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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Archives for June 2017

VIDEO: Pastor Jeffery Friend praises God for Suburban Baptist rebuild volunteers

Four months after an EF-3 tornado heavily damaged Suburban Baptist Church, the congregation assembled Sunday, June 11, for the first gathering on its campus since the storm. The message to the community during this block party was strong – the members have not given up and plan to return to full ministry in the neighborhood when their facilities are rebuilt. Many of the congregants who showed up shared moments of laughter and a few thankful tears about how far God had taken them since the tornado destroyed the worship center and damaged two other buildings, Feb. 7. Pastor Jeffery Friend said with the help of others, they have not missed a worship service as a church family and are thankful for the help of about 100 other churches who have volunteered their time and financial resources to help with the rebuilding effort. “It’s a miracle we didn’t have to go without meeting for a single Sunday,” Friend said. “It amazes me that people showed up onsite to do the work, the exact work I needed to be done. God preplanned and pre-trained individuals to work in the situation that was predestined to happen so I don’t have to worry about if it wasn’t going to happen. I just wondered who. “We always preach and teach ‘anyway you … [Read more...]

Resolutions, nominees sought for Louisiana Baptist posts

ALEXANDRIA (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists are invited to recommend candidates for service on state convention boards and committees, and, are asked to submit resolutions for possible consideration by messengers at the 2017 Louisiana Baptist Convention. COMMITTEES The Louisiana Baptist Committee on Committees is conducting its work, Sept. 7, to nominate persons to serve on various state convention committees.  Currently, 17 nominees are needed for service on committees, including: Credentials; Moral and Social Concerns; Nominations; Order of Business; and, Resolutions. Scott Sullivan, First, Haughton, is the Committee on Committees chair, and recommendations should be sent to him, not later than August 18, via email, scott@fbchaughton.org, or through the U.S. Mail: 105 East Washington Avenue, Haughton, LA 71037. BOARDS The Louisiana Baptist Committee on Nominations is beginning its work to fill vacancies on state boards. At this point, 17 nominees are needed to serve on the LBC Executive Board and as trustees of Louisiana College, the Children’s Home and Family Ministries, the Baptist Message, and the Baptist Foundation. Lee Wesley, Community Bible, Baton Rouge, is the committee on nominations chair, and … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

ON THE MOVE Brian, wife Melanie, McAllister is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Jonesboro. Chris Hoyt is the new pastor at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Independence. David Maxwell is the new minister of education & outreach at New Zion Baptist Church, Covington. Waylon McCormick is the new associate pastor of worship at Ouachita Baptist Church, West Monroe. HOMECOMING Lakeshore Baptist Church, Monroe: 63rd anniversary, July 2. Pastor: William L. Smith. Parkview Baptist Church, Alexandria: 75th anniversary, July 9, 10:45 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will follow the service. Special Music: The Sanctuary Quartet. Pastor: David Shaw. Salem Baptist Church, Plain Dealing: 173rd Homecoming Celebration, July 9, Sunday School 10 a.m., Worship Service, 11 a.m. Lunch on the grounds, noon; singing, 1:30 p.m. Special speaker: Ray Huddleston. Pastor: Larry Earhart. REVIVAL United Baptist Church, Jena: Revival, July 9-12. Evangelist: Lyndon Longoria. Pastor: Johnnie Phillips First Baptist Church, Minden: Summer Revival Series, July 9-23. July 9 – Speaker Will Simmons. Worship Leaders: Joe & Jody Nida; July 16 – Speaker: Beau Barton. Worship Leaders: Jeremy & Lexie Scriber; July 23 – Speaker: … [Read more...]

NOBTS adds faculty, OKs changes to curriculum

By Marilyn Stewart, NOBTS communications NEW ORLEANS – The addition of a new faculty member and several curriculum changes were approved by the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary board of trustees’ executive committee June 6. Jeff Audirsch, elected as associate professor of biblical studies in the seminary’s Leavell College, comes to NOBTS from his position as associate professor of Christian studies at Shorter University in Rome, Ga., and from prior service on the faculty of Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Ga., where he was named the 2010-2011 Outstanding Teacher. In action related to curriculum, the board approved course content filling out the requirements for the Christian leadership major in the doctor of philosophy program. Approved in the October 2016 board of trustees meeting, the new major is designed to prepare students to lead in local congregations, teach at colleges, universities and seminaries or serve in administrative or leadership roles within the various boards, entities and commissions of the Southern Baptist Convention. “Christian leadership is one of the areas about which students express the greatest interest,” NOBTS Steve Lemke said. “This new Ph.D. major, available either in person … [Read more...]

First Haughton hosting DR training session July 28-29

HAUGHTON – First Baptist Church in Haughton will host a Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief training session July 28-29. The two-day training will begin at 5:30 p.m. July 28, with training for those wanting to serve on a feeding unit. Supper is provided. Liz Landers, a chef for notable Hollywood celebrities who volunteered on the feeding unit during the March 2016 floods in northwest Louisiana, will lead the feeding training. The following day, training for mud-out and chainsaw team volunteers will begin at 8:30 a.m. Breakfast is provided for those participants. Marvin Leleux, pastor of Springhill Baptist Church in Ringgold, will lead the mud-out training. Toby Wilemon, a commercial construction superintendent and member of First Baptist Church in Blanchard, will head up the chainsaw training. Wilemon was among those Disaster Relief volunteers who helped with efforts to assist homeowners in DeSoto Parish clean up after storms caused damage in the month of June in the area. Registration costs vary. First-time attendees will pay $28, which includes a background check, training materials, ID badge, hat, shirt and lunch. Those renewing their certification will pay $13, which includes a background check and ID … [Read more...]