with all attitudes and actions of unbelief. Let's believe God I love the words of our God exhorting us in Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Faith is believing God is who He says He is and He can do what He says He can do. I choose faith and refuse unbelief!

1. Let's believe God together for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Columbus.

I believe with all my heart that God desires to pour out His Spirit in our generation in a way we have never seen before. While the promise of this outpouring of the Spirit as prophesied in Joel 2 has been fulfilled at Pentecost partially, I believe before the Lord comes back there will be a mighty outpouring of the Spirit that will ignite a significant harvest of the lost coming to Christ. If we will come together in clear agreement, visible union and extraordinary prayer, we will be in a position for His Spirit to pour out upon us due to His great mercy and grace. Perhaps we need to let our children remind us of what we have taught them: Our God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there is nothing my God cannot do. I choose to believe that our God is able. I choose to believe God for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Columbus.

2. Let's believe God together for the next Great Awakening in America.

It is time we come together in clear agreement, believing that our number one need in America is the next great move of God. Some desire political, social or moral reform. Historically, when God moves in a way only He is able, He changes the hearts of people radically with the power of the Gospel of Christ. When the hearts of millions are touched, we may see things occur that only our God can do. It is time to come together in visible union for this next Great Awakening. We need to refuse attitudes and actions that divide us. We need to lock arms in faith, ignited by the Gospel, empowered by the Spirit, and motivated by our love for Jesus and for one another. It is time to come together in extraordinary prayer for this next Great Awakening. We will be doing this on Tuesday night, June 16, beginning formally at 6:45 p.m. (EST). The entire session, built on the Word of God, will lead people to call out to God extraordinarily. Eleven pastors from various ethnicities will help me lead this gathering. I cannot think of one thing that is more important than this opportunity. Please adjust all of your convention gatherings and social times to join us for this significant gathering of thousands of Southern Baptists. The brilliant theologian Jonathan Edwards writes, "Be much in prayer and fasting, both in secret and with one another. It seems to me, it would become the circumstances of the present day, IF ministers in a neighborhood would often meet together, and spend days in fasting and fervent prayer among themselves ... SO it is God's will that the prayers of His saints shall be GREAT and PRINCIPAL MEANS of CARRYING ON THE DESIGNS OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM IN THE WORLD. When God has something to accomplish for His church, it is with His will that there should precede it the EXTRAORDINARY PRAYER of His people." May it be so with us in Columbus, Ohio.

