By Baptist Message staff KIHEI, Hawaii (LBM) – A Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief feeding team has been activated for ministry on the island of Maui, Hawaii. The team of four from First Baptist Church, Slidell, have been cooking meals, from Dec. 5-21, for 80 members of Southern Baptist DR and other organizations and staff of the Hagaii International Institute, the host site. Maui was impacted by a series of wildfires that broke out in early August. At least 99 people died and more than 2,200 buildings were destroyed. LBDR Strategist Stan Statham said it will cost $15,000-$20,000 to prepare three meals a day. “Because the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention is so small and limited in their financial resources, we wanted to take on the entire cost for this response,” Statham told the Baptist Message. “Pray for the recovery workers we will feed and for the residents still struggling to recover.” Bruce Efferson, blue hat for the team, added this is a way to give back to others who helped his church and city recover from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. “We received a ton of help after Katrina, so we now are privileged to go and help others,” Efferson said. “God has called us to this work and we are blessed to have the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – For the past 15 years, Stacy Morgan has championed Louisiana Baptist pastors around the state through multiple roles on the state missions team. Morgan, who is set to retire Dec. 31 from the Louisiana Baptist commu­nications team, said he is grateful for the opportu­nity to build relationships with pastors. “I have enjoyed being able to love and encour­age pastors,” Morgan told the Baptist Message. “I’ve met and had the privilege of loving so many pastors over the last 15 years and would encourage them not to grow weary in well doing. Though we may not see the fruit now, we know the laborers do not go unrewarded. Each of us has a role. Some sow, some water, but it’s God Who gives the increase.” CALLED TO SERVE Morgan’s journey be­gan as a 16-year-old who actively participated in his local church, Winbourne Avenue Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, but had not realized his need for Jesus. One evening, while sitting under a tree at Dry Creek Baptist Camp, the Holy Spirit brought him under conviction that he needed the Savior. “It occurred to me that I was a sinner, and I had no hope in this life or the life to come,” Morgan said. “I was overwhelmed … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Organizers and participants of the 2023 Youth Evangelism Celebration praised God for the hundreds of students who made decisions for Christ, Nov. 19-20, at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria. They also were grateful to Him for the estimated 5,100 teens who attended YEC (the largest annual gathering of Louisiana Baptists). “I would just say that Brandon Lewis, Julie Mitcham and an army of volunteers helped us pull this event off,” Louisiana Baptist Youth Strategist Lee Myers told the Baptist Message. “We could not make it happen without their hard work and commitment to youth ministry in the state of Louisiana. Our goal each year is to create an event that students can connect with, hear the Gospel proclaimed, have the opportunity to respond and also come together as a family of believers. SHINE YOUR LIGHT YEC challenged the Louisiana Baptist youth to share their stories of how Christ changed their lives through messages by Daryl Jones, founder of Point Ministries in Miami, Fla. In his messages, Jones encouraged students to be shining lights of Christ to a dark world. Basing his message on Matthew 5:14-16, Jones told the students … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – Perry Hancock has much to be thankful for this year. He witnessed numer­ous faith decisions made among the 6,800 children and adults the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries has served this year, but in July he also celebrated his 20th year as president and CEO of the ministry. “I am so thankful to the Lord and to Louisiana Bap­tists for the opportunity to serve at the Children’s Home,” Hancock told the Baptist Message. “I am blessed every day through our staff, the children and families we serve, and by our churches that support the ministry through the Cooperative Program and in many other ways.” Hancock became presi­dent and CEO of the min­istry on July 1, 2003. When he came to the role from New Orleans Baptist Theo­logical Seminary, where he served as dean of gradu­ate studies and associate professor of discipleship, Hancock told trustees of the LBCHFM that he was looking forward to creat­ing a family-style atmo­sphere among workers and administrators and con­tinuing Louisiana Baptists’ desire for the ministry to put children first. Twenty years later, that vision has become reality. NEW MINISTRIES Foster care and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer RUSTON, La. (LBM) – The 2024 Lou­isiana Baptist Evangelism Conference will encourage participants to embrace an Acts 1:8 evangelistic mindset, Jan. 22-23, at Temple Baptist Church, Ruston. From pastors, professors, and Baptist collegiate campus directors in North America to a representative with the International Mission Board, the lineup will seek to spur Louisiana Baptists to share the Gospel in their communities and across the globe. “We’re excited to be back in Rus­ton,” Louisiana Baptist Evangelism and Church Growth Director Keith Manuel told the Baptist Message. “We are fo­cused on creating a culture of evange­lism in our churches with an emphasis this year on the uttermost parts of the world.” The sessions will feature George Lee, Baptist Collegiate Ministry direc­tor, Grambling University, Ruston; John Avant, director and president, Life Action Ministries, Bu­chanan, Mich.; James Pritchard, pastor, First Baptist Church, Lafayette; Jeff Ginn, vice-president of mobilization, Inter­national Mission Board, Richmond, Va. (also, former pastor of Istrouma Baptist Church, Baton Rouge); Preston Nix, professor of evangelism and evangelistic preach­ing, New Orleans Baptist … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmes­sage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three to four weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE David, wife Rachel, Rose is the new pastor at Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles. Jimmy Clark is the new pastor at Singer Baptist Church, Singer. Christian Vige is the new Music Minister at First Baptist Church, Baton Rouge. Lloyd and Ginger Bye retiring from Lake­side Baptist Church in Pineville. Come to their retirement party December 31, 2-4 p.m. at Lakeside Baptist Church, 120 Allen Street, Pineville, La. 71360. Allen, wife Christy, O’Kelley is the new pas­tor at Sugartown Baptist Church, Sugartown. Neil Everett has announced his retirement as pastor of First Baptist Church, Calhoun Phillip Boone has been called as the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Bunkie. Bob Holloway has announced his retire­ment from Watson Baptist Church, West Monroe. Alise, husband Stan, who is … [Read more...]