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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

NOBTS seminary teams see lives changed during Crossover

By Marilyn Stewart, NOBTS communications NEW ORLEANS (NOBTS) - Sharing Jesus in New Orleans can be as unique as the city itself. In a place filled with people from other worldviews and religions, 25 New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College students and several faculty members joined Crossover to share the gospel around the city.  Jeff Farmer, NOBTS professor of church ministry and evangelism, led Crossover teams in the community of Christ Baptist Church, Gretna, Louisiana, where he serves also as pastor. Southeastern and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminaries student participated also in Crossover in New Orleans. Farmer noted it was a blessing to serve together with other seminaries. “We have one purpose and that’s to make disciples. We love each other. We have a sweet worship time in learning and equipping, and we’re out to share the gospel,” Farmer said. “And, that’s the SBC.” ‘No one ever asked’ Rachel Darling, a 21-year army veteran, is not afraid of long hours and hard work but the demands of coursework for Crossover in the mornings and sharing the gospel each afternoon had taken its toll. By mid-week, she prayed that God would give her strength, but also encouragement. God answered her … [Read more...]

First Baptist New Orleans shares Jesus’ love to school children at City Park amusement park

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NEW ORLEANS (LBM) - The love of Jesus took centerstage June 9 at New Orleans’ iconic City Park as First Baptist Church, New Orleans, welcomed nearly 500, collectively, from Phillis Wheatley Community School and the community for a night of thrill rides and games. By the end of the night that also included free portraits drawn by cartoonist Joe McKeever and magic by illusionist Shane Willbanks, 20 volunteers from FBNO had poured into the school children and their family members. The event was co-sponsored by the North American Mission Board, which on June 9 and 10 coordinated 51 “Serve Tour” compassion ministry sites in Houma and New Orleans as the foundation for evangelism. FBNO Executive Pastor of Discipleship Gary Myers said this was the first face-to-face event they have held for the school since before the coronavirus pandemic. Many of those children who attended will receive in early August a backpack filled with school supplies. “We wanted to bless Phillis Wheatley Community School and tell them that we love you and that God does too,” Myers told the Baptist Message. “Our members were really excited to have this opportunity to meet many of the students for the first … [Read more...]

M.E. Dodd: Father of Cooperative Program was a committed soul winner, SBC leader

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – When most mention the name Monroe Elmon (M.E.) Dodd, it likely is in context of his leading the development of the Cooperative Program, the primary funding channel for the cooperative missions and ministries of the Southern Baptist Convention. Some might recall also that he: -- served two terms as SBC president; -- founded the SBC Pastors’ Conference; -- led the historic First Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, to become the first church in the world to own and operate a radio station; -- chaired the important Convention Lessons Committee (which was formed seven years earlier to ensure Baptist doctrinal purity of graded Sunday school lessons produced for use of all denominations by the International Sunday School Association); and -- drove the establishment of the Baptist Bible Institute, later named the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. But lost in the discussions about his impact on Southern Baptist life is the fact that Dodd was a committed soul winner. To be sure, Dodd’s contribution to the development of the Cooperative Program is no small thing. Since 1925, the first year of the stabilized system of funding for the … [Read more...]

Alabama volunteer team encourages Vintage Church during playground build

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer METAIRIE, La. (LBM) - An Alabama church teamed up with Vintage Church in Metairie, June 9, to build a playground that not only will serve as a recreational gathering place for their community but will become fertile ground to develop relationships for Christ. The playground, built by 15 members of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Brantley and 25 members of Vintage Church, will feature slides, a small merry-go-round, stepping stones and alligator and frog spring riders. Additionally, elm trees soon will be planted and benches, picnic tables and fencing will be installed. Vintage Church Generations Director Nick Perret said his church was encouraged that the Alabama team gave up a portion of their summer vacation to assist them to build what will become yet another outreach arm. The church that averages 200 in Sunday worship also participates each month in food distribution in Metairie and hosts a Hispanic worship service. “For several years we have been wanting to complete this playground so we could have another way to connect with our neighborhood, and when we found out the Alabama team would help us, our church was very excited,” Perret told the Louisiana Baptist … [Read more...]

SBC CP dips in May, remains down for FY23

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM) — The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee released the May 2023 financial report, June 6, showing that gifts to SBC causes through the Cooperative Program dipped 0.95 percent while designated giving for the month was up 2.94 percent compared to May 2022. Meanwhile, year-to-date figures showed both funding channels were under 2022 levels. From October 1, 2022, through May 31, 2023, CP contributions were 5.75 percent lower compared to the same timeframe for the last fiscal year. Likewise, designated giving was 4.10 percent less for the same months. Both the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering were down for the year. LBC CP The national report showed giving by Louisiana Baptists to SBC causes in May climbed 8.95 percent through CP and surged 14.33 percent for special offerings. Likewise, the year-to-date data showed Louisiana Baptist contributions through the CP and to designated offerings trended higher for both funding channels, 2.54 percent, and 9.84 percent, respectively. … [Read more...]