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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Is America anti-semitic?

By Michael Foust, Christian Examiner NEW YORK (Christian Examiner) – Would you have risked the lives of yourself and your family during World War II to hide Jews from the Nazis? Although a majority of Americans say they would, a third say they would not, according to a new Barna survey that coincides with the DVD and digital release of "Return To The Hiding Place." That film is based on a true story and recounts the heroic efforts of the college students and young adults who helped Corrie ten Boom, a Christian woman in Holland, hide Jews after Hitler invaded the Netherlands. Thirty-one percent of Americans said they would not while 69 percent said they would. To read the rest of the article, click here. … [Read more...]

Mexico trip proves no spring break for BCM students

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer MEXICO – Nearly 200 members of the LSU, New Orleans Metro and Southern University Baptist Collegiate Ministry took a trip south of the border over their spring break to give the gift of salvation to more than 60 people. During the March 23-30 evangelistic outreach, they witnessed a mighty movement of the Holy Spirit in a variety of ministry opportunities in which they participated, according to LSU BCM Director Steve Masters, including seeing five members of their own team put their trust in Jesus Christ. UNIFIED FOR SERVICE The team included 178 LSU, 11 New Orleans Metro (comprised of Loyola and Tulane University students) and five Southern University students, BCM staff, pastors and van drivers. Masters said the cooperation among the three BCMs with churches in the Baton Rouge area made for a memorable trip. “The Mexico mission trip was a great week of missions, ministry, sharing and connection,” Masters said. “The participating students slept on the floor, worked long hours, had to take cold showers, much of the time ate sandwiches for lunch each day, gave up time with their families and loved every minute of it.” Florida Boulevard Baptist Church, Istrouma Baptist … [Read more...]

Speakers challenge celebration attendees to embrace missions

By Holly Jo Linzay, Regional Reporter WOODWORTH – It’s time to embrace your own inner “Queen Esther” to fulfill God’s purposeful plan for your lives. This was the challenge participants at the Louisiana Baptist WMU Mission Celebration were encouraged to embrace by Sandy Wisdom-Martin, the event’s keynote speaker. “God’s best for us lies just beyond our comfort zone. God calls us to remember our past, but He does not want us to stay there. You have been made ‘queen’ for such a time as this,” Wisdom-Martin, executive director-treasurer of the Woman’s Missionary Union of the Southern Baptist Convention, told the attendees at the two-day conference. The celebration, which was the 118th, was held at the Georgia Barnette Conference Center at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center April 13-14. Courage, passion and humility are three traits needed to be like Queen Esther for “such a time as this,” Wisdom-Martin said in the afternoon session on Saturday. “What fear is holding your heart captive?” she asked, adding that God has a plan for everyone’s lives and we need to stand with courage. “The future requires boldness.” With boldness, Wisdom-Martin explained, God’s providence for everyone’s life can unfold. “There is … [Read more...]

Deer Creek Harvest Revival sparks long-awaited decision

Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer WINNSBORO – For three years, Zach Smith planted Gospel seeds in the life of his father-in-law, Frank Knox, with the hopes of seeing a great harvest. Smith’s persistence paid off in early April, when Knox, 46, accepted Christ as his Savior during a session of the Deer Creek Association Harvest Revival in Winnsboro. “My wife, Hailey, and I cried to God for his soul for so long, and to see him alive in Christ is so beautiful,” said Smith, youth minister at Temple Baptist Church in Winnsboro. “Glory be to God for what transpired during the revival and for what God has planned for him.” Knox was so passionate about his newfound faith that he made it known the following Sunday in his desire to join Temple Baptist and share his testimony through baptism. A week after joining the church, Knox was baptized April 15 by Smith. “I was blind my whole life and now my eyes have been wiped clean,” Knox said. “Having my son-in-law and my daughter not give up on me means so much. My plan now is to reach out to as many people as possible to let them know about Jesus.” Knox was one of five people to come forward and accept Christ during the Deer Creek Association Harvest Revival April 2-7 at … [Read more...]

Jeremy Shepherd viewpoint: I support J.D. Greear and here is why

By Jeremy Shepherd, Pastor Pineville Park Baptist Church, Pineville, LA I am proud and thankful to be a Louisiana Baptist. As the pastor of Pineville Park Baptist Church, I do not pastor one of the larger churches in our state. While this is true, I have been pleased to learn firsthand that every Louisiana Baptist can have a voice. I have been concerned with the amount of politicking that feels so pervasive in our state convention right now regarding the upcoming SBC presidential election. I have also felt that the Louisiana Baptist Message has been one-sided in its coverage concerning the candidates participating in this event. Others have expressed those same concerns. It has been my experience as a pastor that I much prefer an individual coming to me with an issue rather than speaking with everyone else first, so I sought to do the same. As Louisiana Baptists, we have the opportunity to address our concerns through the trustee system of our various state Baptist entities and to speak directly with the heads of those organizations. In the last week, I have had the opportunity to address these matters with the board of the Louisiana Baptist Message and Will Hall. Without exception, every board member has been … [Read more...]