By Lane Corley MADISONVILLE, La. (LBM) - In Matthew 28:20, Jesus finishes the Great Commission with this challenge –“teaching them everything I have commanded you.” Did you catch it? Do you see what’s missing? Left out of this quote is that we are to teach them “to obey” or “to observe” everything. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” If you did catch it, does your church and your ministry obey this command? Are we teaching them “to obey everything” or are we teaching them everything we know in 30-45 minutes blocks and hope they learn or eventually know enough to become disciples who make disciples? Didn’t work for the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. Doesn’t seem to be working today. Knowledge doesn’t always lead to maturity or multiplicative disciple making. How do you teach to obey? Jesus modeled this for us by teaching, plus answering questions and responding to concerns, plus modeling, plus sending, plus debriefing. There cannot be teaching to obey without – Q and A for understanding opportunities to practice what’s been taught ongoing coaching and … [Read more...]
New Day School Director selected at First Baptist Church Pineville
By Staff, Baptist Message PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Adrienne Hetherwick has been selected as the new day school director for First Baptist Church in Pineville beginning in June. In a unanimous committee vote, Hetherwick, a 2016 graduate of Northwester State University in Natchitoches, was chosen to serve as the school’s director. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and is presently working on a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in reading from Northwestern. Since January 2017, Hetherwick has taught at Cherokee Elementary in Alexandria. She was voted as Cherokee Elementary Teacher of the Year for the school year 2018-2019. “We are happy to have Adrienne join the ministry of First Baptist Day School as our next director,” said Stewart Holloway, pastor of First Baptist Pineville. “She possesses all the qualities to help us move our program forward and to continue the vital ministry of our Day School.” First Baptist Church Day School began in 1968 and serves families with children six-weeks-old through Pre-K. “Our faith-based program prepares children for a lifetime of learning. Our teachers lay an educational foundation ensuring children are ready to build … [Read more...]
Revival, awakening mark special services at FBC Pineville
By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – After months of the Holy Spirit working on his heart, Will Sharbino, 11, finally was convicted of his need for a Savior, during a revival service, March 23, at the First Baptist Church, Pineville. Leading up to that night, Sharbino had been soaking in biblical truths from his family as well as faithful teaching by his FBC Pineville Sunday school teacher, he shared with the Baptist Message. After that revival service, he went home and prayed with his parents, repenting of his sins, and committing to follow Jesus as Lord. “I realized I was a sinner and knew Jesus had forgiven me for what I had done,” Shabrino said. “I then knew He lives inside my heart and that I would now go to live in Heaven one day with God.” INTENTIONALITY Sharbino, along with six others, publicly shared his faith decision during a special baptismal celebration, March 28, at FBC Pineville. The baptisms were visible evidence of the rejuvenation experienced by the congregation from the four-day revival services. Stephen Rummage, pastor of Quail Creek Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, preached and the FBC Pineville worship team and choir led music each night, March 21-24, and … [Read more...]
Notables
EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Jesse Balch is the new pastor at Bosco Baptist Church, Monroe. Charley Westbrook has resigned as pastor from Hebron Baptist Church, Denham Springs and is available for pulpit supply. Mark Talbot is the interim pastor at Hebron Baptist Church, Denham Springs HOMECOMING Beech Springs Baptist Church, Minden: 150th Anniversary, September 2021. The church is in the process of looking for prior/current members for whom they have lost contact in preparation for its anniversary celebration. Please send name(s), address, phone and email to beechspringsbs2@suddenlink.net. Pastor: Randy Brown. REVIVAL New Hope Baptist Church, Calcasieu: The Mackey Willis Family in concert, June 5. Worship: Mackey Willis Family. Pastor: Robert McLane. Laurel Hill Baptist Church, LaCamp: Revival, June 6-9, Sunday at 10 a.m. … [Read more...]
