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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Easter Reflections – Day 21

As Easter approaches, the Baptist Message team invites you to pause daily from the hustle and bustle of life to focus on the days leading up to Easter or Resurrection Sunday. Join us in this challenge to read through the Gospels to get a greater understanding of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Day 21: Matthew 16-18 (NKJV) ========================= (Matthew 16) The Pharisees and Sadducees Seek a Sign Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; 3 and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed. The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees 5 Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” 7 And they … [Read more...]

Steve Horn ‘a leader who loves Louisiana Baptists’

By Will Hall, Message Editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Steve Horn is a leader among leaders in the Louisiana Baptist Convention and someone who loves Louisiana Baptists, Waylon Bailey shared with the Baptist Message in announcing Horn as the candidate the search committee will present May 7 to the LBC Executive Board for a vote. If elected, Horn will replace David Hankins who is retiring June 30 as LBC executive director. “He lived in the northern part of the state early in his life and has served in the southern part of the state, so he understands the great uniqueness among Louisianans and has a deep appreciation for the great variety among the congregations that make up the fellowship we call a ‘Convention,’” said Bailey, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Covington and chairman of the search committee. “Likewise, he has been an exceptional friend and leader to other pastors on a personal level and in how his congregation has participated in the cooperative missions and ministries of the LBC during his entire tenure.” Horn has served as pastor of the First Baptist Church in Lafayette since 2005. The database of the Annual Church Profile shows his congregation has baptized 775 new believers since then and … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists respond to search committee’s announcement

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Louisiana Baptist pastors and leaders have offered their resounding support for Steve Horn as a candidate for the state’s next executive director. The search committee announced Sunday, April 7, that Horn, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Lafayette since 2005, was their recommendation to lead Louisiana Baptists. The LBC Executive Board will vote on Horn’s nomination during its spring meeting May 7 at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth. LBC President Eddie Wren told the Baptist Message he is excited about the possibility of working alongside Horn to help Louisiana Baptists reach their state for Christ. “I am thankful Dr. Horn has been recommended and has agreed to serve as executive director for Louisiana Baptists,” said Wren, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Rayville. “I can’t think of anyone I would rather serve as executive director or anyone that is better prepared for the task. Steve is a man who loves the Lord, loves his family, the church and the state of Louisiana. I look forward to all God will do through his leadership.” Gevan Spinney, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church, Haughton, followed Horn as LBC president. He believes the … [Read more...]

Living out a ‘friendly faith’ can lead others to Jesus

By Jeff Ginn You’re probably familiar with the tragedy of “friendly fire,” but have you thought about the potential of “friendly faith”? Let me unpack the difference. Friendly fire refers to incidents when, in the fog of war, a soldier will accidentally fire upon his own forces. The history of warfare is replete with examples. Perhaps the best known is the case of Pat Tillman. He was a gifted athlete who played in the NFL. After 9-11 he voluntarily gave up that lucrative career and became an Army Ranger. He died in the mountains of Afghanistan as a result of “friendly fire.” Friends can hurt friends (and not just on the battlefield!). But, it is equally true that friends can help friends. Your faith in the Lord can encourage and transform the lives of your friends. That’s what I mean by “friendly faith.” A great illustration of this is the biblical account of four friends who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus. There he found healing and, more importantly, forgiveness for sins. God wants to use our lives and, particularly, our faith to influence others for Christ. Whom can you pray for or encourage today? Whom can you “bring” to Jesus? A kind deed, a quick email or note, a word of witness, an invitation - all … [Read more...]

Roughneck’s heart softened by encounter with God

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer WATERPROOF – Larry Walters ran from God most of his young adult life, until an encounter with God during a revival service at Hill Ridge Baptist Church in Crowville brought the 35-year-old “roughneck” under conviction for repentance, and planted the seed for a call to ministry. “The week of revival at Hill Ridge Baptist Church I had completed a 12-hour shift as a worker in the oil field and came home to find the pastor and the evangelist praying with my daughter, Melanie, moments after she accepted Christ,” said Walters, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Waterproof since 2012. The home visit made a profound impact on him, he shared, explaining that he attended the revival the following night and “fell under conviction to ask Jesus into my heart.” “At the last night of revival the pastor asked if there was anyone who wanted to say anything,” said Walters, who was honored during the 2018 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting as an Exemplary Bi-vocational Pastor of the Year. “I couldn’t not proclaim to everyone what God had done. I knew He changed my life and I surrendered to whatever He wanted.” When Walters returned to the oil field, he boldly proclaimed Christ as … [Read more...]