Saturday

“In response to all he has done for us,

let us outdo each other

in being helpful and kind to each other

and in doing good.”

~Hebrews 10:24 TLB~

Don and Joshua Denton

We met with ENT for Joshua this morning. The ENT said that he does not usually recommend surgery for a child this age with broken nose, but he is strongly recommending surgery for Monday morning for Joshua.

This ENT is not a pediatric and when asked he does not have allot of experience preforming surgery on one so small. So we have a surgical consult at Childrens Hospital in St. Louis on this Monday. If this pediatric ENT surgeon recommends surgery is will happen this next week. So we will head up to St. Louis on Monday.

Also the specialist at Washington University wants to admit Don in the hospital up there for one week. Once we have all of records from every doctor and hospital, we will call her and she will start the admit process. They will bring specialist in to investigate the level of dizziness that Don has that does not diminish. So we will go this Monday for Joshua and then wait till all records come in for Don.

We feel really good about this. We believe we will find answers and feel there may be some resolve.

Please pray for Joshua. This is a very scarey thing for all of us if the doctor at Childrens says he needs surgery. It will be a somewhat simple procedure and he will be home from hospital within a day if all goes well.

I am really feeling like Job these days. Please pray that the surgeon for Joshua will have wisdom he needs.

Bless you all our family and friends.

Diane


Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions

NAMB Missionaries—On Mission To Share Christ

More than 5,500 missionaries serve through the North American Mission Board in the United States, Canada, and their territories. Though their areas of service differ, they are all on mission together to share the love of God with all people.

Church Planting

The largest number of missionaries are starting new Southern Baptist churches, more than 1,450 churches were started in 2007. Mission pastors serve English-speaking and language churches in rural and urban settings.

Evangelism

Sharing the gospel by ministering to people’s needs in church and community settings, including senior adults, nonreaders, non-English-speaking people, substance abusers, families, people in the criminal justice system, homeless people, disabled people, migrant workers, and even vacationers.

Mission Service Corps (MSC)

These missionaries serve more than two years and provide a majority of their own funding although they may receive some NAMB support through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering®.

Chaplains

In addition to missionaries, Southern Baptist endorsed chaplains minister in many of the same ways as do missionaries. Almost 2,500 Southern Baptist Convention chaplains serve in the military, institutions such as prisons and hospitals, and in corporate settings.

Mission Volunteers

Our mission efforts are also supported by more than 450,000 missions volunteers each year, including adult and youth mission teams, and World Changers groups.


Pastor’s Widow Points to ‘Celebration Day’

By Martin King
Baptist Press

MARYVILLE, Ill. (BP)–Cindy Winters, widow of slain Illinois pastor Fred Winters told 1,900 people who attended his funeral that Sunday, March 8, was “celebration day” for her husband and that she refuses to harbor hatred.

“Fred and I talked so many times about how God is at work here in this church doing incredible things,” she said during Winters’ March 13 funeral at First Baptist Church in Maryville, Ill. “Nothing has changed. Our vision and purpose are the same. I refuse to let Satan win. He is not going to steal my passion and my joy.”

Winters was fatally shot while preaching at the 1,500-member Southern Baptist church east of St. Louis.

Speaking for 20 minutes during a two-hour funeral service, Cindy Winters said, “Our vision and our purpose still remains the same. … I refuse to let Satan win. … He’s not going to steal my joy. He’s not going to steal my passion. He’s not going to steal my desire to spread God’s Word. I’m not going to hate.

“And I will work to carry out the mission of this church and I know all of you will too,” she said. “And I’m not going to survive this thing; I’m going to be a better person because of this thing.”

She quoted one of her two daughters, ages 13 and 11 years, as saying, “I want to be just like my daddy. I hope the man who did this learns to love Jesus.”

Winters refuted a note the man accused of the shooting left on his calendar labeling March 8 as “death day.” She said, “Sunday was not death day, but celebration day — the best day of Fred’s life. On Sunday, my husband did not die, but got a promotion,” as she pointed upward to heaven. Then, the words of the theme song from the television show “The Jeffersons” — referring to “movin’ on up” — played throughout the church building as the congregation stood and applauded.

She told those in attendance in the 900-seat sanctuary and another 1,000 overflowing into the gymnasium as well as those viewing the service on the Internet a number of humorous stories about Winters that illustrated his reputation for being thrifty, athletic, intelligent and passionate about his ministry.

“Fred loved being a pastor. He had a pastor’s heart. When you hurt, he hurt, and when you were happy he was happy. He never got tired of being your pastor,” she told the First Baptist members attending the funeral.

Winters brother and father-in-law also spoke during the service, while three former staff members brought messages.

Bob Dickerson, pastor of First Baptist Church, Marion, Ill., who met Winters in seminary, held his Bible aloft and said, “If Fred were here, he would speak from the Word of God, so that’s what I will do.” Dickerson read from Genesis 50:20 quoting Joseph speaking to his brothers, “What you intended for harm, God intended for good to accomplish the saving of many lives.”

“Fred was intense about sharing Christ. He wanted everybody to know Jesus, and good will come if 100 people, or 1,000 people or 10,000 people, will help others find God” because of what has happened, Dickerson said.

“Evil did not take Fred Winters life because he gave it to Christ many years ago. Evil did not stop the message that Jesus saves,” Dickerson said.

Adam Cruse, pastor of First Baptist Church in Mt. Zion, Ill., another former staff member at First Baptist Maryville, said Winters “was always there for us. He was a rock for us. He cared for us. I know you are hurting and sad, but this is not a time of defeat or surrender because the mission that we shared with him is still our mission.”

The service ended with a video Winters had made several months before his death answering the question, “Why do you exist?” as a way to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the videotape, which had been on the church’s website during the week, Winters gave the “A-B-Cs of salvation” and ended with an invitation to pray to accept Christ.

Following another presentation of the Gospel by First Baptist’s minister of worship, Mark Jones, the service ended on what Jones called “a note of praise” as they sang “My Savior Lives.”

(Martin King is editor of the Illinois Baptist, newsjournal of the Illinois Baptist State Association.)

Vyette Baham Reid
(August 20, 1928 – March 13, 2009)

Vyette Baham Reid

We will miss our wonderful mother, Nanny, and friend who died at 9:00AM on Friday, March 13, 2009 at St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington, LA. She was a native of Folsom, LA and a resident of Loranger, LA. Age 80 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday and at Lee Valley Baptist Church, Uneedus, from 10 a.m. Monday until religious services at 2 p.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Johnny Shaw. Interment Noah Cemetery, Loranger. Survived by children, Richie Reid, Husser, Patsy Husser, Omaha, AR, Weda O’Keefe, Bush, Kimberly Gray, Moffatt, CO, Cherrie Humphries, Bush, sister, Inez Pelitere, Madisonville, 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by husband, Hulon Reid, parents, Forrest Baham and Bella Baham, brothers, Virgil Baham, Ernest Baham, Wade Baham, Arlee Baham, Ancil Baham, sisters, Weda Willie, Phine Couget, Dorothy Rainey.

