By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COVINGTON – Don Pucik, a former Louisiana Baptist pastor who moved out of state in 2002, has returned as association mission strategist for the Northshore Baptist Association. Pucik, who served as senior pastor of Wynne Baptist Church in Wynne, Arkansas since 2013, said he is excited about the opportunity to minister to pastors in a state where he once served. “For us it’s a homecoming,” Pucik said. “Two of our six kids were born here and the rest of them grew up here. We have always loved Louisiana, particularly south Louisiana’s culture. We’ve always loved the celebrated spirit of Louisiana life. We are really delighted to be back and we are looking forward to the future.” CALLED TO SERVE Pucik was raised in a family that practiced Roman Catholicism, but he turned from God and religion when he entered high school, he told the Baptist Message. However, before his senior year he found Christ during a worship service at a Baptist church in Dayton, Ohio. “In high school, I stepped back away from all things church, God and religion,” he said. “The world for me became a very dark place. I met some genuine Christians who invited me to church and it was there in a storefront … [Read more...]
Don’t be a sore loser
By David Jeremiah EL CAJON, Calif. (BP) -- In the movie "On the Waterfront," Terry Malloy was a dockworker who had been a promising young prizefighter until a mob-connected union boss instructed him to deliberately lose a fight he could have won. Later Terry found his own life in danger and was in anguish about having thrown the fight. "You don't understand," he said to his brother. "I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am." In throwing the fight, Terry had thrown away his career, his future and, most of all, his self-respect. The late W.A. Criswell once preached a sermon on Demas. In Colossians 4:14 and Philemon 1:24, Criswell pointed out, Demas was working alongside the apostle Paul in Rome. But years later Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:10 that "Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world." Demas could have been somebody. But he wasn't willing to let loose of the world. 'Remember Lot's wife’ The Bible has many stories of men and women who could have been somebody. Instead they became half hearted followers, half-committed disciples, people who started down the road but looked back. They weren't willing to choose the right … [Read more...]
Louisiana churches give special guests a night to remember at Tim Tebow event
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Hundreds of special needs individuals in the state were given a night to remember Feb. 9, courtesy of Tim Tebow and several Louisiana Baptist churches. Dressed in their formal attire, these special guests enjoyed a variety of activities to make them feel like kings and queens in God’s eyes at the fifth annual Night to Shine prom. Eastwood Baptist Church, Haughton, Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, Fellowship Church, Prairieville, and the First Baptist Church, Ruston – were among the 655 churches in 50 states and 11 countries that hosted the event, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. The former Heisman Trophy and NFL quarterback started the event five years ago for people who have special needs. From the beginning, the evening was magical for the guests, who were transported by limousine, trolley or classic car to a red carpet. Once there, they were greeted by an enthusiastic group of volunteers armed with cameras and cheers from the crowd. Guests received the royal treatment, including hair and makeup stations, shoe shining areas, corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, karaoke, prom favors and a dance floor. All of this led up to the moment when each guest was … [Read more...]
Hundreds seek God during Northwest Association annual prayer gathering
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SHREVEPORT – Nearly 600 members of the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association’s 118 churches closed out the month of January by coming together to seek God during the local fellowship’s fourth annual “Call to Prayer.” Much like the association’s other Calls to Prayer, Moore said the gathering, Jan. 27, brought together Christians of various ages and ethnicities to pray for law enforcement, the persecuted church, missionaries serving around the world, pastors and other church leaders. The 2019 event at Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport, was marked by prayer from the worship center stage, in small groups around the room, and by individuals even in the hallways outside, he described, adding that in the end, participants uniformly described a movement of the Holy Spirit in that place for revival were lifted up. REPENTENACE ESSENTIAL Shaun Armstrong urged others to come before God with broken hearts and turn from their sins. He said repentance is essential for salvation. “Repentance is not a one-time act that occurs at the moment of your salvation never to be repeated again, but rather repentance is a way of life for somebody who truly knows God through Jesus Christ,” said … [Read more...]
SBC bylaws workgroup releases sexual abuse response
Pregnancy Center expanding into Avoyelles Parish April 9
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MARKSVILLE – The effort to protect more unborn babies just got a shot in the arm with the announcement that Avoyelles Parish will soon have a pregnancy center of its own April 9. The 600-sq.-ft. facility, located at 115 Ferdinand Street in Marksville, will be the first of its kind in Avoyelles Parish. The center, which will be a satellite of the Cenla Pregnancy Center in Alexandria, will operate Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will offer pregnancy decision coaching by trained advocates, free pregnancy tests, information about pregnancy options, maternity and physical resources and post-decision support including parenting education and post-abortive healing. Center leaders hope to purchase an ultrasound machine once they can raise the necessary funds. Heidi Peavy, who has worked as office manager at the Cenla Pregnancy Center since it opened in December 2017, will be at the helm when the center opens. “Many of the women think they have no other option other than abortion, and we are here to make sure they know that there is another option other than abortion,” Peavy said. “We have gotten a sense the community is open and supportive of a pregnancy center … [Read more...]
