By Louisiana Right to Life A trailer has been released for "I Lived on Parker Avenue,” a new documentary that follows the dramatic cross-country reunion between then LSU student David Scotton and his birth-parents Melissa and Brian, who haven't seen him since the day he was born. In less than a week, more than 65,000 people viewed the trailer on Facebook and on the film’s website, www.ILivedOnParkerAve.com. “This film already has gained a lot of traction," said New Orleans-based director Philip Braun. "Early screening viewers have reacted powerfully to this very human story of a son who searches for his roots and his birth-parents who have wondered for 20 years whether their son has rejected them for decisions they made before he was born. The depth of Melissa's raw maternal emotions has especially affected audiences." "I Lived on Parker Avenue” details the story of David Scotton who was born in Indiana and placed with his adoptive family in Metairie, Louisiana, in 1993. David attended Jesuit High School and is now a law student at LSU. Braun worked with Joie de Vivre Media, a New Orleans-based media organization, to film David's journey, which turned into a 30-minute short documentary. The trailer is available online … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA/PINEVILLE – The summertime humidity of central Louisiana gave way to the Gospel message during a recent backyard Bible club at Alexandria’s City Park. One of many teams participating in ministry efforts in the area through Fuge missions camp, the group of 15 middle and high school students from Louisiana and other states spent four days going door to door to invite neighborhood children to an afternoon of games, face painting and learning more about Christ. Those 15 were among the 630 middle and high school students from seven states who came to Louisiana College for two Fuge camps, July 5-9 and 10-14. By the time they left, 35 had professed faith in Christ for the first time; 27 of them were Fuge campers. The remaining eight were among those to whom campers ministered. Using LC as a base, the students gathered for worship and Bible study every morning and then dispersed in small groups to neighborhoods, churches and other local ministries, where they held back yard Bible clubs, worked in a community vegetable garden, sorted donated clothing, served food to the homeless, and more. “We were pleased to partner with LifeWay Christian Resources in hosting the Fuge … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ST. GABRIEL – The newest campus of Celebration Church, located in St. Gabriel, celebrated its grand opening in style June 11, witnessing the baptism of three new believers, all part of a special “All In” weekend across the nine campuses of the combined congregation that spans Baton Rouge, New Orleans and the Northshore area. Held June 10-11, the weekend saw 137 people participate in believer’s baptism -- some scheduled already, and others taking place in response to the sermons presented that day. The event was promoted heavily by Dennis Watson, pastor of the Metairie campus, and the campus pastors on his staff. Leading up to the baptism weekend, Watson and other pastors led a sermon series on baptisms and reached out to the multisite congregation and the community about the biblical basis for baptism through social media, Life Groups, worship service announcements and e-mail blasts. ST. GABRIEL A crowd of 109 cheered as each of the three St. Gabriel converts declared their faith in Christ and were submerged in a portable baptistery. Tiffany Gomez was among the first that day. She told the Baptist Message that her decision to be baptized was the culmination of a journey … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Frances Clark stands amazed at one of God’s miracles. A Scott Brame Middle School lead teacher, in Alexandria, Clark witnessed first-hand God’s power and love May 10, during a school field day when 58 students accepted Christ. The nearly daylong celebration, sponsored by the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes club and attended by nearly 500 students, was filled with activities, with 25 volunteers from Philadelphia Baptist Church’s Horseshoe Drive campus cooking food, leading games and competitions, and helping students make crafts. Students also were offered opportunities to hear a brief Gospel presentation at a booth featuring Harley Davidson motorcycles and at another station where colorful bracelets were made. ENDURING IMPACT Nearly two months later, Clark still marvels how God used members of PBC at Horseshoe Drive to bring about a harvest of young souls and sow seeds of spiritual change on campus. “God is up to something big,” Clark said. “I hope we can continue this strong bond between the church and school. “For the future of Brame, I can see how, possibly, revival could break out -- because the Lord can use these young people,” she added. … [Read more...]