Lillian Williams Harper
(October 25, 1921 – March 12, 2009)

Died at 8:52 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was a native of Red Bay, AL and a resident of Amite, LA. Age 87 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, 9 a.m. on Monday until religious services at 12 Noon Monday. Interment Killian Chapel Cemetery, Amite, LA. Survived by daughter, Ivies Fay Harper, Amite, son, Charles Harper, Amite, 5 grandchildren, Michael Harper, St. Amant, Crystal Brown, Amite, Shannon Husser and husband, Shelby, Husser, Kimberly Bankston and husband, Josh, Husser, Blake Harper and wife, Jessica, Tickfaw, 6 great-grandchildren, nephew, Carlton Williams and wife, Audrey, Greensburg. Preceded in death by husband, Doris “Buddy” Harper, son, Johnny Lee Harper, parents, Sam and Nellie Williams, brother, Dossie Williams.



Pray for Mansell’s family.

Jessie Mae Wells
(July 14, 1929 – March 9, 2009)

Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. on Saturday until religious services at 10 a.m. Saturday. Services conducted by Rev. Butch Revere. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA.


Pray for “Miss” Ann’s family.

Ann L. Schilling

 Visitation will be held at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 1 p.m. until religious services at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2009. Interment will be at the Mulberry Street Cemetery in Amite.

Set construction for the Easter drama at FBC, Kentwood will begin this morning. Work if you can, if not pray for those working, those who will participate in the drama in any way, and for those who will worship with us by viewing the drama.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Anna Lee

Friday

“We who are strong in the faith

ought to help the weak

in order to build them up in the faith.”

~Romans 15:1~

Robbie Lynn C. Kirby

Just an update to let you know that Robbie’s surgery went very well. The Dr. said they cleaned out a lot of stuff and replaced some parts and he was very happy with the results of the surgery. She should be released to go home Fri. they hope. Only time will tell how successful it really was. Thank all of you who prayed for Robbie and continue to pray for her as she has many health issues in addition to her back. We appreciate all the prayers. Robert

Roger Tate


please add Roger Tate of the east fork community to the prayer list – he has a tumor on his spine
Galen Shinkle

Jordon Russell (former MK)

Well Jordan just texted me that his surgery went well. Hopefully we will learn more later this afternoon when Kyle has checked on him. Thank you for praying for Jordan as he had his wisdom teeth removed. Pray the recovery will go smoothly.

Love,

Melinda

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® (AAEO) Fast Facts

The reason we give to AAEO:
To help our missionary force reach for Christ an estimated 251 million lost people in the United States and Canada; that’s three of four people.

AAEO national goal for 2009:
$65 million

Amount given to AAEO in 2007:
Year-end figures totalled $59.3 million

Amount of AAEO used to support missionaries and their work:
100%

Number of NAMB missionaries:
More than 5,500. Generally, a third of the number represents career missionaries, a third are short-term funded missionaries, and a third are Mission Service Corps missionaries.

Total 2007 NAMB budget:
$124,000,000

Amount of NAMB budget that comes from Annie:
46%

Amount of NAMB budget from Cooperative Program:
36%

Year offering started by WMU:
1895

Amount given in 1895:
$5,000 +

Year offering named for Annie Armstrong:
1934

What do AAEO-supported missionaries do?

  • Start new churches

  • Engage in student evangelism on college campuses

  • Serve the physical and spiritual needs of people through inner-city Baptist centers

  • Serve in local Baptist associations as associational missionary or other mission staff

  • Provide training and ministry in apologetics (interfaith witness) evangelism

  • Minister in resort settings such as campgrounds and ski areas

KOMpray

Kids on Mission Pray

IMB

“Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Luke 18:16b

A SONG AND A PIECE OF FRUIT

A family in South Asia enjoys helping the children in a very poor community. Every time they go, a crowd gathers and they sing to them about Jesus. The people sing songs for the family too. The family tries to make sure each child gets a piece of fruit, but too many times they don’t have enough!

The children play games, running in and out of the rows of huts made out of scrap metal. They sort through bags, peel labels off plastic bottles and pile up trash in a corner. It’s pretty dirty, but the kids don’t see how bad it is. They get head lice and bad tummy aches. Most days they get rice to eat but not much else. Fruit is a special treat.

The clothes the kids wear are always dirty, but good clothes don’t come along very often. People just don’t throw ’em away and these children get their clothes from the trash. None of them can read—but they can find the good stuff in the trash. That’s what these children in the poor community do.

Please pray for these South Asian children. Pray that they will have enough food to eat today. Pray that there will be enough fruit for each child when this family goes to help. Pray that they will want to know more about Jesus.

YOU SAW IT IN GA WORLD and LAD, January 3, 2009:

Katelyn Brown was featured in GA World/Lad magazines, and she had a prayer request. Do you remember praying for her? Here is that request:

My parents start new churches. I help volunteer teams with the language and figuring out Romanian money. Pray that more missions teams will come to Romania to help with our ministries. KATELYN, age 13 (Central and Eastern Europe)

Katelyn and her family say, “Thank you all so much for your prayer. Please continue to pray for my parents as they are working on church planting in villages neighboring Bucharest city limits. I am still learning worship songs on the guitar and would appreciate prayer for that.”

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

I live in Grafanil which is a city in Luanda, Angola. Outside our compound there is a large market that is full of people and their goods. At night it’s empty because of the Malaria mosquitoes and Banditos. Please pray for me and my family as we serve the people in Angola. ALEXANDRIA, age 11, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

For the unbelievers that are at my school that God would show me a way to minister to them. And for the small ministries and outreaches that I work with. CAMMIE, age 14 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Pray for our misson for we are going to work with an unreached people group.

JON, age 13 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Please pray for our home schooling. JOSEPH, age 9, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

I’m going to start a Bible study with my friends. I’m worried that since I’m not teaching them about their god, they will not come back! Please pray that they will want to hear about Jesus. JESSICA, age 10 (Pacific Rim)

Thank-you for praying today. Your prayers mean so much to so many.

Anna Lee

Thursday

“We should consider the good of our neighbor

and build up his character.”

~Romans 15:2~

Robbie Lynn is having surgery at St. Dominicks in Jackson,Ms. in the morning. Please add her to the prayer link. This is her second back surgery and she has been in a lot of pain. Linda is with her and their home is only about 10 min from the hospital. Pray that the surgeon will do a great job and the results will be what they are hoping for. Thanks/Robert (Callihan)

(The surgery is at 8:30.)


Lauree Titus continues to have health issues. These problems have kept her from being able to work regularly for some time now. Please keep her in your prayers.


Ora Lee Wilson continues to heal from her pacemaker surgery. Please continue to pray for her.


Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell continues to have medical tests. Please pray for “Miss” Annie Bell and her family.


Mrs. Ruby Dillon expects results of her biopsy tomorrow. Pray for her as she waits.



Orin Davidson, father of Naomi Tolar, is in North Oaks. Please pray for him and her family as they help care for him.


