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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Patiently wait on the Lord

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. - Psalm 27:14 By Stewart Holloway PINEVILLE, La. - Do you ever get tired of waiting? I do. I’m especially not a fan of waiting rooms. If my appointment was at 8:00, why am I still sitting in the waiting room at 8:27 and don’t see the doctor until 8:45? Waiting bothers most of us. Traffic. Drive thru lanes. Check-out lines. Anticipation of big events. We don’t want to wait. We especially don’t want to wait on God. Unfortunately, it seems God makes us wait more than any doctor’s office. We think surely that the God of the universe - the One who created and sustains all there is - could answer, provide, or direct quickly, even instantaneously. But He seldom does. Often (usually!) He allows us to wait. Why is that? Sometimes it’s to let us realize that what we are waiting for is not really what we need. Other times, God makes us wait to prepare us for what He will do. At still other times, God makes us wait to help us be even more grateful when He does answer. And sometimes God allows us to wait simply to help us grow in our faith and patience. At our church's business leader luncheon on Monday, John … [Read more...]

LC, ETBU to team up to bless needy Pineville residents

By Message Staff PINEVILLE – Louisiana College and East Texas Baptist University will use their annual rivalry game to come together and help needy individuals in central Louisiana. Fans of both schools that bring canned goods to Wildcat Field Nov. 16 will be granted free admission to the LC-ETBU football game. Items will be donated to restock LC’s Blessing Box, which was created earlier this year by Brewer’s wife, Cathy. The box, located at the school’s main entrance, is filled with canned goods and non-perishable items for needy individuals to take, and are routinely restocked with items donated by students, faculty and community members. “I am grateful for Dr. Blair Blackburn, president of ETBU, who shares the same passion for extending the love of Christ to others who may be at a place economically where the basic needs for nutrition are not easily met,” Brewer told the Baptist Message. “The Blessing Box ministry will continue to flourish as a local service given the support fans who attend this football game provide.” Blackburn said in an e-mail that his school has been promoting the food collection drive at its campus, and ETBU fans are excited about the opportunity to bless individuals in Pineville. “Our … [Read more...]

Truckstop Ministries reaches ‘highways and hedges’

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ANACOCO, La. (LBM)—In the past Bill Blackmon drove his big rig cross-country in pursuit of big hauls and big bucks. But since 1993, after repenting for salvation at Good Hope Baptist Church in Anacoco, he has been driven by the desire to share Jesus among truckers, treating them as a unique people group who need to hear the hope of the Gospel. “I didn’t go to church growing up and the trucker lifestyle was really all I knew,” Blackmon said “The last thing I was thinking about was where I would spend eternity. But when I found Jesus, my purpose changed from hanging out at the bars, during my off time, to spending time with others to share with them the Good News of Jesus. “Truckstop Ministries has given me another tool to share the hope that is found in Jesus with so many people whom I share a common bond with across our country,” he added. Since 2017, Blackmon has served as a chaplain with Truckstop Ministries and has seen hundreds saved at nearly 80 truck stop chapels in 29 states. He is among 600 volunteer chaplains and “missionary” truckers who have a presence at the ministry’s designated truck stop chapel buildings. According to the group’s website, the Jackson, … [Read more...]

Guidelines for making a motion at the LBC 2019 Annual Meeting

ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – It is important to remember that motions may only deal with one topic at a time. When making a motion, you should be as brief as possible and always begin with the phrase “I move that...” If you are making a subsidiary motion (one that deals with a motion already on the floor), it must be relevant to the motion currently under consideration and not be a motion that is the same or substantially similar to one already dealt with by this convention. If your motion is a privileged motion, it must not be dilatory (unnecessary or made only to delay the conduct of business). If your motion seeks to amend the Louisiana Baptist Convention Articles of Incorporation or Louisiana Baptist Convention Bylaws, please review these documents in advance for special rules regarding the process of amendment prior to offering your motion. A copy of the LBC Articles of Incorporation and LBC Bylaws are found in your Book of Reports. Important steps in wording your motion: A motion should direct that the Convention take some sort of action or refrain from taking some action. Include only the action you want to see taken in your motion. Do not include supporting reasons for adopting your motion in the motion … [Read more...]

YEC to strengthen teens’ resolve for Christ

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Three years after sharing his testimony of overcoming adversity with more than 6,000 students at the 2016 Youth Evangelism Celebration, Ed Newton is scheduled to inspire Louisiana Baptist teens once more at the annual youth evangelistic event. Scheduled Nov. 24-25 at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria, the largest annual gathering of Louisiana Baptists will feature messages by Newton, pastor of the 27,000-member Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas, high-energy music, times of fellowship and much more. Last year’s event drew more than 6,000 youth and resulted in countless changed lives. “For many years, God has moved mightily at YEC,” said Brandon Lewis, youth ministry strategist for Louisiana Baptists. “Thousands of teenagers have experienced salvation. Others have been trained and encouraged to share their faith with friends. Many have expressed a call to ministry during the event. “In addition to all of that, YEC provides a unique opportunity for Louisiana teenagers to see with their own eyes that they are not alone,” Lewis continued. “They have 6,000 friends all across the state standing for Christ and inviting Him to use their lives … [Read more...]

Annual Meeting will highlight progress of 2020 Commission

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Messengers to the 2019 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 11-12, will have the opportunity to learn about the status of the various goals and action steps outlined in the President’s 2020 Commission which is nearing its final year. Approved by messengers at the 2013 Louisiana Baptist Convention annual meeting, the 2020 initiative, led by then LBC President Waylon Bailey, pastor of First Baptist Church in Covington, seeks to reach every generation and every people group in Louisiana with the Gospel by the year 2020 through the avenues of congregational revitalization, church planting, communications and collaboration. 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. “I believe Louisiana Baptists will be encouraged by some of the progress made over the last six years,” said recently elected Louisiana Baptists Executive Director Steve Horn. “On the flip side, they’ll also discover many areas that need our continued prayers, attention and resources as we continue to work towards fulfilling the goals outlined in the … [Read more...]