By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Church planters and state missions staff gathered in the Louisiana Baptist Building Oct. 9 to commemorate the 250th church planted since 2010. The achievement moves Louisiana Baptists closer to the goal of planting 300 churches by 2020 as part of one of the 10 action steps identified in the President’s 2020 Commission Final Report, which was affirmed by messengers during the 2013 LBC Annual Meeting. Planting healthy, biblically sound, multiplying churches is a key component to the seven-year-strategy which seeks to engage two audiences – the next generation and every people group – in reaching Louisiana with the Gospel. James Jenkins, director of church planting for Louisiana Baptists, told the Baptist Message the reception to mark the occasion was a celebration of partnership among church planters, sponsoring churches and directors of missions. “This celebration, and the ones we have had along the way to the 300th church plant, is a way of thanking God for his grace and Louisiana Baptists for their giving,” Jenkins said. PRESSING TOWARD THE GOAL Hope Church in Baton Rouge was recognized as the 250th new church plant, and Pastor Jeff Vincent … [Read more...]

By Jerry Love, LBF director of planned giving Isaiah 40:8 tells us: “The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever” (CSB). There also are times the grass grows up in the cracks, and the flowers and shrubs overtake structures that we would call permanent. A pastor friend who now lives in Virginia relayed a story in a recent blog post about a walk in the woods with his wife. As they strolled around a local lake they came upon the remains of a cabin that had become an overgrown pile of rubble. My friend wrote: “This rubble is hidden... you might walk right by it without even being aware of its presence. Someone once lived here. They worked hard to gather heavy rocks to line the foundation and walls. They farmed, they hunted, and they walked around the same lake we were now walking around. They had dreams, plans, and a vision to build something and make a living. They may have even died here. “Who were they? What were their dreams? Did they leave any relatives to carry on the legacy?” The more important question for me is “What kind of legacy did they leave?” I recall a particular song from years past titled “Only One Life” by Lanny Wolfe. With a little digging (thanks, Wikipedia) … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message Executive Editor BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM)—LSU football Coach Ed Orgeron is lifting spirits on the field and off it. The Bayou Bengals have won their first six games, defeating the then Associated Press number six Florida Gators 42-28, vaulting LSU from fifth place to second in the latest sports writers’ poll. Fans and analysts are exuberant about game plan changes Orgeron has made, creating a highly effective air strike offense that has lifted the hopes of the Tiger Nation for an undefeated season. But Ken Ellis, team Chaplain, and Andy Stroup, greater Baton Rouge area director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, also praised “Coach O” for what he has done off the field, too. Ellis, a former NFL Pro Bowl defensive back who serves as an associate pastor with Bethany World Prayer Center in Baton Rouge, lauded Orgeron for placing a high priority on the spiritual character of the players. “It starts with Coach O,” he said regarding the spiritual attitude in the locker room. “He attends all the chapel services. He doesn’t miss any. He’s there and shows how much he appreciates it. He also reaches out to me to pray after each game. “He leads by example,” Ellis told the Baptist Message.  … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer LEESVILLE, La. (LBM)--Xavier Tate found more than fun and games on the midway during the annual fair and rodeo in Vernon Parish. During his temporary reprieve from the confines of the local jail as a member of a work crew, he found freedom in Christ and was baptized the same day --  all because of an act of compassion by members of the Vernon Baptist Association of churches. Jearme Ousley, student pastor at the Pine Hill Baptist Church in Leesville, told the Baptist Message the associational team served breakfast to Tate and his jail mates and that that kindness softened his heart. Ousley said that Tate was baptized shortly after making a profession of faith -- with the Louisiana Baptist volunteers singing “Amazing Grace.” Larry Galloway, a member of East Leesville Baptist Church, baptized Tate in a trough provided by local feed shop owner Gil James, a member of Canaan Baptist Church in Leesville, in water contributed by the  fire department. “The goal was simple – to show the love of Jesus to lost, broken and hurting people who many look down on and consider outcasts,” Ousley said. “Xavier thought he was just there to clean up and wasn’t expecting a hot meal, let alone a … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer KEITHVILLE, La. (LBM) – Chris Willcutt spent nearly eight years on his knees, praying for his daughter, Brooklyn, to accept Christ. Then, a month before her eighth birthday, his prayers were answered when her sister, Ryleigh, led her to a relationship with Christ. Brooklyn was baptized on her birthday, August 25, to publicly declare her newfound faith in the same baptistery where her father was obedient in believer’s baptism 18 years earlier. “We prayed so long for Brooklyn and to see our prayers answered, watching her spiritual journey, and, to be able to baptize her made it a special time for sure,” Willcutt told the Baptist Message. “That day, I was thinking about the faithfulness of God and how He brought my life from the ashes,” he said. “To see what He has done with my own children is, oh, so special.” Brooklyn Willcutt was among 15 new converts who participated in the baptism and baby dedication service. The participants mostly were elementary-aged children, but included four adults and two high school students. During the service, a video was shown of four other students who were baptized in the ocean during the church’s summer camp in Panama City, Florida, in … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE (LBM)--During the campus revival at Guinn Auditorium, Sept. 17-19, seven students repented and professed Christ as Savior, 20 repented and restored fellowship with the Lord, and, countless others sought prayer. The seven new believers are among 57 students who have surrendered their lives to Christ since the start of the fall semester -- 25 during a seminar on personal evangelism in August. LC President Rick Brewer told the Baptist Message the college’s faculty and staff and local pastors have prayed many months for God to move among the students. “The awakening has just begun,” Brewer said. “We can sense what God is doing here. We’re excited and are anticipating a mighty movement of the Holy Spirit.” DISCIPLED IN CHRIST Already, faculty and staff as well as local pastors have begun discipleship training with the 57. In fact, the college has developed a study guide, “Joy Through Suffering,” as part of this semester’s eight-part chapel series on 1 Peter. It will be used to disciple new believers, Baptist Collegiate Ministry meetings will feature the studies, and, 35 discipleship small groups which meet weekly will use it for in-depth discussions. VALUED IN CHRIST The revival services featured … [Read more...]