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...]

By Message Staff TIOGA - An international missions effort close to home is taking place this week, with the hopes of planting seeds of the gospel that will make a return trip overseas. Nearly 50 fourth through ninth graders from South Korea arrived in central Louisiana July 15 for the start of Camp USA. A partnership of REACH Missions and the Korea Baptist Church Development Board, the camp involves 25 churches in three Baptist associations. The children are participating in a Vacation Bible School at Alpine First Baptist Church and spending the afternoons participating in activities such as swimming, skating, English classes and fishing at area churches. After a week in central Louisiana, the campers will depart for southeast Louisiana and spend the remainder of their time in the Ponchatoula area. While there, the children will participate with American children in a music day camp at First Baptist Church of Ponchatoula. The combined 90-voice choir will present Kidz Under Construction at 6:30 pm on July 31 at First Baptist Ponchatoula. Camp coordinator Susan Duke said the cultural experience and opportunity to take English classes are a draw that could lead to something much bigger - a personal relationship with Jesus … [Read more...]

By Message Staff BATON ROUGE – Amidst the strife and destruction a cowardly shooter caused on Sunday in Baton Rouge, God can work in a mighty way to bring about good to the situation said Pastor Jeff Ginn during a special prayer service Tuesday night. “There was a man who very recently meant evil and he brought about evil in this community,” said Ginn, pastor of Istrouma Baptist. “It was something Satan intended for evil. It holds in it the carnal for potential division, unrest and destruction. “But I believe in it all God intends for good,” he continued. “We are His children and the good He intends, He is going to bring part of that through us. That’s the God who we serve.” Ginn gathered with others inside Istrouma Baptist Church to lift up law enforcement, the community and other needs during a special 'Night of Prayer.' The church is one of many throughout Baton Rouge and the state holding prayer gatherings to help the city heal after a gunman fatally shot three law enforcement officers Sunday morning and wounded three others. The shootings took place a little more than a mile from the Church. On Wednesday, Istrouma Baptist Church will also host a community blood drive at their Baton Rouge campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.to … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LC News PINEVILLE (LCNews) - Louisiana College President Dr. Rick Brewer announced four promotions for academic and staff administrators on July 18.  The personnel changes become effective August 1. Jerry Pounds will become the college’s vice president for academic affairs, thus vacating his duties as professor of psychology. “Dr. Pounds brings more than an impressive resume to this position,” Brewer said. “He has served in higher education in numerous roles, from adjunct professor at Liberty University to president of Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Georgia, and in several roles at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. “Well-versed in Baptist culture, Jerry has served the local church as a youth minister and in the interim, bi-vocational, and associate pastoral roles,” Brewer noted. “Dr. Pounds’ experience in higher education and local church ministry demonstrates his commitment to integrating faith in and out of the classroom.” “Having personally observed Jerry’s work ethic, his relationships with campus peers, and his heart for the classroom, I believe he will acquit himself not merely from a sense of duty, but from a deep-seated commitment to our students and our vision,” Brewer said. “Dr. … [Read more...]