By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Organizers and participants of the 2024 Youth Evangelism Celebration praised God for the 501 students who made decisions for Christ, Nov. 24-25, at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria. They also were grateful to Him for the 5,325 teens and their adult sponsors who attended YEC (the largest annual gathering of Louisiana Baptists). “This event had so many moving parts, from the exceptional work of our Evangelism and Church Growth team, to every department of Louisiana Baptists, even to each individual church and adults who lead students,” Louisiana Baptist Youth Ministry Strategist Lee Myers told the Baptist Message. “It doesn’t happen without them, including my ministry assistant Julie Mitcham and the others on the planning team. “Hopefully it’s a start of a spiritual movement in our churches,” he continued. “The great thing is, it’s an example of what can happen when we all come together and when we pray for God to move in a mighty way.” SHINE YOUR LIGHT Zane Black, evangelist and tour pastor for Winter Jam 2024, told students God has a purpose for their lives. Basing his message on Ephesians 2, Black encouraged the students trust in … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – Summer Grove Baptist Church will kick off the holiday season with a celebration of its 175th anniversary. Scheduled Nov. 24, the special day will begin with life groups at 9:15 am and a worship service and cupcakes at 10:30 a.m. Following the service, members and other guests will gather for a Thanksgiving meal. “For God to use us here in Northwest Louisiana for 175 years is just exciting,” Senior Pastor Heath Peloquin told the Baptist Message. “Our church is very loving and cares about reaching our community for Jesus. Serving Shreveport for Christ is part of our DNA. “The incredible men who have pastored Sumer Grove have been very faithful and that’s been an important part too of our church continuing for so long,” he continued. “God still uses this church and I rejoice in that. This is the greatest church who love Jesus, love each other and love our community. We are looking forward to celebrating that on November 24.” Reisa Johnson, who has been a member since she and her husband, Glenn, relocated to Shreveport from the Bahamas in 2017, said the church has become their family. “When we attended Summer Grove we felt the love and it was so … [Read more...]