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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Student ministry leaders urged to help parents educate their kids before world does

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Parents must do a better job of preparing their children at a young age in order to help them function in a culture that is hostile to Christian principles of sexuality, Clint Davis, director of recovery services with The Hub: Urban Ministry in Shreveport, said at the annual Forum for Louisiana Baptist student leaders Feb. 21. “It’s a parent’s job to represent Christ in the Church,” Davis told more than 50 student leaders gathered for the event at the Louisiana Baptist Building in Alexandria. “Just showing up on Sunday or a Wednesday night and expecting a church to teach your kids the Gospel is not what God calls us to do.” As parents and leaders strive to equip their youth with tools necessary to have a fulfilled life, they must base their approach on love and trust, Davis said. “Without these two foundational beliefs, all the struggles of our lives will be difficult to manage,” he said. “They affect how you engage in relationships with your pastors, with your parents, with yourself and with these kids.” Davis said parents must discuss sexually-sensitive issues with their children before the world educates them. He said social media has expanded … [Read more...]

Skills of a church planter: Flexibility and Adaptability

By John Hebert, Louisiana Baptist missions and ministry team leader ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)—Flexibility and adaptability are essential traits each leader needs to develop. Academic training prepares the mind about broad concepts and specific ideas and strategic planning creates consistency and cohesion among diverse units on the battlefield. But, it’s all about being able to adapt to situations as they actually exist that makes all the difference, whether on the battlefield or in the boardroom. It’s about being flexible in situations in real time in the real world that require real action without which defeat or setback would occur. When I was a youngster enjoying my summers, I had friends who would come to our house after church on Sunday nights. Bobby and Ruby Ulmer were members of our church and had a family of five, the same as my parents, and kids about the same ages as my brothers and my sister and I. Our parents would not let 10 kids share the house with them while they were visiting, so they made us play outside…at night…in the dark. But, that was fine with us. We played active games like “Chase” and “Hide and Go Seek” in the dark. At first playing in the dark was very challenging simply because it took … [Read more...]

2020 Commission Update: Promote stewardship to churches

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists are in the final year of implementing the President’s 2020 Commission Final Report, an initiative undertaken during the leadership of Waylon Bailey, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Covington, and the LBC president in 2012-2013. The 2020 recommendations were crafted collaboratively by a commission of 400 Louisiana Baptist leaders, staff members and laypeople, working in 20 subcommittees of 20 members each. Ten “key actions in reaching our state” – known as KAIROS – were developed to engage two audiences – the next generation and every people group. These measures for improving the spiritual health and growth of the state were adopted by messengers at the 2013 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. This article is the fourth in a series published by the Baptist Message to report what successes have been achieved toward the ambitious goals of the statewide initiative, as well as to note what objectives remain to be done. KAIROS THREE Challenge congregations to regularly and intentionally promote biblical financial stewardship. In 2018, Louisiana Baptists and LifeWay Christian Resources released the results of a state-wide … [Read more...]

Louisiana College prepared for possible illness

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) – Louisiana College administrators implemented proactive and reactive measures March 3 in anticipation of a possible outbreak of the Corona Virus on campus. “The first consideration is to maintain the proper perspective with an understanding of the risks involved,” said President of Louisiana College Dr. Rick Brewer. “While we advise the maintenance of a calm approach, the measures we have implemented and are prepared to implement are based on information from the Center for Disease Control and the Louisiana Office of Public Health.” Additional hand sanitizers will be installed in classrooms on Monday, March 16. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to always carry a bottle of hand sanitizer. The President’s Leadership Team and Louisiana College’s Academic Council are monitoring the situation closely and are prepared to launch the College’s Continuity of Operations Plan that facilitates the bulk of academic work to be completed online should the need arise to discontinue face-to-face classroom instruction. An email to the entire faculty, staff, and student body sent March 3 relayed public health information and details in this news release. Also, detailed … [Read more...]

Gunter issues call to pray ahead of Supreme Court pro-life case oral arguments

By Brian Gunter Attention all pro-life Americans: I am calling for a day of prayer across America on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. On this historic day, the United States Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in June Medical Services v. Russo. The state of Louisiana will defend its pro-life law, Act 620, which would end the abortion clinic loophole. Currently, abortion clinics allow unqualified doctors without local admitting privileges to perform dangerous abortions which risk the health and safety of women, and this law would end their careless practices. Moreover, the Supreme Court will decide if states have a right to regulate abortion through the will of the people and their elected officials. Since Roe v. Wade in 1973, Americans have lived under the tyranny of abortion on demand. Over 60 millions babies have been legally killed by abortion. With newly-appointed justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh on the bench, for the first time in 47 years, the Supreme Court is likely to decide in favor of life. We finally have our day in court. But let us not forget that the real fight here is not a legal battle. The war is spiritual, and it is won through prayer and standing for the truth. “For we do not wrestle against flesh … [Read more...]

Smith installed as new pastor of Grace Memorial Baptist

SLIDELL, La. (LBM) – Grace Memorial Baptist Church in Slidell recently celebrated the installation of its new pastor, Jerry Smith. During a special service Feb. 9, Pastor Emeritus Bob Heustess symbolically presented the keys to the senior pastor’s office to Smith, who has served on the ministerial staff at the church for 25 years. A graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Smith has been associate pastor at Grace Memorial Baptist since 1997. He also was a youth minister there while attending seminary from 1990-1992. He previously served on staff at Pine Forest Baptist Church and West Pensacola Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida; Second Avenue Baptist Church in Roma, Georgia; and Gardendale Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. Smith and his wife, Mary Jane, have three children.   … [Read more...]

Make the most of today

By Waylon Bailey You have something that 93% of the people who have ever lived don’t have–today. You have what every king, queen, emperor, CEO, and celebrity of the past would give all their fortune to have–today (James Clear). What are you going to do with this precious time? What are you going to do with this day to make a difference? Paul encouraged the church to make the most of every opportunity. He saw time not so much as minutes and seconds but opportunities to serve God (Colossians 4:5-6). What will you do today to make this a day of opportunity? Let me give you two suggestions. First, take the opportunity to be kind, caring, and filled with love toward the people around you. There is no one around you as wonderful as your own family. Don’t they deserve your best self? Since we don’t have every day, we have to use this day for the glory of God and the good of others. Second, look for those opportunities to give an answer for the reason for the hope you have in Christ (1 Peter 3:15).  Not only do you have today; you also have a hope for today and for all eternity. We live in a world of despair and discouragement. Let us take the opportunity to make the most of this precious day God has given us. … [Read more...]