3. We need to believe God together to reach the world for Christ.

In chapters 5 and 7 of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, we learn that "every tribe and language and people and nation" will be represented in heaven. There will not be one ethnicity left out by our loving Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. We need to believe God together that He wants our churches to explode with making disciples of all ethnicities rather than implode with division. We need to believe God together that He wants to ignite our churches to plant Gospel churches by the thousands nationally and internationally. We need to believe God together that He wants to mobilize His church to take the Gospel to every people group in the world, regardless of their vocation. Presenting the Gospel to every person in the world and making disciples of all the nations is the heart of God. It is for this big vision that we must come together in unity. Anything short of this will lead us into the weeds of division. This is why we will pray on Tuesday night, calling out to God for the next Great Awakening and to reach the world for Christ. Then, we will come together on Wednesday morning, imparting a vision that will advance the Gospel to the world. There is nothing our God cannot do! Let's believe God together now.]]> 16649 2015-05-29 14:56:48 2015-05-29 14:56:48 closed open believing-god-for-our-upcoming-southern-baptist-convention publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last rcp_access_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count _thumbnail_id http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/dakota-farmers-legacy-lesson-in-giving/ Fri, 29 May 2015 15:05:15 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16653 16653 2015-05-29 15:05:15 2015-05-29 15:05:15 closed open dakota-farmers-legacy-lesson-in-giving publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id rcp_access_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/southern-baptist-convention-annual-meeting-2015-schedule/ Fri, 29 May 2015 15:10:32 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16656 TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE 16, 2015 8:15 Opening Worship -- Julio Arriola, Convention music director, global worship pastor, Cross Church, Springdale, Ark. 8:25 Welcome and Call to Order -- Ronnie Floyd, SBC president, senior pastor, Cross Church, Springdale, Ark. Announcement of Committee on Committees, Credentials Committee, Tellers Committee, and Resolutions Committee 8:30 Scripture -- Jordan Easley, senior pastor, Englewood Baptist Church, Jackson, Tenn. Prayer -- Daniel Cho, college pastor, Antioch Baptist Church, Cambridge, Mass., chaplain, Harvard University 8:35 Registration Report and Constitution of Convention -- Jim Wells, SBC registration secretary, strategic partners team leader, Missouri Baptist Convention, Jefferson City, Mo. 8:38 Committee on Order of Business (First Report) -- Andrew Hebert, chairman, lead pastor, Taylor Memorial Baptist Church, Hobbs, N.M. 8:43 Acknowledgment of Columbus Volunteers -- Ronnie Floyd 8:45 Welcome to Columbus -- Brian Frye, collegiate evangelism strategist, State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, national collegiate strategist, North American Mission Board 8:48 Response from SBC -- Jarrett Stephens, teaching pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, Texas 8:51 Crossover Report -- Al Gilbert, vice president, evangelism, North American Mission Board, Alpharetta, Ga., and Rich Halcombe, director of missions, Metro Columbus Baptist Association, Columbus, Ohio 8:56 The Pledge of Allegiance and a 50th Anniversary Tribute to Vietnam Veterans -- Ronnie Floyd joined by Gen. Doug Carver, executive director of chaplaincy, North American Mission Board, Alpharetta, Ga. 9:02 The National Anthem: "The Star-Spangled Banner" -- Julio Arriola Worship 9:10 Introduction of Past Presidents -- Ronnie Floyd 9:15 Introduction of the President and Family -- Jack Graham, senior pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, Texas 9:18 Prayer for the President -- James T. (Jimmy) Draper, president emeritus, LifeWay Christian Resources, SBC president 1982-1984, First Baptist Church, Euless, Texas 9:23 Worship -- Julio Arriola 9:30 President's Address -- Ronnie Floyd 10:10 Response to God and Worship -- Julio Arriola 10:20 Joint Seminary Presentation and Reports -- Charles S. Kelley Jr., president, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans; Paige Patterson, president, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth; Daniel L. Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C.; R. Albert Mohler Jr., president, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky.; Jason K. Allen, president, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City; Jeff Iorg, president, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Mill Valley, Calif. 11:45 Closing Prayer -- Tommy Green, senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Brandon, Fla. TUESDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 16, 2015 1:15 Opening Worship -- Julio Arriola 1:25 Scripture -- Terry M. Turner, pastor, Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church, Mesquite, Texas Prayer -- Bobby S. Sena, Hispanic relations consultant, SBC Executive Committee, Atlanta 1:30 Introduction of New Motions (First Opportunity) -- Ronnie Floyd 1:45 Executive Committee Report (Part One) - Frank S. Page, president and CEO, SBC Executive Committee, Nashville, Tenn. 2:20 Election of Officers (First) 2:30 GuideStone Financial Resources Report -- O.S. Hawkins, president and CEO, Guidestone Financial Resources, Dallas 2:42 Introduction of New Motions (Last Opportunity) -- Ronnie Floyd 2:52 Committee on Committees Report -- Bryan E. Smith, chairman, pastor, First Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va. 3:02 Committee on Nominations Report -- John S. (Chip) Hutcheson, chairman, newspaper publisher, Princeton, Ky. 3:12 Worship -- Julio Arriola 3:17 Executive Committee Report (Part Two) -- Frank S. Page 3:57 Election of Officers (Second) 4:05 Committee on Order of Business Report (Second) -- Andrew Hebert Election of 2016 Convention Preacher, Alternate Preacher and Music Director 4:12 Election of Officers (Third) 4:17 Election of Officers (Fourth) 4:22 Election of Officers (Fifth) 4:27 Committee on Resolutions Report -- Steve Gaines, chairman, pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, Tenn. 4:57 Closing Prayer -- Grant Etheridge, senior pastor, Liberty