EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your in[1]formation three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Kade McKee is the new youth minister at Christ’s Community Church, Denham Springs. n Roy (Thumper) Miller is the new pastor at Open Door Fellowship, Coushatta. Steve Bennett is retiring on January 31 after 55 years in ministry. He has pastored churches in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and New York. He is retiring from First Baptist Church, Moss Bluff as Pastor Emeritus. REVIVAL First Baptist Church, Haynesville: Revival, January 30-February 2, 6 p.m. nightly. Evangelist: Bill Britt. Worship: Mark Lanier. Pastor: Jeff Tinsley. First Baptist Church, Lafayette: Ignite 22, February 6-9, Sunday, 9:30 & 11 a.m., 6 p.m., College night, 7 p.m.; Monday: 6 p.m., Student night; Revival service, 7 p.m.; Tuesday 6 p.m., Family night, 7 p.m., Revival service; Wednesday, 6 p.m., steak night, 7 p.m., Revival … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WEST MONROE, La. (LBM) – Ouachita Baptist Church recently celebrated the retirement of $735,000 in debt on their worship center and fellowship hall. Members rejoiced during a special note-burning service, Jan. 9, especially noting God’s faithfulness to them during the six-year journey. “I’m just so proud of my church and what God did through them,” Pastor Mike Holloway told the Baptist Message. “The financial burden is lifted, and the future is bright. We are not the church we were five years ago, but we aren’t the church we are going to be five years from now.” When Holloway arrived as pastor in January 2016, the church was struggling to pay the monthly note. A year later, Holloway presented “2020 Vision,” a plan to retire the remaining debt of $500,000 within four years. COVID caused a one-year delay in reaching the goal, but the note was paid in full, Jan. 9. Ray Anding, a member of the church since its founding 37 years ago, was honored to be one of the two members who paid off the remaining $30,000 prior to the note-burning service. “Everybody was clap[1]ping; we were on cloud nine,” Anding said. “We remembered how God has blessed our church. Prayer and reaching … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Miranda Underwood walked into the CENLA Pregnancy Center scared and in denial that she was pregnant. But she walked out with hope and a life-giving mindset. “The first day I found out I was pregnant, abortion crossed my mind, but I knew it was never the right thing to do,” Underwood told the Baptist Message. “When I walked into the CENLA Pregnancy Center, I was at the darkest moment in my life. But when I left, I knew it would be the greatest moment and everything would be okay.” DISCOVERING HOPE Underwood was told by others that she would struggle to succeed as a single mother. Unsure where to turn, she reached out to family members, who referred her to the CENLA Pregnancy Center. She said the February 2020 visit changed her life. The staff encouraged her and gave her a journal entitled “Hope.” Importantly, they shared a photo of baby Phaelyn that was taken by ultrasound; and she realized at that moment everything would be okay. “It was a sign from God that this was meant to be,” she said. “Everything happens for a reason. “I appreciate what each lady has done, from the smiles to being very sweet to being there for me in my most … [Read more...]