Don Denton

(Letter from Diane, his wife)

Anna
. . . My husband Don Denton is a Theology Professor at Southwest Baptist University. Don has degrees from New Orleans Seminary and Fuller Seminary in Pasadena California. We have been married seventeen years. Our son Joshua is 4 1/2 years old. Our son is a miracle from God in our life.
We now live in Bolivar Missouri. My husband is also a writer. He has written one book and contributed to another book coming out this year.
On a Monday morning back in September of last year, Don, woke up with a headache. It did not go away for more than 2 months. He was in Cox South hospital for 25 days and almost died. He then was transferred to Mayo in Rochester and was there for 47 days. My son and I lived in a boarding house in Rochester for those 47 days as well.
Since our return from Mayo on December 5th, my husband has been back in the hospital twice. One of those times a relapse of his disease. Which doctors are not sure of the cause. He had meningitis, encephalitis, deconditioned body, lost 30 plus pounds, dissection in his carotid artery, double vision and is having to learn how to walk again. He was also just diagnosed with hydrocephalus mild. His illness is still ongoing at many levels. During this time we have had many, many obstacles. A house fire, insurance company not paying what they indicated they would for health insurance, our dog had surgery, loss of my job, and our son just broke his nose. WE are hoping to see a specialist in St. Louis soon as my husband has debilitating dizziness all the time. His illness has lasted 6 months with improvements in some areas.
He is unable to teach at this time as well. Our journey is on caringbridge.org and enter: dondenton.

. . . Thank you for praying for us. We really need it. We are so grateful for God’s mercy to us and for God’s people reaching out to us is so humbling and touches us deeply.
Thank you for your email and bless you.

Diane Denton

Don Denton

(Latest post on Caring Bridge)

First thing this morning we all headed down to Springfield. Don’s appointment was first with the ID doctor and then Joshua’s appointment was after that. Joshua got sick, so I ended up dropping Don off to his appt and then bringing Joshua to his appointment.

Joshua will see a ENT first thing Friday. He will determine if there is damage to sinus, etc. and if need for surgery.

Don’s doctor ordered blood work to look for reasons with the onset of increased fatigue. Don has had increase in headache pain, not high level, but increase.

He will taper to the 20mg one week from this Saturday.

Today we received a call from a specialist in the area of CNS- central nervous system diseases. She is at Washington University in St. Louis. I wrote to her a week ago. I had been doing some research and found her area of specialty to be close to what Don has. She has been gracious enough to talk with us. Today was a fruitful conversation. She asked allot of questions and she wants to talk with her colleagues further about Don’s disease. She will get back with us by Monday to discuss the possibility of us coming up there to further explore his symptoms. She at this point feels as we do. He should not have this level of dizziness. There is an under lying cause. It should be mostly resolved by now.

It was good to have her expertise. She is suggesting an area that is somewhat scary for us, but we are willing to go down this path to get answers. If her colleagues are in agreement, it looks like we will see a neuro otologist and possibly a neruo oncologist to further explore these unresolved issues Don is having.

Anne A. we may take you up on the offer when we come up to St. Louis. Thank you for the offer.

Joshua’s little nose is bruised and swollen, but he is a resilient little guy. He was so brave having to have a CAT Scan. He was wondering where is the Cat?

WE feel we are getting closer to more answers. It is a direction we have been wanting for sometime now.

Thank you for your postings, and emails, they mean so much! I read each one and sometimes over and over again. They are most helpful to me.

Bless you our family and friends

Diane







Annie Armstrong Easter Offering®

The first collection of funds by WMU for either of the Boards was for home missions and took place at WMU’s organizational meeting in May of 1888. WMU accepted a request from Home Mission Board corresponding secretary Dr. Isaac Taylor Tichenor to aid in building a church and enlarging a Christian cemetery in Havana, Cuba. Offerings for home missions continued to be taken each year, usually to aid missionaries on the frontier and the work in Cuba. In 1895 Dr. Tichenor asked WMU to contribute $5,000 to help alleviate the agency’s $25,000 debt and prevent the withdrawal of missionaries from their missions fields. In response, WMU instituted the Week of Self-Denial as a time of praying for and giving to home missions and raised more than the $5,000 requested. Since 1895, a week of prayer and a home missions offering have continued. In 1903 the official name of this event was the Week of Prayer and Special Effort for Home Missions; in 1922 the name was changed to the Thank Offering. In honor of WMU’s first corresponding secretary and crusader for home missions, the offering was named the Annie Armstrong Offering in 1934. In 1969 the name was changed to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering®, directly connecting the offering with the Christian observance. Woman’s Missionary Union continues to promote this offering and set the goals for giving to North American missions.


Victor Myles “Vic” Trahan
A pipe fitter and resident of St. Amant, he died Saturday, March 7, 2009, at his home. He was 47, born in Houma and a native of Amite. Survived by his wife of 26 years, Robin Jones Trahan; daughter, Kaitlin Rae Trahan; two sons, Jesse Jay and Taylor James Trahan; parents, Norris J. Jr. and Juanita J. Pace Trahan, all of St. Amant; sister, Robin Trahan and husband Milton Phillips Sr., Osyka, Miss.; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his daughter, Jodi Marie Trahan; maternal grandmother, Mary Jane Pauline Walker, who was of Amite; and paternal grandfather, Norris J. Trahan Sr., who was of Houma. Visitation at Ourso Funeral Home, Gonzales, on Friday, March 13, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation at First Baptist Church of Donaldsonville on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until religious service at 10:30 a.m. Interment in Ascension Cemetery, Donaldsonville.



SHOULD I FORGIVE THAT PERSON?

The following story comes from Glenn E. Schaeffer via Christian Reader (“Kids of the Kingdom;” September/October 1997):

During a childrens sermon one Sunday morning, I held up an ugly-looking summer shirt that I wore occasionally around the house. I explained to the children that someone said the shirt was ugly and should be thrown away.

“This really hurt me,” I explained. “I’m having trouble forgiving the person who said those mean things. Do you think I should forgive that person?” I asked the children.

Immediately, my six-year-old daughter, Alicia, raised her hand. “Yes, you should,” she said without hesitation. “But why? The person hurt my feelings,” I responded.

To which Alicia wisely answered, “Because you’re married to her.”

We live in a society that doesn’t care much at all about forgiveness. Our culture exalts those TV and movie heroes who take vengeance on others. Those who are willing to forgive are portrayed as weak, and those who refuse to forgive are strong. The result is a society filled with bitterness, vengeance, anger, hate and hostility. Marriages suffer because grudges are held and nobody’s willing to forgive. Crimes of retaliation and ridiculously excessive lawsuits are rampantly common as people seek vengeance both inside or outside the law.

But Jesus emphasized the importance of forgiving others. In fact, he doesn’t give us any other option, if we are to be his disciples. He said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15). That’s strong language!

Again in Mark 11:25-26, Jesus said, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

When Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21), Jesus responds by telling a parable about a master who forgave a servant’s huge debt, but that servant refused to forgive another servant who owed him a small amount. The story ends with an angry master turning over the unforgiving servant to the jailers for torture and torment. And then Jesus made the application in one of the harshest statements in all the gospels: “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” (Matthew 18:35).