Baptist Church, Hampton, Va. TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 16, 2015 A NATIONAL CALL FOR PRAYER TO ALL SOUTHERN BAPTISTS FOR THE NEXT GREAT AWAKENING AND TO REACH THE WORLD FOR CHRIST 6:30 Worship Prelude -- Julio Arriola 6:45 A National Call for Prayer to All Southern Baptists for the Next Great Awakening and to Reach the World for Christ -- led by Ronnie Floyd and other SBC pastors/leaders (See SBC Bulletin: Tuesday, Part 2 for more details) WEDNESDAY MORNING, JUNE 17, 2015 8:15 Opening Worship -- Julio Arriola 8:25 Scripture -- Adam Greenway, dean, Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism, and Ministry, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky. Prayer -- George Russ, executive director, Metropolitan New York Baptist Association, New York, N.Y. 8:30 Committee on Order of Business Report (Third) -- Andrew Hebert 8:45 Woman's Missionary Union Report -- Wanda Lee, executive director/treasurer, Woman's Missionary Union, Birmingham, Ala. 8:57 Disaster Relief Emphasis 9:00 North American Mission Board Report -- Kevin Ezell, president, North American Mission Board, Alpharetta, Ga. 9:12 Global Hunger Relief Emphasis 9:15 International Mission Board Report -- David Platt, president, International Mission Board, Richmond, Va. 9:27 Presentation of Officers -- Frank S. Page 9:40 Church and Mission Sending Celebration: Joint Commissioning Service -- Kevin Ezell, David Platt and Ronnie Floyd 11:45 Closing Prayer - Jeremy Roberts, lead pastor, Church of the Highlands, Chattanooga, Tennessee WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 17, 2015 2:15 Opening Worship -- Julio Arriola 2:25 Scripture -- James D. (Sonny) Tucker, executive director, Arkansas Baptist State Convention, Little Rock, Ark. Prayer -- Cliff Woodman, president, Small Church Bivocational Pastors' Network, pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Carlinville, Ill. 2:30 Previously Scheduled Business -- Ronnie Floyd 2:40 LifeWay Christian Resources Report -- Thom S. Rainer, president and CEO, LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville, Tenn. 2:52 LifeWay Christian Resources Presentation -- Thom S. Rainer 3:05 Worship -- Julio Arriola 3:10 Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission Report -- Russell Moore, president, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Nashville, Tenn. 3:22 Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission Presentation -- Russell D. Moore 3:35 The President's Panel: "The Supreme Court and Same-Sex Marriage: Preparing our Churches" (See SBC Bulletin: Tuesday, Part 2 for more details) 4:20 Worship -- Julio Arriola 4:30 Convention Sermon -- Eddie Bumpers, pastor, Crossway Baptist Church, Springfield, Mo. 5:00 Prayer of Response -- Bruce P. Frank, lead pastor, Biltmore Baptist Church, Arden, N.C. 5:05 Worship -- Julio Arriola 5:10 Columbus Hands Off to St. Louis 5:15 Closing Prayer -- Dean Fulks, lead pastor, Lifepoint Church, Lewis Center, Ohio]]> 16656 2015-05-29 15:10:32 2015-05-29 15:10:32 closed open southern-baptist-convention-annual-meeting-2015-schedule publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id rcp_access_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/louisiana-college-names-reni-mason-mens-basketball-head-coach/ Fri, 29 May 2015 19:29:31 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16685 16685 2015-05-29 19:29:31 2015-05-29 19:29:31 closed open louisiana-college-names-reni-mason-mens-basketball-head-coach publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id rcp_access_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/message-unveils-a-more-user-friendly-redesigned-website/ Fri, 29 May 2015 19:35:54 +0000 http://www.megaphonedesigns.com/test-sites/baptistmessage/?p=16689 Baptist Messagelaunched a redesigned website June 4 offering a variety of features making baptistmessage.com easier to navigate and a better complement to Louisiana Baptists’ newspaper. “The digital redesign is a great improvement, incorporating new features that make the onlineBaptist Message a better partner for the print edition,” said Will Hall, who recently joined the newsjournal as editor. “But also, it reflects well on the professionalism and commitment of the news staff for completing such a large change effort while in the midst of a leadership transition,” said Hall. “It’s exciting to be joining this Baptist Message team.” The new features include a more user-friendly presentation of articles, a PDF version of the print edition and an improved archives section that allows searching for articles by descending order of date whether published in print or online. Video clips may be added to articles, and users may now comment on reports and easily share stories through social media links such as Twitter and Facebook. The new website also offers new advertising possibilities. Churches, businesses and others can take advantage of a pop-up ad option on the website and benefit from reduced prices when they advertise in both print and online. Craig Beeman, a Baptist Message trustee and pastor at First Baptist Church in Winnsboro, said he is especially excited about the improved archives section and said with each revision the website keeps getting better and better. “In the times in which we live, a business, ministry or even a church does not exist if it has no web presence,” said Beeman, who in December becomes the next chairman of the Baptist Messageboard of trustees. “As the Baptist Message continues to reach out through the Internet, its reach will span much further than any print subscription could. I am excited for the future of the paper. “In our day and age of getting to news quickly, the new website for Louisiana Baptist Messagesubscribers will certainly allow one to find the Baptist news they wish to find in a quick, clean and refreshed way,” he added. “I am excited for subscribers to see what awaits them on the website.” Access to the website is included in the cost of a print subscription. Users who already have a password do not need to request a new one. Those with a paid print subscription who do not possess a username and password need only contact the Baptist Message office to get a password. For more information on the new website, subscription options or advertising services, visit  baptistmessage.com or call 318.442.7728.]]> 16689 2015-05-29 19:35:54 2015-05-29 19:35:54 closed open message-unveils-a-more-user-friendly-redesigned-website publish 0 0 post 0 _edit_last _thumbnail_id rcp_access_level rcp_user_level _wpt_view_count