By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Bill Robertson, who served 12 years as director of pastoral leadership until he retired in November 2019 to pastor Fellowship Baptist Church in Trout full time, was remembered by family and friends as a soul winner whose passion for the local church continued up to his death Feb. 24. Faithful to proclaiming the Gospel until the end, Robertson was baptizing others his final week on earth. He baptized his last new convert Feb. 16. Moreover, Robertson baptized 20 people and added 15 new members to the church role since he became interim pastor in May 2019. “Daddy could sit in a boardroom with trustees at meetings but yet he could minister with an oil field worker in Louisiana,” Robertson’s son, Trey, told the Baptist Message. “He could fit in with any crowd and loved all of them. “He would share Jesus with people he met, not only knew the Bible but lived out the words inside that great book,” continued Trey Robertson, a member of First Baptist Church in West Monroe. “He was the finest man I ever knew and was the best pastor I have sat under. He wanted to see people’s lives changed and make an eternal difference for the Lord.” CALLED TO SERVE A native of Oak … [Read more...]

By My Sherie Johnson, WildcatsMedia PINEVILLE (Wildcats Media) – Franklin Avenue Baptist Church Pastor Fred Luter reminded students during Louisiana College's Feb. 20 chapel service about the importance of having a genuine relationship with God and to live a life that aligns with the Bible. "Few pastors could speak more clearly about a genuine relationship with God and a life that honors him than Dr. Luter," said Louisiana College President Rick Brewer. "From his upbringing in inner city New Orleans, to faithfully surviving Hurricane Katrina, and to relocating his church for more effect ministry, Pastor Fred provides a sterling example of one whose life aligns with God and the Bible. His is the kind of life that speaks volumes to our students." "I love speaking to students, because I was once a student. When I was in college, I gave my life to Jesus Christ," said Luter. "So, it was a special time for me because I saw the difference that it made in my life." Elected in 2012 as the first black president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Luter referenced 1 Corinthians 10:13, explaining he's convinced that if you're truly saved you can live a victorious life. He is amazed so many people believe the devil's untruths when … [Read more...]

By Message Staff GRAMERCY, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist church planter Checkerz Williams was arrested Feb. 12 on charges of firing a weapon the previous day at a vehicle in St. James Parish in what has been termed in some media reports as a “road rage” incident. Williams is pastor of Renew Church in Baton Rouge. Mentor and long-time adviser Dennis Watson, pastor of Celebration Church in Metairie, expressed shock to the Baptist Message about the alleged incident and offered that he knows Williams to be a man of integrity and that he is waiting to learn all the details that might explain the disconnect between Williams’ character and the nature of the arrest. Williams served as a campus pastor at Celebration Church’s LaPlace location from June 2011 to July 2017, before leaving to start Renew. “I'm in daily contact with Pastor Checkerz,” Watson said. “I'm saddened that all of the publicity thus far from the secular press and the Christian press has been completely one-sided. While Pastor Checkerz has been instructed by his legal counsel not to release his side of the story at this time, it's my understanding that there is a completely different perspective of what happened. We are praying that when all the details come … [Read more...]

By LC News PINEVILLE, La. - Louisiana College’s annual “Christ, Church, and Culture” (C3) Series features ethicist Dr. Craig V. Mitchell. He is a Senior Fellow for the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation, a board member for the Institute of Religion and Democracy, and is president of the Ethics and Political Economy Center. Having authored four books, Mitchell speaks and writes on issues involving Christian ethics and public policy. Mitchell will address from a biblical perspective this topic: “What’s the Real Issue with Social Justice?” “We are privileged and honored to have Dr. Mitchell on our campus to speak about a significant issue at the forefront of our culture today,” said Louisiana College President Rick Brewer. “He comes to us well-qualified with his background as an author, speaker, and professor at Criswell College and Southwestern Seminary. He served all Southern Baptists on the Religious Liberty Commission from 2005-2014. We welcome him with the expectancy that Dr. Mitchell will speak soundly about an issue that Christians need to know.” Louisiana College’s C3 event convenes on March 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Weatherby Fine Arts building/Presser Hall. There is no charge for attendance and the … [Read more...]