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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Former Louisiana Baptists aid violence-ravaged Israelis

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ISRAEL (LBM) – Mike and Suzanne Shumock watched in disbelief at footage from news outlets detailing the atrocities committed by Hamas forces against the Israeli people and knew they could not sit idle. They boarded a plane and arrived in the country in early October to serve on a Texas Baptist Men feeding team in southern Israel. Since then, the Shumocks have helped prepare thousands of meals and seen first-hand the need to be a shining light for Christ amid darkness. Shumock is the former Louisiana Baptist Mission Builders coordinator and now resides with his wife, Suzanne, in Mississippi. “We have not been around many Israelis other than the few volunteers who were preparing meals when we arrived,” Shumock told the Baptist Message. “They are heartbroken and devastated to hear about the horrific events carried out by Hamas. According to John Hall, director of communications for Texas Baptist Men, the Shumocks are among 20 members of a Texas Baptist Men feeding team who are preparing meals that are delivered by Israeli volunteer teams to rocket-ravaged neighborhoods and a hospital in southern Israel. The team arrived in Israel on Oct. 10 and the next day prepared … [Read more...]

LCU awards first grad certificates at CHRISTUS

By Lexi Rachal, Wildcats Media Louisiana Christian University presented four CHRISTUS Health System employees with graduate certificates in healthcare administration at the hospital, Oct 18. Before the ceremony began, LCU President Rick Brewer spoke to the awardees about their time in the program and about what sets LCU’s programs apart—faith and values. “We are pleased to partner with the CHRISTUS Health Systemto offer a Certificate in Healthcare Management at the graduate level,” Brewer said. “Our shared mission for faith integration underscores the strength of this key academic offering under the umbrella of the Jonathan Martin MBA program at LCU. We are confident the Healthcare Management Certificate will produce transformational leaders for Christus Cabrini now and in the future.”  Monte Wilson, CEO of CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Health System, attended the ceremony and said the faith aspect of the program is what will bring more employees to it. “Faith and values are what matters,” Wilson said. “There’s so many crazy things going on around here, and I think that will help to get more people engaged.” Brewer presented each student with a certificate and invited them to complete one of LCU’s master's … [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 Andy Jacobson is the interim worship leader at Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles. HOMECOMING Green Oak Baptist Church, Merryville: 139th Homecoming, October 22, 11 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will follow the worship service. Pastor: Mark Norwood. New Prospect Baptist Church, Dubach: Homecoming Sunday, October 22, 10:45 a.m. Guest Speaker: Terry Ganey, Dunn Baptist Church. Special Music: TBA. A potluck meal and congregational singing will follow. Pastor: Marvin Winham. Main Street Mission, Pineville: Homecoming, October 29, 10:30 a.m.. Dinner on the grounds follows the worship service. Pastor: Sam West. Colfax Baptist Church, Colfax: Homecoming Service Nov. 5, 11 a.m. Following the service enjoy a cake/coffee fellowship. Pastor: Shane Anderson. New Hope Baptist Church, Elmer: 150Th … [Read more...]

A statement by the Baptist Mission Center on the indictment of Daryl Stagg

The CenLa Baptist Association (Baptist Mission Center) board of directors released a statement after they learned of the grand jury's decision to indict Daryl Stagg: "The Baptist Mission Center has learned that a former employee, Daryl Stagg, has been indicted by a Grant Parish grand jury. Our prayers and support are with the families and affected persons involved that God will surely bring justice and healing in this difficult situation. Mr. Stagg has not worked with the Baptist Mission Center since early June 2023 and is no longer employed at the Center. It is our understanding that the charges involve allegations solely within his family and have never involved any of his responsibilities or interactions while serving at the Baptist Mission Center." … [Read more...]

NOBTS Jim Henry Institute “Prepare Here” conference calls for ‘servant leadership in uncertain times’

By Marilyn Stewart, NOBTS publications and news communications office NEW ORLEANS (NOBTS) - “Servant Leadership in Uncertain Times,” the theme of the first annual Prepare Here Conference hosted by the Jim Henry Leadership Institute of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, drew in 250 pastors, church ministry leaders, and spouses from across 10 states, October 12-13. Featured speakers were Steve Gaines, senior pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis; Robby Gallaty, senior pastor, Long Hollow Church, Hendersonville, Tennessee; and Jamie Dew, NOBTS president. “It’s my prayer that this conference will give [participants] opportunities and instruction, give them models, and give them the privilege to study with leaders and have the opportunity to look at the past and the present, and model their lives after Jesus so they can be the leaders the church desperately needs today,” Jim Henry said, in interview. Breakout sessions addressed issues impacting the pastor’s ministry as well as the student, children’s, music, leadership and administration, and women’s ministries. Kandi Gallaty, wife of Robby Gallaty and author of “Disciple Her” and the “Foundations New Testament” series of Bible reading plans; Tara Dew, … [Read more...]

