Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

MABTS’ Allen to headline E4+ conference

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary Professor David Allen is the keynote speaker for the 2023 E4+ Preaching Conference, Sept. 19, which will be held in the facilities of the First Baptist Church in Pineville. Allen, who serves as the seminary’s distinguished professor of practical theology and dean of the Adrian Rogers Center for Biblical Preaching in Cordova, Tennessee, will bring messages during three sessions of the annual conference. In addition to serving as a professor, Allen is founder and editor-in-chief of the new podcast and website, Preaching Coach (preachingcoach.com), which trains and mentors pastors and other ministry leaders to strengthen their preaching skills. This year’s conference also will feature breakout sessions for pastors and directors of youth, media/ sound, music, children, as well as ministers’ wives. Breakout sessions for pastors will include such topics as leadership and preaching through certain books of the Bible, and will be led by professors from Louisiana Christian University, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, as well as Waylon Bailey, pastor of First Baptist … [Read more...]

SBC CP, designated giving down for July

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM) – The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee released the July 2023 financial summary, August 4, reporting that gifts for the month to SBC causes through the Cooperative Program and via designated giving were down 8.19 percent and 15.63 percent, respectively, compared to July 2022. Year-to-date figures also showed both funding channels continued to be below 2022 levels. From October 1, 2022, through July 31, 2023, total SBC CP contributions were 4.91 percent lower compared to the same timeframe during the last fiscal year. Likewise, combined designated giving was 3.38 less for the same months, with both of the two largest funds down compared to last year. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering was off 4.96 percent, and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering was lower by 0.49 percent (less than one-half of a percentage point). LBC Giving The national report showed monthly giving by Louisiana Baptists to SBC causes in July was down 31.83 percent through CP and 51.36 percent for special offerings. However, the yearly data was less volatile. Louisiana Baptist contributions for 2023 through the CP were off slightly, 0.16 percent (less than … [Read more...]

Louisiana 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 to four weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Mark Norwood is the new pastor at Green Oaks Baptist Church, Merryville. Nancy Huey is the new children’s minister at Cheniere Baptist Church, West Monroe. Billy, wife Linda, Edwards is the new pastor at Humble Baptist Church, Glenmora. Hannah Greenwood is the new worship leader at First Baptist Church, Calhoun. James Davison is the new minister of evangelism and missions at Fair Park Baptist Church, West Monroe. Dan Teed resigned as pastor of New Hope Batist Church, Monroe. Liam Gordon is the new pastor at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Clearwater. Wade Allen resigned as pastor of Pilgrim Home Baptist Church, Benton. Kurt Zortman is the new pastor at Elm Grove Baptist Church, Bossier City. HOMECOMING First Baptist Church, Leesville: 125th Homecoming, September 17, 10:30 a.m. … [Read more...]

LCU new directors, promotions announced

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Louisiana Christian University has announced two key promotions, as well as new student life personnel for the new 2023-24 academic year. Evelyn Onishea Dean has been named vice president for business affairs/chief financial officer, and Joshua Joy Dara has been named special assistant to the president for legal affairs and strategic projects. Since May 2020, Dean has served as LCU’s executive director of finance and chief financial officer. In her role, she is responsible for assuring compliance of the university for accreditation criteria applicable to business affairs by establishing and operating appropriate systems of accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls. She also represents the president as the administrative liaison to the trustee committee on the Business Affairs and Investment Subcommittee, specifically by preparing the university budget, interpreting the budget to the board and executive leadership, regulating the administration of all university funds, having audits made of all accounts and advising the board on the acquisition, maintenance, and improvement of university property; ensuring adequate insurance coverage for all the … [Read more...]

LCU welcomes new and returning Wildcats to campus

By Elizabeth Clark, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Louisiana Christian University will welcome new and returning Wildcats to campus this week, with freshmen move-in beginning Aug. 16. After moving in, freshmen will spend time getting to know their classmates and learning about campus facilities and traditions. Wildcat Navigators, upperclassmen assigned to orient freshmen to campus, will each be assigned to a group of freshmen to help ease the transition to college life and be available for questions, conversations or concerns. “We are looking forward to welcoming a new freshmen class this week as they move onto campus and participate in our traditional Wildcat Welcome Week,” said LCU Vice President of Student Life Meredith Rennier. “Our team is excited to meet each student and build relationships with them during their time at LCU.” Freshmen will participate in service-learning projects in the central Louisiana community feeding the hungry and cleaning up Versailles Boulevard in Alexandria. LCU President Rick Brewer will host a President’s Dinner Aug. 16 for the incoming class of 2027. “This will be my 37th launch of an academic year as a university administrator and I’m just as excited this year as I was … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists minister following wildfires in Sabine Parish

By Baptist Message staff FLORIEN, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief crews and churches responded quickly to those impacted by wildfires in Sabine Parish east of Florien, Aug. 14. The are contained at this time. While this remains a very serious situation because of wind direction and changing weather conditions the wildfire was contained Monday evening. However, officials cautioned that flare-ups could ignite new fires in the area. The LA Dept of Forestry worked throughout the night clearing lanes to further control the fire. The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office posted on its Facebook page at approximately 2:14 p.m. their office received a call regarding a woods fire near Corleyville Road in the Mt. Carmel community. By 9 p.m., the fire was contained. As the fire raged Monday afternoon, residents in the path of danger were urged to evacuate. KSLA-TV (Shreveport) reported that at least eight homes were damaged or destroyed by the fire. “Sheriff Aaron Mitchell asks everyone to remember those in your prayers affected by this disaster as well as all first responders and law enforcement agencies who responded,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a Facebook post Monday evening. “Also, thank you to the many … [Read more...]

Let us pray for all things ‘back to school’

By Steve Horn ALEXANDRIA, La. - Since I was four years old, this time of the year has meant “Back to School.” I have either been in school, Linett’s been teaching school, I’ve been teaching, or our boys have been in school. Many years, more than one of us were involved in school at some level. We’re still “going back to school” with Dru. This is a time ripe for prayer. Let me encourage us to be praying about all things “back to school.” Pray for our teachers—What a mission field they have! Pray for our students—Pray for their physical safety and spiritual safety. Pray for our Baptist College, Louisiana Christian University—Dr. Brewer has indicated to me his desire to adopt our language of a “culture of evangelism.” I have the opportunity to speak to this effect at both student orientation and a faculty meeting. Pray indeed for a “culture of evangelism” to exist at LCU. Pray for our BCM’s—You know the importance of engaging new students and reengaging returning students in the early days of this new semester. Pray for our churches—Back to school time is prime time in the life of the local church. Ministries that have been put on pause for the summer are starting again. Pastors have been waiting to get through the summer to … [Read more...]