Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

On earthquakes, hurricanes and other hard things in life

By Waylon Bailey Over the weekend, folks in Louisiana dealt with Hurricane Barry while folks in California are still jittery over the two recent earthquakes. Both of these strike fear and concern. The folks in Louisiana say, “At least you know when a hurricane is coming.” The folks in California are very aware their state has a major earthquake every 150 years or so. It’s now been over 160 years since the last one. How do we deal with natural disasters which are bad and many of the personal aspects of life which are even more hurtful? First, we have to recognize that life is hard. We constantly deal with pain and suffering. We ask if God really is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28), and we question how we can count it all joy when we face various trials (James 1:2-4). Second, we have to recognize that we live in a broken world. Our sin has affected not just our lives but the whole creation. Paul stated it so powerfully, “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God; for the creation was subjected to futility . . . because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God. We know that the whole … [Read more...]

AWANA a revival for Verda

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MONTGOMERY, La. (LBM) -- Verda Baptist Church had struggled to reach the next generation before Braden Martin arrived as pastor in November 2017. He led them to pray first, and in 2018 the congregation of 80 felt led to start an AWANA club (evangelism and discipleship for children) that has drawn nearly 50 kids every Wednesday evening, since inception, and also sparked a revival within the body of members. “When I got here, Verda had virtually no youth or kids program outside of Vacation Bible School, which was shocking since we are within steps of the school and have numerous school board employees, including the previous and new Grant Parish superintendent,” Martin told the Baptist Message. “What once was Wednesday night prayer meetings consisting of me, my wife, our baby girl and a handful of others has turned into an average of 47 kids and 18-20 members who help out every Wednesday night while a few of us gather in the sanctuary for prayer. “Having this many members each week come in and get to work is just amazing to see,” he continued. “We are all so busy, we all work hard during the week, sometimes we are just burned out and still they come. That’s the rise or fall of any … [Read more...]

LC to host PreTeen Invasion

PINEVILLE (LBM) – Louisiana College will welcome more than 800 fourth through sixth graders, Aug. 24, for a day of games, worship and Gospel opportunities at PreTeen Invasion. The annual evangelism conference for this age group will feature messages by Keith Badgett, children’s pastor at the First Baptist Church in Jenks, Oklahoma, and music by The Crowe Brothers from Franklinton. This year’s theme is “GO,” based on Matthew 28:19. David Anderson, children’s ministry strategist for Louisiana Baptists, told the Baptist Message that PreTeen Invasion has become the “go-to event” to celebrate the start of another school year. “This is the 9th year for PreTeen Invasion and it is always a great day,” Anderson said. “We see young people from across our state make decisions for Christ and others go away challenged to take the Gospel to their neighborhoods. This year we will be very intentional about what it means to go. This has become a great way to kick off an amazing year in preteen ministry in our local churches.” Registration is underway: The $35 per person fee includes a t-shirt if postmarked by July 19, but not after this date. Check-in will begin at 8 a.m., with the event starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m. More … [Read more...]