The last several years have seen some remarkable developments at this missions-minded church at the northern tip of the state, said Dale Sauls, administrator and minister of education at First Blanchard. BLANCHARD – The last several years have seen some remarkable developments at this missions-minded church at the northern tip of the state, said Dale Sauls, administrator and minister of education at First Blanchard. “In 2003 we moved into our new sanctuary and we were able to go back to one service after having two for the last 12 years,” he said. “But in August we went back to two services – the traditional at 8:30 and a blended service at 10:30 – to give people a choice in styles.” In addition to reaching the people of their own community with a variety of worship styles, the 1,500 or so members also have a commitment to reaching the world for Jesus Christ, Sauls explained. “We’re getting ready for our annual world missions conference March first and second,” he said. Sauls said the conference will open with a come-and-go reception to allow the church’s membership and guests to meet one-on-one with the visiting missionaries. Additionally, both Sunday services will prominently feature missions work. This year’s … [Read more...]

Niche marketing is not just a business term. Creative pastors are finding ways to discover a niche to reach their communities for Christ. Niche marketing is not just a business term. Creative pastors are finding ways to discover a niche to reach their communities for Christ. One pastor, Stan Wyant, discovered a niche in his community. In his state of Louisiana, everyone born after Sept. 1, 1969 is required to take a hunter’s safety course before hunting. In a state known as the “Sportsman’s Paradise,” Stan found a need his church could meet, and the congregation began plans to host a two-day course. In the end, 90 people not affiliated with the church, Lismore Baptist, came to the course. That’s nearly as many people as attend Sunday School any given week. In fact, the course was in such demand some of the attendees drove over an hour to be there. At the conclusion of the course, the church sponsored a skeet shoot and an archery contest. As the participants ate lunch, a guest speaker presented the Gospel. Church members gave Bibles and gospel tracts to all who attended. Dwayne Rodgers is another pastor who discovered a niche. The cowboys and ranchers of his community were not attending a traditional church. … [Read more...]

John Jeffries, pastor of First Baptist Chalmette, recently received a note from an 8-year-old who attends a Southern Baptist congregation in Jackson, Mo. CHALMETTE –John Jeffries, pastor of First Baptist Chalmette, recently received a note from an 8-year-old who attends a Southern Baptist congregation in Jackson, Mo. The card and contents came after a series of blessings. First Chalmette has developed several partnerships with churches across the U.S, the pastor emailed. “God has also raised several individuals that we call ‘Advocates.’ These people – in some strange way that only God can explain – have developed a heavy burden for our church.  “For instance, there’s a man in Alabama who is constantly creating financial blessings for our project. He convinced his church to send a one-time financial gift of $100,000 to rebuild member homes.” This man also was behind a $50,000 matching grant; First Chalmette is still receiving money to be coupled with this grant. Another layman, in similar manner, resides in South Carolina, Jeffries wrote. “He has led his church to send several thousands of dollars and is working on garnering support from other large churches in his area. “A 17-year-old boy in Texas did the same thing … [Read more...]

Join the Women’s Missions and Ministry team for a time of dynamic Bible study and worship at Kaleidoscope, a conference for women, Saturday, Feb. 9 at Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria. ALEXANDRIA – Join the Women’s Missions and Ministry team for a time of dynamic Bible study and worship at Kaleidoscope, a conference for women, Saturday, Feb. 9 at Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria. The conference begins at 9 a.m. and is to conclude at 3 p.m. The conference is to feature guest speaker Kelly Minter, author of “No Other Gods : Confronting our Modern Day Idols.” In addition to Minter, the conference is also to feature the powerful voices of the Louisiana singing group Women of Praise. This is the first installment of the small-group Bible study “The Living Room Series” available from LifeWay Christian Resources. “The theme, ‘He knows my name’ based on Isaiah 43:1, will focus on our personal relationship with Christ said Janie Wise, director of Women’s Mission and Ministry. “Kaleidoscope conferences address a variety of interests and issues for women across the state,” Wise added. Breakout sessions throughout the day feature the following topics: “In His Name,” “Discovering and Developing a Personal Bible … [Read more...]

Carlos Meza, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Del Calvario in Shreveport, used bracelets like this – made by a homebound woman – when he led at least 150 people in Brazil last summer to personal faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Master. Carlos Meza, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Del Calvario in Shreveport, used bracelets like this – made by a homebound woman – when he led at least 150 people in Brazil last summer to personal faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Master. One afternoon when he was street-witnessing, the owner of an orange factory asked him to come in and explain the bracelet to him and his workers. “They accepted the Lord, and even the mayor and his family got saved,” Meza said during conversation at the 2008 Louisiana Evangelism Conference. The mayor invited the Louisiana mission team back to Belo Horizonte in 2008. Contact Syd Smith in the LBC Evangelism Department if you’re interested in participating in the July 11-24 mission trip. … [Read more...]

