By Baptist Message staff HINESTON, La. (LBM) – Former Rapides Parish Sheriff  William Earl Hilton died from injuries sustained from a hit-and run incident March 23 leaving a huge void in Central Louisiana and law enforcement community in the state. According to the RPSO, their office received a call just before 1 p.m. on Monday that a hit-and-run had taken place in the Hineston area. Hilton was found with severe injuries and was airlifted to Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria. The release went on to say the suspect intentionally fled the scene. Deputies and troopers attempted to make a traffic stop on LA 28 near Leavines Road but the suspect refused and left the scene at a high rate of speed. Following a high-speed chase with speeds of more than 100 mph, spike strips were deployed  on LA 28 near Cloverleaf Boulevard in Alexandria where the arrest of the suspect took place without further issue. Hilton, who was a member of Homewood Baptist Church, Alexandria, served in law enforcement for more than 50 years, including 16 years as RPSO sheriff. He also was a member of  the Louisiana National Guard for six years, and was inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame in 2006 and Louisiana Political Hall of … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ZACHARY, La. (LBM) – Women from across Louisi­ana will gather, April 17–18, at First Baptist Church, Zachary, for “Embrace,” a statewide Louisiana Baptist Women’s Missions and Ministry con­ference designed to encour­age each attendee to recog­nize her God-given value and calling. Bible teacher and author Melissa Spoelstra will be the keynote speaker for the two-day event. Teaching from the book of Numbers, Spoelstra will offer lessons on content­ment and trusting God in every season of life. Hosted by the Louisiana Baptists Women’s Missions and Ministry team, “Em­brace” will seek to equip women of every generation and background to grow spir­itually and engage in God’s mission through the local church. “Our desire is for women to leave ‘Embrace’ confident in their God-given value and equipped to live out their purpose,” Louisiana Bap­tist Women’s Missions and Ministry Strategist Christine Gill told the Baptist Message. “When women understand their calling and grow in their relationship with Christ, it strengthens families, church­es and communities.” General sessions will incorporate prayer, teaching and worship led by the FBC Zachary praise team. The event also will include the an­nual … [Read more...]