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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Grawood Baptist offers rest and Hope through bed ministry

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SHREVEPORT – More than 150 members of Grawood Baptist Church gathered after Sunday morning worship, May 19, to build 60 beds for needy children in the Shreveport-Bossier City area. Some assembled the beds while others served food or watched the children of members constructing the beds in less than three hours for the Bossier Parish chapter of the non-profit organization Sleep In Heavenly Peace. According to its website, Sleep in Heavenly Peace was founded in 2012 and its motto is “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town.” Volunteers built 4,144 beds last year for children across the U.S. Grawood Pastor Chris Willcutt said was he thrilled to see his members display a spirit of oneness to reach the Kingdom. “From a pastor’s heart that makes me excited,” Willcutt said. “The greatest commandment of all is to love God and love others. Over the years as leadership we tried to pour out to our congregation that we need to love others. What they do for each other tends to trickle out to the community for others. I am seeing that going out into the community.” Members raised nearly $20,000 to build the beds. The largest fundraiser was through a gun raffle and clay shoot that was … [Read more...]

1. Skills of Louisiana Church Planters

By John Hebert, Louisiana Baptists missions and ministry team leader I am an avid sports fan. Basketball, golf, football, baseball – it doesn’t matter, I love them all. One of the most fascinating things for me about athletics is the skill levels of players. Some are gifted physically, blessed with height and a big body frame, for example. But, they are not necessarily the top performers in their sport because they do not possess the same level of skills of the great players. Take basketball for example. If it just took physicality, every tall and strong person could play in the NBA. But obviously, that is not the case. The NBA has its share of big players, but these men have honed their skills in shooting, dribbling, passing and rebounding in ways few have mastered. In football there are positions filled by “skilled players” – quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, field goal kickers (people who put points on the board) and punters (guys who keep the other team on the other side of the field). They are “specialists” who have developed unique skill sets in order to make a team. In his biography, legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant made some key observations about the differences between natural physical … [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 Breanna Allen is the news children’s director at First Baptist Church, Vivian. Jason Shawley is the new senior pastor at Angie Baptist Church, Angie. His first Sunday was May 5. Matt (wife Sarah) Tyson is the new Executive pastor/business administrator at Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport. HOMECOMING Hebron Baptist Church, Summerfield: 171st Annual Homecoming Celebration, August 4, 10 a.m. There will be dinner on the grounds after the worship service. Guest Speaker: Randy Brown. There will also be special music. First Baptist Church, Greensburg: 153rd Homecoming Celebration, August 11, 9:15 a.m. (Sunday school); 10:30 a.m. (Worship). Dinner on the grounds will follow the worship service. Speaker: Joey Bennett. Worship Leader: Ivy Butler. Pianist: Ann Butler. If you have any questions or … [Read more...]

Louisiana College inks international partnership

By Norm Miller, LC News by Norm Miller   PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews)-- Louisiana College President Dr. Rick Brewer signed a memorandum of understanding for academic partnership with Liverpool Hope University in Liverpool, UK. After four days of meetings with more than 20 academic leaders at the 175-year-old institution, Brewer and LHU’s Vice Chancellor Dr. Gerald Pillay signed the covenantal document in Pillay’s office July 18. “As a faith-based institution, Liverpool Hope University is an international standard-bearer for the integration of faith and learning,” Brewer said. “I anticipate a long and fruitful relationship with this institution, which shares our academic convictions and worldview.” Pillay said Louisiana College “shares the same values and academic educational philosophy of our university. It was a joy to meet President Brewer and to build bridges between us.” He also noted “the splendid work at Louisiana College” and his desire to “find ways to collaborate between Louisiana and Liverpool. We look to the future with much anticipation.” Brewer met with the leaders of several academic disciplines while exploring avenues of cooperation and academic exchange. “Everyone expressed genuine interest in … [Read more...]

Heaven’s coming attractions

By David Jeremiah EL CAJON, Calif. (BP) -- When our family moved from Fort Wayne, Ind., to San Diego in 1981, I didn't realize people came from all over the world to experience its attractions. San Diego not only offers a year-round moderate climate but also features a beautiful harbor, sandy beaches, wonderful shopping and restaurants, a world-famous zoo, professional sporting events and much more. I've lived here for nearly four decades and still have not seen all of my hometown's attractions. But every locale has its own attractions. They quicken our anticipation for what we will experience when we get there. And I believe that is one reason God showed the apostle John a picture of heaven -- "the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (Revelation 21:2). Revelation 21-22 is meant to promote the glorious "coming attractions" for all who belong to Christ. Highlighting what the apostle John saw in his vision of heaven, I emphasize "saw" because this is an eyewitness account. John reports what he saw with his own two eyes (literally or in a spiritual vision): "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth" (Revelation 21:1). First, heaven is massive in size. … [Read more...]