By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LECOMPTE, La. (LBM) – Stewart Holloway has fond memories of attending various events and later serving on staff with First Baptist Church, Lecompte. But not long after he returned to the area in 2008 to pastor First Baptist Church, Pineville, Holloway noticed his former church needed revitalization. Now, FBC Lecompte has merged with FBC Pineville, with the final vote held at both campuses, May 1. Holloway told the Baptist Message he was overjoyed at the bittersweet decision made by the Lecompte congregation and is hopeful for what lies ahead for the two bodies that now are one. “We are really excited about what God has in store for both campuses as we move forward,” Holloway said. “This is my home church and I have been concerned about them. When I first went to seminary, I compared everything to First Baptist Lecompte and I was so proud of what that church was doing. To see them decline was disappointing. “When they approached us earlier this year, I was very excited about that because I could see the potential they had,” he continued. “In fact, that church has way more potential than they and others may realize. Though it will take it a lot of work to get the … [Read more...]

By Staff NEW ORLEANS, La. – Georgia pastor Inman J. Houston has been named the new CEO of Baptist Community Ministries. Houston, who assumes his responsibilities in June, is the first ordained minister to serve as CEO. The pastor of First Baptist Church Lawrenceville, Georgia, since 2008, Houston previously was on staff for five years at First Baptist Church in New Orleans, both as associate pastor of global impact and director of the Baptist Crossroads Project, a low-income housing initiative in the city’s Upper Ninth Ward. While at FBC New Orleans, Houston coordinated a response in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina that utilized nearly 10,000 volunteers to assist more 800 homeowners. He also help to start the home rebuilding effort of what is now referred to as Musicians’ Village. “Over 100 years ago, Baptists in New Orleans began dreaming of a Baptist hospital, and their legacy of service to God and the community continued with the creation of Baptist Community Ministries,” Houston said. “I have long appreciated BCM’s strategic impact, and the opportunity to lead such an institution is both exciting and humbling. I am truly honored by the board’s confidence.” As pastor of FBC Lawrenceville, Houston led the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer AVONDALE, La. (LBM) – Marc Daniels was a Jewish-turned-atheist searching for biblical truth when he found his answer with the First Baptist Church, Avondale, during a return trip from his honeymoon. His wife, Kristen, had grown up in the church and frequently prayed for him to accept Christ. After hearing a Sunday school lesson about the Roman centurion who acknowledged Jesus was Lord, Daniels realized he needed to do the same on Aug. 29, 1992. The day not only changed his spiritual eter- nity but paved the way for his return to the church eight years later -- as pastor. “Jesus was astonished at the centurion and scolded the crowd for their lack of faith,” Daniels told the Baptist Message. “That connected with me. knowledge about the Bible, but knew I needed to make a decision to walk away or surrender to Christ. I opened the door to Jesus, and everything changed.” In 2021, Daniels was named a Louisiana Baptist Convention Exemplary Bi-vocational Pastor of the Year for his dedication to his church and secular job (professor of biology at William Carey University, Hattiesburg, Mississippi). CHOSEN Three years after he made the decision to fol- low Christ, Daniels was completing … [Read more...]