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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

New Friendship gathers for worship three days after destructive fire

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer POLLOCK, La. (LBM) - Three days after a fire destroyed the facilities at New Friendship Baptist Church, more than 215 faithful members and guests gathered under a tent, Feb. 19, to praise God despite their loss. Pastor Lloyd Whitman said while he and his congregation are devastated over the fire that burned down the worship center, fellowship hall and education building on Feb. 16, the church has a bright future in Christ. Whitman said the church is looking forward to rebuilding on the grounds. “We are not quitting,” Whitman told the Baptist Message. “Quitters never win, and winners never quit. We are going forward.” Whitman said the church will continue to meet under the Louisiana Baptist Convention-owned tent for several more weeks and after that time could relocate temporarily for worship to one of the many churches that have offered their facilities. Whitman noted his thanks for the outpouring of support shown from sister Louisiana Baptist and other denominational churches. “There has been a tremendous outpouring of love for our church,” Whitman said. “I have always known we are together as churches but the love so many people have shown us is … [Read more...]

Vendors being sought for CENLA missions, ministry fair

By Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – The Central Louisiana Baptist Association is seeking vendors for its upcoming missions and ministry fair. Slated for March 5, 5-7 p.m., at Kingsville Baptist Church, Pineville, the event schedule includes worship, a message of encouragement from Louisiana Baptist Church Planting Director James Jenkins and a time for participants to visit tables of various state and national missions organizations. Organizer Richard Bullock, also pastor of College Drive Baptist Church, Pineville, said the event will inform participants about the mission opportunities in the area as well as motivate them to pray for, give and become involved in missions and ministry groups. Likewise, it will provide a venue for mission entities to “tell their story” through the mission fair and to champion missions in their own churches. Bullock expects more than 20 vendors at the event. “Last year’s event was a tremendous success, and we expect this year’s missions and ministry fair to be even better,” Bullock told the Baptist Message. “I encourage everyone to come to the fair and learn about the amazing variety of missions and ministry opportunities available to Louisiana Baptists.” Contact Bullock for … [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 Beulah Baptist Church Pastor Charles Blanchard was ordained January 29 n Don Francis, associate pastor at Eastwood Baptist Church, Haughton, has resigned to hospice chaplaincy. Mike Anderson is retiring as pastor at Haynes Avenue Baptist Church, Shreveport. Chris Keeny has resigned as pastor at Westlake Baptist Church, Shreveport to go on the foreign mission field. Kristen McAnelly is the new children’s minister at Covenant Benton. Hunter Johnson is the new music minister at Bonita Road Baptist Church, Bastrop. Don White has resigned as pastor of Jerusalem Baptist Church, Calhoun to accept a position in Texas. Oren, wife Ginger, Conner is the new pastor at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church. Matt Root is the new interim Student Ministry Leader at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church. Valerie … [Read more...]

Evangelists reap 15 souls for Christ on Harvest Sunday

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – Ten harvest evangelists and one music evangelist filled the pulpits of 11 churches in the Monroe-West Monroe area during Harvest Sunday, Jan. 22, and 15 people come to faith in Christ. The evangelistic effort preceded the Louisiana Baptist state Evangelism Conference, Jan. 23-24, in the facilities of First Baptist Church, West Monroe. Louisiana Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists President Gary Maroney told the Baptist Message that Steven Kelly, director of missions of Morehouse and Northeast Baptist associations, was instrumental in rallying support for churches to host the evangelists. “God had heard and answered our prayers to provide a church for every one of our evangelists that had indicated a desire to participate in Harvest Sunday,” Maroney told the Baptist Message. “When LACOSBE met at our annual luncheon and business meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 24, there was such a spirit of rejoicing and thanksgiving for what God had done.” Louisiana Baptist Evangelism and Church Growth Team Director Keith Manuel added: “I thank the Lord for the work of our evangelists and their willingness and faithfulness to help local area churches as part of the … [Read more...]

