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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Drills put participants through biblical paces

By Holly Jo Linzay Regional Reporter PINEVILLE – Intense concentration furrowed the brows of the nine ninth- grade students lined up across the stage in a face-off battle in the state Bible Drill competition. A scripture reference was called. The drill conductor said, “Start.” The students quickly flipped through their Bibles and then stepped forward when the verse was found. Time was called after eight seconds. In the end, two freshmen – Milain Marce, Ascension Baptist Church in Gonzales, and Jackson Barnes, First Baptist Church in Covington – were named winners and this summer will represent Louisiana Baptists in the Youth Division of the Bible Drill national competition in Concord, North Carolina. That match is representative of a day of fierce competition at the 2019 Louisiana Baptist State Youth and High School Bible Drill and Speakers Tournament held April 27 at the First Baptist Church in Pineville. Brandon Lewis, LBC youth ministry strategist, said Bible Drill is part of a discipleship program designed to assist youth in developing useful skills and knowledge of the Bible. The program teaches and tests students’ knowledge of the books of the Bible basic beliefs and doctrinal convictions, and, different … [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 James H. Miller retired April 14 as pas­tor of the First Baptist Church, Spearsville. John Elliott retired April 28 from Em­manuel Baptist Church, Natchitoches. David Correira has resigned as pastor of Eastside Baptist Church, Ponchatoula. Stan Wyant is the new pastor at Faith Baptist Church, Bastrop. John-Robert Phillips is the new associ­ate pastor to students at First Baptist Church, Hammond. Haven Kinchen is the new director of children’s ministries at First Baptist Church, Hammond. Robert Robinson is the new pastor at Covenant Baptist Church, Slidell. Joseph (wife Megan) Cumberland is the new youth pastor at Rose Park Baptist Church from First Baptist Church, Tallulah. REVIVAL Social Springs Baptist Church, Ringgold: Harvest Sunday, May 12, 11 a.m. Evange­list: Sam Moore. … [Read more...]

Big numbers jumpstart ABC construction project

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer EUNICE – A million dollar gift to the Acadian Baptist Center has helped jumpstart construction on a much-needed new worship center, with camp leaders, board members and supporters breaking ground April 11 in a ceremony to launch construction and to celebrate how God has provided financially to build the facility. “A man and his wife came to summer camp worship and saw the gym full to the brim, and couldn’t stop thinking about our need for a new worship center,” camp director James Newsom told the Baptist Message. “He said I don’t know how God speaks to you but I couldn’t quit thinking about your need for the worship center so my wife and I decided to help you get started.” When completed in April 2020, the $3 million, 18,000-sq.-ft. facility will accommodate up to 1,000 people. More than $2.3 million has been raised in gifts and pledges. Additionally, the camp is signing up volunteers to augment the work performed by professional crews, he said. “It’s really exciting to finally get this project started because it’s such a God thing,” Newsom said. “Attendance has increased to 3,000 for camp, and we are thrilled the kids will have a nice worship center to enjoy. So many people … [Read more...]

Are you feasting or fasting on God’s Word?

By Rick Warren “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey” (Psalm 119:103 NLT). After my wife Kay and I got engaged, we did something unusual: We moved to opposite sides of the world. She moved to Birmingham, Alabama, to work in an inner-city church, and I moved to Nagasaki, Japan, to plant a church. We were separated most of our engagement.In those days, we didn’t have cell phones. It cost $15 a minute to call Japan, and we were dirt poor. So we only had one alternative: writing letters. We each wrote a letter every day, and receiving hers was the highlight of my day during that time. The moment a love letter arrived, I would tear it open and read it. Then I would reread it and try to read between the lines. I’d underline and memorize portions of it. I was trying to gather every drop of love this woman had for me. What if we read the Bible—God’s love letter to us—that same way? If you’re not poring over the Bible, trying to glean every bit of wisdom from it, then you are not fully tasting the banquet that God has prepared for you. Psalm 119:103 says, “How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey” (NLT). This Bible is full of nourishment—spiritual food that will keep you healthy, … [Read more...]