By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Kevin Ulmer, pastor with First Baptist Church, Ferriday, is the new evangelism strategist for Louisiana Baptist congregations. Ulmer, whose first day on the job was July 1, said he is excited to work with Louisiana Baptists toward one common goal in the state. “I can't think of a greater task to be carrying out than to encourage people to share the Gospel,” Ulmer told the Baptist Message. “I want to encourage them to not only have a sense of duty to evangelism, but to have a sense of desire for evangelism. “I think for the most part, most church members have a sense of duty to evangelize,” he continued. “But how can I instill in them a desire to evangelize, to share Jesus as much as they have desire to share about football. If we had a desire to share the Gospel like we do about sharing our own interests, I think we could change and transform this state for Christ.” A native of Laurel, Mississippi, Ulmer trusted in Christ while attending a fish fry at Victory Baptist Church in rural Jasper County, Mississippi, at age 17. Though he sensed a call to ministry soon afterward, he did not surrender to it because of a bashful temperament that he … [Read more...]

By Louisiana Baptist Foundation ALEXANDRIA, La. – The Louisiana Baptist Foundation, amid its 80th anniversary commemoration, recently celebrated Baptist Foundation Month to remind churches and individuals of the need to invest in the people, ministries and causes they love, according to LBF Executive Director Jeff Steed. Steed said Baptist Foundation Month, established in 1971 by the Louisiana Baptist entity, also was a reminder that the LBF can assist individuals in gift planning by setting up endowments, non-cash gifts (such as stocks, bonds and real estate), estate gifts, charitable gift annuities, donor-advised funds and other types of gifts that benefit the people and organizations they cherish now and in the future. “We are very honored to partner in ministry with donors and churches to advance the Kingdom,” he shared. Throughout the year, the LBF has celebrated its anniversary by adding $80 to each gift from donors to Louisiana Baptist churches and ministry made through the Foundation, as well as contributing $80 to each new account opened (one per church), while funds are available for both offers. Also, the foundation has posted monthly updates on its social media pages about its history and how God has … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - Toni McFadden, who chose to have an abortion as a teenager, shared with approximately 800 guests gathered at the CENLA Pregnancy Center’s Gift of Life banquet that Christ brought her on a path of healing and eventual restoration with her child’s father. The sixth annual event, Sept. 17, was held in the Randolph Riverfront Center. “If I could spare any woman from going through what I went through, it’s worth it for me to share because I want fewer stories like mine,” McFadden told the crowd. “I’m so thankful I have a beautiful ending only because of Jesus, but if I can spare women from having to go through that, this is why it’s worth it for me.” McFadden, who authored “Redeemed: My Journey After Abortion,” shared how her boyfriend broke up with her after the abortion, only to come to her and apologize nine years later. Soon after, the two married and now have four children. Even though she does not forget about her child who was aborted, she is grateful God has redeemed her through Christ. “We’ve been married for 16 years, and on our wedding day, we were able to honor our unborn baby,” she said. “We let our guests know that we were lighting … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13 CENTER POINT, La. (LBM) – Just four years ago, Hopewell Baptist Church was down to 15 in worship when Ricky Belgard felt led to accept God’s call to become pastor. Reluctant at first to leave his position as prayer minister with Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville, Belgard instead chose to put aside his security and join God in an adventure that eventually led to a prolonged season of revival and a drastic increase in worship attendance, decisions for Christ and baptisms. “I had told (PBC Pastor) Philip Robertson I’d be there with him ‘til I died,” Belgard told the Baptist Message. “You probably shouldn’t say that because God has a tendency to change your thinking and change your mind for you. We preached that first seriice, and the power of God just moved and fell in that place. What was meant to be just a few months turned into something that has continued and we continue to see God move.” PRAYER MOVEMENT Belgard, who became pastor in October 2020, preached for the first six months on prayer. Additionally, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – A field at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center was transformed into a bazooka battlefield for 23 individuals with special needs during the fourth annual Champions Camp, Sept. 6-8. The campers, accompanied by 30 “buddies” and staff, did their best to dodge nerf rockets that were fired from air launchers. Among those campers was Matthew Otto, a member of Christ’s Community Church, Denham Springs. “I really loved all of it,” Otto, who attended his first Champions Camp, told the Baptist Message. “I’m loving the chance to shoot the balls and I’m very excited about singing some Sesame Street songs later during the karaoke party. This weekend has been one of my favorite times of my life.” Jon Johnston, Christ’s Community Church, was a “buddy” to Otto. He enjoyed the chance to share Christ with him. “It's an opportunity for us to get guys like Matthew and whole bunch of other folks that wouldn't normally be able to go to a camp to experience this,” he said. “We can serve them and best of all tell them about Jesus while we have lots of fun.” The Louisiana Baptist summer camp for people with special needs matched participants with buddies who … [Read more...]