By Will Hall, Message Editor ALEXANDRIA (LBM) -- After announc­ing in January that “some” stores would be closing due to “an accelerated rate of ero­sion” of sales “in the brick and mortar chan­nel,” LifeWay announced March 20 that it would shutter all of its bookstores. The January announcement was ac­companied by a Baptist Press analysis of LifeWay’s 2010-2017 audits showing “total operating expenses exceeded sales” eight years in a row, growing in deficit each year from $2.3 million to $35.5 million. Moreover, the revised March plan to shutter “all” and not “some” of its stores comes amid a leadership change for LifeWay. Thom Rainer announced in August 2018 his intentions to “step down” as president and CEO “when the new CEO is named, or in one year, whichever comes first.” He had served as LifeWay CEO since February 2006 when he left the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he was the dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism for 12 years. On March 4 LifeWay announced that Rainer had expressed “a desire to move forward with his retirement effective Feb. 28” and the trustees named Executive Vice President Brad Waggoner as “acting president and CEO of LifeWay until a new president is named” … [Read more...]

As Easter approaches, the Baptist Message team invites you to pause daily from the hustle and bustle of life to focus on the days leading up to Easter or Resurrection Sunday. Join us in this challenge to read through the Gospels to get a greater understanding of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Day 7: Luke 11-12 (NKJV) ================================== (Luke 11) Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer 1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins,     for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MORGAN CITY – Charles Gilder practiced what he preached during his 39-year tenure at Bayou Vista Baptist Church, especially the importance of steadfast commitment. “One benefit of long-term ministry is you get to know people and they build a trust with you,” Gilder said. “That opens doors that aren’t open initially. “It was not that other churches didn’t approach me, but I felt that when you don’t stay very long, yo can’t really get to know the people that well,” he continued. “They accepted us. The area did not grow on us at first. It was the people that grew on us. It was developing relationships with people and families. We became a part of a family. I’m grateful that continued throughout the years.” Gilder was honored for his dedication and hard work in ministry as a Louisiana Baptist Retiree of the Year award winner at a reception for bi-vocational and retired pastors during the 2018 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting at Temple Baptist Church, Ruston. A native of Greenville, Mississippi, Gilder accepted Christ as his Savior during a city-wide revival at age 15. Shortly after, Gilder accepted the call to preach the Gospel. He began his education to prepare for … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MANSURA – Powerlifter Steve Carrier per­formed feats of strength throughout the two-day Momentum Family Crusade in Avoyelles Parish, March 15-16. But it was the power of the Holy Spirit that was on display in the 100 acts of repentance for salvation and restoration that took place among the 500 people who attended one or both services at the Cochon De Lait Center in Mansura. The Louisiana Baptist Association-sponsored event was described by organizers as one of the largest evangelistic outreaches for Louisiana Bap­tists in Avoyelles Parish, with nearly half of the 28 churches in the association participating. A STRONG PRESENCE Carrier, who has traveled around the world with MegaForce Ministries to present the Gospel using stunts that feature his unique physical strength to attract crowds, let the Holy Spirit do the heavy lifting in reaching out to those who attended. “We’re all born with a God-shaped void,” Carrier told the crowd. “You can try to fill it, but you’ll never have complete confidence and peace. What one thing would hold you back tonight from a relationship with God? So many people put God off until tomorrow. But the Bible says today is the acceptable … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer DEVILLE – Christmas of 2018 is now just a memory for most, but 21 new believers in Christ are growing in their faith as a result of the gift they each received during the Christmas program held at the Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville. Moreover, according to Philip Robertson, pastor of the multi-site congregation which has another campus on Horseshoe Drive in Alexandria, F.A.I.T.H. visits in 2019 through early March, including to see guests who attended the Christmas program, have added another eight new Christmas musical offered gift that keeps giving believers to Heaven’s rolls. Robertson said the spiritual growth PBC is experiencing is a result of purposeful evangelistic planning and training. “Our worship teams worked super hard preparing for Christmas because they know we will have an opportunity to touch people we wouldn’t normally reach,” he told the Baptist Message. “Our job is simply to share the message and let the Holy Spirit do the work.” Robertson said the same of the work put into the F.A.I.T.H. weekly outreach program, which began on both campuses in February. “There is no greater miracle than the miracle of salvation,” he said of the combined … [Read more...]

