By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer JENA (LBM)—Anthony Paul became a babe in Christ a mere three days after turning 14 years old, but he was not alone in becoming a part of the family of God. He was blessed to have his mother April join him in celebrating the transformation that had taken place in both their hearts. The mother and son joined four others for the special baptism service Aug. 12 at the First Mount Nebo Baptist Church in Jena. “There are no words to describe the joy I felt as I watched him get baptized and then I followed,” April Paul recalled. “This day was on the level of excitement that I felt when he was born, and that experience helped make real to me the concept of rebirth that we were declaring publicly to my family and friends.” Paul credited her son’s example of stepping forward in faith with her being obedient in being baptized. She told the Baptist Message she had accepted Christ a decade earlier but had not followed through with baptism because she did not fully comprehend its importance. “When I came out of the water, I was excited that I was following through with obedience that I had been putting off for 10 years,” Paul said. “I got past the discouragement Satan was trying to … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA (LBM) - More than 12,000 people, combined, turned out across the state to march for life on three separate weekends in January and February. According to information provided by Louisiana Right to Life, a crowd of 1,200 gathered in Baton Rouge; 5,600 assembled in Shreveport/Bossier and another 5,600 rallied in Alexandria/Pineville. “It was such blessings to witness more than 12,000 Louisiana citizens at our three Louisiana Life March events boldly proclaim that every life deserves a lifetime,” Louisiana Right to Life CENLA Coordinator Brian Gunter told the Baptist Message. “We will never stop marching until every life is protected by law and welcomed with love into our world. We pray that we will see soon the end to abortion and assistance for all mothers.” A large contingent led the procession with a “Louisiana Life March” banner. Others held up signs proclaiming “Unborn Lives Matter,” “Abortion Kills Babies” and “A True Feminist Would Fight For The Rights of Unborn Women.” Some held signs urging action by pro-lifers, such as “Be A Voice For the Voiceless” and “Stop Abortion Now.” The theme of the marches —held Jan. 20 in Baton Rouge, Jan. 27 in … [Read more...]

Gary Maroney, past president of the Louisiana Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists, presents the Lifetime Achievement Award in Vocational Evangelism posthumously to Mark Tullos. Accepting the award was (from left) Melodye Tullos Willie (daughter), Melinda Draper (daughter) and Matt Tullos, associate director of communications and stewardship for Louisiana Baptists (son). Mark Tullos, who passed away Oct. 24, 2017, served churches in Louisiana for 65 years as an evangelist, musician and music minister. Tullos also was executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. … [Read more...]

David Hanna, president of the Louisiana Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists, presents Joe Aulds with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Vocational Evangelism. Aulds has shared the Gospel in the 38 states and at 900 crusades and revivals. Before entering evangelism in 1990, Aulds was a pastor of churches in Marion, Shreveport and Winnsboro. Aulds and his wife, Donna, are members of Calvary Baptist Church, Ruston. … [Read more...]

By Jerry Love, Director of Planned Giving Thinking of giving to ministry in 2018? Appreciated assets – Even with the volatility in early February, markets are still at all-time highs.  Give stocks or mutual funds that have increased in value to benefit your church or ministry. Retirement assets – You can redirect retirement assets as part of your estate plans.  These plans are taxable when distributed to individuals, but tax-free to charitable organizations. Consider leaving your church or another ministry as the beneficiary of your retirement plan, and other assets to your heirs. IRA Rollover – Those who are 70 ½ and above can distribute IRA assets directly to a church or ministry.  There are other stipulations so contact the Louisiana Baptist Foundation for more information. Donor Advised Fund – Use a DAF to ‘bundle’ 2 years of deductions into one, if possible, to take advantage of itemizing your deductions.  Take the standard deduction following, using the DAF to make distributions to ministry. Again, contact the Foundation for more details. The Louisiana Baptist Foundation is an agency of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and supported by the Cooperative Program.  The Foundation assists people who want to give … [Read more...]

By Jerry Love, Director of Planned Giving By now most people know about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by congress in the latter days of 2017. However there may still be a lack of information, confusion or misinformation that needs to be addressed. The Louisiana Baptist Foundation assists individuals with gifts that support Baptist ministry which can impact the tax picture of the donor. We attempt to stay abreast of changes in the US tax code, particularly as it relates to charitable giving.  Here are some highlights: Business Tax Reform – Without going into the depths of corporate tax changes, the reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% down to 21% it is already adding to personal pocketbooks.  During January several companies, including Wal Mart, announced an increase in their base wages and other salaries.  Other companies such as Apple and AT&T have announced one time bonuses for employees to share their tax savings. In addition a number of corporations have announced expansion of their workforce with several announcing the return of overseas operations to US soil.  All these situations can be an encouragement to workers and allow them to give to ministry for the first time or increase the amount they … [Read more...]

Randy Harper, senior pastor of Bellaire Baptist Church, Bossier City, recently returned from a trip to China as an international Kung Fu world champion. Harper, an instructor at Bellaire Wushu Academy, Bossier City, traveled with three of his students to compete in the World Kung Fu Championships in Emeishan, China. according to a recent article in the Bossier Parish-Tribune. More than 3,900 competitors from more than 70 countries participated in the event. Harper won a gold medal in the master’s division. One of his students took home a silver and bronze medal and another captured two bronze medals. … [Read more...]

By Message Staff Louisiana Baptist churches looking for a unique missions opportunity should consider partnering with a missions organization in Wales. Through a partnership with Missional Links Wales, churches have a variety of options available to share the Gospel in a country where just 60,000 out of a population of 3 million profess to be evangelical, according to Rob Burns, founder and international director of the organization. Opportunities include a one-week vision trip, one week missions trip, internships for college students and an apprenticeship for seminary graduates and other adults. Burns shared more about the options during a recent presentation at the Baptist Building in Alexandria to pastors, Louisiana Baptist Convention missions and ministry strategists and Baptist Collegiate Ministers. “We’d love to talk to any American missional oriented church who would like long term partnership in Wales and who would like to get involved in investing inside the counties and across the nation of Wales,” Burns told the Baptist Message. “In Wales, currently 2 percent or less are evangelical. But there is an openness to Americans and the American culture. The Welsh people like Americans and they love to talk to … [Read more...]