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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

E4+ Conference: Be Spirit-led, Gospel-centered churcheselse

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – The Church of today must look like the Church of the First Century that was Spirit-led and Gospel-centered, Waylon Bailey, pastor with First Baptist Church, Covington, said during the recent E4+ Preaching Conference. Citing Acts 2:22-41, Bailey told a crowd of more than 80 pastors and ministry staff and 17 pastors’ wives at First Baptist Church, Pineville, that the church of today must tell the story of Jesus and live holy lives. “What is the church of 2024?” he said. “It is the church that shares hope and that shares salvation in Christ. People are looking around and they want to know is there any hope in my life.” “Our world needs hope and where there is hope there are going to be people,” he continued. “Where there is a way, there are going to be people. Let us be a people who tell the story of Jesus with kindness, compassion, with love toward the people around us. I want more than anything else for you to experience the peace, the love, the joy that I have found in Christ Jesus the Lord. And though my death is a lot closer than it has ever been, I also have great hope to be in the presence of God with the Savior who died for me. I believe that … [Read more...]

‘Here for You’ offers Louisiana Baptists a vast Gospel opportunity

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – In a state where an estimated 60 percent of the population lacks a relationship with Christ, “Here for You” is helping to remind Louisiana Baptists that a great harvest awaits. Launched in the summer of 2014 as part of the President’s 2020 Commission, the “Here for You” multi-media campaign is attempting to impact the estimated 2.7 million people in Louisiana who do not know Christ. At this point of our strategy, ‘We are not waiting on the harvest,’” Louisiana Baptist communication director John Kyle told the Baptist Message. “The harvest is waiting on us!” Since its statewide launch in 2019, “Here for You” has used social media, streaming services, broadcast television, billboards and more to reach the lost in Louisiana. The campaign has seeded God’s truth through more than 31,000 views of the Gospel presentation and more than 2,100 searches for local churches. Additionally, through a partnership with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, viewers have been directed to a customized landing page for prayer with trained counselors, who share the the Gospel. Such efforts have resulted in more than 4,300 Louisianians who have indicated … [Read more...]

Executive Board approves loan to self-insurance trust

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – In response to the church insurance crisis that is pressing on congregations across the state, Executive Board members approved, during its Sept. 24 meeting, a motion that would loan $250,000 from the Disaster Relief Restricted Fund to help cover initial costs of a newly-formed church self-insured organization. The money would be used as a loan for establishment and administration of the self-insurance trust, also known as the Fellowship of Louisiana Churches and Non-Profit Religious Organizations. “We have continued to take the lead to take steps so that this will become a reality,” Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn told Executive Board members. “I have met on many occasions, in person and in conference calls, with individuals in the insurance industry and government officials who can hopefully assist us.” BACKGROUND In 2023 congregations began to receive nonrenewal notices or to see exorbitant premium hikes from the three largest insurers of faith-based organizations in the state (Church Mutual, Brotherhood Mutual and GuideOne). In response, the LBC launched a successful effort with the state legislature to establish a church … [Read more...]

HORN: ‘No matter what … He reigns!’

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – During the Sept. 24 general session of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board, LBC Executive Director Steve Horn shared how Louisiana Baptists have continued reaching others for Christ. FULFILLING THE GOSPEL Horn said that various ministries are helping fulfill Louisiana Baptists’ ministry purposes in three ways: seeking the lost, strengthening churches and supporting cooperative missions and ministries. In his report, he invited four individuals to share how Louisiana Baptists are fulfilling their mission through various ministries. Breakaway Camp Kevin Roberts, pastor with Trinity Baptist Church, Pineville, shared how his son, Micah, turned to Christ during Breakaway Camp this summer at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center. Roberts was overcome with emotion as he described how his older son, Noah, led his brother to a relationship with Jesus. “My wife and I were rejoicing,” Roberts said. “We knew that something had happened, something had taken place that night, and God had gotten a hold of his heart. “But Micah wasn’t the only one,” he said. “We ended up having three other teenagers from our youth group that committed … [Read more...]

Early voting in Louisiana begins Oct. 18-29

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) — Early voting for the General Election will take place Oct. 18-29 (excluding Sundays during that time period) and polls will be open from 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Voters must show one of the following picture identifications in order to vote: Driver's license; Louisiana Special ID; United States military identification card that contains your name and picture; or some other generally recognized picture ID that contains your name and signature. … [Read more...]

Cenla Hymn Sing scheduled for Oct. 27

By Baptist Message staff TIOGA, La. (LBM) – Faith Baptist Church will host a hymn sing, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m., to bring together central Louisiana churches for a time of joint worship. The hymn sing will include reading of scripture, prayer and singing of hymns under the direction of Kevin Boles, a chaplain with Passages Hospice in Alexandria and bivocational pastor with Lone Star Baptist Church in Hineston. “There’s something special that happens when a roomful of committed believers sing familiar songs of praise to God,” Faith Baptist Church Pastor Clark Palmer told the Baptist Message. “The sound fills the room and the worship fills the heart. I love these gatherings.” … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Baptist Message provides churches an opportunity to share with other Louisiana Baptists an upcoming revival, homecoming, new pastor, new staff member, a community outreach, or a concert in Louisiana Notables. To place your event in the paper, send your information (who, what, where, when, time) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. Please submit your information four weeks prior to the event to insure placement in the Message. ON THE MOVE Chris, wife Jasmine, Culpepper is the new music minister at Eastwood Baptist Church from Longwood, Fl. Ben Martinson is the new youth minister at Vivian First Baptist Church. Charlie, (wife April) Miller is the new pastor at Woodland Hills Baptist Church. Bobby Rodrigue, pastor of Belle River Baptist Church, passed away suddenly on September 14. HOMECOMING/ANNIVERSIES Bayou Macon Baptist Church, Gilbert: Homecoming, October 13, Evangelist: Waylon Tibbs. A fish fry will follow the worship service. Pastor: Larry Russell. Pine Grove Community Church, Bastrop: Homecoming, October 13, 10:30 a.m. Special Music: Louisiana Melody Boys. Pastor: James Moffit. First Baptist Church, Folsom: Homecoming, October 13, 9 a.m.- noon; 9 a.m. Fellowship; … [Read more...]