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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Revival brings focus on Christ

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer GLENMORA (LBM) – Cadence Fontenot frequently viewed her life through a dark lens, but an encounter with Christ during the Focus 2020 revival at Glenmora High School gave her a new perspective on life. At the challenge offered by evangelist Ken Freeman “to live for Christ,” Fontenot repented for salvation, turning from her sins and giving her life to Christ. She was among 80 new converts who proclaimed Jesus as Lord during the revival, Jan. 18-20. Fontenot later joined five other members of the youth group at First Baptist Church in Oakdale, Feb. 2, for a baptismal celebration service. All six students had placed their faith in Christ during Focus 2020. “Before I gave my life to Christ, I thought negatively about everything and was never happy,” Fontenot said. “My pastor, youth pastor and Sunday school teacher had been working to prepare me for about a year, and when I finally gave it all to God, I was changed and felt love like never before.” FOCUS 2020 Each night during the revival, Freeman shared messages of hope to more than 500 people who gathered inside Glenmora High School’s auditorium. Freeman encouraged students and adults, alike, to make the right choice to … [Read more...]

Thousands march for life: Push for Love Life Amendment launched with Life Marches

ALEXANDRIA (LBM)--During a pivotal year that will see a ballot initiative in the fall that offers a constitutional amendment to protect our pro-life laws from being overturned, Louisianans gathered on multiple weekends in January and February around the state to declare their love for life and to offer support for the Love Life Amendment. According to information provided by Louisiana Right to Life, a crowd of 2,500 gathered in Shreveport Jan. 19; 500 in Lake Charles Jan. 22; 1,500 marched in Baton Rouge Jan. 25; 2,500 participated in Monroe/West Monroe Jan. 26; and 4,000 rallied in Alexandria/Pineville Feb. 1. At each event, all under the theme of “Louisiana Loves Life,” participants held a large “Louisiana Life March” banner to lead the procession. Others held up signs proclaiming “Life Matters” while some displayed signs urging pro-lifers to “End Abortion Now.” PIVOTAL YEAR All five marches come at a time when Louisiana voters will have the chance to pass the “Love Life Amendment,” slated to be on the statewide ballot Nov. 3. This proposed constitutional amendment reads “To protect human life, nothing in this constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of … [Read more...]

Northwest Baptists seek revival

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BOSSIER CITY, La. (LBM)--Nearly 350 members of the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association’s 118 churches came together to cry out to God to bring revival during the local fellowship’s fifth annual “Call to Prayer.” Hosted by Bellaire Baptist Church in Bossier City, the Jan. 26 gathering brought together Christians of various ages and ethnicities to pray for law enforcement, educators, missionaries serving around the world, pastors and other church leaders, and the persecuted church. Just like previous gatherings at First Baptist Church, Bossier City, Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport, Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, and Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport, this event was marked by prayer from the worship center stage, in small groups around the room and by individuals who pleaded with God for revival in their community, state and nation. “The time when pastors pray for each other is always special,” NLBA Associational Mission Strategist Lane Moore told the Baptist Message. “These men come from different cultures, different worship styles and different preaching styles, but when we pray for each other’s ministry it pulls them together.” SEEK REPENTANCE AND … [Read more...]

PEW: Half of Americans have stopped talking politics

By Will Hall, Message Executive Editor WASHINGTON, D.C. (LBM)—The Pew Research Center released data, Feb. 5, indicating that “close to half” of all U.S. adults have stopped talking about political and election news in this time of intense political polarization. The survey of 12,043 participants found that 45 percent indicated they no longer share about political news with at least one person: -- six in ten liberal Democrats stopped talking politics with someone because of something that person said, compared with 45 percent of conservative Republicans; -- half of white Americans have taken this step of silence, while roughly one-third of Black and Hispanic adults have done so But there also were differences even within political and social groups. While 60 percent of liberal Democrats have sealed their lips because of political differences with someone else, only 41 percent of Democrats who identify themselves as moderate or conservative have followed suit. Meanwhile, only 36 percent of moderate and liberal Republicans say they “dropped someone from their conversations about political news.  There were no statistically significant differences based on sex or age.   … [Read more...]

LBC lawmaker plays pivotal role in President Trump’s acquittal

By Will Hall, Message Executive Editor WASHINGTON, D.C. (LBM)—Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA 04), a member of the First Baptist Church in Bossier City, served as a member of President Trump’s defense team that represented him in House proceedings and Senate trial; and, ultimately won the president’s acquittal on the two charges brought forward. The votes were 48 to convict and 52 to acquit on the charge of “abuse of power”; and, 47-53 on the charge of “obstruction of justice.” It takes a two-thirds vote to convict a president on impeachment charges. During the Senate hearing, Johnson told NPR that the impeachment effort was a display of “hyper-partisanship.” “There’s no better way to describe it,” he said. “This is the first single-part impeachment in the history of our republic in 243 years. It’s something that the founders warned against because they were afraid, they were concerned, that if it ever came down to this, it would divide the country bitterly, perhaps irrevocably.” Johnson also said Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, had “manufactured” the idea that the president of the United States asking a foreign country to interfere in a U.S. election. “What the president was after was … [Read more...]

