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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Win 2,023 souls during 2023 SBC

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists have a golden opportunity to reap a harvest of souls during a pair of evangelistic efforts preceding the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, which is scheduled for June 13-14 in New Orleans. The “Send Relief Serve Tour,” an effort that seeks to involve participants in service projects in Houma and New Orleans as the foundation for evangelism, will take place June 9-10. A celebration service will be held June 10 at First Bap[1]ist Church, New Orleans, with a meal at 5 p.m. and service at 6 p.m. Additionally, “Crossover,” a large-scale evangelistic effort, will take place in the New Orleans Baptist Association and North Shore Baptist Association, June 10. The “Serve Tour” and “Crossover” weekend will wrap up with a Harvest Sunday, June 11. Churches in these areas will be encouraged to utilize evangelists to fill the pulpit that day. Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn has set a combined goal for soul-winning through these two evangelistic efforts. In his report to the Executive Board in September and then again at the LBC Annual Meeting in November, he shared that he is praying for 2,023 people to be … [Read more...]

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...]