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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Vandal attempts to destroy crosses inside Bedico Baptist worship center

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PONCHATOULA, La. (LBM) – A man attempted to destroy crosses inside the Bedico Baptist Church worship center, Sept. 25, but its surveillance camera helped lead to his capture before he left the facility. According to Pastor Jonathan Gers, the incident began around 1 a.m. Sept. 25. The individual only tried to damage crosses situated throughout the worship center. While the individual destroyed one cross that was painted onto a stained glass window, the other six crosses were not damaged. “When we arrived at the church, the man was exiting the building and babbling,” Gers told the Baptist Message. “We recognized quickly it was a demonic attack.” Gers said the identity of the man has not been released and that he and 150 others from at least three churches who gathered for a prayer and praise service at the church on Sept. 26 are hopeful he may one day turn to Christ. “We gathered to pray and sing the night after the break-in and it was a great time of healing for us,” Gers said. “We are praying for his salvation. When I get the okay from the jail where the man is staying, I hope to go and pray with him.” … [Read more...]

Six Louisianans among 54 commissioned by IMB

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer CHESTER, Va. (LBM) – Former Louisiana Baptist Sunday School and Discipleship Strategist Sean Keith and his wife, Pam, former director of preschool ministries with Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville, were among 54 individuals commissioned as missionaries by the International Mission Board, Sept. 24. Hosted by Ironbridge Baptist Church, Chester, Virginia, the Sending Celebration highlighted a commitment to missions by the newly commissioned missionaries from 13 states and a charge to share the Gospel by IMB President Paul Chitwood. “Perhaps God is calling you to a deeper commitment to His work around the world through praying, giving, going or sending,” Chitwood said before introducing the new missionaries giving their testimonies. Chitwood read aloud some of the testimonies from missionaries whose faces could not be shown or their voices heard. “These brothers and sisters are going to some difficult and hard-to-reach places,” he said. “We don’t want the broadcast of this service to compromise their ability to work among the least reached people on earth.” CALLED TO SERVE The Keiths and two other couples from Louisiana were commissioned. Due to security concerns … [Read more...]