Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Bahamian church campus nearly restored

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PELICAN POINT, Bahamas (LBM) – A Louisiana Baptist-led effort to help St. Matthew Baptist Church rebuild three years after Hurricane Dorian leveled their facility is nearing completion. According to Stan Statham, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief strategist, 90 percent of the work has been completed on the Pelican Point facilities. Remaining work includes installation of doors, air conditioning system and restrooms. Leaders are anticipating an April dedication of the facility. “Our volunteers and churches have committed to seeing this rebuild ministry through to completion for the glory of God,” Statham told the Baptist Message. St. Matthew Baptist is one of nine Baptist churches (there are a total of 13 Baptist churches on the island) severely damaged or destroyed by the storm that packed 185- mile per hour winds at the height of Hurricane Dorian on Sept. 2, 2019. Louisiana is among several states participating in ‘Bahama Rebuild,’ a partnership with the International Mission Board and Baptist Global Response. Louisiana and Mississippi have sent numerous teams to rebuild the church while the Baptist state conventions of Alabama and North Carolina are sending … [Read more...]

Leon Hyatt, long-time Louisiana Baptist servant, called home

By Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Leon Hyatt, former Louisiana Baptist Convention president and a missions services staff member, died Wednesday, Jan. 26. He was 95. GOD & COUNTRY A native of Lake Charles, Hyatt, at nine years old, surrendered his life to Christ and was baptized at Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles. A year later, God used the Royal Ambassador ministry at Trinity to call Hyatt to the ministry. Before launching into his lifetime of vocational service to God, Hyatt enlisted in the U.S. Army and was awarded the Purple Heart after he was injured in the battle to liberate Wingen sur Moder, Alcase, France, from Nazi control. After completing his military service in 1946, Hyatt enrolled at Louisiana College and then was called as pastor of Gillis First Baptist Church, Lake Charles. He also was pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church, Baton Rouge (1949-1955), First Baptist Church, Houma (1955-1976) and Pineville Grace Baptist Church, Libuse (2002-2011). As a member of the LBC missions staff (1976-1993), Hyatt served, at separate times, as language missions director, Cooperative Missions director and as church extension director. He also was active in other areas of Southern Baptist life, including … [Read more...]

LBFCU’s Allbritton to retire Feb. 14

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Paul Allbritton wanted to use his financial knowledge as a ministry when he became manager of the Baptist Employees of Louisiana Credit Union in 2010. Allbritton, who will retire, Feb. 14, from what is now the Louisiana Baptist Federal Credit Union, is grateful for the opportunity God has given him to help hundreds of members obtain car loans, refinance high interest rate credit card loans and receive financial advice based on biblical precepts. “My time here has been very rewarding,” Allbritton told the Baptist Message. “I’ve loved working with people over these years and have enjoyed helping members who sometimes may not have been able to get help in other places.” Allbritton, a native of Shreveport, previously worked at three other credit unions: Alexandria USDA Credit Union, Pineville (vice president of lending, 1988-2006); Willis-Knighton Federal Credit Union, Shreveport (president/CEO, 2007-2009); and Heart of Louisiana Federal Credit Union, Pineville (formerly Alexandria USDA FCU; collections manager, 2009-2010). When he assumed his BELCU role in 2010, membership was restricted to employees of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and its … [Read more...]

Letlow encourages March for Life participants to advocate, pray, fight for life

By Baptist Message staff WASHINGTON, D.C. (LBM) - Tens of thousands of pro-life supporters descended upon the nation’s capitol to show their support for the unborn during the 49th annual national March for Life, Friday, Jan. 21. “As we stand one step closer to saving the unborn, I encourage you keep marching,” U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, who represents Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District, told the estimated 150,000 marchers in Washington, D. C. “Keep advocating. Keep praying. Keep fighting. Because ultimately we will prevail.” She was optimistic an upcoming ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson which presently is before the Supreme Court could overturn or gut Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark ruling that legalized abortion in the U.S. The annual march brought together pro-life supporters of different denominations, ages and ethnic backgrounds to declare opposition to Roe v. Wade. The current 6-3 majority appointed by Republicans to this highest federal court has led to speculation that Roe v. Wade could be overturned. In Louisiana, four marches were held over the weekend: Lake Charles, Baton Rouge and Shreveport-Bossier City (Jan. 22) and Monroe-West Monroe (Jan. 23). A final march is scheduled Feb. 5, beginning at 10 a.m., … [Read more...]

Chilly weather fails to cool off Louisiana, national life marches

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) - Despite subfreezing temperatures, more than 3,100 Louisiana residents came out to march for life in four communities Jan. 22-23. According to Louisiana Right to Life Director of Outreach officials, a crowd of 1,000 gathered in Baton Rouge and also in Monroe/West Monroe, 650 in Shreveport and another 500 in Lake Charles. A final march is scheduled Feb. 5, beginning at 10 a.m., on the campus of Louisiana Christian University and ending at the riverfront in Pineville. “Our last march will be in Pineville on Feb 5, so I am calling on my Louisiana Baptist family and all other pro-life people to join us as we stand together for an end to abortion,” said Brian Gunter, Louisiana Right to Life outreach director and also pastor of First Baptist Church, Pollock. The marches come a year after COVID-related safety concerns altered the 2021 marches to a one-day socially distanced life chain event. During the 2020 marches, a crowd of 2,500 gathered in Shreveport Jan. 19; 500 in Lake Charles Jan. 22; 1,500 marched in Baton Rouge Jan. 25; 2,500 participated in Monroe/West Monroe Jan. 26; and 4,000 rallied in Alexandria/Pineville Feb. 1. In addition to the Louisiana Life Marches, Students for … [Read more...]

Faith and choice

By William Harrell AUGUSTA, Ga. – I suppose that there has never been an issue which divided our nation like the issue of abortion. Even though a majority of the people in our nation now say they are against abortion, it continues to be the law of the land. Opinions concerning this medical procedure which terminates life range from those who are radically in favor of it to those who feel that it is nothing more than prescribed murder. Many citizens who say they are people of faith hold these same divergent views. So, the question is asked: How does one’s faith impact their view of abortion? Some denominations actually state that they are in favor of choice while others are opposed to it. Different religions also hold opposing views concerning the termination of the life of the unborn child. Some feel that it should be a woman’s choice as to whether to terminate a pregnancy or not while others back up their pro-life position with scripture. This article is meant to help people be better informed so that they can make the proper decision concerning the issue of choice where abortion is concerned. I would like to develop my approach in this article not so much from an emotional position, but from a logical and faith … [Read more...]

Schaeffer Scholarship program takes on cultural issues facing students

By Elizabeth Clarke PINEVILLE, La. (LC news) - Louisiana Christian University had announced a redesign to its Schaeffer Scholarship program to address some of the critical challenges facing today’s college students. President Rick Brewer, who has started several lecture series and conferences over the last six years to address current spiritual and political issues facing today’s church and young people, has enlisted four professors to really dig deep into some of the hot-button crises in today’s culture. “We want our students to be presented with a strong biblical world view on current issues,” Brewer said. Professors Joshua Joy Dara, Wade Warren, Justin Langford and Natalie Maxey have created video lectures on four different cultural topics for Schaeffer scholars, as they go through A Student’s Guide to Culture by John Stonestreet and Brett Kunkle. “Louisiana Christian University is passionately devoted to the intersection of faith and learning through academic instruction and spiritual and cultural events each semester,” said Langford, dean of the School of Mission and Ministries. To that end, Langford said, the format of the scholarship requirements has been redesigned to align with this focus more closely. The approach, … [Read more...]