By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn in his report at the 2021 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 16 at North Monroe Baptist Church, issued a challenge for revival and outlined a plan to be more engaged in the prevention of sexual abuse in the church. ADDRESSING REVIVAL Horn encouraged messengers to participate in ‘Change Me,’ a 28-day personal revival guide he authored based on Psalm 139:23-24. “I believe our churches and our nation have no problems that humility before God and His Word would not fix immediately,” Horn said. Horn said revival is needed because, like the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness, today’s Christ followers are stiff necked, impatient, tempted to follow people rather than God, filled with pride and desperately need God’s blessing. “During the COVID quarantine, the Lord put on my heart this message: ‘Change me,’” Horn said. “I can’t change anyone else. I can’t change our circumstances. I can’t change much, but I can ask the Lord to change me. “What came from that was a 28-day resource,” he continued. “I want to invite you to join me. I want to ask you to spend 28 days as this year … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – During the 2021 Louisiana Baptist Pastor’s Conference, Nov. 15, in the North Monroe Baptist Church, Monroe, speakers offered words of encouragement and conviction to pastors. TITUS WHITE Titus White, pastor of Grace Community Church, Baton Rouge, spoke during the opening session from Daniel 3:13-14, 25 to urge the crowd to stand firm on the Word of God. He pointed to the faithfulness of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, who refused to bow to the image of gold made by King Nebuchadnezzar. He said they were brave in the midst of captivity, united in the midst of conformity and safe in the midst of captivity – and their obedience was rewarded. “God has given them a platform of persecution to stand before men so God could get the glory,” White said. “We’ve got to understand God sometimes puts us in a platform of persecution that God can get the glory out of our lives. They did not bend or bow. They stood firm on the Word of God.” EDDIE WREN Eddie Wren, pastor of First Baptist Church, Rayville, reminded pastors they can find peace and joy in Jesus. Preaching from Philippians 4, Wren said if pastors are going to stand firm they must worship, … [Read more...]