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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Luter to nominate Adkins for SBC first vice president

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NEW ORLEANS – Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist in New Orleans East, Louisiana, and a former Southern Baptist Convention president, announced Feb. 14 that he intends to nominate fellow Louisiana pastor Jay Adkins for the office of first vice president during the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting this June. Adkins is pastor with the First Baptist Church, Westwego, which he has led since 2002. He and Luter serve together in the New Orleans Baptist Association. According to information supplied to the Annual Church Profile, FBC Westwego reported seven baptisms in 2022 and averaged 85 in weekly worship. The church collected $125,970 in total undesignated receipts, with $250 given through the Cooperative Program. However, the SBC Executive Committee Finance Office reported FBCW sent $10,572.59 directly to the SBC EC toward the Cooperative Program Allocation Budget during fiscal year 2021-2022. The church did not report contributions to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering or the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering in the ACP report. However, the congregation listed $7,382 contributed to NOBA and total missions expenditures of $11,813. Adkins is a graduate of Leavell College and has … [Read more...]

Dr. Maggie Martin Marketplace Leadership Summit to be held April 13

By Lexi Rachal, Wildcats Media PINEVILLE, La. (Wildcats Media) – Registration for the inaugural Dr. Maggie Martin Marketplace Leadership Summit is underway. The April 13 event will take place at 11:30 a.m. inside Granberry Conference Center and will feature keynote speaker Annie Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne’s founder of the international pretzel franchise. Beiler will share her story of faith—being raised in a traditional Mennonite community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania—and despair following the death of her daughter. Out of this pain was born a purpose, and she now travels and speaks to audiences around the country on leadership, purpose and the power of confession. Martin’s daughter, Natalie, and husband Darryl Monroe announced the launch of the Dr. Maggie Martin Marketplace Leadership Summit, an annual event for business and industry leaders in Central Louisiana who live out faith in their work. They are legacy sponsors for the event. Individual tickets are $25, and sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information or to register visit the LCU Dr. Maggie Martin Marketplace Leadership Summit web page. … [Read more...]

LBC offers sexual abuse prevention resources

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Twenty-one months after messengers to the 2021 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting called for the creation of a task force to oversee an independent review of the SBC Executive Committee about allegations of mishandling reports of sexual abuse, the Louisiana Baptists Sexual Abuse Response Council has published a web page with prevention resources and response information. The page, found on LouisianaBaptists.org, offers phone numbers for reporting instances of abuse and to seek help for the victim; a proactive checklist to avert abuse; sexual abuse definitions and state statutes; how to protect minors; how to respond to an allegation; and resources for training and background screening. “As I promised Louisiana Baptists during our past two annual meetings, this issue remains a priority,” Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn told the Baptist Message. “The Sexual Abuse Resource Council I appointed has met diligently and has collected resources that will prayerfully assist churches and individuals in the prevention and response to sexual abuse. I ask Louisiana Baptists to join me in asking God to protect our churches from all forms of … [Read more...]

He has risen: Easter’s offering of hope is not an empty promise

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – In Jericho, during His journey to Jerusalem for that last week before His crucifixion, Jesus declared to Zacchaeus His very nature, His very character, His very purpose for becoming fully God and fully man. Critics had questioned Jesus’ going into the home of a sinner, but after Zacchaeus repented, Jesus explained that “the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Indeed, “Jesus saves” is the quintessential quality of His very being. Importantly, the promise of salvation is to both the lost sheep of Israel as well as other sheep “not of this fold,” meaning Gentiles like you and me (John 10:11-16). This is to fulfill the promise of Isaiah 49:6 that Jesus will “raise up the tribes of Jacob” and “restore the preserved ones of Israel” as well as be “a light to the Gentiles,” extending salvation “to the ends of the earth.” Moreover, it is no small matter that the promise of salvation was fulfilled on the cross and the fullness of salvation was completed in the tomb. Instead, the empty cross is a reminder that you and I don’t have to be crucified to pay for our sins. The Bible tells us that “God demonstrates His own … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

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 weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Les Colvin has retired as pastor at First Baptist Church, Zachary. n Coy (wife LeAnne) Fuqua is the new pastor at North Keithville, Keithville. John Oswalt retiring as music director at Belle Park Baptist Church, Haughton. Mickey Alexander is the new pastor at Enterprise Baptist Church in Farmerville. Eric Green is the new pastor at Bayou Vista Baptist Church, Morgan City. Luke (wife Jenn) Lusted is the new music minister at First Baptist Church, Shreveport. He comes from Camelback Bible Church, Paradise Valley. Aaron (wife Seana) Greenwood is the new music minister at Woodridge Baptist Church from Farley Street Baptist Church, Waxahachie, Texas. J.D. Jones has resigned as Children’s minister from Calvary Baptist Church, Shreveport to become associate pastor at Fellowship Community Church, … [Read more...]

RA Congress to embark on ‘Quest for truth’

By Baptist Message staff WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – First through sixth grade boys will embark on a “Quest for truth” (Eph. 6:11) during the 2023 Royal Ambassador Congress, March 31-April 1 on the Tall Timbers Conference Center campus. The event will feature jousting; an archery exhibition led by David Easterling, pastor of First Baptist Church, Pine; a petting zoo; and an encouraging message by Jonathan Murphy, connections pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria. RA Congress also will include a Pinewood Derby; soap box races; and a Gospel presentation from Keith Manuel, Louisiana Baptist evangelism and church growth team director, and his dog, Luke. Additionally, participants will help assemble hygiene kits with Matt Tyson, pastor of 318 Church, Shreveport. “RA Congress is a time of fellowship and celebration for RA groups across the state for their work throughout the year,” Louisiana Baptist Men’s Ministry and Disaster Relief Strategist Stan Statham told the Baptist Message. “It’s also a time to further their missions education and have a hand-on missions experience.” For more information or to download a registration form, please visit https://louisianabaptists.org/event/ra-congress/ … [Read more...]

Homeschool Preview Day to be held March 28

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University will host a Homeschool Preview Day, March 28, for any homeschool student interested in attending this fall. The prospective students will have the opportunity to sit in on a class, attend chapel, enjoy lunch and meet with professors in their area of interest. Additionally, LCU President Rick Brewer and representatives from financial aid and student development will speak to students. “Louisiana Christian University is a tremendous place for students who have been homeschooled to flourish academically and spiritually,” Brewer said. “Most of our leading student scholars on campus are students who were blessed to have been homeschooled. And, we have numerous homeschool alums who are achieving great things as Marketplace Missionaries worldwide.” Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the event scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information or to register visit the LCU Preview Day web page. … [Read more...]

LCU announces spring 2023 Commencement speaker

By Brandon Brown, Wildcats Media PINEVILLE, La. (Wildcats Media) – Frank B. Ashley III, the executive associate dean of Texas A&M Bush School of Government and Public Service, will be the keynote speaker at Louisiana Christian University’s 168th Commencement exercises May 6. Ashley, an LCU distinguished alumnus, has served in numerous administrative positions at Texas A&M in addition to being a senior professor. He oversees graduate education and research activities, as well as strategic planning, faculty affairs, student affairs, program development, diversity, assessment, communications and external relations, student services and extended education programs in the Bush School. Ashley earned his bachelor’s degree from LCU in health, physical education and Safety. He earned master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Alabama. During Commencement, Maggie Martin, for whom the Maggie Martin Marketplace Leadership Summit is named, will be awarded an honorary doctorate for her many years of distinguished support and service to the university and the community. Martin resides in Alexandria. A total of 260 students are expected to graduate this year, 183 receiving either the bachelor’s or associate … [Read more...]