Jesus makes it painfully clear that forgiving others is directly related to our being forgiven by God, and our unwillingness to forgive destroys the bridge over which God’s forgiveness comes to us. Before you ask for God to forgive you, is there someone who needs your forgiveness today?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

May God use you to bless someone today!

Anna Lee

Wednesday


“I have told you these things,

so that in me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

~John 16:33, NIV~

Don Denton Family

Ok…..I need prayer more than ever.

Joshua fell here at home this afternoon, took him to the ER, he has a broken nose and a slight concussion. Arrived home with him about 9pm tonight. If his nose does not stop bleeding, I will be taking him back to the ER. Won’t know till swelling goes down if he will need surgery.

Don is not feeling well. He has become more fatigued over the past couple of days and he is somewhat congested. WE will see his doctor first thing tomorrow morning.

I feel like we are being attacked. I don’t understand why things keep happening.

Our sitter was here this afternoon and I was here too. I was trying to catch up on all my paper work for providers and insurance company. Josh was chasing a small ball in our den. It has a wood floor. Lauren was in the kitchen for a moment. It happened so fast. I could tell by his cry that something was broken.

Lauren, our wonderful sitter has been with us through everything. She is a precious blessing to us and she came to the ER with me this evening. Pray that she will get good rest tonight too.

I will be up with him every four hours checking is alertness.

Pray for me as I don’t “feel” like praying these days. It is really discouraging. I am discouraged to be honest.

I am asking that you all pray for resolve for Don. WE are hoping to get word this week about a specialist in ST. louis.

My sweet, sweet son just this morning cried not understanding why his daddy could not play with him. His little spirit is so discouraged too. WE just hugged and he cried and I too said, mommy is sad too. And daddy is sad too that he is not able to play with you the way he use to. We both just sat there on the floor and held onto each other. It crushes a mother’s heart to see her child like this. WE just have our moments and today was one of them.

Please continue to pray for us. WE so need it more than ever.

love

Diane


Annie Armstrong Easter Offering®

2009 National AAEO Goal: $65,000,000

Offering Overview

The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® is much more than an offering envelope and an annual missions-giving emphasis. When people give to the offering, 100 percent of their gift will be transformed into missionary salaries and ministry supplies. Those missionaries and supplies will help others hear the message of Christ and respond in faith to His offer of salvation. Time and again our missionaries relate how the offering is their lifeblood. They know that behind each penny given, there is a Southern Baptist who believes in what they do and are affirming the need to equip them to share the gospel with those who need a Savior.




Beverly Ann McIntyre
(September 30, 1940 – March 10, 2009)

Died on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, LA. She was a native of New Orleans, LA and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 68 years. Graveside Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at McIntyre Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Services conducted by Rev. Danny Smith. Survived by 3 sisters, Clodye McIntyre, Kentwood, Donis Blades, Kentwood, Joan Bartlette, Kentwood, and Sue Blades, Kentwood, 9 nieces, 4 nephews. Preceded in death by father, Coy McIntyre, mother, Mattye Booty McIntyre, 2 brothers, and Muriel McIntyre, William McIntyre, 2 sisters, Doyce McIntyre, and Glynn McIntyre. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.


Baptist Press

Tuesday 03/10/09

March 10, 2009

WASHINGTON–Congress refuses to ban funding of forced abortions.
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30037

ILLINOIS–Funeral set for slain Ill. Pastor.
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30038

TENNESSEE–Trusted neighbors can take kids to church.
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30039

TENNESSEE–In Memphis, they’re ‘in the middle of spiritual warfare’.
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30040

TENNESSEE–Elliff: Economic crisis stimulates faith.
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30041

CHICAGO–FIRST-PERSON (C. Ben Mitchell): Why the new stem cell policy is wrong.
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30042

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
ONE SUMMER I had the privilege of hearing a concert on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C…
The orchestra was performing the 1812 Overture. At one point in it there was cannon fire. The cannons didn’t try to hit anything; they just fired “for effect.” It added drama and excitement to the overture.
I recall my days in the Marine Corps during WWII as a forward observer in an artillery unit. One of the pieces would fire a round, and I would observe where it landed in relationship to the target. I would then radio a message to raise or lower, go right or left. They would fire another round, and I would give new instructions. Finally, I would give the final instructions and call on them to fire “for effect.”
So it is in the parable of Jesus. The Pharisee was merely praying “for effect, ” as a means to impress. Jesus said, “He prayed thus with himself.” The publican, on the other hand, did business with God. He prayed for effect, to accomplish something. This is the kind of prayer we should offer to God. (LeRoy Eims)

“The prayer of a righteous man
is powerful and effective.”
~James 5:16~
Thank-you for praying. Your prayers mean so much to so many!
Anna Lee

Tuesday Evening


Ellon E. “Hun” McDaniel
(June 25, 1922 – March 10, 2009)

Died at 3:10AM on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at St. Helena Parish Hospital in Greensburg, LA. She was a native and resident of Pine Grove, LA. Age 86 years. Visitation at Shiloh Baptist Church, Pine Grove, from 9 a.m. on Thursday until religious services at 2 p.m Thursday. Services conducted by Rev. Laverne King. Interment Shiloh Cemetery, Pine Grove, LA. Survived by 4 nephews and their spouses, Rupert James and Annie L. Reeves, Baton Rouge, Leslie “Skeet” and Linda Reeves, Greensburg, Bobby and Linda McDaniel, Washington, Jimmy McDaniel, Minnesota. Preceded in death by parents, Marshall Wickliff and Ella Fairchild McDaniel, 4 brothers, Tillman, Adrian, Willard “Jack” and Bobby McDaniel, 1 sister, Lois M. E. McDaniel Reeves. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.


“Miss” Ann was special to me and a special lady to many.

Ann L. Schilling
(February 1, 1922 – March 9, 2009)

Ann L. Schilling, 87, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 9, 2009, in Aurora, Colorado. She was born February 1, 1922, to Edwin LeTard, Sr. and Thelma Knight LeTard. She graduated from Amite High School in 1938 and attended Soule Business College in New Orleans.

On February 7, 1942, Ann married Edwin Schilling, Jr. They were married for 63 years before his death in 2005. On April 5, 1943, Ann and Edwin welcomed their son, Edwin III “Ed” into the family. Edwin was in the Army Air Corps so, Ann and Ed stayed in Amite for eight months before moving to Denver to be together as a family. After Edwin was discharged from the military, they moved to Baton Rouge in February, 1946 where Edwin entered LSU Law School. Upon graduation in May 1948 the family moved to Amite where Edwin practiced law until retirement in 1985. Ann was his legal secretary until 1965.

They were active members in the First Baptist Church, Amite, where Ann served as the church clerk for 50 years. In 2000, Ann and Edwin moved to the Denver area to be near Ed and Lanell.

Survivors include her son, Ed and his wife, Lanell of Aurora, Colorado, and grandsons, Joel and Daniel and Dan’s wife, Pearl, all of whom live in Alaska.

Visitation will be held at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 1 p.m. until religious services at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2009. Interment will be at the Mulberry Street Cemetery in Amite.

