By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MONROE – Greater New Antioch Baptist Church accepted God’s call to take a leap of faith in late June and move from their long-time home to another area of Monroe, and the blessings have been supernal. Since relocating, the Lord has blessed the obedience of the African-American church re-plant with a 20 percent increase in attendance, including 15 new members by baptism since moving. The success of the relocated congregation might have been foreseen from the huge welcome the congregation received at the new location, when more than 750 individuals from the community attended the initial service. The June 24 service was a combination of the launch of Greater New Antioch and the dissolution of College Place Baptist (a predominately Anglo congregation), which was transferring its property to the incoming group. Now running an average of 150 in morning worship, Greater New Antioch members truly understand the importance of them taking the step of faith to move. “We all had the emotional attachment to the old building we had been in for 20 years but we prayed the Lord would open the door to move,” said Pastor John Russell. “My members had faith in the leadership and vision of … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer CROWLEY – Reaching some of the 100,000 people who attend the annual International Rice Festival seemed daunting, but members of the First Baptist Church in Crowley embraced the challenge using jambalaya, antique tractor demonstrations and train rides to plant Gospel seeds in the community. The 15th annual Harvest Fest, held on the grounds of First Baptist Crowley, drew nearly 15,000 people who enjoyed a wide selection of Cajun foods, Zydeco music, family activities such as a petting zoo and bouncy houses and more. While organizers did not see many commitments to Christ at the festival, the results usually are seen several months later, they said. “For many people, it’s an introduction to our church,” said Michael Doughty, one of the Harvest Fest coordinators. “The harvest is seen not the following weekend, but 6-9 months down the road. When we see someone come to Christ it makes all the hard work of planning months in advance worth it. The festival began in 1995 when a few church members served water on the church grounds to Rice Festival goers. Through the years, the congregation added activities and has used Harvest Fest to build a bridge between the community and the … [Read more...]

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 Randall Gill has been called as pastor of New Bethlehem Baptist Church, Denham Springs. Chris Camp is the new pastor at Big Cane Baptist Church, Lonnie Wascom has been called as the interim pastor of Walker Baptist Church, Walker. Larry Baldridge is the new pastor at Life Point Church, Cottonport. Jack Varnado has been called as the interim pastor of Red Oak Baptist Church, Livingston. Brian Prucey is retiring as pastor of Elm Grove Baptist Church, Bossier City. Shelby (wife Summer) Thomas is the new youth pastor at Bethany Baptist Church, Bethany. James Snyder moves from youth pastor to interim pastor at Elm Grove Baptist Church, Bossier City. Courtney Rainey resigned as pastor at Greenacres Baptist Church, Bastrop. REVIVAL First Baptist Church, Robeline: Revival, January … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COVINGTON – Ed Newton, pastor of the Community Bible Church, San Antonio, Texas, will emphasize reaching the lost of the next generation during Student Night, Jan. 28, at the 2019 Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference. The pre-session will begin at 5:30 p.m. in “The Rock” youth building of First Baptist, Covington, and feature a pizza party, games and music by an area youth choir. The main session will follow immediately afterward with music presented by the First Covington choir and a message by Newton. Keith Manuel, evangelism and church growth director for Louisiana Baptists, said Student Night will build on the challenge “to share Christ with others” presented in November during the 2018 Youth Evangelism Celebration in Alexandria. “We are investing in a nationwide youth speaker for churches to come and be part of a large evangelistic event that is absolutely free,” Manuel said. “While we are targeting students, this night is for everyone as we seek a great harvest of the lost.” Newton spoke at Student Night as part of ECON 2017, held at Temple Baptist Church, Ruston, when dozens of students came forward at the invitation. By the time the service ended 34 … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS – Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans celebrated a new chapter in ministry Dec. 9 when congregants gathered for the first worship service in their new home, six miles from where they had ministered for 21 years. “It’s the talk of the town,” Pastor Fred Luter told the Baptist Message. “The New Orleans East area is excited about us being here and we are excited as well. It is one of the most populated areas of the city, and we are excited about doing all we can to revitalize the community. The excitement level was so high that we decided to have several weeks of special dedication services in December to celebrate all that God has done through this move.” The new $35 million facility includes a 3,500-seat worship center, a fellowship hall, offices, a kitchen, conference rooms, Sunday school rooms and youth and children’s areas. The property also has 1,200 parking spaces, a dramatic increase from the 25 spots available at its former location, 2515 Franklin Avenue. Averaging nearly 3,100 for morning services, the congregation formerly had to lease a nearby parking lot to accommodate worshippers’ cars on Sundays. “That first Sunday at our new location our … [Read more...]