Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Louisiana Baptists asked to pray for Brazil

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SOROCABA, Brazil (LBM) – David Denton has issued a call to prayer ahead of a Louisiana Baptist-led annual summer mission trip to Brazil. Among the most pressing needs are funding for construction of a chapel that the team will build and guidance as Denton, coordinator of the trip, and Gene Jenkins travel to Brazil to finalize logistics in mid-February. Jenkins is construction coordinator and the brother of Wayne Jenkins, former Louisiana Baptist evangelism and church growth director who passed away Nov. 13, 2018, after leading 34 mission trips to the country. “This preview trip will not only enable us to take care of details like housing and transportation but will also provide opportunity for face to face conversations with our coordinator and local Brazilian pastors who will be participating in the work,” Denton told the Baptist Message. “I am praying that God will lead us to have meaningful conversations about kingdom cooperation. These Brazilian pastors have a big task as they seek to mobilize their people for this effort. Please pray for all these things as they are all essential for our trip.” Last year, 56 participants led 1,835 Brazilians to the Lord. These new believers … [Read more...]

Drop in married couples with children reflects change in marriage views, presents challenges to churches

By Will Hall, Message Executive Editor SUITLAND, Md. (LBM)—The U.S. Census Bureau has released data showing that the number of married couples with children under the age of 18 hit a 56-year low of 23,651,000 in 2017, indicating a decline in the traditional family. The drop is even more serious when viewed in terms of population totals then and now. In 1961, there were 23,514,000 married couple families with children under age 18, among a total population of 183,691,481 – a ratio of one married couple with kids for every 8 people in the country. Now the ratio is one married couple with children under 18 for every 14 people, based on 23,651,000 married couples and a total U.S. population of 325,719,178 people. The decline in married couples with children coincides with a rise in single parent families, with that number climbing from 2,375 million in 1961 to 10,641,000 in 2017, the latest data that has been released. Meanwhile, the number of children under age 18 as a percentage of the U.S. population has continued to decline from a high of 36 percent in 1960 to an estimated 22.2 percent for 2020. The implications for U.S. social institutions appear dire with fewer people as a percentage of the population … [Read more...]

United Methodists to split over gay marriage

By Will Hall, Message Executive Editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM) --After years of struggle within the United Methodist Church regarding the ordination of LGBT clergy and performing same-sex marriages, world leaders of the denomination have proposed a split that would allow conservative congregations to form a separate body. The Book of Discipline that guides UMC churches regarding such matters now states that “the practice of homosexuality is in compatible with Christian teaching” and declares that “ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.” Once the conservatives separate from the present denomination, it will open the door for the existing United Methodist Church to repeal these bans. The proposed separation will be voted on at the UMC General Conference in May. The United Methodist Church has about 6.8 million members in the United States and 12.7 million members worldwide. Although overseas congregations are considered more conservative than those in the United States, surveys indicate that 55 percent of U.S. congregants are conservative in their beliefs. The United Methodist Church is the second-largest evangelical body in the … [Read more...]

STUDY: Louisiana College ranked among the best in the state, nation

By Will Hall, Message Executive Eidtor PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) — A Louisiana College bachelor’s degree is one of the best investments of tuition paid in the state, according to research conducted by Georgetown University. Comparing earnings at the 10-year point to the debt held for the degree earned, this collegiate ministry of Louisiana Baptists ranked second in the state among the 22 four-year colleges and universities that offer more than an associate’s degree or certificates. Among the eight private nonprofit schools against which it competes, Louisiana College ranked first on this metric. Meanwhile, the Town Talk, a public newspaper in Alexandria, citing christianuniversitiesonline.org, reported that Louisiana College “is the fourth most affordable Christian college in the South, North and Midwest.” In comments about the Georgetown University study rankings, Louisiana College President Rick Brewer told the Town Talk he is committed to doing even more to make Louisiana College “affordable and accessible, especially for those who value a liberal arts education built upon a biblical worldview.” “The more affordable and accessible our undergraduate programs are,” he continued, “the more likely the opportunities our … [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 Eric, wife Cindy and family, Sonnier is the new pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church, Jennings. Kevin, wife Penny, Paul is the new associate pastor at His Church, Pineville. REVIVAL First Baptist Church, Keithville: Harvest Sunday, February 2, Evangelist: Bill Britt. Pastor: Mike Stowell. New Bethlehem Baptist Church, Denham Springs: Revival, February 16-19, Evangelist: Bill Britt. Pastor: Randall Gill. LAGNIAPPE Esler Baptist Church in Pineville, is a mission-driven church seeking a youth minister who is passionate, driven, hard-working and is willing to share the Gospel and win souls. If interested, email a résumé at ptimot4@gmail.com or contact Pastor Joshua Timothy at 318.308.2748. Man Up! Conference 2020, January 31, 6 p.m. at the Ruston Civic Center. Guest Speaker: Bernie Carbo, … [Read more...]

