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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Ministry helps believers ‘start conversations’ with the lost

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – “Soul winning is our goal,” Preston Condra told the Baptist Message when asked how best to describe his ministry. Condra, with his wife, Kelly, co-founded Sufficient Word Ministries “to edify, increase, and equip the church.” “We want to help train believers to start conversations in evangelism and to feel more equipped and confident in starting conversations which lead to winning people to the Lord,” he explained. He said the ministry focuses on “a gracious and easy” way for believers to engage others and “explain the Gospel simply and clearly.” The conversational approach focuses on three simple principles, he said: caring (ways to initiate natural, no-pressure conversations); clarity (about what to say); and confidence (to respond to questions with biblical answers). Condra said the methodology is as simple as seeking permission: “Can I ask you a question? It’s religious so it’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it.” Then, asking something broadly spiritual such as “What do you think about the Bible?” If the conversation is positive at that point, “We take them right to the Gospel, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, and ask them ‘What do you think … [Read more...]

‘The Gospel Invitation’ seeks to revive soul winning

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor FORT WORTH, Texas (LBM) – O.S. Hawkins and Matt Queen have pub[1]lished a primer for pastors about how to give “an effective, God honoring, public invitation, void of manipulation.” Queen spoke with the Baptist Message to share why he and Hawkins feel there is a need for such a renewed focus on intentional calls from the pulpit for repentance to salvation, and how their new book, “The Gospel Invitation,” addresses the need. “Churches are baptizing fewer people on the whole,” Queen underscored. “You go into some church services, and they don’t give an invitation.” Moreover, he revealed three primary reasons for the lack of an invitation: -- “There is a well- meaning discipleship culture that has put forth the idea that for someone to come to Christ they must spend a lot of time investing in a relationship over a long period of time,” he explained. “The idea of calling someone to immediately and publicly trust Christ conflicts with some discipleship views. -- “Some people associate a public invitation with Arminianism, and that is a theological conflict,” he observed. “Also, there have been past abuses in terms of manipulations. So, some well-meaning people are trying to … [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 First Baptist Church, Wisner: A retirement reception will be held July 30 from 2-4 p.m. to celebrate the 32-year ministry of the pastor and his wife, Thomas and Loretta Peoples. The public is invited to attend. The church is located at 9402 Natchez Street in Wisner. Cory Barnes leaving First Baptist Church, New Orleans to serve as Dean of Doctoral Studies and Distance Learning at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Gary Myers, Executive Pastor of Discipleship, will assume Barnes duties of working with the Bible Study Group leaders to equip, encourage and lead these important leaders in the church. Scott, wife Bethany, Shirley is the new pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Shreveport. Garrison, wife Braiden, Griffith is the new pastor from … [Read more...]

2023 Louisiana legislative session wraps up

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Key protections for vulnerable children and parents’ rights, championed by three Louisiana Baptist legislators, were vetoed by Gov. John Bel Edwards following the regular legislative session. -- House Bill 648, authored by Rep. Gabe Firment, a deacon with the First Baptist Church in Pollock, prohibits physicians and therapists from performing surgeries or providing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to children, because minors are intellectually and emotionally incapable of giving informed consent to these irreversible procedures. Additionally, any medically exploited child is permitted to file lawsuits against the medical professionals who approved or performed such procedures – and this right to sue extends until the victim reaches the age of 30 years old. -- Meanwhile, Rep. Raymond Crews, a member with FBC Bossier City, successfully shepherded H.B. 81 through the legislative process. It allows only the parents of a child to determine the name and pronouns that will be used to address that student in school. -- Finally, Rep. Dodie Horton, a member with FBC Haughton, championed H.B 466 that prevents anyone connected with the school system … [Read more...]

Retiring Peoples reflects on 32 years of service to FBC Wisner

WISNER, La. – For the last 32 years, Thomas Peoples has called First Baptist Church, Wisner, “home.” Peoples, who has served as pastor for one-third of the church’s 100-year existence, has faithfully walked alongside his members as they have strived to be a light house for Christ in Wisner. Many of those individuals, along with others from the community, will be on hand to honor Peoples during a special retirement service, July 30. The day will include a lunch and reception at 2 p.m. in the church’s family life center. “This was a great church when we arrived,” Peoples said. “And hopefully we’re leaving it even better than we found it.” CALLED TO SERVE Peoples trusted Christ as his Savior at nine and embraced a call to ministry at 16, serving as youth minister at Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Newton, Mississippi. Over the next two years, Peoples continued to serve as a youth minister at First Baptist Church, Taylorsville, Mississippi, and then as pastor at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Bentonia, Mississippi (1979-84), Parkerson Avenue Baptist Church, Crowley (1985-1991), and FBC Wisner (1991-present). ON MISSION TO SERVE While Christ has been at the forefront of his ministry, Peoples said he could not have enjoyed … [Read more...]