By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WALKER, La. (LBM) – Merelin McCon re­tired from Judson Baptist Church in 2010 but re­turned “home” in 2016 to teach a Bible study and dis­ciple others at the church he pastored for 33 years. “It’s been awesome, and I have thankful I was able to return here,” McCon told the Baptist Message. “I didn’t even want to come to Judson to pastor here years ago. But I’m thankful I said, ‘Yes’ to that opportunity, and it’s been so special coming back and helping others grow in their walks with Christ.” McCon (who actively pastored 55 years) was named a Louisiana Baptist Convention Exemplary Bi-vocational Pastor of the Year for his dedication to ministry. A native of Colyell, Mc­Con was 13 years old when he surrendered his heart to Christ during a service at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Baton Rouge. Four years later, McCon submitted to the call to preach the Gospel. He began his education to prepare for ministry at Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian Uni­versity), in 1957, and dur­ing his senior year began a pastorate with the Twin Bridges Baptist Church in Alexandria, two days after he married his wife, Edith. Later he served as pastor with Magnolia Baptist Church, Holden … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer GILBERT, La. (LBM) – For 26 years, Bobby Arnold has faithfully served Eu­reka Baptist Church amid his own personal trials. Arnold, who suffered a stroke in April 2020, said while he has faced difficult moments, he never has considered resigning from a church who has support­ed him throughout. “The Lord hasn’t led me to go anywhere else,” Arnold told the Baptist Message. “It’s a definite call and is something that I have been blessed to be a part of for all these years.” Arnold was named a Louisiana Baptist Con­vention Exemplary Bi-vocational Pastor of the Year for his dedication to ministry. Born in Franklin Par­ish in 1949, Arnold gave his heart to Christ as a 17-year-old at the weekly Sunday service at New Hope Baptist Church, Crowville, where he had started attending with his girlfriend at the time, Ruth Weems. A year later, Arnold married Ruth, became a deacon at New Hope Baptist and felt the call to preach the Gospel. How­ever, he denied the call multiple times even amid service as a deacon and lay renewal leader at Wayside Baptist Church, Vicksburg, Mississippi. Finally, at 36, he surren­dered to God’s call and be­gan to fill the pulpit at Tur­key Bluff … [Read more...]