By Message Staff Three Louisiana Baptist associations previously under one director of missions have reorganized under a new structure of leadership. With the May 31 retirement of Alan Knuckles, who served as director of missions for the associations, the Louisiana Baptist Association called Jacob Crawford as its leader and Mt. Olive Baptist Association asked Wayne Jenkins to serve in an interim capacity. Acadia Baptist Association is searching for its director of missions. CRAWFORD DOUBLES UP Crawford will remain as pastor of Life Point Community Church in Mansura, a church he began in 2007. Life Point has since planted locations in Bunkie, Cottonport, Plaucheville and Simmesport. The church, which averages 160 people for Sunday morning worship and baptized 70 individuals in 2016. Additionally, the church also hosts the Mansura Care and Hope Center. A graduate of Louisiana College and Liberty University, Crawford said he is excited about how God will continue to use his association’s churches as they try to reap a great harvest of souls. “I see God doing an amazing thing in our association,” said Crawford, who was voted in as director of missions May 22. “There is so much potential here and God has blessed us … [Read more...]

By Message Staff MANSFIELD – A detour to get home at first seemed like an inconvenience for Thumper Miller, but looking back on the incident, he said God divine intervention probably saved his life during a powerful storm Sunday, May 28. Miller, who is pastor of First Baptist Church in Mansfield, had just finished attending the church’s annual crawfish boil Sunday evening and was headed home when he noticed a number of downed trees and power lines blocking the road leading to his house. Thus, Miller was forced to take a 15-minute detour to reach his destination. Once he arrived, Miller and his wife, Tracy, discovered a fallen tree on their house – which he said could have come down on the structure with him inside had it not been for God’s intervening and delaying his arrival. “There were neighbors standing in the street taking pictures of the tree on our house because they heard the crash from their homes,” said Miller, secretary-treasurer for the Louisiana Baptists 2016 Pastors Conference. “We believe God caused us to take that detour which in turn kept us from being inside our home when the tree fell.” Mansfield was one of many communities affected when violent storms rolled through parts of north and central … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Twenty-six Louisiana Baptist churches are just two months away from hosting an international mission trip in their home state. Around 50 South Korean children are expected to participate in the ninth annual Camp USA, a two-week midsummer adventure for elementary and middle school students. They will spend July 14-23 in central Louisiana and the remainder of their time in Ponchatoula. A partnership of REACH Missions and the Korean Baptist Church Development Board, the camp involves 25 churches in Big Creek, Central Louisiana and North Rapides Baptist Associations, along with First Baptist Church in Ponchatoula. UNIQUE EXPERIENCE The children will participate in Vacation Bible School, games, English classes and other activities at CENLA area churches and the Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth. After a week in central Louisiana, the campers will depart for southeast Louisiana where the South Koreans will enjoy recreational activities and excursions and take part in a music camp at First Baptist Ponchatoula with children of the church. The week will conclude with a musical performance July 30, 6:30 p.m., in the First Baptist Ponchatoula worship … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary communications NEW ORLEANS – Standing in front of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s Leavell Chapel on graduation day, Tara Garcia looked back with fondness on her undergraduate experience. But unlike the graduates lined up beside her, Garcia earned her degree inside prison walls. Garcia completed every class except one prior to her release in January from the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women in St. Gabriel. “I don’t think you grasp how many lives are changed because of what you have done,” Garcia said she tells her NOBTS professors. “Prison, for me, outside of accepting Christ as my Savior, is probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” Last year’s graduating class of 13 marked the first conferral of degrees by NOBTS’ extension center at the women’s prison. Soon after, the extensive flooding in Louisiana in August 2016 forced the evacuation of residents to various facilities across the state. The extenuating circumstances prompted Garcia to ask for a six-month early release, which was denied. In chapel the following Sunday, Garcia faced a moment of truth. “I asked myself, ‘Who am I doing this for?’” Garcia said regarding her … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary communications NEW ORLEANS – God’s holiness, sovereignty and glory were underscored to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary graduates for their new chapters in ministry by President Chuck Kelley during commencement May 13. “You are to so live your lives that those who see you will give glory to God because of the way you are living,” Kelley exhorted the seminary’s 144 graduates. Focusing on God’s nature with a walk through Scripture, Kelley began with John 1 and Isaiah 6 to show God’s holiness; Psalm 139 to demonstrate God’s sovereignty; and Revelation 5 to remind that glory belongs to Christ. Kelley concluded by encouraging graduates to let Scripture animate their lives and ministries, saying, “Leave with His Word in your heart, in your mind, and coming out of your mouth.” SPECIAL HONOR Steve Lemke was recognized for his 20 years of service in his final graduation as provost, receiving a standing ovation. He will transition to the role of vice president for institutional assessment Aug. 1 and was named provost emeritus. “I pray regularly for you,” Lemke told the graduates. “I pray that God will enable you to be strong and powerful in your … [Read more...]