Bible study more than a drill for students
By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer BALL, La. (LBM) – Nathan Law, Joshua Pugh and Macey Baze were chosen to represent Louisiana at the national competition at Dallas Baptist University, June 17-18, following the recent state Youth and High School Bible Drill, and Speakers’ Tournament. The event, which was postponed last year by COVID-19 safety concerns, drew 62 children and 96 youth to Kingsville Baptist Church in Ball, April 24. Bible Drill is a discipleship program for children and youth to help increase their knowledge of the Bible. It is also fun as children learn to memorize Scripture and gain confidence in their knowledge of the Bible and their ability to quickly locate significant passages with ease. Participants in the state Bible Drill and Speakers’ Tournament advanced from the district level after competing in their local churches. “We are so thankful that we were able to host state Bible Drill and Speakers’ Tournament in-person this year,” Louisiana Baptist Youth Ministry Strategist Brandon Lewis told the Baptist Message. “The students worked hard and did a fantastic job. The scriptures that have been hidden in students’ hearts is a treasure that will remain with them forever. We’re also thankful for … [Read more...]
Case of the Mondays (Cartoon: McKeever)
ANALYSIS: Smoking pot is toxic!
By Will Hall, Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Legislators are considering a slate of bills that in one way, or another, moves closer to legalizing recreational pot smoking. But the reality is that whether pot smoking is approved for “medicinal” or recreational use, it poses a peril. Part of the reason is that every grower breeds different pot strains that have greater or lesser concentrations of certain elements. Generally, however, there are over 400 chemical entities in a cannabis plant, including a known 113 cannabinoids (THC, CBD, CBN) -- many with opposing effects on the mind and body. Indeed, a study, reported by CNN.com, Jan. 11, found that burning marijuana produced dangerous chemicals known to cause permanent damage to the body: -- Naphthalene (used in mothballs and is associated with liver and neurological damage); -- acrylamide (used to make paper, plastics and dyes and is associated with cancer); and -- acrylonitrile (used in manufacturing plastics and fibers and is also associated with cancer). None of these chemicals are added to pot. Instead, they are byproducts of burning and the natural reaction of some of the organic elements in the plant after exposure to heat. On top of … [Read more...]
Prayer calls, twice each day, spark renewal
By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Corporate prayer at 7:14 every morning and evening, in the months following the onset of COVID-19, have sparked a renewed commitment to discipleship and evangelism among Louisiana Baptists. At least 30 members of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, have joined the prayer movement, based on 2 Chronicles 7:14, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” The twice-daily prayer times, in effect since mid-March and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, also attract 150 others from across the nation to participate regularly. The call is sponsored by Project 200, a nationwide community of men passionate about the Great Commission which includes an emphasis on discipleship. Jeff Draughon, a CBCA member as well as a member of the Project 200 board, said prayer calls have been a “game changer” for so many individuals and families across the country and even internationally. He noted that more than 700 calls have taken place since March 19, 2020. “The powerful, spirit-filled devotionals have been led by … [Read more...]
Bush to Moore: White evangelical churches are ‘political instruments’
By Will Hall, Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – “Churches have become, particularly the White evangelical churches, have become political instruments,” former President George W. Bush told Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Bush made the accusation during an online conversation, “Immigrants and the American Future,” sponsored by the Bush Center in Dallas and moderated by Moore. “The comments were stunning for a president whose 2004 reelection campaign relied in part on energizing those White evangelicals using the issue of same-sex marriage,” reported the Washington Times. “Eleven states had questions about marriage on their ballots that year, including Ohio, the crucial state in the Electoral College where Mr. Bush’s campaign said it benefited from Christian turnout.” The former president’s comments were a response to Moore’s claim that support for immigration by U.S. Christians has flagged in recent years. But legal immigration to the United States has not dropped below 1 million per year since 2013 (990,553) under the Obama Administration. Moreover, refugee resettlements under former President Trump were on par year-for-year with … [Read more...]
