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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

FBC Luling rededication celebrates God’s provision

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LULING, La. (LBM) – Members of First Baptist Church, Luling, celebrated the miracles of God during the recent re[1]dedication of its worship center that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ida on Aug. 29, 2021. A crowd of more than 70 gathered to reflect on how God brought them through both a pandemic and a major hurricane and allowed them to see His goodness amid trying times. Interim Pastor Gerald Stevens, who retired in July after serving 34 years as a professor at New Or[1]leans Baptist Theological Seminary, called the Aug. 28 service a watershed moment for the church, which is surrounded by damaged homes that still have not been rebuilt a year after the storm. “We are a lighthouse to this community,” Stevens told the Baptist Message. “We give every[1]one hope because they see that you can recover from this. Even the presence of a reconstructed church in a devastated area gives this area hope things will get better for them. “FBC Luling is the church that keeps chugging along,” he continued. “Even though we are small in numbers, we are dynamic in presence and heart.” PERSERVERANCE THROUGH TRIALS FBC Luling faced multiple trials even before Stevens became interim … [Read more...]

Penfield grateful for the great adventure of ministry

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ZWOLLE, La. (LBM) – Jerry Penfield traveled around the world as a member of the U.S. Air Force, but he said that even that thrilling part of his life’s journey paled in comparison to the great adventure he has experienced as a minister for the past 44 years. “I have enjoying seeing people grow in their spiritual walk,” Penfield told the Baptist Message. “It’s so exciting to see people come to Christ and then begin their walk on the path to a great rest of their life with God.” In 2021, Penfield was named a Louisiana Baptist Convention Exemplary Bi-vocational Pastor of the Year for his dedication to ministry. Born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Penfield spent his childhood traveling with his family to Alabama, Alaska and Japan (his father, Ray, served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War as a member of the Air Force). While the family was stationed in Montgomery, Alabama, an 11-year-old Penfield attended a revival service at Court Street Baptist Church and gave his heart to Christ. “I somehow got separated from the rest of my family one night during the service and remember the Holy Spirit speaking to me that night,” Pen[1]field said. “That evening changed … [Read more...]

NOBTS student witnesses first-hand God at work in Naples

By Baptist Message staff NAPLES, Florida (LBM) – New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary student Sophia Roark recently saw God at work among residents impacted by Hurricane Ian during her first ever disaster relief trip. Roark served on a mud-out team Oct. 17-20 in Naples, Florida, with fellow NOBTS student Jordan Matthews and a team from Paramount Baptist Church, Amarillo, Texas. While there, Roark and Matthews helped complete three jobs and visited with one homeowner who just the day before had accepted Christ during a visit from another DR team. “The woman I met lost a lot in her home, but was changed forever after she found Jesus,” Roark told the Baptist Message. “To meet her and to hear her story, was so uplifting and encouraging. Just to see how God was at work amongst all that devastation left me wanting to go on another disaster relief trip. “Both of us were tired from the work, but after we got back to Louisiana, we were refreshed and can’t wait to serve again,” she said. “I have such a deeper respect for all those who serve during times of a disaster, like a hurricane.” The NOBTS students are among 106 Louisiana Baptist DR team members who have ministered in Naples since Oct. 3. Assisting Louisiana were … [Read more...]

No “ifs” in our victory over Satan

By Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn ALEXANDRIA, La. – Horatio Lord Nelson lived from 1758-1805. The son of a clergyman, he joined the British Royal Navy when he was 12 years old. He became a Captain when he was 20. He was heralded as a daring leader who won many a victory for the British. One of his greatest victories was over the French during the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon planned to invade Egypt so to restrict Britain’s trade routes. On August 1, 1798, Nelson came upon the French Navy in the waters near Alexandria, Egypt, in what would later be referred to as the Battle of the Nile. Upon spotting the French warships, one of Nelson’s men said, “If we succeed, what will the world say?” Nelson immediately responded, “There is no if in the case. That we shall succeed is certain!” As believers in Jesus Christ—that we will succeed is certain! There is no “if.” But, we live like there is an “if.” We act like there is an “if.” In Ephesians 6:10-18, we are reminded that we are in a battle. The battle is real. The battle is intense. The battle is with a powerful enemy, Satan, who is out to destroy us. But, I don’t see the “if.” I see the victory, and the source of our victory is our faith. According to verse 16, we are … [Read more...]

