By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer GLENMORA, La. (LBM) – When disaster strikes, your gifts to the Louisiana Missions Offering, named after the historical state missionary Georgia Barnette, help provide relief for those affected in Louisiana and beyond, James Irvine shared with the Baptist Message. During the last 19 years, Irvine and his Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief shower trailer have offered a mainstay ministry of care for individuals impacted by 90 catastrophic events. Since driving the trailer to south Louisiana to his first disaster response effort only days after Hurricane Katrina impacted the area in 2005, Irvine has traveled thousands of miles across the United States immediately after the devastation of hurricanes, floods, ice storms, tornadoes and fires. Importantly, his motivation is “to give a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name,” without strings attached but in the hope that someone will ask, “Why?” That gives him the opening to share about Jesus, he said. “When they do accept Christ, it’s very rewarding because you have been successful in your mission,” Irvine told the Baptist Message. “Sometimes it gets frustrating, but you have to remember it’s not about you but your Lord and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) -- A field at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center was transformed to a mini water park for 15 people with special needs during the fourth annual Champions Camp, Sept. 7-9. The campers, accompanied by 20 “buddies” and staff, displayed their best moves on the water slide and tossed suds made by a water foam cannon. Among those was Logan Singletary, a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria. “Tossing all these suds really was something that I had fun doing and it’s a reason I love coming out here to this camp,” Singletary told the Baptist Message. “I’m really glad they had this for us, and it made me smile.” The Louisiana Baptist summer camp for people with special needs matched participants with buddies who accompanied them during the event. The camp featured karaoke, an ice cream sundae party, fishing, games, a demonstration of a dog obedient to his master and worship designed for children and adults from ages 8 and up who have intellectual or development disabilities. Clint Stewart, who served as camp pastor, said the event allowed each person to realize they are a champion and loved by God. “I have come every year since this camp … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer  PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Christ is in hot pursuit of those who are lost and desires all to come into a relationship with Him, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary Professor David Allen said during the recent E4+ Preaching Conference. Citing Luke 19, Allen told a record crowd of more than 100 pastors and ministry staff and 19 pastors’ wives at First Baptist Church, Pineville, that Zacchaeus longed to see Jesus and went to great lengths to get a glimpse of Him. In the end, Zacchaeus who had stolen from the poor through his job as a tax collector encountered Jesus and his life was changed forever. “Jesus did not save Zacchaeus because Zacchaeus gave money to the poor or gave back what he extorted,” he continued. “Jesus saved Zacchaeus out of grace because all of salvation is by grace through faith, not of works lest anyone should brag about it. And he gives evidence of that salvation by opening up his pocketbook and his billfold and giving to the poor and by making right what he extorted from the people.” Allen said while many in the crowd hated Zacchaeus because he had used his position as a tax collector to steal from them, Jesus reminded the Jewish people that Zacchaeus, too, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Former “America’s Next Top Model” contestant Leah Darrow encouraged more than 900 guests gathered at the CENLA Pregnancy Center’s Gift of Life banquet to be the ones who answer the call to help provide hope for women with unplanned pregnancies. The fifth annual event, Sept. 12, was held at the Randolph Riverfront Center. “You are the other person on that end of the call for people in their hardest moments,” she said. “These young ladies who are calling these pregnancy centers are sometimes out there and they don’t know where to go and they don’t have anyone else to call but you. And CENLA Pregnancy Center picks up and answers those calls and they help redirect these women and show a place of redemption.” Darrow was the keynote speaker for the single largest fundraiser for the pregnancy center. The event also featured remarks by other pro-life advocates, an update on the impact of the center, music and food. CHANGED LIFE In her message, Darrow shared she was caught up in a lifestyle of worldly success that led to suicidal thoughts, depression and low self-confidence. But soon after appearing on “America’s Next Top Model” in 2004, she found … [Read more...]