By Norm Miller, Louisiana College communications PINEVILLE (LC News) - If you ask Mark Rodie why he and four other men from First Baptist Church Bossier City would give up a Saturday to labor in landscaping at Louisiana College under the sultry July sun, within about a minute he will tell you about Men of Courage. Inspired by the movie “Courageous,” Rodie helped form Men of Courage as part of the men’s ministry at FBC Bossier, where he heads up the church’s ministries to men. “Where are you men of courage?” is a line from the movie that shot through Rodie’s heart a few years ago, but not without leaving the conviction to not only be a man of courage but to lead others to join him. What started as Rodie and his mentor meeting every Friday morning has grown into hundreds of men gathering for breakfast and “a time of rejoicing in the joy of our salvation -- you know, men sharing testimonies of what the Lord is doing in their lives,” Rodie told LCNews. “We will sometimes reference 20 to 30 passages of Scripture. The Bible is our workbook. It really encourages us when we leave to be the Church.” Inspiration from the Bible study moves men like Rodie and those who tore out overgrown shrubbery at LC and who will come back … [Read more...]

By Message Staff WOODWORTH – The site of the new Georgia Barnette Conference Center is anything but quiet this week. Volunteers from throughout the state are busy laying concrete on the front sidewalk of the building, digging drain and fire water lines for the sprinkler system and building cabinets for the coffee bar. Some workers are as young as elementary school age while others are in their 70s. But all have the same goal and mission – contribute to the construction of a center that will house information about influential early-day Louisiana Baptists and become a state-of-the art training facility for the future of missions in Louisiana. Among the volunteers onsite this week is Mackenzie Aymond, who came with fellow youth group members from Calvary Baptist Church in Woodworth. She counted it joy to brave the humidity and follow the example of others who have worked for months on the project. “I have seen all these people sweating and working out here before, so when I heard I would have an opportunity to help out here, I immediately agreed,” Aymond said. “After spending a few hours working on the building, I appreciate what all they have done.” Glorida Beasley came with others from First Baptist Church in … [Read more...]

ADDIS - What is the key to healing following the recent deaths of three law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge? Loving people where they are, said Thomas Shepard, pastor of the Church at Addis. And showing Christ’s love can be as simple as picking up the telephone to offer support or bringing the hurting individual a meal Shepard believes. Once those physical needs are met, then the opportunity to share the gospel is much greater. “To make them wonder why somebody would want to do that is key in healing a community because they do not see an agenda at that point,” Shepard said. “There is no agenda other than this person is loving me unconditionally, which is exactly what Christ commanded us to do.” Such was the case on July 16, when members of his congregation spent the afternoon ministering to the family of Baton Rouge Police Officer Matthew Gerald, who was the uncle of children who had attended Vacation Bible School recently at the church. The church, which includes some law enforcement officers, prayed with the fallen officer’s sister-in-law and let them know they were available for counseling or other needs. Preparing his congregation to minister to the family of Officer Gerald is a byproduct of training his members to … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message BATON ROUGE – Tommy Middleton understands the value of a consistent prayer life but events of the past few weeks in Baton Rouge have reminded him of its importance. Middleton, who is director of missions for the Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge, said more intentional prayers are needed for each other and on the issue of racial tension. To that end, 30 churches from the BAGBR and that National Baptist Association gathered at First Baptist Church in Baton Rouge on July 24 to pray for a variety of topics, including law enforcement, government officials, churches, pastors and the nation. The event drew more than 300 people also featured small group prayer time and the gathering joining hands to sing “Amazing Grace.” “I think what we see in our culture especially in Baton Rouge is the coming together of all our churches with the expressed purpose of not only working together in unity but also for the advancement of the gospel,” Middleton said. “Because the real issue here is a spiritual need and hopefully a spiritual awakening in our area to the need for Christ. And when that comes, unity will come as well.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL8yw6TdNIA … [Read more...]

