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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Army base sees 1,459 salvations since March

By Josie Rabbitt Bingham FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (BP) - U. S. Army Chaplain (Capt.) Jose Rondon believes "there is nothing more exhilarating in life than seeing people come to Christ." Since arriving at Fort Leonard Wood, Rondon has experienced that exhilaration with more than 2,000 professions of faith -- something one could describe as a spiritual awakening. Originally from Venezuela, Rondon came to faith in Christ in the 1990s through the witness of an International Mission Board missionary. Later, he immigrated to South Carolina, where he attended a Southern Baptist college – North Greenville University – and then worked on master’s and doctoral degrees at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He became a United States Citizen in 2010 and later joined the military as a U.S. Army Chaplain. He began serving as a chaplain at Fort Leonard Wood earlier this year. He summarizes his part in the ‘spiritual awakening’ with one word: intentionality. “To be intentional is to be faithful to Christ and obedient to His Great Commission,” he said. “But we will not succeed in making disciples until the lost make the first step to follow Christ as their Savior. To be intentional not only means to preach Christ’s Word in … [Read more...]

Tomorrow’s Hope’s first night yields 63 decisions

By Message Staff JENA – Evangelist Rick Gage urged hundreds of people attending the opening night of the Tomorrow’s Hope GO TELL Crusade to consider turning to Christ before the opportunity passes. “You don’t know when your last chance to give your heart and life to Christ will pass you by,” Gage told a few hundred gathered inside Jena High School’s gymnasium Sunday, Sept. 23. “You’re not guaranteed that you will see tomorrow “There will be billions who will stand before Jesus on judgment day and they will be shocked when they hear Jesus say I never knew you,” Gage said. “Can you say tonight in confidence when this brief life ends you will go to heaven?” At the invitation, 63 came forward to declare Christ the Lord of their lives and several others sought prayer for family and friends who do not know Christ. Crusade leaders will connect with those persons who made a decision with the pastor of a local church for follow-up. Gage shared how Christ transformed his life that was destined for self-destruction to a future marked with the hope of Jesus. Soon after, Gage lost his desire to become a head football coach at a major program (Texas Tech), and surrendered his life to full-time evangelistic ministry. Since then, … [Read more...]

Whose approval do we seek?

By David Jeremiah EL CAJON, Calif. (BP) - Everyone is familiar with the pursuit of approval in American politics. Since the first political public opinion poll was used in Pennsylvania in 1824, the polling industry has become ingrained in American life -- and not just in politics. Celebrities are offered roles or opportunities based upon their likability as well. But it's not just politicians and celebrities who are willing to be liked at all costs. It's a human condition; we're all guilty of longing to be approved. And it begins at a young age. You may have heard about the little boy in the first-grade Sunday School class. The teacher was talking about all the animals God created and asked, "Billy, what's the name of the furry little animal with a bushy tail that scurries around collecting acorns?" Billy replied, "Well, I know the answer is supposed to be 'Jesus,' but it sounds like a squirrel to me!" He was in a Sunday School where he had learned that the answer to most questions was "Jesus," so he said what he thought the teacher wanted to hear, regardless of how silly it sounded. He was at the same crossroads we face many times in life: Do we seek the approval of man or do we speak and act with truthfulness and … [Read more...]