Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Archives for May 2018

Lonnie Wascom announces resignation as Northshore DOM

By Message Staff COVINGTON – Lonnie Wascom, director of missions for Northshore Baptist Association since its formation in 2011, has announced his resignation from the position Oct. 1. In a letter sent through his e-mail blast Thursday, May 10, Wascom said he has served in vocational ministry for 55 years, beginning with the role of “assistant music director” at Judson Baptist Church in Walker as a 15-year-old boy. Therefore, Wascom said the decision was one he did not take lightly. “But as each of you know, God is faithful,” Wascom wrote in the letter. “He demonstrated that faithfulness by giving Linda and me the clarity we needed to reach this decision. His peace accompanied that decision. His word is true: ‘You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.’ Isaiah 26:3” Associational Moderator Jay Johnston said in a statement attached to the letter that a search committee has been named to begin the search for a new director of missions. “We will share more information with the churches and the process in the days ahead,” wrote Johnston, associate pastor at First Baptist Church in Covington. “Please join me in celebrating this decision of Bro. Lonnie’s pending retirement. I … [Read more...]

Louisiana congressional delegation praises President’s Iran decision

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw Tuesday, May 8, from the Iran nuclear agreement drew praise from most members of Louisiana's delegation to Congress who released statements, including its two members of Louisiana Baptist churches. Negotiated by former President Barack Obama in 2015, the deal lifted most U.S. and international economic sanctions from Iran in exchange for the Middle Eastern country agreeing to restrictions on its nuclear program.  Trump called the deal "one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into." U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, a member of Alto Baptist Church, called the decision wise and calculated. "The Iran Deal was not a deterrent to a nuclear weapon; it was a pathway to a nuclear weapon," Abraham said in a statement. "The President has always put the security of the United States and our allies first and foremost above politics. This is another example of solid, positive leadership." U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, a member of First Baptist Church in Bossier City, agreed. "Rather than curbing the nuclear ambitions and dangerous activities of Iran, this deal did the opposite and further emboldened the world's leading state sponsor of … [Read more...]

Words to remember for graduates

By Waylon Bailey Last Sunday, our church family celebrated with over 40 high school seniors at our church. We recognized them in the morning worship and rejoiced with them and their families at a luncheon afterwards. Graduate recognition is a fun time to preach. It seems that people are more ready to hear than at other times. At the worship services I preached about “Four Things to Do Before You Leave Home.” At the luncheon I had a few more minutes with graduates. At that meeting I had four more suggestions for them. These are the kind of suggestions that fit us all. First, remember the magic words. I was shocked that not everyone knew the magic words. I often speak about the magic words at weddings as well. These magic words–please and thank you– will never wear out or go out of style. Everyone appreciates kindness from others. No matter where we are in life kind, gentle, appreciative words are fitting. Second, use your Bible daily. College students often forget that God has an important word for them as well. We gave out great Bibles yesterday. I made a challenge to not neglect those Bibles. Third, choose your friends wisely. We always become like those people we hang out with. Since that is the … [Read more...]