SBTS’ Greenway to lead SWBTS
By Will Hall, Message Editor FORT WORTH, Texas (LBM)--Adam W. Greenway, dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Ministry at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has been unanimously selected by the search committee of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as their presidential nominee. A SWBTS press release noted that Greenway, 41, has served in many denominational leadership roles, including vice chairman of the Southern Baptist Convention Evangelism Task Force (2018), president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention (2011-2012), trustee and board chairman for LifeWay Christian Resources (2005-2015), and current chairman of the SBC Committee on Order of Business. Greenway also was credited with leading the SBTS Billy Graham School since 2013 to become the largest graduate school at any SBC seminary. As dean he has led the school to grow from 1,381 students, including 501 Master of Divinity candidates, to 2,138 total students, with 994 enrolled in the master’s program. He is an SWBTS alumnus, having earned the Master of Divinity in 2002 before completing a doctorate in evangelism and apologetics at SBTS in 2007. SBTS’ SBC INFLUENCE GROWS Greenway joins an extensive list of SBTS … [Read more...]
Robeline afire during recent Gospel revival
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ROBELINE – Evangelist Sam Moore originally planned to preach just 10 days at the revival he led for the First Baptist Church in Robeline. However, what began with a Disciple Now youth weekend retreat at church on Jan. 18 continued until Feb. 6, an additional nine days after the congregation extended the revival services two times. Church officials reported 50 people repented and committed to live for Christ and that 38 of the new converts were baptized during the services. Moore thanked God for sending the Holy Spirit to stir the people’s hearts. “The altars were full every night as the invitation was extended, and believers prayed for the lost and for themselves,” Moore said. “Many publicly declared they had experienced personal revival in their lives. This church has really been in a state of revival for several years now. This church is very serious and intentional about prayer and outreach. God blessed their efforts and faithfulness.” Brian Ray, pastor of First Baptist Robeline, said the extended revival was not about the pastor, congregation or who was on the schedule but was all about God’s presence in the services. “Every ounce of glory goes directly to Him,” Ray … [Read more...]
Finish your race well
By Jeff Ginn A good start doesn’t guarantee a good finish. I learned that lesson by running distance events in high school. The runners that sprinted the first couple of hundred yards and gained an early lead were not necessarily (nor even likely) to be the ones that finished the race well. This is illustrated well by a couple of world-class milers. The first man ever to run the mile in less than four minutes was Roger Bannister. He did so in 1954. Later that same year, a second runner accomplished the same feat and set a new world record. His name was John Landy. Soon enough those two runners met in a long-awaited duel. It was dubbed the “Miracle Mile.” 100 million people listened via radio to see who would win their match. At the gun, Landy had a strong start. In fact, he led the race until the final curve. Because of the way the sun was set in the sky, he could clearly see his shadow and Bannister’s shadow on the track. He estimated that he was some 10 to 15 yards in the lead. To confirm this, he turned his head to gauge Bannister's position. Bannister took that opportunity to pass him on his blind side. In doing so, he edged out a victory over Landy. A sculpture of the race-deciding moment stands today near the … [Read more...]
Louisiana grocer’s ‘Gospel ad’ draws national response
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA (LBM) -- Critics from across the country chimed in via the internet recently to target Reggy McDaniel, owner of Mac’s Fresh Market stores with locations in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, because of a Christian-based message he published in his grocery chain’s weekly mailer. McDaniel, a member of Kelly Baptist Church in Kelly, said he did not intend to cause a political controversy, but simply wanted to use a current topic to shine the light of Christ in a spiritually dark world. The ad, mailed out in early February, contained the message: “Heaven has a wall, a gate and a strict immigration policy. Hell has open borders. Let that sink in.” After the ad was published, state and national newspapers, television stations and blogs issued reports on the response from customers and other people. The criticism on the company’s Facebook page included accusations of “false teaching” and complained about mixing religion, business and politics: “You have lost several customers and considering this is a very small community, you will feel the impact,” one person posted. Another person wrote: “How’s about you just stick to selling food? Leave Jesus and your politics out … [Read more...]
