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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

There are no independent churches and no self-sufficient Christians

By Joe McKeever “I planted, Apollos watered, God gave the increase” (I Corinthians 3:6).  “Even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities” (Philippians 4:16).  I have no patience with signs in front of church buildings that read “Independent (whatever) Church.” There is no such thing as an independent church. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and we need each other. Some more than others. The believer or the church that believes he/she/it is independent and has no need of all those others is going against everything Scripture teaches and contradicting what they see happening all around them every day. Every church depends on the power company for the lights and a/c, on the water works for water in the building, on the sewerage department, on the streets department and on the guy who cuts the grass and the lady who cleans the toilets. They depend on the Bible, on the Holy Spirit, on those who brought the Gospel to them, and they depend on each other to be faithful. The pastor depends on the congregation to attend and serve and give and pray.  Everyone depends on the preacher to lead well. An independent Christian is a contradiction in terms.  An oxymoron. There is no such … [Read more...]

Volunteers needed as Ridgecrest attendance climbs

By Aaron Wilson, LifeWay Christian Resources RIDGECREST, N.C.— LifeWay’s Ridgecrest Conference Center celebrated record attendance last year as approximately 70,000 guests visited the Blue Ridge Mountain retreat site. “It was the most people we’ve seen in almost 30 years,” said Art Snead, executive director at Ridgecrest. “The fingerprints of God’s blessings are everywhere.” With the blessing of extra guests comes the need for more help on campus. Leaders at the conference center are currently looking to deepen their volunteer pool, which they say plays a vital role in serving visitors. “At Ridgecrest, we desire to see lives impacted for God’s glory,” said Chris Fenske, support staff coordinator. “We want to serve our guests with excellence and we need help to do that well.” David and Judy Constance are Ridgecrest volunteers from Cleveland, Tennessee, who began serving at the conference center in 2011. During their first year, they assisted with landscaping around campus. They’ve returned every year since and have served in catering, housekeeping, laundry services, kitchen work, and have even assisted with a special assignment during a marriage retreat. This July, they’re working at the Nibble Nook, an on-campus … [Read more...]

LifeWay launches new Spanish language Bible website

By LifeWay Christian Resources staff NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Bíblias Holman, the Spanish Bible publishing imprint of LifeWay Christian Resources, recently launched a new Spanish-language website, BibliasHolman.com. The website features new resources, articles and products designed to promote daily spiritual growth. In addition to the website, Bíblias Holman is launching the “Holman Reference Bibles Program” to Bible readers customize a Spanish Bible that best meets their needs. “Our new website provides a dynamic and modern application where visitors can find a Bible personalized for their needs through four simple steps,” said Cesar Custodio, marketing director for B&H Español and Bíblias Holman. “Customers can choose their translation preference—whether it’s the classic Reina Valera 1960 or the contemporary Nueva Versión Internacional—text size, cover and whether they prefer indexing or no indexing, all from their computer,” Custodio said. “We’re excited to go beyond being just a source for resources,” he said, “to providing easy-access to solutions that contribute to the spiritual development of the believer.” Through efforts like these, LifeWay and Biblias Holman affirm their commitment to providing biblical solutions … [Read more...]

M-FUGE students on mission in Central Louisiana

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA/PINEVILLE – More than 400 middle and high school students stepped out of their comfort zones to share the Gospel during the recent M-FUGE mission camp. Throughout the week of July 9-14, Good News seeds were planted by the students by going door-to-door and holding Bible clubs in area parks. The students from churches in Louisiana and six other states enjoyed a time of worship and Bible study at Louisiana College in Pineville each morning and then dispersed into smaller teams as they worked at their assigned sites. Some students presented the Gospel in the afternoons to community members while others sorted through donated clothing, renovated a church building and packed boxes at the Food Bank of Central Louisiana. “For the second year, Louisiana College was pleased to partner with Lifeway’s M-FUGE serving as a host site for over 400 high school students,” LC President Rick Brewer told the Baptist Message. “These students from SBC churches across Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee and Louisiana had a transformational worship and work experience while in Central Louisiana. It’s our desire to expand this partnership with LifeWay to offer four weeks of M-FUGE … [Read more...]

Are You Prepared When Your Moment Comes?

Daniel Poncedeleon pitched a no-hitter last night for seven innings for the St. Louis Cardinals in his Major League debut. Unfortunately, because of needing to pinch hit for him and because of a high pitch count, his manager made the most difficult decision to take him out of the game. More unfortunately, the Cardinals’ designated “closer” Bud Norris gave up a couple of runs in that last inning and the Cardinals lost 2-1. But, here’s the real story. Not only was this Poncedeleon’s first ever game to pitch in the Major Leagues, he is fortunate that he ever got the chance to pitch. Last season while playing for the AAA Minor League team of the Cardinals, a batted ball struck Poncedeleon in the head causing a serious injury. His Major League start last night was the celebration after surgery, days of clinging to life in the ICU, and months of rehabilitation. As a baseball fan, his story is a great one. But, as a Christian, there is more to the story. Last night after the game, the anchor of ESPN did a live interview with Poncedeleon. The second question was, “How is your life different since being hit in the head with the line drive.” Poncedeleon is a pitcher, but as a Christian, he hit a home run. “Honestly,” he did … [Read more...]