Iraqi Christians suffer

By Joni B. Hanigan, Special to the Message *Name changed for security purposes. BAGHDAD, Iraq (LBM) --*Pastor Amed knew when the sharp cracking sounds of bullets striking cement and metal turned into even louder explosions, tensions simmering in Baghdad for over a month had reached the boiling point. Black smoke rising from the Green Zone and shouting and cheering in the streets meant either the Iran-backed militias were pushing against the continued American presence in Iraq -- or Iraqi Security Forces were again attacking protestors critical of Iran’s influence in Iraq’s government. Later, he learned the explosions were part of Iran’s response to the killing of Qasem Soleimani, a major general who commanded the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps division that has targeted U.S. troops and U.S. allies. Communicating through a social media link, Amed said the situation is very tense and he and his family must remain inside their home at all times. “We don’t know what will happen,” he said. “We thank our God for everything,” he said. “We believe our God will protect us.” In Iraq, where an estimated 200,000 Christians remain as compared to the 1.3 million who resided there in 2003, there is a lot … [Read more...]

Christianity’s explosive growth Iran’s biggest fear

By Joni B. Hanigan, Special to the Message *Name changed for security purposes. TEHRAN, Iran (LBM)—A mix of protestors in Iran’s streets the last few weeks, some demonstrating against America and others condemning Iran’s leaders, has obscured what could be an even greater newsworthy event in recent history than political unrest or military action – the explosive growth of Christianity in the country during the past several years. A YOUTH MOVEMENT The Christian population in Iran is “flourishing” according to *Pastor Sam who has traveled in the country extensively and now works with Iranian immigrants to America. He did not offer a numerical description of the spiritual movement, but various nongovernmental organizations and ministry groups have pegged the size of Christianity as between 500,000 and 1 million adherents, with one estimate as high as 3 million converts, and another as low as 300,000. These competing figures compare to the presence of a mere 500 Christians in the country in 1979 when religious hardliners overthrew the 2,500-year-old monarchy form of government in order to establish an Islamic republic in its place. According to ministry experts, the growth of Christianity among Iranians appears to … [Read more...]

Olive tree parenting

By Lane Corley Olive trees produce one of the most desired and sought after fruits around the world. The trees can live for thousands of years. The olive and the olive tree is spoke of in the Bible on numerous occasions. Including a few references to family life, like in Psalms 128:3 – “Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table.” What can olive trees teach us about raising children? Four lessons from the Olive tree: Olive trees are symbols of peace, happiness and health. In Genesis 8:11, we see that after the flood, all was pronounced well when the dove brought an olive branch back to Noah. This was a welcomed and joyous sight. The birth and growth of our children bring similar joy to our hearts. New life, new milestones make us grateful for God’s gift to us. Olive trees may not bear fruit for 12-15 years and may not be fully mature for 20-50 years. Just like children, olive trees take some time to develop and mature. For the parent, this is a reminder to be patient. Don’t expect perfection and fruitfulness from a developing tree. They will make mistakes. They will mess up. God’s promise is that He can use even their mess ups and ours for their good in the end. … [Read more...]

Special screening of “I Still Believe” set at FBC Lafayette Jan. 27

By Message Staff LAFAYETTE, La. (LBM) – A special screening of the highly anticipated movie “I Still Believe” will be shown following the Monday, January 27 session of the Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference at First Baptist Church in Lafayette. The free screening will take place in the Fellowship Hall, Louisiana Baptists Communication Director John Kyle told the Baptist Message. Refreshments will be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting the First Baptist Christian School. According to the movie website, the film chronicles the true story of Christian contemporary artist Jeremy Camp and his journey of love and loss. Camp’s first wife, Melissa, died Feb. 1, 2001, from ovarian cancer. The two had been married less than four months. “I Still Believe” was written and produced by Andrew and Jon Erwin, who also created such films as “I Can Only Imagine” and “Woodlawn.” Seventeen magazine recently voted the film as the most romantic movie of 2020. … [Read more...]