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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

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...]