By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PELICAN POINT, Bahamas (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist, community leaders, and Bahamian officials were among those who gathered at St. Matthew Baptist Church July 24 to re-dedicate facilities leveled by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Louisiana Baptist Missions and Ministry Team Director John Hebert, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief Strategist Stan Statham and Louisiana Baptist DR Volunteer Reggy Saxon were among more than 220 guests, leaders and officials that gathered inside the 4,655-sq.-ft. multi-purpose facility to celebrate the completion of three years of work. The building features a new worship center, covered driveway, restrooms, library, pastor's office and choir room. During the dedication, church leaders thanked Louisiana Baptists for the prayers, financial support and the numerous volunteers who steadfastly labored despite facing multiple hurricanes, severe floodiing, and ice storms themselves. The church also recognized the efforts of Gibbie McMillan. former Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief strategist who was instrumental in organizing the rebuild. McMillan passed away in August 2021 due to complications from COVID-19. “The rebuilding of the church is a perfect … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – William Smith has led Lakeshore Baptist Church as pastor for nearly half a century. For his 45 years of service to the Monroe congregation and community, Smith was honored during a service July 10 that included two baptisms, memories shared by friends and family, a song composed in his honor, a monetary gift from the congregation and a word of appreciation from Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn. “It is a calling,” Smith told the Baptist Message. “When you know God has called you, it is who you are. We have had opportunities to go other places, but I have known this is where God wants me.” Raised in Crowville, Smith surrendered his heart and life to Christ, at age 10, while attending First Baptist Church, Crowville, and responded to the call to ministry while attending a missions emphasis week at the former Ridgecrest Baptist Conference Center, Black Mountain, N.C., when he was 18 years old. “I spent a lot of time in the prayer garden and asked God what was I supposed to do,” Smith said. “During one of the services at camp, the song ‘I Surrender All’ was played and it was then that I told God I was surrendering my future plans to … [Read more...]