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA (LBM) — The search committee seeking the next executive director for the Louisiana Baptist Convention has narrowed its list of candi­dates, and hopes to have a nominee to present at the next LBC Executive Board meeting, search committee chair­man Waylon Bailey told the Baptist Message March 18. “As you know, our committee has been given the challenging task of making a recommendation that will affect the work of Louisi­ana Baptists for decades to come,” Bailey, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Coving­ton and also chair­man of the LBC Executive Board, said in an e-mail statement. “We have not taken this task lightly. “When we learned of our responsibil­ity at the state convention in November, we immediately set a goal of having a candidate to present at the next Execu­tive Board meeting, May 7, 2019,” he continued. “We have been working diligently to meet that self-imposed deadline. “Our committee of 15 individuals from around the state has been fully engaged in this process,” he said. “I am deeply appreciative of their prayerful participation and hard work.” The 15-member search committee first met Nov. 27 to begin the process to nominate a successor to LBC Executive Director David … [Read more...]

By Message Staff ALGIERS – Nearly 220 youngsters will learn how Christ can set them free during the upcoming Misions Jamboree. Known as M-JAM, the multi-site event will take place March 30 at Connect Church in Algiers and again May 4 at the Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth, offering a couple of options for first through sixth graders and their ministry leaders to attend at least once. The “Set Free” theme for M-JAM is based on John 8:36. “I’m looking forward to this exciting missions event,” said Jess Archer, children and youth missions strategist for Louisiana Baptists. “M-JAM is one way that we can celebrate what God is doing around the world and here at home. We want to encourage and challenge children to understand that God calls missionaries to serve, churches to support, and ministries to partner so all people will know what it means to be set free from sin by our Lord Jesus Christ. Both events will feature IMB missionaries, a clear presentation of the Gospel, and people who serve in different areas of compassion ministries. M-JAM also gives a taste of what Children’s Mission Camp is about.” Balloon artist Dan Bellamy, founder of Inflatable Stories, will be the main speaker. Bellamy has traveled around … [Read more...]

By Message Staff WOODWORTH – First through sixth grade boys will have a chance to experience the life of an American Ninja Warrior during the 2019 Royal Ambassador Congress. The March 29-30 event at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth will feature former American Ninja Warrior contestant Jared Greer, who will al-low each boy to test out their skills on the obstacle course used in the popular TV show. Each boy also will participate in a Pinewood derby race and learn from missionaries about the dangers of substance use. All activities will coincide with the theme of this year’s RA Congress, “Mind and Body,” based on 1 Cor-inthians 9:24. “This is a wonderful opportunity for those who dream of being an Ameri-can Ninja Warrior to give in a try,” said Mike Collie, RA consultant for Louisi-ana Baptists. “There will be numerous ninja activities and a great time of fun, learning and worship with Christian men.” The cost for RA Congress varies and is based on multiple-occupancy. For more information or to download a registration form, visit http:// talltimbersbcc.org/retreats/racongress/. … [Read more...]

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 weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Kenny Moore is the new pastor at First Baptist Church of Boyce. James “Bubba” Courtney is the new pastor at Bethel Baptist Church, Livington. Jed Glascock is the new associate pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, Livingston. Shane West is the new interim pastor at Mans­field Road Baptist Church. Roy Strother resigns as pastor at Mooringsport Baptist Church, Mooringsport. Ordination service into the Gospel Ministry for Jacob Guillory, April 7 at 2 p.m., at Centerville Baptist Church, St. Landry. Pastor: Jerry Adams. HOMECOMING Kisatchie Baptist Church, Kisatchie: 151st Homecoming and Anniversary Service, March 31, 10 a.m. A covered dish lunch will follow the service. Speaker: Doug Chance. REVIVAL Bayou Baptist Association, Houma: The Churches United Evangelism Crusade, March 28-30, … [Read more...]