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By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists are in the final year of implementing the President’s 2020 Commission Report, an initiative undertaken during the leadership of Waylon Bailey, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Covington, and the LBC president in 2012-2013. The 2020 recommendations were crafted collaboratively by a commission of 400 Louisiana Baptist leaders, staff members and laypeople, working in 20 subcommittees of 20 members each. Ten “key actions in reaching our state” – known as KAIROS – were developed to engage two audiences – the next generation and every people group. These measures for improving the spiritual health and growth of the state were adopted by messengers at the 2013 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. This is the final article in a series published by the Baptist Message to report what successes have been achieved toward the ambitious goals of the statewide initiative, as well as to note what objectives remain to be done. KAIROS 10 – Lead Louisiana Baptists to maximize their collective influence in the arena of moral and cultural concerns, especially in strengthening families. The 2020 Commission recommended three specific … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – George Aultman, a pastor for more than six decades, died Saturday, Oct. 3. He was 91. A native of Sumrall, Miss., Aultman preached his first message at the age of 18 on April 17, 1948. He later served as a pastor of churches in Louisiana, Mississippi and Washington for 62 years and preached in revival services at more than 100 churches. He was a graduate of Clarke College in Hickory, Miss., the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss., and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Most recently, Aultman was a member of Airline Baptist Church in Bossier City, where he attended a men’s Sunday school class and was part of the men’s ministry. Aultman was preceded in death by his parents, Ida and Herbert Aultman; his first wife, Lillian; three brothers, James, Wayne and Harold; and his most recent wife, Nellie, who he was married to 50 years. He is survived by sons, Patrick Green and wife Joy of Dublin, Georgia, Randy Aultman and wife Peggy of Covington, Louisiana; daughters, Judy Rambin of Bossier City, Louisiana and Candi Aultman of Jackson, Mississippi. He is also survived by grandchildren, Kerri Coleman, Kristi Brewster, Kelli Hull and husband … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, Baptist Message special correspondent DERIDDER, La. (LBM)—Despite roof and water damage, Longville Baptist Church in rural DeRidder has maintained its in-reach to members and outreach to the surrounding area. “We’re still here, ministering to people and trying to love on them,” Pastor Corey Townsley told the Baptist Message. “The church is feeding the community, providing water, and even helping to operate a mobile laundry ministry provided by North Carolina Disaster Relief. Regarding supplies and other needs, Townsley said, “The Lord has really blessed us. But what we really need are the finances for chainsaw crews and clean up — the funding for fuel costs. We need that.” When Hurricane Laura hit, more than 50 people gathered in the church building. “During the storm it was kind of crazy,” Townsley said. Staff as well as congregants who lived in mobile homes and others who felt unsafe in their houses also sheltered in the building. The high winds obliterated a section of roof over Longville’s educational building and library, flooding classrooms and the church offices. “I don’t know if the building will be a total loss,” Townsley said. “We’re waiting on the insurance adjuster’s assessment. It’ll … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff FERRIDAY, La. (LBM) – On the heels of a vote on an amendment that could protect pro-life laws in the state, First Baptist Church in Ferriday has erected 100 crosses on a nearby field to proclaim their love for the unborn. Situated along a grassy area near the church, the crosses were placed there to bring attention to the importance of voting yes on Amendment #1, either during early voting or on Election Day, Nov. 3. Known as the Love Life Amendment, the change to the state constitution is needed because of developments in 14 other states, where in each case a state court ruled that in the state constitution there was a right to abortion or the right to force the state to pay for abortions – but based on a creative interpretation of a general phrase or vague wording and not on anything that specifically stated such rights. The crosses, which were placed in the ground Oct. 3, are expected to remain there until the election. Church member Bill Beasley said members have placed the crosses on the grassy area for six years every January, when several pro-life marches take place in the state and around the nation. Beasley was moved to place them in the same vicinity after watching Christians take … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, Baptist Message special correspondent DRY CREEK, La. (LBM)—Hurricane Laura uprooted, snapped off, and twisted more than 500 trees, obstructing the landscape at Dry Creek Baptist Camp such that workers spent almost three days clearing a short stretch of camp road that led to a garage where equipment, needed to restore the campus of the 95 year-old encampment, was kept. “Our greatest need is for some volunteers who can come and stay for a while — I’m talking weeks,” said Todd Burnaman, Dry Creek camp director. “Maybe some RV-ers or some folks who could stay in our cabins and help keep things moving at a steady pace. We love having youth groups coming in for a day, too,” he said. Three weeks after the hurricane swept through the area, the camp still has hundreds of trees that need to be removed, and other general clean-up work must be done. “We’re just using every bit of energy we have right now to get the trees off the ground,” Burnaman said. “I can’t even start to think about spending energy taking care of people, which hurts, because that’s what’s important. If we don’t get trees off the ground we can’t get people here.” Camp staffers, including administrative assistants, have pitched in to remove … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Early voting has begun for the Nov. 3 election. Louisiana citizens have until Oct. 27 (excluding Sunday) to cast their ballots in person. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day at the parish registrar of voters office or other designated locations. In addition to casting their vote for president and congress, Louisianans will have the opportunity to approve a number of amendments, including one that would help to protect pro-life laws in the state. Known as the Love Life Amendment, the change to the state constitution is needed because of developments in 14 other states, where in each case a state court ruled that in the state constitution there was a right to abortion or the right to force the state to pay for abortions – but based on a creative interpretation of a general phrase or vague wording and not on anything that specifically stated such rights. The Love Life Amendment does not outlaw abortion or address such controversies as exceptions for rape and incest. The language simply makes clear that there is no stated right to abortion in the Louisiana Constitution: Amendment #1: Do you support an amendment declaring that, to protect human life, a right … [Read more...]