PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Foundation Executive Director Jeffrey Steed will be the guest speaker at the First@First business leadership luncheon at First Baptist Church, Pineville, Oct. 6 at 11:45 a.m. “I am very honored to be a part of the First@First event tomorrow at First Baptist Church Pineville,” Steed told the Baptist Message. “I will be sharing some about the Louisiana Baptist Foundation’s ministry as well as sharing a devotional on Responding to Economic and Financial Turmoil.” Next month’s luncheon on Nov. 3 will feature Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Associate/Volunteer Mobilizer Mark Morelock, who was scheduled to speak at the Oct. 6 gathering but was deployed to help with Hurricane Ian relief operations in Naples, Florida. First@First is a ministry to the business leaders of Central Louisiana. Launched in 2015, the purpose of the monthly luncheon is to provide principles for leadership as well as encouragement and motivation to area leaders. The cost of the luncheon is $10. Reservations may be made by visiting https://fbcpineville.secure2.agroup.com/events/firstfirstaugust/2022-10-06+12%3A00%3A00. … [Read more...]

SHREVEPORT, La. – Step Martin, noted throughout the state for his 33-years as pastor Calvary Baptist Church, Shreveport, his evangelistic and mission work, his involvement in the Louisiana Baptist Convention, and his ability to reach the lost, passed away Sept. 23. He was 89. Born Nov. 18, 1933 in Pelahatchie, Mississippi, Brother Step, as so many called him, attended Hinds Junior College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he quarterbacked the championship football team. After graduation, he transferred to William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and continued to play football. Early in his time at Carey, Brother Step experienced a life-changing moment when he began to understand that the life he was living and the future that he had planned were meaningless and empty. One night in October 1954, Brother Step found himself, desperate for answers, at the door of Dean of Men Andy Tate. When he knocked on that door, Tate welcomed him and said, “Come on in, ‘Step, I’ve been waiting for you.” Tate opened his Bible and shared that “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Tate explained that God loved Brother Step deeply and that the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NAPLES, Florida (LBM) – Less than a week after Hurricane Ian slammed into the southwest Florida coast, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams are on the ground to “give a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name” to those affected by the powerful storm. According to Louisiana Baptist Missions and Ministry Team Director John Hebert, a shower (Carey Baptist Association) and laundry unit (District 8 Baptist Convention), feeding unit (Rolling Hills Ministry, Ruston), and incident command unit (Louisiana Baptist Convention) are presently working out of First Baptist Church, Naples and have been there since Oct. 3. Assisting Louisiana were teams from the Texas Baptist Men and Ohio Baptist Convention. The feeding team on Monday cooked 2,100 meals that were distributed to residents impacted by the storm. Hebert said they may serve up to 5,000 meals on Tuesday. Mud out teams are expected to arrive later this week to work in homes that were severely damaged by the storm, which made landfall Sept. 28 near Cayo Costa, a protected barrier island 50 miles north of Naples. Ian brought catastrophic winds of 155 mph (two miles shy of Category 5 strength), rain and an estimated 12-foot storm … [Read more...]