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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Joshua D. Perry Prayer Garden dedication scheduled Oct. 3

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Louisiana Christian University will dedicate the Joshua D. Perry Prayer Garden, Oct. 3 at noon. Located behind Guinn Auditorium, the prayer garden was constructed in memory of Joshua D. Perry (the son of former LCU trustee J.D. Perry), who was killed in an automobile accident on March 13, 2021. The prayer garden will include a 15-foot cross that is lit 24 hours a day, a waterfall and 12 stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel. The landscape architect on the project was Tony Tradewell, and the builder was GibKo. Landscaping was provided by Mark Brown. Health promotion students to hold lifestyle presentations PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Health and Exercise Science students at LCU will hold healthy lifestyle presentations, Oct. and 4, for individuals in the community interested in making healthier lifestyle choices at work. The presentations are designed specifically for the workplace and all employees are invited to attend sessions in H.O. West classroom 101: Oct. 2 9:05 a.m. – Physical activity in the workplace 9:25 a.m. – Nutrition in the workplace 9:45 a.m. – Weight management in the workplace Oct. 4 9:05 a.m. – Stress … [Read more...]

85 couples renew wedding vows at FBC Pineville’s two campuses

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Eighty-five couples said, “I do,” again, during the renewal of wedding vows with the witness of the First Baptist Church at the congregation’s Pineville and LeCompte campuses, July 30. Following Pastor Stewart Holloway’s message on the seventh commandment (found in Exodus 20:14), couples stood up in unison and voiced recommitment. Some have been married a few years while others have been wedded for decades. “This was a way to highlight the importance of marriage and why it is sacred,” Holloway told the Baptist Message. “And it showed the younger people who aren’t at the stage of being married that doing it God’s way is the best way. “A strong society is built on the foundation of marriage,” he continued. “Strong marriages lead to strong families that lead to a strong society. We’ve seen the breakdown in family and that will be turned away one family at a time, one generation at a time. This was a way to show that we are committed to marriage.” Blake Fuselier and his wife, Amy, were among those who renewed their vows at FBCP. He appreciated how the event allowed them to underscore that their family is based on a commitment to Christ. “I am not … [Read more...]

PHOTO GALLERY: Students pour out to God during See You At The Pole

Louisiana Baptists joined other students from across the state and nation to pray for their classmates and other at the 33rd annual See You At The Pole, Sept. 27. Since 1990, youngsters have gathered every fourth Wednesday in September around the school flagpole for this student-initiated, student-organized, and student-led time of prayer. … [Read more...]

Fall Preview Day at LCU set for Oct. 7

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Louisiana Christian University will offer high school students an inside look at life as a Wildcat during it Fall Preview Day, Oct. 7. Scheduled from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., the event will offer prospective students a tour of the school’s campus, hear from current students and faculty members, learn more about student clubs and organizations, athletics, academic programs, ministry opportunities and residence life and gain scholarship and financial aid information. Additionally, two scholarship competitions will take place that day. The History and Political Science Division will host a speech competition. Students will be asked to compose a short speech answering the following question — “which of the purposes set forth by the Preamble do you believe has been best fulfilled within American society?” Students interested in majoring or minoring in Spanish may take part in a read-aloud scholarship competition. Students will read “Poema 20” by Pablo Neruda. Students should indicate their interest in participating in a specific scholarship competition on their Preview Day registration form. “We urge all future college students — regardless of what high school grade — … [Read more...]

Church insurance crisis: Help is on the way

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – In response to the church insurance crisis plaguing congregations across the state, Louisiana lawmakers passed legislation in June, now signed into law by the governor, that established a church self-insurance trust. However, a separate funding line item for the trust was deleted during negotiations between the Senate and House. Consequently, multiple approaches are underway to secure one-time funding from the state and federal governments and possibly other sources to assist with setup costs. In the meantime, efforts are beginning to complete “no cost” steps while the funding appeals proceed. LBC RESPONDS The push to help churches began in March when Steve Horn, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, reached out to the Louisiana Baptist Office of Public Policy to share that churches were contacting his office about insurance nonrenewal notices and soaring premiums due to the four hurricanes of 2021-22. Sen. Katrina Jackson responded to contact from the Louisiana Baptist Office of Public Policy by arranging a Zoom call with the state insurance commissioner. Likewise, Sen. Robert Mills, a member of First Baptist Church, Bossier … [Read more...]

