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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Bailey opens LA House session with prayer

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Opening the Louisiana House with prayer, May 11, Waylon Bailey, pastor with First Baptist Church, Covington, asked God to give guidance and wisdom to the legislators in the room. “Heavenly Father, we thank you that we can pray,” Bailey prayed. “We thank you for being able to take everything to you in prayer. “God, you know the needs we have as a community, as a state, as a nation, and God we recognize this nation, in our (American) Revolution, that many men and women called on you in prayer, seeking divine providence and the favor of God,” he continued. “And God, we come to you now knowing, with so many decisions to be made, with so many things that are hinging on what happens in this building, God, we ask your direction, your wisdom. You tell us, if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who gives liberally. You tell us that you desire to give your word and your direction. “So, I pray that the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts would be pleasing in your sight, and that you would guide and direct and bless each person here with your providence,” he said. “We pray this in the name of Jesus, amen.” Bailey told the Baptist Message “it was a … [Read more...]

LCU holds baccalaureate service, toast for seniors

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University held its first baccalaureate service, May 8, at First Baptist Church in Pineville for its graduating seniors - something President Mark Johnson said will become an important tradition moving forward. “This was a time of prayer and to show our thankfulness to God for the conclusion of this journey for these students,” Johnson said. “Commencement is a time for awards and congratulations. The baccalaureate is a time for honoring the Lord with praise.” Stewart Holloway, pastor with FBC Pineville, delivered a charge to the graduates. He encouraged the students to continue believing in God even though they may feel uncertainty in their future paths. “Graduation is a time of disorientation,” he said. “One day, you know exactly what you are. You have a routine, a schedule, and the very next day you don’t.” Reading from Ecclesiastes 3, he told the students their lives will be full of highs and lows and everything between, but that God is in control of all of it — even when the purpose may be unclear. “Behind every season of life stands the good purpose and plans of God,” Holloway said. “There will be moments you’ll feel at the top … [Read more...]