Life March Central: Keep fighting for life

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - More than 500 Louisiana Life March Central participants were encouraged to continue fighting for the rights of the unborn, seven months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade (a decision in 1973 that legalized abortion), triggering a ban on abortions in Louisiana. “Though Roe v. Wade has been overturned that battle is not over,” State Rep. Mike Johnson, a member of First Baptist Church, Pineville, said Saturday, Feb. 4. “I’m proud to be part of a legislature that has stood up for life long before Roe v Wade was overturned. We have to be pro-life. We have to give the children love.” Men and women, young and old, from various denominations and ethnicities joined together to make the journey from the Louisiana Christian University campus to the riverfront in Pineville. Other speakers included State Rep. Gabe Firment, a member of First Baptist Church, Pollock; Kim Lyons, director of the CENLA Pregnancy Center, Alexandria; and David Jeffreys, LCU executive vice president and chief operations officer. The life march was the last of five held in the state over the past few weeks. According to Louisiana Right to Life officials, a crowd of … [Read more...]

ECON 2023: Pray, win souls daily

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WEST MONROE, La. (LBM) – Five months ahead of evangelistic events tied to the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in New Orleans, participants at the recent Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference were challenged to share the hope found in Christ each day. Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn told the ECON crowd that they can change the state if they would commit to pray for and share Christ with others “daily.” ECON was held in the facilities of the First Baptist Church, West Monroe, Jan. 23-24. “Would it be said of us that we could be known as a group of churches, a people, that are known to have a culture of evangelism,” Horn said. “What does that look like? When I read the book of Acts, I see ‘daily.’ “The Bible says in a variety of places in the book of Acts that ‘daily’ the Lord was adding to His church. I know that you as Louisiana Baptists believe every word of God’s Word. Would you believe that word with me – ‘daily’?” Horn previously said he has prayed for 2,023 people to be saved through two evangelistic events tied to the SBC Annual Meeting: “Crossover,” a large-scale evangelistic effort held before the SBC Annual Meeting, and the … [Read more...]

NLBA prayer event: Seek God for revival

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BLANCHARD, La. (LBM) – Nearly 400 members of the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association’s 108 churches came together, Feb. 5, to cry out to God during the local fellowship’s eighth annual “Call to Prayer.” Hosted by First Baptist Church, Blanchard, the gathering brought together Christians of various ages and ethnicities to pray for law enforcement, the persecuted church, missionaries serving around the world, pastors and other church leaders. Just like the previous gatherings at NLBA churches, this event was marked by prayer from the worship center stage, in small groups around the room and by individuals who pleaded with God for revival in their community, state and nation. URGENCY TO SEEK GOD “We are in an uncertain hour all across this nation,” NLBA Director of Missions Lane Moore said in his opening remarks. “These last couple of years have been challenging in ministry. We are obviously living in a more wicked and fallen world every day. However, we also know from Scripture, that the Father has us in His hand. Let’s remind ourselves of that truth tonight.” Clay Fuqua, pastor of FBC Blanchard, told the crowd to ask the Lord to search their hearts, as King … [Read more...]

FIRST PERSON: My Asbury Journey

By Don Pucik, Special to the Baptist Message ASBURY, Ky. (LBM) -- It began with a phone call from a friend on Thursday afternoon. He had heard that a spiritual awakening was underway at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. In February 1970, Asbury was the epicenter of a campus revival that impacted hundreds of college and seminary campuses across North America. After reaching out to other friends and searching online, I began piecing together a few facts. On Wednesday, Feb. 8, following a routine 10 a.m. chapel service in Hughes Auditorium, a small group of students remained behind to worship and pray. As students made their way to the altar rail across the front of the stage, the Holy Spirit ignited a deeper, heart-level work. Word spread swiftly as students began to message one another “you need to get back to Hughes!” As I write this account 180 hours later, the worship of our Father continues without pause. Two other campus chapels and a local church building have been opened to accommodate the crowds that now exceed three thousand students, faculty, and guests Slipping into Hughes on Saturday evening, I was one of those “guests.” I became a part of the Asbury awakening for the next two days and … [Read more...]

Fire destroys New Friendship facilities

By Baptist Message POLLOCK, La. (LBM) – A fire destroyed the worship center, education building and fellowship hall at New Friendship Baptist Church Thursday. According to church member Wayne Baum, a church lady was inside the fellowship hall when she smelled smoke a little after 9 a.m. Fire crews from Jena, Grant Parish, Deville and Ruby-Kolin responded. The cause of the fire was still under investigation. The parsonage, which is across the road from the other buildings that burned, was not harmed. Baum asked for prayers as they move forward. “Pray for our congregation,” Baum said. “We are devastated but are thankful no one was injured.” … [Read more...]