By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer HAUGHTON, La. (LBM) - Koran Baptist Church, for many years, has worked to be a Gospel lighthouse to the community, state and world, but recently decided to take their commitment to a new level. Koran Baptist Church, which averages 150 in worship, felt led to increase their giving to state mission causes through the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering. In 2020 the church gave more than $12,000 but a year later increased that to $65,000 ($433 per person). Pastor Michael Reichard said the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes exposed the breadth of the need for Christ in Louisiana and his congregation subsequently felt led to give more to mission causes in the state. “The mission field is ripe, right here, and is filled with opportunity,” Reichard said. “If we don’t speak to them, who will? That’s why we give to missions in the state. “Our prayer is that God would give us the wisdom to know what to say and that He would not leave us alone until we obey,” he continued. “And we pray that God would continually motivate us -- not just once, but all the time.” Reichard said he feels blessed to be a part of such a mission-minded church whose efforts have translated into … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer DEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Two hundred sixty students kicked off the new school year with worship and a colored powder war at Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville. Importantly, the “Color Clash” evangelistic event was a catalyst for salvation decisions by 23 students. Student minister Andrew Barber said the event reinforced his students’ passion for reaching their classmates for Christ. “The students were just ready to go all in on bringing their friends,” Barber told the Baptist Message. “They were excited for the ‘stuff,’ but we were up front that we were going to share Jesus with everyone in that room; and they bought in.” Color Clash is Philadelphia’s biggest student outreach event of the year and features a Gospel presentation, giveaways and a chance for participants to engage in friendly battle using colored powder. The church prepared for the event with months of prayer and a mass distribution of flyers by Philadelphia students to classmates. The outreach effort proved successful as 125 first-time visitors attended. “When God answered, he answered in an incredible and intentional way,” Barber shared. “I had numerous students come up to me after with excitement … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LAFAYETTE, La. (LBM) – An ongoing emphasis on evangelism and small groups has helped fuel steady growth at First Baptist Church, Lafayette. “During the last 12 months, the Lord has blessed the energy and effort we have put into what God has called us to do,” Pastor James Pritchard told the Baptist Message. “We have tried to cast a vision and make plans to do so in a biblical way. “While the Bible did not have the same exact methodology we have today, the principles of that methodology are the same,” he continued. “That includes a big emphasis on prayer – praying for Kingdom needs and for lost people – as well as intentional evangelism and small groups.” During the church’s most recent calendar year (Sept. 1, 2021-Aug. 31, 2022), they celebrated 155 baptisms, compared to 57 the previous year; and the most baptisms in any single year for the church, since 1998-1999, when they recorded 157. Moreover, the church has seen growth in Sunday school and worship. FBC Lafayette started 10 new Sunday school classes in 2021 and another 13 since January. The church also saw Sunday worship attendance increase from 870 in September 2021 to 1,078 in August 2022. RISING ABOVE … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Foundation Executive Director Jeffrey Steed will be the guest speaker at the First@First business leadership luncheon at First Baptist Church, Pineville, Oct. 6 at 11:45 a.m. “I am very honored to be a part of the First@First event tomorrow at First Baptist Church Pineville,” Steed told the Baptist Message. “I will be sharing some about the Louisiana Baptist Foundation’s ministry as well as sharing a devotional on Responding to Economic and Financial Turmoil.” Next month’s luncheon on Nov. 3 will feature Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Associate/Volunteer Mobilizer Mark Morelock, who was scheduled to speak at the Oct. 6 gathering but was deployed to help with Hurricane Ian relief operations in Naples, Florida. First@First is a ministry to the business leaders of Central Louisiana. Launched in 2015, the purpose of the monthly luncheon is to provide principles for leadership as well as encouragement and motivation to area leaders. The cost of the luncheon is $10. Reservations may be made by visiting https://fbcpineville.secure2.agroup.com/events/firstfirstaugust/2022-10-06+12%3A00%3A00. … [Read more...]

SHREVEPORT, La. – Step Martin, noted throughout the state for his 33-years as pastor Calvary Baptist Church, Shreveport, his evangelistic and mission work, his involvement in the Louisiana Baptist Convention, and his ability to reach the lost, passed away Sept. 23. He was 89. Born Nov. 18, 1933 in Pelahatchie, Mississippi, Brother Step, as so many called him, attended Hinds Junior College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he quarterbacked the championship football team. After graduation, he transferred to William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and continued to play football. Early in his time at Carey, Brother Step experienced a life-changing moment when he began to understand that the life he was living and the future that he had planned were meaningless and empty. One night in October 1954, Brother Step found himself, desperate for answers, at the door of Dean of Men Andy Tate. When he knocked on that door, Tate welcomed him and said, “Come on in, ‘Step, I’ve been waiting for you.” Tate opened his Bible and shared that “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Tate explained that God loved Brother Step deeply and that the … [Read more...]