Three ways we can respond to situation in Israel

By Steve Horn ALEXANDRIA, La. - On Sept. 29, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaking at an event said, “The Middle East region is quieter today than it has been in two decades.” Without debating the accuracy of his assessment, his statement shows us how quickly things can change. David Jeremiah used the phrase, “a bend in the road,” to describe his diagnosis of cancer. I have used the phrase the “curveballs of life.” My own experience teaches me that life can radically change every time the phone rings. Certainly, we are experiencing historical change. To what extent, time will tell. My question for us today is “How are we going to respond? Let me suggest three ways we must respond. We must trust God. We must be people of peace, not panic. Others will be watching us. If we, people who describe ourselves as having peace because we know the Prince of Peace, panic in this moment, what happens to our testimony that we trust God? My favorite verse, as I have shared many times before is Revelations 19:6, “Hallelujah, the Lord, our God, reigns.” This is the exclamation point of Revelation and the exclamation point of history. I do not know what the next day holds, but I know this—whatever happens, the Lord … [Read more...]

Despite heart attacks, stroke, Longoria thankful

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer DERIDDER, La. (LBM) – Evangelist Lyndon Longoria missed a year from the pulpit, 2019- 2020, during a battle with a stroke and other medical conditions, but through those trials he experienced God’s good­ness through the love displayed by thousands, he said. “I never thought about giving up or quitting. I just didn’t know if I would be able to continue to preach as an evange­list,” Longoria told the Baptist Message. “I knew I could still talk and the Lord could still use me to preach, even if I had to preach sitting down-which I did at the begin­ning. “My faith in the faith­fulness of God has been unwavering,” he contin­ued. “The Word of God has become precious to me again, and has fed my heart and my soul. My faith in God and His ability is in a place it has never been before. There are many struggles and I have battled moments of depression, but my faith in God has overcome it all. I have perfect peace that He will finish what He has started.” TRYING MOMENTS April 19, 2019, started like any other day for Longoria, who was preaching at a revival ser­vice in Cordele, Georgia. But the day turned out to be anything but normal. As Longoria began to preach an “assortment” … [Read more...]

Myers returns ‘home’ as LBC youth strategist

ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – A former Louisiana Baptist student minister who moved out of state in 2019 has returned as the youth strategist for Louisiana Baptists. Lee Myers, who began his new role Oct. 1, most recently was the student minister at First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, Arkansas. “Louisiana has always felt like my Jerusalem,” Myers told the Baptist Message. “The opportunity to come back and serve the state is what the Lord wanted me to do.” A native of Jayess, Mississippi, Myers has served 34 years, collectively, with local churches. In addition to his most recent role in Arkansas, Myers was a student minister with congregations in Mississippi (Shady Grove Baptist Church, Ruth, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Gloster, West McComb Baptist Church, McComb) and Louisiana (Immanuel Baptist Church, Hammond, First Baptist Church, Zachary, First Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, and Airline Baptist Church, Bossier City). He also has served as minister of assimilation with Cypress BaptistChurch, Benton; a teacher for Pine Hills Academy, Gloster, Mississippi, and Riverdale Christian Academy, Baton Rouge. He has also volunteered on numerous youth ministry planning committees and groups including the Youth Evangelism Celebration … [Read more...]

GBO: Reynolds Scholarship a huge help to collegians

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer VILLE PLATTE, La. (LBM) – For the last 25 years, the Hannah Reynolds Women’s Missions and Ministry Scholarship has given Louisiana Christian University students financial aid as well as encouragement to press on with the Great Commission in their future careers. Throughout the year, WMM associational leaders across the state “adopt” the scholarship recipients. In addition to praying for the students, they also send encouraging cards. Kevin West, pastor of First Baptist Church, Ville Platte, and the father of two of the scholarship recipients, was touched by the prayer cards his children, Ethan and Kamryn, have received during their time at Louisiana Christian University. “With our children going to college, they’re going to go out and graduate one day and be professionals in whatever chosen area (which) for both of them is medical,” West said. “They are going out as Christian doctors, as Christian researchers. They are taking a worldview of Christ out into the world, and everyone that contributed through Georgia Barnette to the WMM scholarship has had an instrumental part in getting them there.” Ethan West said he was impressed the WMM leaders in his association would … [Read more...]

Horn emphasizes need for culture of evangelism

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn emphasized the need for and results of a culture of evangelism among Louisiana Baptists when he addressed Executive Board members during their Sept. 26 meeting. “By God’s grace, this will always be our priority for us,” Horn said. “I have shared with you and in various ways the idea of a culture of evangelism. This is what we think about. This is what we do. This is what drives us. This is our prayer. “Louisiana is known for its culture,” he said. “Sometimes that’s good. Sometimes that’s not so good. What it would be like if it would be said of us that there’s a culture of  evangelism.” Horn told board members he has been encouraged in several areas of evangelism this year: -- Crossover and Serve Tour, a pair of evangelistic efforts that took place June 9-10 before the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in New Orleans, saw 336 recorded professions of faith; -- 207 decisions for Christ took place during LBC-sponsored camps at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center, Woodworth; and -- ‘Here for You,’ Louisiana Baptists’ statewide multi-media campaign, resulted another 206 spiritual … [Read more...]