By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - Nelda Seal, former director of the Louisiana Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union, passed April 28. She was 91. “Ms. Nelda was a Missional force in the state of Louisiana that was felt beyond our borders,” Louisiana Baptist Missions and Ministry Team Director James Jenkins told the Baptist Message. “I believe she will be remembered among those who were just below Georgia Barnette in women missions and ministry. I was personally influenced and enjoyed my time of working with her to make Christ known in our state.” Louisiana Baptist Women’s Missions and Ministry Strategist Christine Gill echoed the thought. “We mourn the passing of Nelda Seal, a strong WMU leader and devoted champion of missions,” she said. “Her legacy of faith, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the Great Commission will continue to inspire all who follow in her footsteps.” Seal served as the state WMU director from November 1986-June 1995. She also was interim director of the state WMU from August 1998-June 2001. Arrangements are pending. … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff TIOGA, La. (LBM) – Friends, family and members of Tioga First Baptist Church gathered April 27 to honor long-time Pastor Tim Hisaw, who is retiring April 30. Born in Jackson, Miss., and spending his grade school years in Huntsville, Ala., Hisaw’s spiritual journey began in 1972, when he accepted Christ and was baptized at Whitesburg Baptist Church.  But it was during a move to Lafayette -- shortly before he began high school – he began pursuit his calling in ministry. Through the discipleship efforts of Lafayette pastors Perry Sanders and Mike Walker and other godly men and women, Hisaw eventually felt called to ministry while a freshman at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana-Lafayette). After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from USL and later a master’s degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Hisaw served as youth minister at Bayou View Baptist Church, Gulfport, Miss. (86-89), First Baptist Church, Mansfield (89-92), Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia (92-99), The Bayou Church, Lafayette (99-2001) and Tioga FBC on May 15, 2005. He later became pastor on Jan. 11, 2009. “During my time as pastor, the church has loved Jesus, my … [Read more...]