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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

New ministry center to train fishers of men on Toledo Bend

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ZWOLLE, La. (LBM) – Staff and supporters of Toledo Bend Resort Ministry recently celebrated the dedication and grand opening of a new 4,000-sq.-ft. meeting facility that will allow others not only to grow in their relationship with Christ, but become better equipped to share the Gospel in the area and beyond. Toledo Bend Resort Ministry Director Mary Gore said the new building replaced a meeting facility used since it was built in the early 1970’s. “Just as many of us have dedicated our lives to making Christ known to others, now others can also have that personal relationship with Jesus that you and I enjoy,” Gore told the crowd during the April 28 celebration. “It is for this reason this building was built and is now being dedicated to God and for His service. My prayer is that many will be trained and sent out from this place to share the love of Jesus with individuals and families.” Jerry Crooks, who previously served on the board for 18 years, shared that the resort has been reaching others with the Gospel since its establishment in 1971 on the east side of Toledo Bend Lake in Sabine Parish. The ministry center has seen many souls added to the Kingdom through the … [Read more...]

Louisianans prepare for National Day of Prayer

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists will gather at churches and other venues across the state, May 2, with the single purpose of calling out to God as part of the National Day of Prayer. Tom Harrison, coordinator for the Louisiana National Day of Prayer Task Force, is anticipating a mighty movement of God throughout the state on this special day. “The mission of the National Day of Payer is centered on the Lord Jesus Christ,” said Harrison, executive pastor of the Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport. “We try to unify the public for prayer for the United States of America.” This year’s National Day of Prayer theme is “Life up the word – light up the world,” based on 2 Samuel 22:29-21. “For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God — his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.” According to the National Day of Prayer websites, numerous events are planned throughout the state including: Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia, 7-8 a.m. Monroe City Hall, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. First Baptist Church, Sterlington, 11 a.m.-2 … [Read more...]

Greek professor connects with students in class and on course

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Disc golf is Greek to Justin Langford. Of course, Langford has a doctorate in Greek. Langford, dean of the School of Ministry and Performing Arts, started teaching at Louisiana Christian University in 2013. He also started playing disc golf that same year when a student introduced him to it. He fell in love with the school and the sport. “When Dr. Langford came my senior year we convinced him to come and play with us one day,” said LCU alumnus Parker Pearson. “He loved it and was hooked. He came and played many more times that year, and honestly we all thought he was the coolest guy for coming.” Pearson, who is now the director of student activities with Grace Presbyterian Church, Alexandria, is the alum whose LCU’s disc golf course Pearson Park is named for because he worked to establish the course his senior year in 2014. Pearson said it was an honor he wasn’t expecting — and it should probably be renamed the Langford-Pickard course now because both Langford and history professor Scott Pickard can beat him any day. “Out of all the professors I have had, both in my undergraduate and my master’s, none have had as great an impact on my life as Dr. … [Read more...]