Louisiana pastor lauded at National Prayer Breakfast

By Will Hall, Message Executive Editor WASHINGTON, D.C. (LBM)—While declaring “we are in a fight” because “certain religions are under siege” President Trump took time to honor Pastor Gerald Toussaint of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church which was one of three St. Landry Parish church campuses torched in 2019 by an anti-Baptist arsonist. Recognizing the debt America owes “our nation’s African-American churches,” the president said Toussaint “embodies the miracle of faith and the power of prayer.” Recalling the “fires set by a wicked hate-filled arsonist,” Trump said despite “such shocking evil” our country “witnessed the unshakeable unity, devotion and spirit of Rev. Toussaint and his entire, highly spirited beautiful congregation.” “On Easter Sunday, just days after he lost his church, Rev. Toussaint preached about what it all meant,” the president continued. “The Easter season, he said, is a fitting metaphor for recent events. It was dark the day that Jesus was crucified. It was dark at night when they burned our church. What has happened since is like a resurrection.” Trump added his encouragement to Pastor Troussaint, saying, “Old things are gone, but it’s going to be a brand-new start, and it’s going to be better … [Read more...]

Mamou churches commit to save unborn, improve mothers’ lives

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MAMOU, La. (LBM)–Supporters gathered Tuesday, Jan. 21, for a ribbon cutting to mark the official opening of the New Life Pregnancy center, located inside the Sanctuary of Praise facility at 1415 7th Street, Suite H, in Mamou. The facility will be open each Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will offer pregnancy decision coaching by trained advocates, as well as free pregnancy tests, information about pregnancy options, maternity and physical resources, and, post-decision support (including parenting education and abortion recovery groups). Rebecca Plunkett, secretary for the pregnancy center’s board and the wife of Sanctuary of Praise Pastor David Plunkett, has marveled at the level of cooperation among various denominations and other members of the community to make this dream a reality. Sanctuary of Praise is a non-denominational church. “We don’t focus on the beliefs of each church and denomination, but instead are anchored on the main thing – saving souls,” she said. “This year-long process has showed us that people of all faiths can come together and for one cause, and that’s for the Lord.” Connie Landreneau, a member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Eunice … [Read more...]

ECON 2020 speakers rally Louisiana Baptists to share the Gospel

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BATON ROUGE (LBM) — Speakers ranging from state leaders to national personalities to a former Navy SEAL rallied Louisiana Baptists to join the fight to share the Gospel during ECON 2020, held at the First Baptist Church, Lafayette, January 27-28. HUNT: JUST ONE Johnny Hunt shared a simple solution he believes can reverse a continuous decline in baptisms throughout the Southern Baptist Convention. If just 10 percent of the convention’s average Sunday morning worship attendance of 5.2 million people would reach just one person, the SBC would double their baptisms and baptize more individuals than they have in any single year since its founding, Hunt said during the Who’s Your One Tour stop, Sunday, Jan. 26, at Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. “I believe we can turn this around,” said Hunt, senior vice president of evangelism and leadership for the North American Mission Board. “I believe that with all my heart. It can happen.” Hunt said in John 1, Andrew shared the Gospel with his brother, Peter. Likewise, Christ followers today should introduce their family members and friends to Jesus. “Family oftentimes tells family how to get saved,” he said. “And friends … [Read more...]

Simpson builds membership, facilities

By Message Staff SIMPSON (LBM) – Simpson Baptist Church held a groundbreaking ceremony, Feb. 2, to celebrate the beginning of construction on a new multi-purpose facility that will serve future generations. Interim Pastor John Hebert, who also is Louisiana Baptists missions and ministry team director, told the Baptist Message that the new facility will ensure the church has adequate space to meet the needs of a growing congregation. Since Hebert became pastor in 2018, Sunday morning worship attendance has increased from 60 to 120. “The new building will put the church in a great position to grow even more and equip them to expand their Gospel reach into the community,” Hebert said. “We are praying that Louisiana Baptists will join us in helping build for their future.” Once complete, the 11,100-square-foot facility will include worship space to accommodate 224 people and education space. Under the direction of Mike Shumock, who serves as Louisiana Baptist missions builder strategist, a Baptist Builders construction team will begin work on the proposed building in February with the opening planned for the fall. To learn more about volunteering with the Baptist Builders on the project, call 225.975.0848. … [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 Ken Gordon is the new pastor at Beulah Baptist Church, Cheneyville. Seth (wife Joy) Whorton is the new music minister at Cypress Baptist Church, Benton. Shelby Thomas is the new youth pastor at Bethel Baptist, Carthage, Texas from Bethany Baptist, Bethany. Brent Shoalmire is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Eunice from Red River Baptist Church, Benton. Matt Duff resigns as worship pastor at First Baptist Church, Vidalia. Phil Smith is the new music minister at Bethel Baptist Church, Bastrop. Zack Bennett is the new pastor at Evans Creek, Pearl River HOMECOMING First Baptist Church, Shreveport: 175th Anniversary, February 23, Speaker: Joel Gregory. Activities will include a banquet Friday evening, mission projects on Saturday morning, and a worship service Sunday morning. For … [Read more...]