By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer ANCHORAGE, Alaska (LBM) – David Gamble has served as a church planter with the North American Mission Board for the last 10 years in Anchorage, Alaska, but he told the Baptist Message that he is constantly reminded about his roots by the continuing encouragement he receives from his home congregation of Wood Springs Baptist Church in Grand Cane. Before Gamble and his wife, Kristi, relocated to Alaska, WSBC provided financial support to help the couple prepare for the journey northwest, he said. Since the couple moved there, WSBC has shipped a trailer for use in the ministry, contributed money to help refurbish a mission hub that teams use while in Anchorage and the nearby Wasilla area, and mailed or emailed hundreds of notes. “They encourage us in so many ways,” Gamble told the Baptist Message. “We are enjoying our time here and love serving the Lord in Alaska, but there’s something special -- even 10 years after moving up here -- when somebody from your home church encourages you. Sometimes you feel alone and forgotten on the mission field, but then we get re-energized when you hear from people in Louisiana who ask how they can pray for you.” The Grand Cane congregation … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – John Sefcik occasionally attended church and some days even read his Bible for the first 49 years of his life, but he had not been “all in” for Jesus, he told the Baptist Message. But the Holy Spirit used a conversation with Kevin Paul, His Church associate pastor, that brought Sefcik under conviction to repent and become a devoted follower of Christ. He publicly shared about his spiritual decision, along with 39 other new converts, during a special baptism service sponsored by His Church, June 6, at Lake Buhlow in Pineville. “When I look back, I realized God has been pursuing me all my life,” Sefcik said. “I had forgotten about God, then COVID hit and difficult circumstances brought me to my knees. The more I got into the Bible and fellowshipped with others, the more my attitude changed about life. I thought I was doing the right things, but eventually understood what being a Christ follower was all about. I’m glad God didn’t give up on pursuing me all these years.” MORE GOOD NEWS For member Gil McKee, baptizing his two sons was an early Father’s Day present. Both Gabriel, 10, and Caleb, 11, had soaked in biblical truths from him and their mother, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer BOSSIER CITY, La. (LBM) – More than 1,400 members and guests packed the newly finished facilities of the First Baptist Church in Bossier City, July 11, for a special time of worship and celebration 31 months after a fire destroyed much of the buildings on campus. “This rebuild journey has been filled with both challenges and victories,” Pastor Brad Jurkovich told the Baptist Message. “I believe God is giving us a season of victory at this time so that we are stronger than ever to share Jesus with our city, nation and world. Celebration Sunday was a powerful step in seeing God do incredible things in the coming years.” Construction of the $20 million, 70,000-square-foot building was completed in early July and included a new chapel that incorporates some of the more traditional features of the original building that was destroyed, such as pew seating, but also modern elements, such as technology upgrades that allow multi-media presentations. The rebuilt campus includes a student center, foyer/event center and space for Sunday school classes and other small groups to meet. RESELIENT AMID ADVERSITY On Dec. 10, 2018, a three-alarm fire began at 5:30 a.m., originating with an … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer BOGALUSA, La. (LBM) – The Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana has named member pastor Keith Sheridan to serve as the next associational missions strategist. Sheridan, pastor of Lee’s Creek Baptist Church in Bogalusa for the last five years, will begin serving in his new role August 9. While this is his first time to serve as a director of missions, Sheridan believes his experience at churches and in associational life has prepared him for this next chapter in ministry. “I am both excited and terrified,” Sheridan told the Baptist Message. “DOM’s have an awesome responsibility. One can’t help but feel excitement for the opportunity that God has afforded me and the trust the pastors of BASELA are sharing with me. We are truly blessed in BASELA with some of the greatest pastors in the state. It will be a joy to serve alongside of them.” CALLED TO SERVE Sheridan repented for salvation at age 10 while attending Memorial Baptist Church in Bogalusa but strayed from his faith as a teenager. However, he experienced a spiritual revival while attending a Heaven’s Gate, Hell’s Flames event when he was 25 years old and four years later accepted the call to vocational … [Read more...]