By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer CROWLEY – Reaching some of the 100,000 people who attend the annual International Rice Festival seemed daunting, but members of the First Baptist Church in Crowley embraced the challenge using jambalaya, antique tractor demonstrations and train rides to plant Gospel seeds in the community. The 15th annual Harvest Fest, held on the grounds of First Baptist Crowley, drew nearly 15,000 people who enjoyed a wide selection of Cajun foods, Zydeco music, family activities such as a petting zoo and bouncy houses and more. While organizers did not see many commitments to Christ at the festival, the results usually are seen several months later, they said. “For many people, it’s an introduction to our church,” said Michael Doughty, one of the Harvest Fest coordinators. “The harvest is seen not the following weekend, but 6-9 months down the road. When we see someone come to Christ it makes all the hard work of planning months in advance worth it. The festival began in 1995 when a few church members served water on the church grounds to Rice Festival goers. Through the years, the congregation added activities and has used Harvest Fest to build a bridge between the community and the … [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 Randall Gill has been called as pastor of New Bethlehem Baptist Church, Denham Springs. Chris Camp is the new pastor at Big Cane Baptist Church, Lonnie Wascom has been called as the interim pastor of Walker Baptist Church, Walker. Larry Baldridge is the new pastor at Life Point Church, Cottonport. Jack Varnado has been called as the interim pastor of Red Oak Baptist Church, Livingston. Brian Prucey is retiring as pastor of Elm Grove Baptist Church, Bossier City. Shelby (wife Summer) Thomas is the new youth pastor at Bethany Baptist Church, Bethany. James Snyder moves from youth pastor to interim pastor at Elm Grove Baptist Church, Bossier City. Courtney Rainey resigned as pastor at Greenacres Baptist Church, Bastrop. REVIVAL First Baptist Church, Robeline: Revival, January … [Read more...]
ECON 2019 renews focus on reaching ‘next generation’
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COVINGTON – Ed Newton, pastor of the Community Bible Church, San Antonio, Texas, will emphasize reaching the lost of the next generation during Student Night, Jan. 28, at the 2019 Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference. The pre-session will begin at 5:30 p.m. in “The Rock” youth building of First Baptist, Covington, and feature a pizza party, games and music by an area youth choir. The main session will follow immediately afterward with music presented by the First Covington choir and a message by Newton. Keith Manuel, evangelism and church growth director for Louisiana Baptists, said Student Night will build on the challenge “to share Christ with others” presented in November during the 2018 Youth Evangelism Celebration in Alexandria. “We are investing in a nationwide youth speaker for churches to come and be part of a large evangelistic event that is absolutely free,” Manuel said. “While we are targeting students, this night is for everyone as we seek a great harvest of the lost.” Newton spoke at Student Night as part of ECON 2017, held at Temple Baptist Church, Ruston, when dozens of students came forward at the invitation. By the time the service ended 34 … [Read more...]
‘Talk of the town’: New facilities, ministry area for Franklin Avenue
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS – Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans celebrated a new chapter in ministry Dec. 9 when congregants gathered for the first worship service in their new home, six miles from where they had ministered for 21 years. “It’s the talk of the town,” Pastor Fred Luter told the Baptist Message. “The New Orleans East area is excited about us being here and we are excited as well. It is one of the most populated areas of the city, and we are excited about doing all we can to revitalize the community. The excitement level was so high that we decided to have several weeks of special dedication services in December to celebrate all that God has done through this move.” The new $35 million facility includes a 3,500-seat worship center, a fellowship hall, offices, a kitchen, conference rooms, Sunday school rooms and youth and children’s areas. The property also has 1,200 parking spaces, a dramatic increase from the 25 spots available at its former location, 2515 Franklin Avenue. Averaging nearly 3,100 for morning services, the congregation formerly had to lease a nearby parking lot to accommodate worshippers’ cars on Sundays. “That first Sunday at our new location our … [Read more...]
Abortion leading cause of death in 2018 with 41 million killed
Saints’ Steve Gleason honored: Congressional Gold Medal law signed by Donald Trump
Pelosi claims gavel vowing focus on gun legislation, Dreamers, ‘checks and balances’
GM, Ford, Toyota sales fall in December, but auto industry posts surprisingly solid 2018
Apple’s app store pulled in $1.22 billion over the holidays plus a record $322 million on New Year’s Day
Four biblical resolutions for 2019
By Lane Corley The Bible is full of resolutions. Our reading of the Bible should be to see the gaps between ourselves and God’s will and close that gap with resolve. The difference between worldly resolution and Biblical resolution is that as believers we have the promise of God’s presence with us to empower and encourage us as we resolve to walk with him. So let’s be resolute in 2019. Here are four Biblical Resolutions in way of reminder and challenge. Devote yourselves to Prayer… Colossians 4:2 Prayer works every time it is tried. God promises to hear and to answer the praying believer, who prays in faith (Matthew 7:7; James 1:5-8; 1 John 5:14-15). Resolve to be a person of prayer in 2019. Ideas: Set your alarm for 10:02am as a reminder to pray for your church and for more laborers for God’s mission (see Luke 10:2). Get your church’s directory and pray for one page per day. Sign up for Daily Prayer List of the International Mission Board Sign up for BlessEveryHome.com and pray for your neighbors everyday Every man mature in Christ – Colossians 1:28-29 The resolve of the apostle Paul was to move EVERY PERSON in his sphere of influence closer to Christ. What a resolution!? Our influence as … [Read more...]
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