By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Three years after sharing his testimony of overcoming adversity with more than 6,000 students at the 2016 Youth Evangelism Celebration, Ed Newton is scheduled to inspire Louisiana Baptist teens once more at the annual youth evangelistic event. Scheduled Nov. 24-25 at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria, the largest annual gathering of Louisiana Baptists will feature messages by Newton, pastor of the 27,000-member Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas, high-energy music, times of fellowship and much more. Last year’s event drew more than 6,000 youth and resulted in countless changed lives. “For many years, God has moved mightily at YEC,” said Brandon Lewis, youth ministry strategist for Louisiana Baptists. “Thousands of teenagers have experienced salvation. Others have been trained and encouraged to share their faith with friends. Many have expressed a call to ministry during the event. “In addition to all of that, YEC provides a unique opportunity for Louisiana teenagers to see with their own eyes that they are not alone,” Lewis continued. “They have 6,000 friends all across the state standing for Christ and inviting Him to use their lives … [Read more...]
Annual Meeting will highlight progress of 2020 Commission
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Messengers to the 2019 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 11-12, will have the opportunity to learn about the status of the various goals and action steps outlined in the President’s 2020 Commission which is nearing its final year. Approved by messengers at the 2013 Louisiana Baptist Convention annual meeting, the 2020 initiative, led by then LBC President Waylon Bailey, pastor of First Baptist Church in Covington, seeks to reach every generation and every people group in Louisiana with the Gospel by the year 2020 through the avenues of congregational revitalization, church planting, communications and collaboration. The 2020 recommendations were crafted collaboratively by a commission of 400 Louisiana Baptist leaders, staff members and laypeople, working in 20 subcommittees of 20 members each. “I believe Louisiana Baptists will be encouraged by some of the progress made over the last six years,” said recently elected Louisiana Baptists Executive Director Steve Horn. “On the flip side, they’ll also discover many areas that need our continued prayers, attention and resources as we continue to work towards fulfilling the goals outlined in the … [Read more...]
LC expands local partnerships
By Message Staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) —Louisiana College has entered into an agreement to accept coursework completed by students at the Central Louisiana Community and Technical College in Alexandria who transfer to the Louisiana Baptist school. LC President Rick Brewer and CLCTC Chancellor Jimmy Sawtelle signed a memorandum of understanding Oct. 28 to create a partnership that grants qualified transfer students who have completed general education coursework the opportunity to enter the school as upper classmen. LC signed a similar agreement with the entire Louisiana Community and Technical College System – of which CLCTC is a part – Jan. 9. There are 13 schools in the system and Louisiana College is extending personal invitations to individual schools, already having signed letters with SOWELA Technical Community College in Lake Charles and Louisiana Delta Community College in Bossier City. Brewer said the agreement is effective immediately. “This is just a wonderful time for us to celebrate this partnership of this educational partnership in central Louisiana,” Brewer said. “We are really excited about what they are doing at the school and the growth they are going to experience and how this is going to help our … [Read more...]
Pastors Conference: ‘Called to a great work’
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Pastors will be reminded why they are called to carry out a great work during this year’s Pastors’ Conference, scheduled for Nov. 10-11 at the First Baptist Church in Pineville. The annual gathering’s theme is “Called To A Great Work,” based on Nehemiah 6:3. “Our calling from God as ministers of the gospel of Jesus should be one the highest honors any of us ever experiences, “ Justin Clark, president of the Pastors Conference and pastor of the First Baptist Church in Lake Providence, told the Baptist Message. “I believe we need to be reminded that we have a great calling, by a great God. My prayer in that we as ministers will be reminded of that calling and leave here more energized than ever to proclaim the Good News of Jesus. SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS The conference begins 5 p.m., Nov. 10, with music led by First Baptist Pineville’s worship team, and with messages shared by Robert Smith Jr., professor of Christian preaching at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Ala., and Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board. A fellowship supper will follow the opening session. The next day, the conference will begin at 8:30 a.m., also with … [Read more...]
Free indeed at St. Gabriel!
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ST. GABRIEL, La. (LBM) – The temptation to forgo baptism was strong just a day after an inmate named Leann accepted Christ during a revival service at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. But a nudge by the Holy Spirit helped her stay the course toward obedience. “She told one of her friends on the way to the [Sunday baptism] service she may not go through with it,” LCIW Lead Chaplain Debi Sharkey told the Baptist Message. “Then she felt like she heard the Lord say, ‘Come as you are.’ “She said she didn’t expect to feel anything except the sensation of the cold water. But to her surprise she felt refreshed, renewed,” Sharkey continued. “She said she felt ‘lighter’ like she knew Jesus carried her sins away.” During revival services attended by 413 women Sept. 27-29 at the maximum security prison nearly 10 miles east of Baton Rouge, 24 inmates made professions of faith and 17 of them were baptized. Approximately 65 volunteers from 15 Louisiana Baptist churches participated in the revival, which included three worship services on Saturday and a worship service and baptism opportunity on Sunday. Additionally, gift boxes were distributed to the inmates. The … [Read more...]
