By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SPEARSVILLE – Cheryl Upshaw was held captive by grief following a motor vehicle accident that left her partially paralyzed in 2004. But Upshaw experienced release from the spiritually oppressive emotions related to the tragedy after someone cared enough to question her about her eternal destiny. Upshaw’s “2 Corinthian 7:9-10 moment” took place during an in-home visit. “When I asked her about her salvation experience she began to cry because, while she had spent many years in churches, no one had ever asked her if she had one,” explained Marcell McGee, pastor of Union Baptist Church in Spearsville. “After I led her to the Lord, I wanted to make it special for her and used water from the Jordan River I had taken back with me in some bottles on a prior visit. It was special because of Cheryl’s desire to be a witness of what God did in her life.” “Coming from the Jordan River where Christ was baptized made it so sentimental,” Upshaw said. “I still have a little bit of it in a vile that I like to show people as part of my testimony. I have gone from a person who had so much guilt into one who now is free through Christ.” UNITED IN MINISTRY Since he arrived in February 2012 as … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE (LCNews) -- Louisiana College is elated to welcome home one of its own, Dr. Thomas Howell, as he debuts his book, Soldiers of the Pen, Friday, March 15, in LC’s Norton Library at 9:15 a.m. Howell highlights the Writers’ War Board -- a group of media figures who volunteered to create propaganda for the WWII effort. Members included notable names such as Pearl S. Buck and Broadway lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II. Louisiana College’s former history professor argues that the WWB’s history remains largely unknown because it was not recognized as an official part of the government’s war effort even though it received federal funds supporting its work. “Dr. Howell remains a favorite among our Louisiana College family, and we are proud to claim him as a Wildcat,” said LC President Rick Brewer. “Not only was he beloved by faculty and students alike, he was an avid sports fan and is a member of our Louisiana College Sports Hall of Fame.” Howell is among the few who graduated from LC with a 4.0 GPA.  He left Louisiana College in 2006 for a position at William Jewel College, from which he recently retired. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MANGHAM – New Light Baptist Church recently paid tribute to three generations of law enforcement officers in its congregation. The three men – Jerry Sr., Jerry Jr. and Jerry Spencer III – were recognized during the Dec. 16 service at New Light Baptist, which averages about 35 worshipers on Sunday mornings. “It was unusual we had three generations of families that have been in law enforcement,” Pastor William Waller told the Baptist Message. “We thought it needed to be a special time in our service to ask for blessings in light of what has happened in recent months with law enforcement officers throughout the country. “We recognized them not only as servants to the community but servants to this church for so long,” he added. “It is real heart-warming to know what these gentlemen have done.” A FAMILY LEGACY Collectively, the Spencers have served nearly 63 years in law enforcement. The eldest Spencer developed a passion for becoming a peace officer when Lorell Graham, his cousin and Mangham police chief at the time, allowed the then-teenager to accompany him in a cruiser during patrols in the town. When he turned 25 years old, in 1975, Spencer achieved his dream, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell. Message Staff Writer WINNSBORO – Churches in Deer Creek Baptist Association held prayer meetings and individual times of prayer leading up to their first-ever simultaneous cluster revivals, which took place February 17-22. The multi-pronged effort featured inspiring messages at a different church each evening by Gevan Spinney, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Haughton, in the southern half of churches and Rubin Weaver, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Farmerville, in the northern half of churches. By the end of the revivals, several repented to turn to Christ and many more repented to restore fellowship with Him. “We focused not only on evangelistic services but preaching to and challenging the church for the church to be all it could be and go outside the church doors into the community,” said Eddie Rhymes, director of missions for Deer Creek Association. “Our churches were challenged to move beyond our buildings and out into our communities.” In the past, churches in Deer Creek Association held cluster revivals at different locations, but never two revival services taking place at different churches on the same evening. This year, associational leadership opted to change up its outreach … [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 Wesley Coleman is the new student pastor at Swartz First Baptist Church, Monroe. Jimmy Pitson has resigned as pastor of Clark Springs, Eros. Caleb (wife Katrina) Richardson is the new children’s minister at Woodridge Baptist Church, Shreveport. Doug Allen retiring as pastor at First Baptist Church, Blanchard. Brandon Lewis is the new Louisiana Baptists youth strategist. HOMECOMING Cotile Baptist Church, Boyce: Homecoming, March 17, 11 a.m. There will be dinner on the grounds following the service. Evangelist: Ryan Perry. Pastor: Johnny Miller. Airline Baptist Church, Metairie: 65th anniversary, March 24, 10:30 a.m-2 p.m. The church address is 421 N Lester Ave, Metairie, LA  70003. For more information, call Tiffany at 504.756.7024. Pastor: Eric Benoy. REVIVAL Louisiana College, … [Read more...]

By Holly Jo Linzay, Regional Reporter WOODWORTH – Giggles bubbled up from the cluster of children gathered around the youth throwing a block party at an Alexandria apart­ment complex. Jump ropes twirled, little art­ists colored with chalk on the sidewalk and a rous­ing game of kickball took place on the nearby field. The day of fun was all part of M-NOW, a ministry opportunity for teens in grades 7-12. M-NOW, a two-day re­treat hosted by the Louisi­ana Baptists women’s mis­sions and ministry team, stands for Missions Now. The weekend was designed to engage students in mis­sion action and witnessing so that they may discover similar needs in the con­text of their own com­munities. About 75 youth, youth leaders and program staff from seven churches across the state partici­pated in M-NOW on Feb. 15-16 at the Tall Timbers Conference Center. “M-NOW has been an amazing experience,” Ra­chael Smith, a 16-year-old with First Baptist Church of Tullos, said with a big grin on her face. “It’s something I will remember forever,” Smith said, adding that coming together with other like-minded youth has made it easier for her to share her faith in a community outreach setting. Matthew Jambois, a senior with Lakeshore Baptist … [Read more...]

By Holly Jo Linzay PINEVILLE – About 300 women gathered for a two-day conference simply to soak in the presence of the Lord and to dwell in the Word as a respite from the world’s interruptions, organizers told the Baptist Message. The R.E.A.L. women’s conference, which stands for Relationships, Em­brace, Authenticity and Love, took place Feb. 22-23 at First Baptist Church in Pineville. The theme of the event was “Still My Soul” based on the scripture Psalm 46:10. Janie Wise, women’s mission and ministry strategist for Louisiana Baptists and coordina­tor for the event, said participants were offered 15 breakout sessions to engage in diverse topics such as spiritual growth, discipleship, personal development, overcoming sexual sins, finding your identity in Christ, worship and making connections in a multicultural world. They were treated to a number of gifted speakers in these small groups and in the general sessions, she said. NICKI KOZIARZ “How’s your soul?” asked Nicki Koziarz. “That is the most important question we can engage you in this weekend. What will it take for it to be ‘well’ with your soul?” Koziarz, who served as the keynote speaker for R.E.A.L., is a best-selling author and speaker with … [Read more...]