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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Louisiana churches give special guests a night to remember at Tim Tebow event

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Hundreds of special needs individuals in the state were given a night to remember Feb. 9, courtesy of Tim Tebow and several Louisiana Baptist churches. Dressed in their formal attire, these special guests enjoyed a variety of activities to make them feel like kings and queens in God’s eyes at the fifth annual Night to Shine prom. Eastwood Baptist Church, Haughton, Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, Fellowship Church, Prairieville, and the First Baptist Church, Ruston – were among the 655 churches in 50 states and 11 countries that hosted the event, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. The former Heisman Trophy and NFL quarterback started the event five years ago for people who have special needs. From the beginning, the evening was magical for the guests, who were transported by limousine, trolley or classic car to a red carpet. Once there, they were greeted by an enthusiastic group of volunteers armed with cameras and cheers from the crowd. Guests received the royal treatment, including hair and makeup stations, shoe shining areas, corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, karaoke, prom favors and a dance floor. All of this led up to the moment when each guest was … [Read more...]

Gaines gives spiritual charge at First Mandeville

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MANDEVILLE – In a day when immorality is rampant, God has called men to step up and become spiritual warriors in the midst of the darkness, Steve Gaines said. “If the men of the church will be men of prayer, men of God, men who will lead and not let everyone else do it, we can have that revival that so many people out there are praying and pleading with God for us to have,” Gaines said during “The Charge” men’s conference, Feb. 8-9, at the First Baptist Church in Mandeville. “By faith, we’re going to have revival.” Citing Philippians 2:5-11, Gaines, pastor of the Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tennessee, and 2016-17 Southern Baptist Convention president, urged men to remember that Jesus was Lord before He came to the earth, and while He was on earth, and as He died on the cross -- and that He will be Lord when He returns. LIVE FOR JESUS Gaines said Christ transformed his life when he was a freshman at the University of Tennessee-Martin. In February 1976, he returned from a night of partying in Memphis, Tennessee, he said, when the Holy Spirit asked if this was a lifestyle he desired. “I can remember saying, ‘No. This is not what I want,’” he recalled. “Then I heard … [Read more...]

Hundreds seek God during Northwest Association annual prayer gathering

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SHREVEPORT – Nearly 600 members of the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association’s 118 churches closed out the month of January by coming together to seek God during the local fellowship’s fourth annual “Call to Prayer.” Much like the association’s other Calls to Prayer, Moore said the gathering, Jan. 27, brought together Christians of various ages and ethnicities to pray for law enforcement, the persecuted church, missionaries serving around the world, pastors and other church leaders. The 2019 event at Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport, was marked by prayer from the worship center stage, in small groups around the room, and by individuals even in the hallways outside, he described, adding that in the end, participants uniformly described a movement of the Holy Spirit in that place for revival were lifted up. REPENTENACE ESSENTIAL Shaun Armstrong urged others to come before God with broken hearts and turn from their sins. He said repentance is essential for salvation. “Repentance is not a one-time act that occurs at the moment of your salvation never to be repeated again, but rather repentance is a way of life for somebody who truly knows God through Jesus Christ,” said … [Read more...]

Robeline afire during recent Gospel revival

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ROBELINE – Evangelist Sam Moore originally planned to preach just 10 days at the revival he led for the First Baptist Church in Robeline. However, what began with a Disciple Now youth weekend retreat at church on Jan. 18 continued until Feb. 6, an additional nine days after the congregation extended the revival services two times. Church officials reported 50 people repented and committed to live for Christ and that 38 of the new converts were baptized during the services. Moore thanked God for sending the Holy Spirit to stir the people’s hearts. “The altars were full every night as the invitation was extended, and believers prayed for the lost and for themselves,” Moore said. “Many publicly declared they had experienced personal revival in their lives. This church has really been in a state of revival for several years now. This church is very serious and intentional about prayer and outreach. God blessed their efforts and faithfulness.” Brian Ray, pastor of First Baptist Robeline, said the extended revival was not about the pastor, congregation or who was on the schedule but was all about God’s presence in the services. “Every ounce of glory goes directly to Him,” Ray … [Read more...]