By Will Hall & Brian Blackwell ALEXANDRIA – Messengers received a number of entity and ministry reports during the 2016 Louisiana Baptist Convention 2016 annual meeting, including highlights regarding extensive disaster relief efforts in response to two historic floods, and, a progress report on the 2020 Commission goals pertaining to church planting. DISASTER RELIEF In March, more than 3 feet of rain fell in 48 hours in some areas of the state, concentrating in northern parishes, affecting more than 18,000 homes and 14 Louisiana Baptist churches. Importantly, an estimated 85 percent of the state’s trained disaster relief personnel were impacted during this time, according to disaster relief leaders, yet they responded to the many needs of others. Then in August, the state’s southern parishes unexpectedly received 31 inches over a two-day period in some areas. More than 155,000 homes and 72 Louisiana Baptist churches were damaged. “Just like in all the other times of disaster, Dr. Gibbie McMillan and our disaster relief volunteers swung into action for the second time in five months,” said John Hebert, missions and ministry director for Louisiana Baptists. “Like super heroes in yellow shirts but without capes … [Read more...]

During the Pastors' Conference, Louisiana College enlivened the proceedings by recognizing excellence in the pastorate, within groupings of worship attendance up to 100, 500 and more than 500. The winners were, respectively, Cedric Murphy, pastor of Providence No. 1 Baptist Church, Ethel; Steve Armstrong, pastor of Westside Community Church, Addis; and, Brad Jurkovich, pastor of First Baptist Church, Bossier City. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BALL – Pastors, their wives and other members of Louisiana Baptist churches traveled to Kingsville Baptist Church in Ball, Nov. 13-14, to be reminded of and revitalized in their love of Christ and His Gospel. MERRITT James Merritt’s message at the 2016 Louisiana Baptist Pastors’ Conference was simple yet profound – the Gospel is a big deal. “The Gospel is the only message that has the power just like that to take a person from sin to salvation, from hell to Heaven, from darkness to light,” said Merritt, pastor of Cross Pointe Church, Duluth, Ga. “If the Gospel is not true, nothing else really matters. But if the Gospel is true, it is the only thing that matters.” Preaching from 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Merritt said pastors must prioritize, recognize and emphasize the message, meaning and might of the Gospel. “The message of our church is not determined by our mission,” he said. “Our mission is determined by our message, and that message is the Gospel.” ALLEN David Allen told pastors that while it is wonderful to know the facts about God, it is much better to actually know God personally through Christ. Allen said God has revealed seven wonders of His Son, found … [Read more...]