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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

‘Who’s Your One’ inspires pastor to prioritize Gospel with daughter

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer COUSHATTA, La. (LBM) – Nathan Davis, pastor of First Baptist Church, Coushatta, accepted the “Who’s Your One” evangelistic challenge by sharing the Gospel with someone especially close to him -- his daughter, McKinley. Throughout the year, Davis planted Gospel seeds with his daughter and prayed she would become a follower of Jesus. His evangelistic efforts and daily prayers finally were answered during a revival service, Sept. 28, when McKinley, upon the invitation of evangelist Bill Britt to the First Baptist congregation, stepped forward to declare she had repented of her sins. A month later, on Oct. 25, McKinley proudly declared her newfound faith through baptism in front of her FBCC family. “It’s awesome to know that McKinley will join the rest of our family in Heaven one day,” Davis told the Baptist Message. “I tell our kids salvation is the starting point but not the finish line. I’m thankful we will get to spend life in Heaven together but also hopefully have a long life here to influence others for Christ.” McKinley said she and her dad have shared many joyful times, but that her baptism is perhaps the most memorable. “I was excited to show everyone I am a … [Read more...]

Baptist Message changes print schedule for 2021 to offset costs

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, LA (LBM) -- Starting in January 2021, the Baptist Message will change its annual production run from 24 editions to 14 editions. The new printing schedule is basically a monthly plan, except two editions will be printed in October and January to meet the needs of covering Louisiana Baptist cooperative missions and ministries as well as key organizational events, including the fall annual meeting as well as winter evangelistic meetings. Importantly, the yearly subscription rates will remain the same: $14 for an individual subscription and $9.25 for a church group discount. Will Hall, executive editor of the Baptist Message, explained that the $14 individual subscription rate went into effect January 1, 2003, and since then has lost about 31 percent of its buying power. “We need to do something to make up the shortfall that has taken place during that long haul,” he said. “However, the economy in the state and the financial pressure it is placing on our households and our churches, means instead of raising rates for subscribers, we will cut costs, moving from 24 to 14 printed editions each year. Taking this step will reduce our costs an estimated 35- 40 percent, which essentially … [Read more...]

Messengers adopt ‘Gospel Resolve,’ asked to oppose SBC Resolution 9

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – The Committee on Resolutions presented a single resolution “On Gospel Resolve” and the Committee on Moral and Social Concerns Committee addressed Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality in a separate report at the Louisiana Baptist Convention 2020 Annual Meeting, Nov. 10, at Louisiana College in Pineville. RESOLUTIONS Committee on Resolutions Chairman Steve McAlister, pastor of Westside Baptist Church in Natchitoches, said the committee considered possible resolutions, including one against Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality – which have become hot topics since messengers to the 2019 Southern Baptist Convention in Birmingham, Alabama, adopted Resolution 9 which describes these two controversial Marxist concepts as “analytical tools subordinate to Scripture” to “aid in evaluating a variety of human experiences.” In the end, McAlister said, the committee decided that a single resolution drafted by Steve Horn, Louisiana Baptist executive director, was preferred in the face of overcoming the obstacles of multiple hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic and political tensions related to hotly contested national elections. McAlister said once the … [Read more...]