By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – When James Greer surrendered to the ministry 30 years ago, he had a dream to one day baptize 100 people in a year. That God-sized dream became reality on Dec. 13, 2015, when smiles, cheers and laughter were aplenty as Greer lowered Shelia Lowery – the 100th convert of the year—into the baptismal waters at Journey Church in Pineville. Before year’s end, 17 more new members were baptized. But the pastor believes 2015 was only a sign of even greater things to come for Journey Church in the central Louisiana community of 1,400 it serves. So far, the congregation has celebrated 20 baptisms toward its goal of 200 for 2016. “It’s way more about the people than the pastor,” Greer said. “We have the friendliest people this side of heaven. In fact, I love our church so much.” Changed lives have been the norm since Greer and his congregation at Lee Heights Family Church moved to the former site of Donahue Family Church in 2009 and changed the name to Journey Church. Since then, 368 new converts have been baptized and another 147 additional people have made professions of faith (515 spiritual commit ments in all). One of the church’s core values is “Growing People … [Read more...]

By Philip Timothy, Message Managing Editor BASTROP – A prompt by God proved to be the catalyst for a powerful movement by Him in this small northeast Louisiana town. Over a four-day period (Jan. 31-Feb. 3), the city-wide Morehouse Crusade, which took place at the Morehouse Activity Center just outside of Bastrop, drew more than 4,600 people, had 117 decisions, including 50 first-time salvations, 50 rededications and 10 who committed to serve in ministry. It was the culmination of eight months of planning, prayer and preparation. “We were very pleased with how everything went this week. It was so encouraging to see how so many pulled together to make this Crusade happen,” said Bodie Spicer, pastor of Faith Baptist Church and one of the crusade’s main organizers. “We have a lot of follow ups to do but just talking with everyone we all would like to make this an annual event. “God showed up and showed out,” said Spicer. “I believe this crusade was good for this community. As I told everyone in my closing prayer, it didn’t matter what denomination this person sitting next to you was, it was the fact we, as God’s people, were there for the same reason to worship God. It was evident God’s hand was all over this from start to … [Read more...]

By Message Staff SHREVEPORT – The 96-year-old steeple bells at First Baptist Church in Shreveport have seen their share of history, including renovations at their original structure and a move from downtown Shreveport to the current facility in the south side of town. In November 2015, the steeple bells experienced a renovation of their own. For three months, crews worked on improvements to the historic bells that were purchased from the McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore, Md., and donated by Mrs. EM Layne in memory of her husband, Robert Thompson Layne. Repairs and updates include new clappers, improved audio for hearing the bells in the worship center, and computerized control of the ringing of the bells with a Schulmerich Electronic system. The cost for the renovation was $68,615. The congregation gathered with others from the community and state to celebrate the steeple bell renovations during a special service on Jan. 24. “We have discovered that our restored steeple bells are a great outreach tool for our church,” said Glen Adkins, minister of music at First Baptist Shreveport. “People both in the church and outside the church tell us how much they enjoy hearing the hymns at noon each day, as well as the … [Read more...]

By Gary D Myers, NOBTS communications NEW ORLEANS – Southern Baptist collegiate ministry groups outside the South are as unique and diverse as regions in which they are located. Ministries in these emerging regions use a wide variety of strategies to accomplish their goal of raising up discipled believers who make disciples themselves. When the Emerging Regions State Collegiate Leaders working group met at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Jan. 19-23, the participants included 25 leaders from places like Alaska, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and even Canada. The leaders represented a wide range of approaches from campus-based to church-based college ministries – each with a unique context and a unique approach. Robert Turner, state director of collegiate ministry with the Baptist Resource Network of Pennsylvania/South Jersey, facilitated the meeting as the leaders shared ideas and looked for new ways accomplish their work. Mark Whitt, collegiate and young adult ministry specialist for LifeWay Church Resources provided additional leadership for the meeting. Despite the wide range of contextual differences represented, the leaders share a … [Read more...]

By Gary  D Myers, NOBTS communications NEW ORLEANS - Chuck Kelley issued an urgent call to personal evangelism and intentional discipleship when THE New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's president addressed the first chapel of the new semester. He also decried that Southern Baptists “are closer to losing the South than reaching North America” and called for greater emphasis on witnessing and disciple-making in North America. Kelley, speaking in Leavell Chapel Jan. 19, read Jesus' Great Commission from Matthew 28:18-20, calling it one of the most important passages of Scripture for Southern Baptists and for New Orleans Seminary. Missions and evangelistic zeal, flowing from the Great Commission, have been defining characteristics of the Southern Baptist Convention since its inception in 1845. When the SBC established the Baptist Bible Institute (now NOBTS) in 1917, the Great Commission was selected as the guiding verses for the new ministry training school. To this day, Kelley said, "Matt. 28:18-20" is prominently featured on New Orleans Seminary's official seal. In the passage, Jesus shares that He alone has been given authority over the church, Kelley said. Jesus then gives the church its assignment -- to go make … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message BASTROP -- A powerful movement of God is taking place. Two days into the city-wide Morehouse Crusade in Bastrop, there have already been 75 decisions, including 25 first time salvations, according to Bodie Spicer, pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Bastrop and one of the event’s organizers. The remaining 50 decisions have been re-dedications or those surrendering to the ministry. “The 75 decisions are what have come through our counseling office but we believe there have been more,” Spicer said. “We know others have made decisions as the Holy Spirit moves but this is what we have been able to record.” More than 2,650 people – 1,450 on the first night and another 1,200 Monday night -- have attended the first two days of the Crusade. Well-known evangelist Bill Britt, a native of Haughton, who has preached all over the world with his Compel Outreach International ministry, has stressed to the crowd nightly the need to get right with the Lord. “It’s not what people think, it is what God knows,” Britt said. “It is time to swallow your pride; take off your mask and confess your sins to the Lord. The big question is ‘If you died tonight, would you go to heaven? “If you are not sure, you … [Read more...]