A family spokesman says, “In lieu of flowers, we strongly request that contributions be made to the ‘Rev. E. D. Schilling Memorial Scholarship Fund’, established at Louisiana College in memory of Edwin’s Baptist preacher grandfather. Contributions should be sent to: Louisiana College, Institutional Development, P.O. Box 587, Pineville, Louisiana 71359.”


Jessie Mae Wells
(July 14, 1929 – March 9, 2009)

Died on Monday, March 9, 2009 at University Hospital in New Orleans, LA. She was a native of Orange, TX and a resident of Amite, LA. Age 79 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9 a.m. on Saturday until religious services at 10 a.m. Saturday. Services conducted by Rev. Butch Revere. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. Survived by 3 daughters, Verdena Rae Pierre, Prairieville, Jackie M. Pierre, Kentwood, Joyce L. Wells, Amite, 2 sons, James H. Wells, Jr., Hammond, Lewis C. Wells, Victoria, TX, 2 sisters, Anna Bell Stewart, Odessa, TX, Ruth Lasseigne, Odessa, TX, 1 brother, Lewis Turner, Ft. Worth, TX, 4 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandson. Preceded in death by husband, James Howard Wells, father, Lewis Clark Turner, mother, Myrtle Belle Stout Turner, son-in-law, Clifford Stanley Pierre.


Gaston Eugene Ballard
(December 16, 1933 – March 8, 2009)

Died at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2009 at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in Jefferson. He was a native and a resident of Amite. Age 75 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10 a.m. until religious services at 12 Noon Thursday, March 12, 2009. Services conducted by Rev. Starret Cleveland. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Ballard, Amite; 3 daughters, Donna Dozier, St. Rose, Carol Pansano, Harahan and Milissa Fitzpatrick, Destrehan; 8 grandchildren, Joseph Dozier, Vincent Dozier, Cori Lewis, Mitchell Pansano, Timothy Normand, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Scott Fitzpatrick and Katelyn Fitzpatrick; 6 great-grandchildren, Joseph Dozier, II, Davon Dozier, Carley Dozier, Molly Lewis, Madison Pansano, Nevaeh Normand; 2 sisters, Clara Whiteman, Albuquerque, NM and Sally Verdell, Bogalusa; brother, Francis Ballard, Independence. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mack and Effie Golman Ballard; 3 sisters, Joyce Graham, Beverly Overstreet and Sarah Ballard; 3 brothers, Jack Ballard, Bob Ballard and John Ballard.


Infant Hunter Ethan Blackwell Morrison
(March 3, 2009 – March 3, 2009)

Died on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. He is survived by his mother, Pamela Blackwell; father, Robert Morrison, II; sister, Beverly Morrison; brother, Robert “Trey” Morrison, III; grandparents, Beverly Neal and her husband, Charles, Robert Morrison, Callie Blackwell and her husband, Roger Allen and Larry Blackwell. A memorial service will be held at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, at 2:00PM on Friday, March 6, 2009.

Tuesday

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love

will pursue me all the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the LORD

forever.”

~Psalm 23:6 NLT~

Peyton Alford went to the specialist yesterday. Her spine is okay. The break was clean. She doesn’t have to wear the brace any more. Thank God for the way he answered our prayers for Peyton.

The Annie of the Offering

North American Mission Board

Each year, we honor the life and work of Annie Walker Armstrong (1850-1938) when we give to the annual offering for North American missions named after her. As a tireless servant of God and a contagious advocate and supporter of mission efforts throughout the world, Annie Armstrong led women to unite in mission endeavors that ultimately led to the formation of Woman’s Missionary Union, for which she served as the first corresponding secretary.

Annie believed in Christ with all her heart, but it was her hands that expressed that belief in tangible ways. She spent a great amount of time typing and handwriting letters in support of missions. Many of these letters were quite lengthy and all were filled with conviction that more could and should be done in our mission efforts. In 1893 alone, she wrote almost 18,000 letters! Annie also never hesitated to use her hands to reach out to hug a child or distribute food and clothing and the Word of God to those in need. Her hands held her own Bible as she studied to know how best to share Gods love with others. And, most important, Annie was a woman of prayer, folding her hands in prayer to intercede for the missionaries and for those they were helping discover Christ.

Annie rallied churches to give more, pray more, and do more for reaching people for Christ. As we continue to unite to make her vision a reality in North America today, we can be confident that her legacy will also be ours.

Baptist Press

Monday 03/09/09

March 9, 2009

WASHINGTON–Critics: Obama stem cell order unethical & unnecessary.
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30031

WASHINGTON–Q&A: Frequently asked questions about stem cells.
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30032

ILLINOIS–SBC pastor killed in church shooting.
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30033

MASSACHUSETTS–Reaching Hindus, Muslims in New England.
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30034

ALABAMA–12-foot cross now beckons collegians.
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30035

KENTUCKY–FIRST-PERSON (R. Albert Mohler Jr.): A monumental moral shift.
http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30036

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
IT WAS A fog-shrouded morning, July 4, 1952, when a young woman named Florence Chadwick waded into the water off Catalina Island…
She intended to swim the channel from the island to the California coast. Long-distance swimming was not new to her; she had been the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions. The water was numbing cold that day. The fog was so thick she could hardly see the boats in her party. Several times sharks had to be driven away with rifle fire. She swam more than 15 hours before she asked to be taken out of the water. Her trainer tried to encourage her to swim on since they were so close to land, but when Florence looked, all she saw was fog. So she quit. . . only one-mile from her goal. Later she said, “I’m not excusing myself, but if I could have seen the land I might have made it.” It wasn’t the cold or fear or exhaustion that caused Florence Chadwick to fail. It was the fog.
Many times we too fail, not because we’re afraid or because of the peer pressure or because of anything other than the fact that we lose sight of the goal. By the way, two months after her failure, Florence Chadwick walked off the same beach into the same channel and swam the distance, setting a new speed record, because she could see the land!
“…I press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling of
God in Christ Jesus.”
~Philippians 3:14~
Blessings on you today.
Anna Lee

Monday

“Our fathers trusted in You;

they trusted, and You delivered them.

They cried to You, and were delivered;

they trusted in You, and were not ashamed.”

~Psalm 22:4-5~

Continue to pray for Mrs. Faye Price. Last week was another week of ups and downs. “Miss” Faye may be moving to Kentwood Manor in the near future.

Mr. Clifton Womack has had some health issues lately. Please be in prayer for him.

Robbie Lynn C. Kirby will have back surgery Thursday in Jackson. Please begin to pray for her now.


Ora Lee Wilson is home and doing well. Pray for her as she continues to recover from receiving a pacemaker.

Pray for our granddaughter, Peyton Alford, as she sees a specialist today to evaluate her situation from her injuries last week at church.

Pray for Erlo LaBauve and his family as he has a biopsy tomorrow. Erlo is Sharon Martin’s dad.

Sowing Together for Harvest

by Geoff Hammond

Dr. Geoff Hammond

View/Download Video

You’ve probably experienced it. The storm rolled in without warning. You made a dash for inside. Maybe you were too late and got soaked. Maybe you made it with seconds to spare. Either way, you moved with urgency, knowing what would happen if you didn’t!