7. Skills of a church planter: Effectively Building Relationships
By John Hebert, Louisiana Baptists missions and ministry team leader ALEXANDRIA (LBM)–A few weeks ago my wife posted a picture of the two of us on Facebook and one of my cousins in Ohio commented, or rather questioned in a comment, “Why is Kitty taking a picture with Uncle Huey” (my Dad)? I thought to myself, “Very funny,” but did not post a response. The way we look, certain traits, characteristics, and even parts of our personalities are linked to genetics and is the result of the DNA contributions by our ancestors. Our progenitors set in motion elements of our health, our height and probably our disposition. In the same way that genetics shape our lives, ancient cultures have shaped our society. The ancients made many contributions to modern society: -- the Egyptians developed mathematics; -- the Mesopotamians the wheel, plow and first code of laws; -- the Chinese made contributions to the arts and sciences; and, -- the Greeks gave us philosophy, democracy and the Olympic Games. The Romans, of course, gave us cement. Actually they gave us much more than that, but this contribution led to the actual building of the Roman Empire -- tunnels, bridges, aqueducts, Roman arches and amphitheaters all were … [Read more...]
Louisiana Notables
EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Johnny Wagner is the new pastor at Colfax Baptist Church, Colfax. He was ordained to the Gospel ministry during an October 6 ordination ceremony followed by a fellowship. He is the fifth generation grandson of Joseph Willis. Kevin Funderburk is the new Pastor for Discipling and Worship at First Baptist Church of Lake Charles. Kevin and family had previously been serving in East Asia. Delmar Bennett has resigned as Minister of Education & Outreach at Florida Blvd. Baptist Church, Baton Rouge. Galen (wife Robyn) Leger is the new music minister at Ellerbe Baptist Church, Shreveport. Trinity Heights: Collin Wimberly has resigned as pastor at Trinity Heights Baptist Church in Shreveport to church plant in Red River Parish. HOMECOMING Mangham Baptist Church, Mangham: Annual Homecoming … [Read more...]
Rendon credits Christ for his success
By Message Staff HOUSTON, Texas – (LBM) Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon may be known for hitting multiple homeruns that helped fuel multiple comeback victories over the Houston Astros in the 2019 World Series, but he credited his faith for helping him remain calm under pressure. In an interview, Oct. 31, on SportsCenter with ESPN personality Scott Van Pelt, Rendon said his faith guided him through a journey that began on a team that started the season 19-31 and ended Oct. 30 with a victory over the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the annual fall baseball classic. Rendon set career-highs in batting average (.319), home runs (34) and RBIs (126) during the regular season, and followed with two home runs and eight RBIs (five in Game 6 alone) in the World Series. “I think I understand that there is bigger things going on in this world,” Rendon told Van Pelt. “And my Savior Jesus Christ gives me that patience and that slow heart rate.” Rendon is a Houston native who attends the First Baptist Church in the off season. Pastor Gregg Matte told Baptist Press that Rendon is "very laid back" and places his trust in Christ no matter the circumstance. "Anthony is a big-time difference maker on the field and … [Read more...]
Church honors outgoing pastor, Ed Jelks, by naming new children’s center in his honor
(Top photo) Nathan Lott, shown with his wife Dawn, daughters Alyssa, Alayna and Brayden, is the new pastor at Ethel Baptist Church, Ethel. He replaces John “Ed” Jelks, who retired July 31 after having served as pastor of Ethel for the past 12 years. (Bottom photo) In a celebration service, Jelks, who served as a Missions Builder, was recognized for his long service to the church and Mission Builders by having the newly completed children’s center named after him. … [Read more...]
Concerns circulate that NAMB’s lawsuit response erodes historic SBC doctrine
By Will Hall, Message Executive Editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM)—Two disparate figures have circulated concerns raised about legal positions staked out by the North American Mission Board in response to a lawsuit alleging tortious interference by the entity in the ministry of Will McRaney, the former executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware. Morris H. Chapman, former president and chief executive officer of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee and widely recognized for defending the interests of SBC churches, and Robert Downen, a Houston Chronicle reporter who was a major figure in an exposé which negatively portrayed Southern Baptist churches regarding sexual abuse, individually have circulated on social media a report by Baptist News Global that contains allegations that NAMB’s lawyers’ claims in their legal brief is putting Southern Baptists’ cooperative ministries in danger of liability with regard to lawsuits about sexual abuse or personal injury, for instance. At issue is the historic position stated in the Southern Baptist Convention Constitution that the Convention is “independent and sovereign in its own sphere” and that “the Convention will never attempt to exercise any … [Read more...]
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