By Marilyn Stewart, NOBTS Office of Communications NEW ORLEANS, La. (BP) - Engaging cities for the Gospel was the focus of the one-day event "The Gospel and the City" at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Oct. 24. Jamie Dew, NOBTS and Leavell College president, pointed to the importance of engaging cities even when they seem overwhelming or outside believers' "comfort zones." "The cities are the population centers of the world, where 55 percent of the world's population resides," Dew told participants. "We can make a maximum impact on the world when we go into the cities." Dew stressed the importance of rural congregations, but noted that urban centers cannot be ignored because of the presence of media outlets, sports organizations and art communities in cities that shape the culture. Dew added, "Why would we not engage them and try to make a difference for Christ?" A biblical mandate to engage cities is modeled by Old Testament prophets and by Paul and Jesus, whose ministry led Him to Jerusalem, the cultural center of His day, Dew said. Dew drew a "cultural mandate" from God's command in Genesis 1 to have "dominion" over the earth and cultivate a culture that brings glory to God. The way to engage cities, … [Read more...]

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Marc Taylor, a member of the Cook Baptist Church in Ruston, will be nominated for second vice president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2019 annual meeting. Mike Holloway, pastor of Ouachita Baptist Church in West Monroe, notified the Baptist Message, Oct. 18, of his intention to make the nomination because of Taylor’s deep commitment to Jesus Christ and the LBC.  He is a man of integrity and well respected by all of his peers, Holloway noted. The LBC annual meeting is scheduled to be held in the Alexandria Riverfront Center, Nov. 11-12. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT Holloway said he has known Taylor since 2005, when he became pastor of Cook Baptist. Even after Holloway resigned in 2015 to become pastor of Ouachita Baptist, he continued his friendship with Taylor. “Each year in the LBC we seek qualified and committed laypeople to serve our convention,” Holloway said. “I felt God placed Marc’s name on my heart because he is a committed Louisiana Baptist and a private business owner who has the time to serve our Convention, as he has in the past, as a trustee of Louisiana College. He will do Louisiana Baptists a great job while serving as our second vice … [Read more...]

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) — Leroy Fountain, church health strategist with the New Orleans Baptist Association, will be re-nominated for a second consecutive term as first vice president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2019 annual meeting. Jack Hunter, associational missions strategist for NOBA, notified the Baptist Message, Oct. 18, of his intention to make the nomination. The LBC annual meeting is scheduled to be held in the Alexandria Riverfront Center, Nov. 11-12. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT “Our association has never had a more experienced strategist, a keener exegete of culture or a more humble pastor,” Hunter said. “Leroy is a consummate gentleman and an unflinching follower of Christ.” CANDIDATE’S RESPONSE “I’m honored that Mr. Jack Hunter has agreed to stand on the stage before Louisiana Baptists and express his trust in me,” Fountain said. “I’m excited about the possibility, if I should be so fortunate to be elected, of serving with Dr. Steve Horn, our newly elected state executive director, as he sets a course and leads Louisiana Baptists through the last half of the first quarter of the 21st century. I’m excited to have served with the outgoing president, Dr. Eddie Wren, and the … [Read more...]