Try to imagine the consequences that face more than 251 million people in North America who are lost. Very few would debate that North America is a mission field. Open today’s newspaper or your Web browser to a news page, and you’ll see evidence of lives in sin and sorrow.

People need Jesus Christ! Jesus died on the cross for each person living in this land, but so many have never heard or responded to the good news of Jesus Christ. Many are putting their trust in money and in man, and are learning the disappointment of doing so. They are truly caught in a great storm—hopeless—unless we tell them about Jesus and they decide to run into His loving arms. Christians know our trust and hope is in Jesus alone. We must sow down the gospel together to ensure that there is a harvest of souls won for Christ.

The task before us requires urgency. No procrastination. No excuses. Just bold and determined dedication in word and deed. This is a spiritual battle that we cannot lose!

Jesus gives us the mandate to go, but He also says we need to do it together. We must sow together for harvest, sharing the gospel with everyone, everywhere, and by every means possible. More than 5,600 North American missionaries are working alongside your church in the field, sowing with a passion and commitment to serve Christ in all they do. They are reaping a great harvest; however, more missionaries are needed if we are to fulfill the Great Commission.

Your generous gifts to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® allow us to saturate the fields with seeds of the gospel for God’s glory. Our goal this year is $65 million—a truly God-size goal, but one that can be reached as Southern Baptists see the mission field that is North America and join us in living with urgency, sowing together for harvest.

As you participate in this North American Missions Emphasis, I urge you to do more than just watch and listen. Please pray fervently for North American missionaries. Please give generously to North American missions through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. Please join us this urgent mission of sowing together for harvest!

FBC Deacons for the Week

James Miller

Harrell Sharkey

Migrant Health Kits (Due April 1st)

Place the following items in a gallon size zip-loc bag.

Shampoo

Comb

Deodorant

Soap

Washcloth

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

The church will provide a Bible.


“The Power of the Cross”

Easter Drama Musical

April 5-7, 2009

FBC, Kentood

Tickets will be available soon.

Initial construction work day – March 14th

Mission Canada

June 24-July 3

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
DR. PEDRO ARA Sarria perfected a technique for preserving the body and applied it to Argentina’s Eva Peron…
The embalmed body was kept intact but, for political reasons, was moved from place to place. It went from his laboratory in Buenos Aries to a military camp, to a dusty storeroom in Bonn, Germany, to a secret grave in Milan, Italy, to an attic in Madrid, back to a chapel in Argentina, and finally to a family tomb.
What happens to our bodies after we die may not be very important. What happens to the spirit is very important. Whether our bodies are buried, cremated, lost in an explosion, or buried at sea, it makes no difference. The real concern is that the soul be at home with God.
“And many of those who sleep
in the dust of the earth shall awake,
some to everlasting life,
some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
~Daniel 12:2~

Thanks for being there and praying. Your prayers mean so much to so many. Please send any requests you wish to share here. Have a wonderful week.

Anna Lee





Sunday

I hope you remembered the time change. If not, it is one hour later than your clocks show.

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it,

but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s

will save it”

~Mark 8:35, NKJV~


Scott Lindsey

Today makes a week since Scott’s accident. We just wanted to give everyone an update. He remains unconcious on the ventilator and has developed pneumonia. We know this may sound terrible to some but we are thrilled with the “baby steps” he is taking. Please continue to pray for Scott and our family. Keep his nurses and doctors in your prayers as well. We are at the beginning of a very long road to recovery. We do be believe your prayers have brought us this far. Please keep them coming. Again, thank you for your calls, words of encouragement, visits and prayers.

One more request, if any one has the address or contact information for the Wilmer Volunteer Fire Department, please forward it to me at beclindsey@yahoo.com. So many times these people risk their own lives to protect and serve the community and it goes unrecognized. I do not believe Scott would be here today without their selfless dedication. We have to let them know what a wonderful job they did with Scott while he was on the ground and to encourage them to continue touching the lives of others in such a positive way.

Becky Lindsey (mother)

Cat Scan

from Emily Panter by Emily Panter
I went Wednesday for a second Cat Scan for both Dr. Spak and Dr. Pearl. Considering how worried the technicians were last time, and how normal they were this time, I suposed that the results were considerably better. I have not given the disc to either Dr. Spak or, Dr. Pearl yet, but my family Dr. called me with the radiologist’s results. There is still a hematoma, and there is still fluid (both of which I expected.) But they have both improved. God continues on a daily basis to give me new victories and increasing energy.


Holly K. is enjoying her new home and new . She enjoys riding the donkey carts in the heat of the afternoon. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.

Willie and Ozzie Jacobs Share Christ in Memphis Delta Region

By Mickey Noah

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Six people were found shot and stabbed to death in a mass murder in Memphis’ dangerous Binghamton neighborhood. Three children who survived the attack were hospitalized in critical condition.

And before the dead bodies were cold, yet another shooting and robbery took place in the same gang- and drug-plagued Binghamton area, located just six miles from downtown Memphis.

Southern Baptist missionaries Willie and Ozzie Jacobs Jr. – believing it will take no less than Jesus Christ to once and for all change the crime-culture of Memphis and stop such senseless neighborhood violence and bloodshed – have taken on the challenge.

Although now in their early 60s and married for 41 years, the couple is not ready for matching rocking chairs and simply waiting on monthly Social Security checks. They are on a mission from God in one of the perennial “Top Ten” most dangerous cities in the United States.

“Memphis is in the middle of spiritual warfare,” says Jacobs, when asked about the spiritual climate of Tennessee’s youngest but second largest metro area. “We’re dealing with murder, crime and drugs throughout the city. There’s a racial divide that has plagued Memphis since the days of Dr. Martin Luther King. It’s never healed. There’s also an economic and a political divide. In the middle of all this, we try to do ministry.”

And as if ministry in Memphis was not challenging enough, Jacobs serves the North American Mission Board – in partnership with the Tennessee Baptist Convention and the Mid-South Baptist Association – as regional coordinator of church planting for the four-state Memphis Delta Region, including parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri.

The Jacobses are two of 5,500 missionaries in the United States, Canada and their territories supported by the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® for North American Missions. They are among the NAMB missionaries featured as part of the annual Week of Prayer, March 1-8, 2009. This year’s theme is “Live with Urgency: Sowing Together for Harvest.” The 2009 Annie Armstrong Easter Offering’s goal is $65 million, 100 percent of which benefits missionaries like the Jacobses.

Willie and Ozzie (pronounced “O-zie”) didn’t have to transfer to Memphis last July. They were quite happy and content in Columbus, Ohio, where Willie was serving as a church planting strategist for the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio. Before that, he spent 30 years as a full-time pastor – 20 years at a single church – in the Dallas, Texas area. Both Alabama natives, they now live in nearby Collierville, Tenn., and have three grown daughters and two grandchildren.

“For 40 years, we dreamed of the day when we’d become missionaries going to Africa,” he said. “But God allowed the mission field to come to us, after years of experience as a pastor in Texas.