Primeaux reflects on more than seven decades of ministry

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LAFAYETTE, La. (LBM) – Wallace Primeaux, retired director of missions and pastor, was moved to tears, recently, while recounting his time as a mess sergeant in World War II. A member of the “Greatest Generation,” Primeaux said his two years as a cook for the U.S. Army in Japan helped prepare him for 73 years of service to Louisiana Baptist churches. “I am overwhelmed when I think of it now,” Primeaux told the Baptist Message. “I matured during that time and learned responsibility and obedience, which are necessary for service. It was just a real blessing to serve my country.” While he was serving in Japan, Primeaux sensed the call to ministry. Once he finished his tour of duty in 1946, he enrolled at Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian University) to begin what he described as preparation for a lifetime of service to Louisiana Baptists. Primeaux served just three churches: Oak Grove Baptist Church, Grand Chenier (1948-1958), Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church, St. Martinville (1958-1973) and Esther Baptist Church, Kaplan (1994- 2020). He also was director of missions for Evangeline, Gulf Coast and Adolphe Stagg Baptist Associations (1973-1994). One of his most … [Read more...]

Indian’s courageous act in Va. colony saved La. pastor’s ancestors

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer DRY PRONG, La. (LBM) – An attack by the Powhatan tribe on the colony of Jamestown, Virginia, was imminent on March 22, 1622, but a warning from an Indian convert to Christianity saved the life of settler Richard Pace and many others. Upon learning of the plot, Pace immediately traveled by boat across the James River into Jamestown to warn those living in the area. While 347 died in the attack, many more were saved. Kevin Goodman, a descendant of Pace, and pastor of First Baptist Church, Dry Prong, is thankful God used the Indian named “Chanco” to alert the family of the planned attack. “Somehow, someway, God was working behind the scenes,” Goodman told the Baptist Message. “This Indian could have sat on the information and not told Richard about it, but he had the courage to speak up and alert him. “Richard then rowed his boat across the river to warn his countryman and save some lives,” he continued. “It’s a reminder that when God stirs something up and wants us to share it, we don’t need to just sit and be idle.” William Stith, a historian and third president of the College of William and Mary, documented the impact Chanco had in saving Pace and his … [Read more...]

R.V. Couch takes light into darkness of jails

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer TROUT, La. (LBM) – For the last 20 years, Pastor R.V. Couch has devoted his life to sharing how Christ can set men free, especially inside prisons. “It’s been such a joy,” said Couch, interim pastor at Dunbarton Baptist Church, Ferriday, and a 2021 Louisiana Baptist Convention Exemplary Bi-vocational and Retired Pastor of the Year award winner. “I never thought that I would ever do this as a child. I have enjoyed it thoroughly and everywhere I have gone there is a purpose that God has equipped me to do.” CALLED AMID DARKNESS A lifelong resident of Jena, Couch was working as a repairman in 1990 when his wife, Malcolm, was undergoing treatment for cancer. While she was having surgery, Mickey Hudnall, then pastor of Summerville Baptist Church, Olla, and now associational missions strategist for Ouachita Baptist Association, paid a visit to the hospital and prayed with the couple. At that moment, Couch’s eyes were open to the Gospel, and soon afterward, he accepted Christ. A year later, Couch felt a call to ministry during a revival service with Aimoch Baptist, Olla. Then he began accompanying Hudnall to Raymond Laborde Correctional Center, Cottonport, to minister to … [Read more...]