By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MONTGOMERY, La. (LBM) -- Verda Baptist Church had struggled to reach the next generation before Braden Martin arrived as pastor in November 2017. He led them to pray first, and in 2018 the congregation of 80 felt led to start an AWANA club (evangelism and discipleship for children) that has drawn nearly 50 kids every Wednesday evening, since inception, and also sparked a revival within the body of members. “When I got here, Verda had virtually no youth or kids program outside of Vacation Bible School, which was shocking since we are within steps of the school and have numerous school board employees, including the previous and new Grant Parish superintendent,” Martin told the Baptist Message. “What once was Wednesday night prayer meetings consisting of me, my wife, our baby girl and a handful of others has turned into an average of 47 kids and 18-20 members who help out every Wednesday night while a few of us gather in the sanctuary for prayer. “Having this many members each week come in and get to work is just amazing to see,” he continued. “We are all so busy, we all work hard during the week, sometimes we are just burned out and still they come. That’s the rise or fall of any … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE (LBM) – Louisiana College will welcome more than 800 fourth through sixth graders, Aug. 24, for a day of games, worship and Gospel opportunities at PreTeen Invasion. The annual evangelism conference for this age group will feature messages by Keith Badgett, children’s pastor at the First Baptist Church in Jenks, Oklahoma, and music by The Crowe Brothers from Franklinton. This year’s theme is “GO,” based on Matthew 28:19. David Anderson, children’s ministry strategist for Louisiana Baptists, told the Baptist Message that PreTeen Invasion has become the “go-to event” to celebrate the start of another school year. “This is the 9th year for PreTeen Invasion and it is always a great day,” Anderson said. “We see young people from across our state make decisions for Christ and others go away challenged to take the Gospel to their neighborhoods. This year we will be very intentional about what it means to go. This has become a great way to kick off an amazing year in preteen ministry in our local churches.” Registration is underway: The $35 per person fee includes a t-shirt if postmarked by July 19, but not after this date. Check-in will begin at 8 a.m., with the event starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m. More … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- Louisiana Baptist pastors employed social media July 14 to reach out to the congregations they urged to stay home out of safety concerns in the face of Tropical Storm Barry – with dining room tables, home offices and vacant worship centers serving as pulpits via Facebook Live. Stewart Holloway, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Pineville, said this was the first time in 25 years of serving as a minister that he has cancelled a Sunday morning worship service. Still, Holloway, broadcasting from his dining room table alongside his wife, Rebecca, quipped that he was thankful technology allowed for his home to serve as a "multi-site campus of our church." Holloway told his congregation that storms such as Barry remind Christ’s followers what is most important in life and also of God's power. "As you sit at home today, eating your hurricane snacks and thinking about all the clean-up you will have to do later this week, for now, be glad that you are able to focus on what's most important and on the power of God," Holloway said. "Here's what we encourage you to do now. Whether you are gathered with family or friends or by yourself, when the webcast … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- Some Louisiana Baptist congregations have made decisions to cancel Sunday activities as a matter of safety as Tropical Storm Barry continues to trek through the state: -- Twin Bridges Baptist Church, Alexandria -- Glenmora Baptist Church, Glenmora -- Westside Baptist Church, Natchitoches (cancelled just 8:30 a.m. worship service) -- Providence No. 1 Baptist Church, Ethel -- Riverside Baptist Church, Vidalia -- HIS Church, Pineville -- Greenwell Springs Baptist Church, Central -- Taylor Creek Baptist Church, Kentwood -- Pine Grove Baptist Church, Ruby -- Holloway Baptist Church, Deville -- First Baptist Church, Napoleonville -- Pine Grove Baptist Church, Pineville -- Kingsville Baptist Church, Pineville -- First Baptist Church, Boyce -- Fairfield Baptist Church, Dry Prong -- Hebron Baptist Church, Dry Prong -- Gardner Baptist Church, Gardner -- Big Island Baptist Church, Deville -- Birds Creek Baptist Church, Harrisonburg -- Atlanta Baptist Church, Atlanta -- Cypress Creek Baptist Church, Dodson -- Bethlehem Baptist Church, Winnfield -- Calvary Baptist Church, Winnfield -- Sardis Baptist … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer   ALEXANDRIA, La, (LBM) -- Hurricane Barry made landfall Saturday afternoon at Intracoastal City, Louisiana, according to the National Hurricane Center, and weakened to a tropical storm as it moved inland.   Meanwhile, a number of Louisiana Baptist churches have announced they would be serving as  community shelters.   STORM PATH   As of 1 p.m. the eye of the storm was about 5 miles inland and moving northwest at a speed nearing 6 mph. Maximum sustained winds were 70 mph and extended outward up to 175 miles from the center.   Meteorologists expect the system to turn north-northwest tonight, followed by a turn toward the north on Sunday.    Along its path through south-central and southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi, rain accumulations 10 to 20 inches are forecast with isolated maximum amounts of 25 inches.    SHELTERS, DAMAGE, RESPONSE    South Walker Baptist Church in Walker, Christ’s Community Church in Dedham Springs and Satsuma Baptist Church in Livingston have opened to serve as shelters in their respective communities.   Mechanicville Emmanuel Baptist Church in Houma reported that high winds had damaged the worship center roof.    Floodwaters caused a … [Read more...]