If New Orleans is known for Mardi Gras, the Saints, and its fantastic food, the farm-rich Delta, located in northeast Louisiana, is known for its cotton, corn, and grain sorghum – and for good reason. WINNSBORO – If New Orleans is known for Mardi Gras, the Saints, and its fantastic food, the farm-rich Delta, located in northeast Louisiana, is known for its cotton, corn, and grain sorghum – and for good reason. Agriculture in the region is more extensive and diversified than any other region of the state. Of Louisiana’s total agriculture output, northeast Louisiana farmers – according to figures provided by the LSU AgCenter – produce an estimated 83 percent of the state’s cotton, 81 percent of the corn, 60 percent of the soybeans, 36 percent of the grain sorghum, 20 percent of the rice, and 13 percent of the cattle. Agriculture is not only the backbone of the region’s economy, it is also a huge contributor to Louisiana’s economy as well – it contributes more than $1 billion a year. Covering Franklin Parish, the Deer Creek Baptist Association, which rests in the heart of this agricultural wonderland, ministers to a population of more than 20,000 people, half of which belong to one of the 31 churches that make up the … [Read more...]

Trustees at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary approved the expansion of the prison training program in Mississippi during the board’s executive committee meeting Dec. 4.  NEW ORLEANS (BP) – Trustees at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary approved the expansion of the prison training program in Mississippi during the board’s executive committee meeting Dec. 4. They also elected three new faculty members and added two new certificate teaching sites. Seminary President Chuck Kelley said the expansion of the undergraduate program at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman essentially will double the number of prisoners who can take associate’s and bachelor’s degree courses through Leavell College. The program at the Mississippi State Penitentiary, a partnership between the seminary and the Mississippi Baptist Convention, began in 2005, targeting only one cell block. The trustee vote authorized NOBTS to create a second class cycle in another cell block. Kelley said the inmates who have completed the NOBTS training programs at Parchman and Angola are providing a bold witness for Christ in their respective prisons. At Angola, where the program has been functioning longer, prison officials have … [Read more...]

The North American Mission Board has appointed Tabatha O. Hallman as an evangelism specialist in New Orleans. ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The North American Mission Board has appointed Tabatha O. Hallman as an evangelism specialist in New Orleans. Before her new position, Tabatha served as youth minister for First Baptist Church, Luling, La., and as a social worker for Catholic Charities of New Orleans. A native of Suffolk, Va., she earned a B.A. degree in sociology at Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, N.C., and a M.S. degree in social work at Tulane University, New Orleans.  Tabatha is married to Todd M. Hallman, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Luling.  The Hallmans have one son, Anderson, 1. Each year, the North American Mission Board (NAMB) approves and appoints hundreds of new missionaries in partnership with the 42 Baptist state conventions and the Canadian Convention of Southern Baptists. NAMB and these partnering conventions work together in recruiting, selecting, jointly funding, training, supporting, and appointing missionaries. NAMB also endorses chaplains who serve in the military, healthcare, correctional and counseling facilities, children’s homes, academies, corporate, and public safety … [Read more...]

Sammy Gilbreath lives like he’s dying because he knows he is. PINEVILLE – Sammy Gilbreath lives like he’s dying because he knows he is. Gilbreath, evangelism director for the Alabama Baptist Convention, was one of the speakers for the 2008 Evangelism Conference, which took place at Louisiana College Jan. 21-22. He talked about his medical condition – “I’m carrying the largest blood clot in the world” at the bottom of my heart, and a weakened vessel wall – which his doctor told him meant he could at any moment, without warning, die instantly. “No one in this room is promised tomorrow; I’m no different from you,” Gilbreath said. “If you will learn to live like you’re dying, passion will not be a problem.” The four sessions of the Evangelism Conference covered The Power, The People, The Passion, and The Plan. Nine messages were interspersed with worship led by This Hope, and prayers by members of the Louisiana College faculty. The two-day event was streamed live on www.lbc.org, which some said might have accounted for a smaller-than-anticipated attendance, and recorded for lasting reflection – see the ad on p. 12. The evangelism conference also included a Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Luncheon, five, 3-hour … [Read more...]

An unknown author wrote, “God gave us music that we might pray without words.” TIOGA – An unknown author wrote, “God gave us music that we might pray without words.” For almost seven decades, Mabel Hargis Smith has used her amazing talents to insure a multitude have had just such an opportunity. Now 90 years old, the former well-known music teacher at Tioga Senior High and a highly respected pianist/organist for Tioga First Baptist no longer maintains the pace she once did, but it doesn’t mean the music has stopped.  “I don’t play as much as I used to play,” said Smith, who spends much of her time caring for Thomas, her husband of 57 years, at a nursing home just outside of Rosepine, “but I still try to play when I can.” It’s her love, and it has been for all these many years. Smith said she took great pleasure in spreading her love for music to the multitude of students and people, which she would eventually touch. Whether it was at the high school or at the church, she was a shining example to all who came to know her, friends say. “I believe God blessed me with a talent, and I felt He wanted me to pass it on to others,” Smith said. “I also believe the Lord wanted me to contribute in as many ways that I … [Read more...]