“We came to Memphis because we sensed the lostness and spiritual climate of Memphis. We felt the Lord wanted us to come here and make an impact in new and innovative ways. This is a God-sized job here in Memphis when you look at the enormous responsibility we’ve been given as national missionaries.” He says sometimes it’s almost overwhelming.

Jacobs has launched a multi-pronged strategy for the Memphis area. He does his best to work along aside other predominantly African-American denominations – strong in Memphis – such as the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) and the National Baptist Convention, although “their concept of missions is quite different from ours as Southern Baptists,” Jacobs admits.

“One of the biggest challenges we face among Southern Baptist churches is to help people change their mindsets about how ministry is done. The churches need to learn new approaches in order to reach people with the Gospel, and do it in such a way that’s non-threatening. You have to build relationships,” says Jacobs.

“There’s a real need for churches to realize that ministry takes place on the outside and that a lot of the needs of people are going unmet because church members and fellowships are not going out.”

The greater Memphis area has a population of 1.2 million, making the city Tennessee’s second largest metropolitan area behind Nashville. But with its 674,000 people, Memphis proper is Tennessee’s largest city, the second largest in the South and the 18th largest in the U.S. About 61 percent of Memphians are African-Americans, while 34 percent are Anglo. Another three percent are Hispanic. Jacobs says he knows of 55 different people groups in the Memphis area.

Where do you begin if you’re Willie and Ozzie Jacobs?

“We try to start out by finding a person of peace in the community to help us engage the community,” he explains. “We want to sow down the Gospel, start Bible studies and raise up leaders. We’re working with students from the Mid-America Seminary to help us engage the community. We work closely with a zone of churches inside the I-240 loop. As our Bible study groups grow, we’ll try to knit them together to form churches.”

Realizing they can’t possibly cover all of Memphis, the Jacobses concentrate on the inner-city neighborhoods of Binghamton and Klondike, the Frazier, Tenn., area north of Memphis and Whitehaven in south Memphis.

“You’ve got different types of people in all areas that may not go inside a traditional church but yet they will come to Bible studies with people in their own cultures,” said Jacobs.

Ministry to Memphis apartment complexes is one of the Jacobses’ top priorities.

“Multi-housing is one of the untapped, unreached people groups,” he said. “It’s among the U.S. apartment dwellers where you find the most single-parent homes, crime and drugs. We’re finding that apartment managers welcome us to come in and start Bible studies because they are looking for help to offset the negatives and bring stability to their complexes.”

The Jacobses are working especially close with Bent Tree Apartments in Memphis, in an effort to create a network of apartment ministries throughout the Memphis metro area.

“We need people to come and help with after-school tutorial programs in the apartment complexes, or just volunteer to spend three hours a day in teams reaching people for Christ in the apartments,” he said. “One of our goals as we work in the apartment ministry is to go into other Memphis complexes with this model and replicate it over and over again.

“When people’s lives are changed through Jesus Christ, it changes the culture of people who live within the city. I think Memphis can be changed in a great way. As we sow down the Gospel of Christ, crime will be reduced, drug activity will be reduced and lives will be changed. That’s why God sent Ozzie and me here to Memphis.”

Darfur Refugees in Peril

The humanitarian situation in Sudan has taken a disastrous turn following the indictment of President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes in Darfur. The government of Sudan has expelled over a dozen international aid organizations, risking the lives of over a million people in Darfur.

By God’s grace, Samaritan’s Purse has been allowed to stay in Darfur, where we have been feeding over 200,000 victims of the fighting. Now, as help runs out, we are stretching our resources and trusting God to meet overwhelming needs in the Name of Jesus Christ. We need your prayers and your support.

Saturday Addition

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

FBC, Kentwood Goal: $14,000.00


Day 7

Paul Biswas: Reaching Hindus, Muslims for Christ in New England

By Mickey Noah

WALTHAM, Mass. – “Absurd.”

That one word is how Southern Baptist missionary Paul Biswas sums up Hinduism – the religion in which he was born and indoctrinated as a boy growing up in a conservative, higher-caste, ultra-religious family in his native Bangladesh. While still in elementary school, he learned the religion at his grandfather’s knee.

“It is only by the grace of God I was able to overcome all the hardships and persecutions of my life,” says Biswas, now 56, the oldest son in his family. Among Hindus, being the oldest son brings extra respect and responsibilities. Rejecting Hinduism as the oldest son brings absolute family rejection, legal disownment and persecution.

Biswas – 21 years old at the time – could no longer believe in a religion based on reincarnation, 300 million gods and goddesses – three major ones – predestination, and “Karma.”

“From the Bible I came to know that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone,” Biswas says. “It is by faith only. I don’t need to do Karma. I don’t need to show my good works and prove them.”

Paul’s father became furious with his son when – after becoming a Christian – Paul decided to change his last name from “Vishnu” (one of the major Hindu gods) to “Biswas,” which means ‘faith’ in his native language. It was 1973.

Disowned by his father and kicked out of the house, Biswas would endure years of persecution, humiliation, hardship and even physical torture because of his Christian faith.

“Before I left my father’s home, I told my father he could disown me, but that my Eternal Father would not disown me.” He and his father have since reconciled but even today, his parents won’t hug him because he’s considered an outcast.

Biswas today ministers to other Hindus and Muslims as a church planting missionary and founding pastor of the Boston Bangla Church in Boston, Mass.

Biswas is jointly supported by the North American Mission Board (NAMB), the New England Baptist Convention and the Greater Boston Baptist Association.

Paul and Elizabeth Biswas are two of some 5,500 missionaries in the United States, Canada and their territories supported by the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® for North American Missions, and are among the NAMB missionaries featured as part of the annual Week of Prayer, March 1-8, 2009. This year’s theme is “Live with Urgency: Sowing Together for Harvest.” The 2009 Annie Armstrong Easter Offering’s goal is $65 million, 100 percent of which benefits missionaries like the Biswas’s.

According to Biswas, about 1 million Bengalis live in the United States but there are only four SBC-Bengali churches nationwide to serve them. Some 20,000 Bengalis live in New England, where there’s only one Bengali Baptist church. About 7,000 Bengalis live in Greater Boston – 4,000 in the Cambridge area. He said 88 percent of Bengalis from Bangladesh are Muslim; the other 11 percent are Hindus and Buddhists. Christians are only one percent.

“The biggest challenge for my ministry here is to mobilize the local churches,” said Biswas. “We have more than 150 people groups here in the Boston area and the American churches are getting a new experience. They don’t know how to reach out to the vast number of Muslims and Hindus.”

Is it difficult to reach out to Muslims and Hindus with the Gospel?

“As for Hindus, that’s my culture and background so it’s not too difficult. Hindus think of Jesus as a god.

“I don’t find it difficult to reach out to Muslims, especially in the U.S.,” he says. “It’s much harder back in Bangladesh, a country of 150 million people. But here, Muslims hear and are responsive. It depends on your approach. It’s important to speak to them in their own heart-language and to know and understand their culture.”

Language is not a problem for Biswas. He understands Hindi and Urdu, and speaks Bengali and English fluently.

