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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Paul Chitwood elected unanimously as IMB president

By David Roach, Baptist Press ROCKVILLE, Va. (BP) -- About a decade ago, Paul Chitwood became convinced God was calling him to mobilize missions and missionaries, he told International Mission Board trustees. That call culminated today (Nov. 15), he said, with his election as president of the International Mission Board. "Being a member of this board for eight years changed my ministry and it changed my life, so much so that [my wife] Michelle and I questioned whether God had called us to overseas missions," Chitwood, who served as an IMB trustee from 2002-10 and chaired the board from 2008-10, said upon his election. "During that time on the board of wrestling with that call, it became clear that God's call upon our lives was to be mobilizers of the mission and of the missionaries. And what an incredible privilege it is to have that role. To be able to now see the culmination of that role by sharing in the work of the IMB and leading the IMB is overwhelming to us," Chitwood said. The IMB trustees elected Chitwood unanimously as the entity's 13th president during a 20-minute executive session at the IMB's International Learning Center near Richmond, Va. They also elected IMB interim president Clyde … [Read more...]

Louisiana College thankful for growing donor base

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE (LCNews) -- The Board of Visitors membership is growing. Individual donations are on the rise in volume and amount. And in general, Louisiana College’s donor base is growing. “As the turnaround at Louisiana College continues since 2015, alumni, donors, and friends are getting on board -- and some back on board -- with the new direction on the Hill in Pineville,” said LC President Dr. Rick Brewer. “We appreciate the return of so many prayer partners and financial supporters.” The College recently received a substantial gift from the Cason Foundation, and within two weeks, the Foundation doubled the gift, Brewer said. “Words fall short in expressing how grateful we are for the open-handed generosity of Edgar and Flo Cason.” “We’ve heard about the good things happening at Louisiana College,” Flo Cason said. “And when we met with Rick and Cathy, Edgar and I were convinced that LC is in the very best of hands.” Edgar Cason told LCNews: “Our consideration for Louisiana College is two-fold: We fully endorse the College’s Vision for Preparing Graduates and Transforming Lives as we wholeheartedly support the leadership of President Rick Brewer and his Leadership Team.” Though such … [Read more...]

Man shot attending during double funeral at First Baptist Crowley

By Message Staff CROWLEY – A man was left in serious condition after he was shot while attending a funeral at the First Baptist Church in Crowley Saturday, Nov. 10. According to Cullen Clark, pastor of First Baptist Crowley, the incident took place ‪around 11 a.m.‬ outside the church, which was being used for a funeral for a son and his mother. Pentecostal Bishop Aaron Wilson was leading the funeral of 26-year-old Brydon Gray and his mother when shots rang out, causing panic among the nearly 300 in attendance. Gray was fatally shot at his home in Crowley October 28, and his mother passed away from natural causes a few days later, according KATC TV. Crowley police Chief Jimmy Broussard said a male victim was exiting the church during the procession when multiple shots were fired before the suspects fled the scene. The male victim was taken to the hospital after being shot three times. He remains in serious condition. The shooters are still at large In addition to the injuries to the victim at the funeral, multiple vehicles were hit with bullets, including one belonging to Wilson. Clark told the Baptist Message his church will look for ways in the days ahead to minister to its community. “We are not going to become insular … [Read more...]