BATON ROUGE – The city of Baton Rouge is at a crossroads. For some time now,  the issue of race relations has been the elephant in the room, according to Lee Wesley. It was a problem nobody wanted to discuss. He believes recent tragic events have opened a channel for such dialogue. Now is the time to capitalize on a positive end result, Wesley said, to help bring about unity throughout the city. “There’s an opportunity now to have serious dialogue about how we will overcome this racial divide,” said Wesley, pastor of Community Bible Church in Baton Rouge. “Not only are we divided by race, we are divided by denomination, we are divided by economics, we are divided by geography. And Baton Rouge really is two cities, one city on the north side of Florida Boulevard, another city on the south side of Florida Boulevard. So the challenge is how do we bring those cities together and make them as one, so we will be a unified Baton Rouge.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWnWKFcz_-E … [Read more...]

By Message Staff BATON ROUGE - The gospel was presented – and accepted by many – at Istrouma Baptist Church during the funeral of East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Garafola. Held on July 23, the service to remember one of three fallen law enforcement officers from the Baton Rouge area drew a crowd of 3,000 from the community, state and nation. When Istrouma Baptist Pastor Jeff Ginn offered the chance for anyone in attendance to accept Christ, he heard many voices across the worship center publicly declare out loud their intention to follow Jesus. “We wanted to be a part of that and the Lord allowed us to wrap our arms around all who attended,” Ginn said. “It was an unparalleled opportunity to share the hope that is found in Jesus. Many prayed to receive Christ and we believe eternity was changed.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ-6uXziPoo   … [Read more...]

BATON ROUGE – Christmas may be five months away but it can a little early recently for a group of women at Florida Boulevard Baptist Church. Making snowmen filled with white chocolate pretzel treats and wreaths and hearing a devotional about turning tragedy into inspiration were among the highlights for the Christmas in July event at the church. During the event, Ginny Traylor shared the story of her daughter, Tracy, a freshman at Baylor University majoring in interior design. Left paralyzed from the neck down following a car accident, Tracy Traylor refused to give up on her dream. Currently, she designs jewelry based on scripture and her mother has become her hands to make a line of Christian jewelry called PRIMS.  The jewelry is made of baked clay beads and semiprecious stones fashioned in a primitive look. Next year, the event will feature a “Ladies Tea” with all the trappings of an “old-fashioned” tea time. The women will enjoy five varieties of tea and breads and scones, tea sandwiches, finger food and desserts during the occasion. … [Read more...]

By Message Staff WOODWORTH – As a young girl, Kelsie Miller’s summer memories included a week at Girls in Action Camp at Tall Timbers Conference Center. So when she was given a chance to serve as a leader for Girls Mission camp years later, Miller quickly accepted the job. “GA Camp was such a blessing to me. I made so many memories when I went,” said Miller, a member of Alto Baptist Church in Rayville. “The staff strengthened my walk in Christ and I wanted to do that for the other girls. It’s fun to see the campers grow closer to Christ and it’s a reminder of good times I had as a GA.” Alto was one of 23 staff members who are leading 233 campers and sponsors at the annual Girls Mission Camp, which began July 23 and ends July 27. The camp’s theme is “Run the Race,” based on 1 Timothy 4:8. Campers are participating in drama, archery, missions, crafts, swimming and Bible study sessions. They also are learning from retired missionaries who are retired and currently reside stateside, hearing inspiring messages from camp pastor Brandon Digilormo and taking part in worship led by Kristen and Kellie Fuselier. Jess Archer, children and youth missions education strategist for Louisiana Baptists, said the hand of the Lord is evident on … [Read more...]

SHREVEPORT - Calvary Baptist Church in Shreveport hosted on July 19 briefing for church staff and members on important legal issues in the state. Topics discussed included current challenges in religious freedom, changes in taxes for Louisiana non-profit agencies, gender identity issues and the abortion crisis in Shreveport. State Rep. Mike Johnson, who also founded Freedom Guard, was the guest speaker and was prayed for by Lane Moore, director of missions for Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association, and others in attendance. Freedom Guard is a not-for-profit law firm that defends religious liberty, the sanctity of human life and traditional American values. … [Read more...]