“Muslims have a high regard and respect for Jesus. They consider him as one of four Major Prophets. The Qur’an has 22 different titles for Jesus – ‘Messiah,’ ‘Spirit of God,’ ‘Word of God,’ etc. Muslims cannot deny what’s in their own book!” Biswas says with a laugh. He uses the Qur’an as a bridge to reach Muslims.

Biswas prefers to preach Christ and not Christianity because the word “Christianity” is a politicized word with a strongly negative connotation for Muslims, who associate it with the Crusades and the Western world.

A key problem with witnessing to Bengalis in Boston is merely finding a time to coincide with their busy work schedules.

“It’s hard to reach the Bengali immigrants because they work so hard – seven days a week. We have one group that meets at midnight because that’s when the people come home from work. At midnight or 1 a.m. they have their Bible study meeting, eat together, go home by 3 a.m., sleep a few hours and then get up and go to work again,” he said.

Biswas said he is partnering with three local churches, but needs the prayer and financial support of four more churches in 2009. Biswas’ two biggest partners in sharing the Gospel are his wife, Elizabeth, and Abu Mansur, a converted Muslim he first knew back in Bangladesh.

“The great joy in my ministry is my wife. We have worked together, serving the Lord as a team since 1974.” That same year, Paul and Elizabeth, also from Bangladesh, were married, and today have two grown children and two grandchildren.

In 1976, Biswas was called into the ministry and ordained one year later. Until coming to the U.S. in 2001, he worked in Bangladesh as an evangelist, church planter, pastor, pastoral superintendent, director of missions, writer, translator and teacher at different Bible colleges and seminaries.

Biswas holds an A.B. degree in economics from Rajshahi University in Bangladesh, an M. Div. degree from Philippines Baptist Theological Seminary, Philippines, and a Master of Theology degree in Missions from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Mass. He is currently working on his Ph.D.

“Many times we had to go through hardship and suffering but my wife always is with me and encourages me. She’s does a lot of prayer and fasting.”

His other ministry partner is Mansur, who actually left Bangladesh before Biswas did.

“Mansur is a wonderful guy with a great passion to reach out to his own people because he himself came from a Muslim background,” said Biswas. “I came from a Hindu background so that’s a good combination. I can reach the Hindus and Mansur can reach the Muslims.

“He came from an upper-class Muslim family so he has a very good knowledge about the Qur’an. He also was persecuted and at one time, his life was in danger so he had to leave Bangladesh.” Biswas said Mansur, like himself, is bi-vocational and needs extra financial support.

That’s where the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® comes in handy.

“We started our ministry in 2003 without the help of NAMB or the Annie Armstrong offering,” recalls Biswas. “Today, their support is a real blessing for us.”

While Biswas receives assistance from the Baptist Convention of New England and the Greater Boston Baptist Association, he is also a NAMB Mission Service Corps missionary and raises additional financial support through local churches.

“Paul brings a lot of expertise because he basically functioned as a director of missions in Bangladesh,” says Al Riddley, director of missions for the local Boston association. “He brings a lot of ability and is very respected. He has a real working knowledge of Muslims and Hindus alike.

“Among Southern Baptists, there are few experts like Paul, who has not only the academic background but also the experience,” Riddley said. “That’s what Paul brings. Plus, he has such a strong commitment. He’s really an evangelist at heart.”



UPDATE: A Word from Paul

We deeply express our gratitude to the North American Mission Board for featuring us and our ministry during the 2009 Week of Prayer. We are thankful to NAMB for their prayer and financial support. We know all of our Southern Baptist churches in North America will be praying for us and NAMB is acting as a channel of blessing for us. We praise God for NAMB and all of the staff for their great encouragement. We look forward to continued support and encouragement from Southern Baptists as we work in our frontier missions area in New England.

Current Prayer Requests:

  • Discipleship training for the new believers from Muslim backgrounds.
  • Two more new church plants among South Asians in 2009.
  • More church partners and a steady support for us.

Saturday

From now on if you listen obediently

to the commandments

that I am commanding you today,

love God, your God,

and serve him with everything you have within you,

he’ll take charge of sending the rain

at the right time ….

~Deuteronomy 11:13-14 (MSG)~


Boudreaux Family

Please say prayers this morning for the family of one of our students, Gilbert Boudreaux. His sister was killed last night by a drunk driver. The story I got was that she was walking with three other people (not local) from The Buzz to their dorm. A friend or roommate of one of the walkers was drunk and driving on the road where they were walking. The driver hit “Boo”’s sister and the others. Three people were killed and one is in critical condition. Please remember all the families involved.

Amber L. Anthony, Librarian

Loranger High School


Carl Wayne Stevens continues to improve. Keep him and his family in your prayers.


Remember the families in our communities that have lost loved ones in the last few weeks. The hurting, nor needs of the families, is not over when the funeral service is over.


KOMpray

Kids on Mission Pray
March 6, 2009
“Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Luke 18:16b

CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE WORLD Children in other parts of the world celebrate holidays—some are just like ours and some are very different. This Sunday, March 8th, is International Women’s Day. Many places like Brazil, Ukraine, Russia, Uzbekistan and other countries the former Soviet Union celebrate Women’s Day. Students take silk flowers and chocolates or small presents to their teachers at school. Children give their moms presents too. It’s a little like Mother’s Day in the US. It isn’t a special religious holiday—just a day to say ‘thanks’ to someone you like. Why not say “Happy Women’s Day!” to your teachers at church this Sunday? Won’t that surprise them?Wednesday, March 11th, is Holi. It’s a Hindu religious festival. Sometimes it’s called “Festival of Colors.” Families buy packets of colored powders and water pistols. On the day of Holi, they throw the colors on each other and then shoot each other with water pistols. It can get a little crazy; but you hear people on the street saying, “Don’t mind, it’s Holi!” Most South Asians don’t really know how the holiday started.Go to http://imb.org/main/pray/page.asp?StoryID=6686&LanguageID=1709 to read more of this story and find prayer requests from Missionary Kids (MKs) around the world!


CATCHING UP

Two Alabama State Troopers were chasing a Camaro east on I-20 toward Georgia. When the suspect crossed the Georgia line, the first Trooper pulled over quickly.

The rookie Trooper pulled in behind him and said, “Hey Sarge, why did you stop?”

The Sergeant replied, “Stupid rookie, he’s in Georgia now. They’re an hour ahead of us, so we’ll never catch him.”

I know the feeling. Not of being in a car chase, but of feeling that there’s no way I can ever catch up. I experience it weekly, if not daily. There never seem to be enough hours in a day. I always feel one step behind where I ought to be. Do you know the feeling as well? Allow me to remind you of a Bible verse:

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psa. 46:10)

But I can’t take time to be still! I have places to go, things to do, phone calls to make, deadlines to meet!

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

But if I do that, I’ll never get caught up!

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

Father, forgive me of the times that I am in such a hurry that I have no time for you. Please quiet my spirit and remind me of who you are and how much I need you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina


Thank-you for praying today. Your prayers mean so much to so many.

Anna Lee