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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

NOBTS celebrates more than 250 fall graduates

By Timothy Cockes, NOBTS public relations NEW ORLEANS (NOBTS) - New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College celebrated more than 250 graduates during its fall commencement ceremonies, Dec. 12.  Jamie Dew, president of NOBTS and Leavell College, began the ceremonies by reminding graduates of the unique nature of the seminary’s work as evidenced by the service itself.  “Today we open the Scriptures, and that in itself is different from most graduation ceremonies around the country,” Dew said.   “This is a worship service in which we will also confer degrees because this institution is very different from all other kinds of institutions in higher education. We don’t exist to do education for its own sake. By our very nature, we have a very niche focus; we train men and women for Gospel ministry. Everything that we do is about that.”  Dew congratulated the 271 graduates receiving degrees and certifications.   “Graduates, we are incredibly proud of you,” Dew said. “You’ve studied hard, worked diligently and given yourself to your assignments.   “You did all of this work ultimately because the Lord called you. He called you not just to get a degree. A degree is a means to an end, and that end is to serve Jesus … [Read more...]

YEC 2025: 571 students say ‘Yes’ to Jesus

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Organizers and participants of the 2025 Youth Evangelism Celebration praised God for the 571 students who made decisions for Christ, Nov. 23-24, in the Laborde Earles Coliseum in Alexandria. They also were grateful to Him for the more than 5,300 teens and adult sponsors who attended YEC (the largest annual gathering of Louisiana Baptists). “I’m always amazed at how many people come together to make this annual event happen,” Louisiana Baptist Youth Ministry Strategist Lee Myers told the Baptist Message after the conclusion of YEC. “It truly is a cooperative effort, from LBC staff, production teams and an army of volunteers, who all play a part. But the biggest impact comes from our youth leaders and local churches who make sure this weekend becomes a reality. Louisiana is blessed with incredible adults who love students, support student ministry and help create moments where teenagers can encounter Christ.” BE CHANGED Anthony Vargas, student pastor at Together We Church, a Southern Baptist congregation in Yukon, Oklahoma, told students to admit their need for change and to cry out to Jesus for mercy. Referencing Luke 18, Vargas said Jesus … [Read more...]

Ashland Baptist Church deacon, treasurer arrested in connection with missing funds

By Baptist Message staff ASHLAND, La. (LBM) - A deacon and treasurer from Ashland Baptist Church have been arrested for alleged theft of more than $156,000 from the church. According to a news release from the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, an investigation began in February when members of the church contacted the sheriff’s office asking for an investigation into discrepancies and alleged missing funds. Deputies then completed an initial offense report and turned the case over to the Criminal Investigations Bureau of the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office for further investigation. Detectives worked over the next few months with church and bank officials, conducted interviews, executed search warrants and reviewed financial records and audits. They identified that deacon Troy R. Wamsley, and his wife, church treasurer Mandy L. Wamsley, both of Chestnut, allegedly wrote and cashed more than 100 unauthorized checks made payable to cash. They also discovered the couple allegedly admitted to taking the funds during a meeting with church officials and requested an opportunity to repay the money. After getting enough evidence and probable cause, detectives obtained arrest warrants signed by a 10th Judicial District … [Read more...]

McCurry returning ‘home’ to NSU BCM

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NATCHITOCHES, La. (LBM) – Austin McCurry, director of the Louisiana State University of Alexandria Baptist Collegiate Ministry, has been named to the same role with the Northwestern State University. McCurry, who will start on April 1, is a former member of the NSU BCM and follows Bill Collins, who is retiring March 31 after 36 years of faithful service to students on the campus. “My time at the NSU BCM changed the course of my life,” McCurry told the Baptist Message. “I wouldn’t be the follower of Jesus, husband, father and campus minister I am without Brother Bill and (his wife) Mrs. Phyllis, along with their faithful work through the NSU BCM. “I’m excited to serve at a university that I love in a city that I love,” he continued. “It’s going to be special for my daughter to grow up around a ministry where her parents and her grandparents met. It’s an honor to shepherd a ministry with the legacy of the NSU BCM.” McCurry first became involved with the NSU BCM during his sophomore year (August 2013) and a year later joined the leadership team while Collins was director. After graduating from NSU, McCurry remained at the BCM as an intern until May 2018, when he left to … [Read more...]

ABC celebrates 50 years of drawing campers to Christ

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer EUNICE, La. (LBM) – David Guillot came to Acadian Baptist Center in the summer of 1977 just hoping to have a fun time, but he also gained a personal relationship with Jesus, he said. Now a physician and member of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, Guillot still recalls the eternal impact the camp made on him. “I believe that a believer in Christ’s spiritual eternity begins at the moment of salvation,” Guillot told the Baptist Message. “And for years when I shared my testimony I’ve said, ‘As an eight-year-old boy I asked Christ to be my Savior at ABC in Eunice.’ So, Acadian Baptist Center is very special to me.” Guillot was among many who reminisced about the life-changing impact Acadian Baptist Center had on them during ABC’s 50th year anniversary celebration, Nov. 9. Held on the grounds of the Eunice camp, the event featured music led by a band of former ABC staffers, testimonies and a challenge by Oren Conner, former staffer and now pastor, Greenwell Springs Baptist Church. There also was a groundbreaking ceremony for the James and Diana Robinson worship center in appreciation of the couple’s stellar commitment to the camp. James is an alum of ABC and his dad, … [Read more...]

Sixty years of ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’

By Kelly Boggs, special to the Baptist Message DALLAS (LBM) -- “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” the beloved animated television program, turns sixty this year, and it is hard to imagine that it almost did not air. Network executives thought it moved too slowly for a Christmas special. They also were convinced that the absence of a laugh track, a staple of 1960-era comedies, would be the kiss of death. To further complicate matters, the man behind the cast of animated characters insisted upon using real kids for the voiceovers, and as a result, only a couple of the children who were cast had any acting experience. However, what most concerned the executives at CBS was the religious content. The climax of the 30-minute program focused on a main character quoting Scripture, and the executive producer insisted that the Bible could not be read on network television. But the creator of what has become a Christmas classic staunchly refused to edit or otherwise water down the content. Despite network executives’ concerns, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” made its television debut on Thursday, Dec. 9, 1965. The result: More than 15 million homes tuned in and it captured nearly half of the possible audience. Indeed, the week it … [Read more...]

Sandy Wisdom-Martin announces retirement plans

By Julie Walters, WMU SBC communications (BIRMINGHAM, Ala.) – Dec. 10, 2025 – Sandy Wisdom-Martin, executive director-treasurer of WMU, SBC, announced today she will retire in January of 2027, which will mark 36 years of devoted ministry service. Wisdom-Martin has led WMU, SBC, since October 2016. She shared her intention to retire with the WMU, SBC general board — comprised of state WMU presidents and executive directors — during a called meeting and then with WMU, SBC staff. “After much prayer, reflection and conversation with my family, I am asking the WMU executive board to begin the search for a new executive director-treasurer as I will retire January of 2027,” said Wisdom-Martin shared. “Faithfulness in this season calls me to be present with my family in a way that cannot be sustained by the obligations of my current ministry role. “Our mission remains unchanged because it is rooted in God’s calling, not in one individual,” she continued. “God’s plan for this organization is bigger than any single person’s role. I have every confidence the Lord will guide and undergird WMU. His faithfulness does not change.” Wisdom-Martin voiced gratitude for national WMU staff and presented next steps. “I am proud of how … [Read more...]