Partnership kicks off new church planting effort

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Leaders of Send Network Louisiana, a partnership between the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Louisiana Baptist Convention, have mapped out a God-sized vision to see His Kingdom expanded in Louisiana by one percent over the next decade. If successful, 28,841 of the 4,648,794 Louisianans could turn to Christ through 231 churches planted in the state by 2030 (based on each new church reaching 125 people with the Gospel). But to achieve this goal, an army of supporting churches and new church planters will be needed. “This is an exciting God-sized vision for Louisiana,” Send Network Louisiana Director Lane Corley told the Baptist Message. “We want to see churches assess how they can join in helping make this possible. The next 10 years will be a great time in our next chapter of church planting, and I really appreciate [Louisiana Baptist Executive Director] Steve Horn for supporting this important move in our history.” Corley, who previously served as a Louisiana Baptist church planting strategist, began a new role, fully funded by NAMB, Aug. 1. Joining him as Send Network church planting catalysts are Carlos … [Read more...]

‘No tests, no testimony,’ Griffon tells LCU students at fall revival

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Derek Griffon, during the recent fall revival at Louisiana Christian University, urged students to share Jesus everywhere they go, “You talk about what you love,” Griffon, youth pastor at The Bayou church, Lafayette, said. “Do you go out of your way to love people who don’t look like you, smell like you, act like you?” Speaking from Galatians I, Griffon said encouraged students to be distinctive as Paul was in his time. Griffon explained that Paul was not concerned about being famous, but only wanted to show the difference Jesus Christ had made in his life. Paul did this through his words and deeds, Griffon said. “It’s impossible to share the Gospel without words,” Griffon said. “Sharing Jesus is not just for professionals. Wherever you are, that’s your mission field.” Much like Paul shared his struggles in the book of Galatians, Griffon said he also has battled anxiety and encouraged students to deal with their own issues. “You are the most connected generation of all time but also the most lonely,” he said. “Our problem — we don’t sit still long enough to deal with our souls. Distractions are constant now. We never deal with our issues and … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Baptist Message provides churches an opportunity to share with other Louisiana Baptists an upcoming revival, homecoming, new pastor, new staff member, a community outreach, or a concert in Louisiana Notables. To place your event in the paper, send your information (who, what, where, when, time) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. Please submit your information four weeks prior to the event to insure placement in the Message. ON THE MOVE Robin Alderman Dean is the new music director at Belle Park Baptist Church. Eric Zimmer is the interim pastor at Haynes Avenue Baptist Church. Scott Shirley is the new pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Shreveport. Brenton, wife Lynsee, Smith is the new pastor at Pritchard Baptist Church from Ridgecrest Baptist Church. Lee Myers is the new Louisiana Baptists Youth Strategist. Scott McKenzie has accepted the call to be the Associate Pastor of discipleship & administration for First Baptist Church, Zachary from First Baptist Church, Lafayette. HOMECOMING Welcome Home Baptist Church, Dodson: Homecoming service, October 8, 10:15 a.m. Worship: Sanctuary Quartet, Pastor: Jim McKeithen. Humble Baptist Church, Elizabeth: Homecoming, … [Read more...]

SBC EC leadership woes persist

By Will Hall, Baptist Message exeuctive editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM) – The Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention continues to experience presidential controversies. On Aug. 17, Willie McLaurin resigned as interim president and CEO of the national entity after a committee, looking into his background as part of his consideration as a candidate for the permanent position, found he had misrepresented his academic credentials. McLaurin had served in the interim president role since February 2022 after serving as an SBC EC vice president since 2020. He had followed Ronnie Floyd, who vacated 2021 in response to the SBC EC’s vote to renounce attorney-client privilege in an investigation into the alleged coverup by the SBC EC about sex abuse among SBC churches. Floyd had replaced Frank Page who quit in 2018 because of an admitted “personal failing” described in news reports as a “morally inappropriate relationship.” Meanwhile, Dan Summerlin, a retired Kentucky pastor who was announced, Sept. 18, as the candidate for the role of “transitional interim president and CEO,” unexpectedly withdrew his name from consideration on Sept. 19, only hours before it was anticipated he would be approved by SBC EC … [Read more...]