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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

HORN: My prayers for VBS

By Steve Horn Manuel Noriega, former dictator of Panama who became a Christian in prison, once said as he pointed to the Bible, “There’s the book that tells me what His will is for my life. It has changed me.” Dr. Rick Byargeon, Old Testament scholar, teacher, preacher, and my friend, asked his wife for his Bible hours before he died, held it up, and said, “I gave my life to the study of this book.” The Apostle Paul in writing to Timothy said, “When you come . . . bring the scrolls, especially the parchments.” (2 Timothy 4:13) Our church, as well as countless others, is having Vacation Bible School this week. I am praying for lives to be changed, children to fall in love with Jesus, and begin a life-long study of the Bible. Last Sunday, in preparation for our week of Bible School, I preached from Joshua 1. I love this text. In verses 7-8, we read these instructions and a promise about the Word of God. Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. 8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you … [Read more...]

Lottie Moon falls $11.3 million; Annie Armstrong down $13.1 million

By Will Hall, Message Editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM) —The Southern Baptist Conventions’ International Mission Board released final numbers, June 7, for its annual special collection, showing the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering has fallen short $12.8 million, or greater than 7.7 percent, compared to last year. Meanwhile, the SBC Executive Committee published data, June 2, indicating the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, which composes 49 percent of the budget for the North American Mission Board, is down $13.1 million, or more than 37 percent, year-to-date (only one month following Easter, and just four months before the end of the accounting year). For context about the two special offerings, year-to-date giving for all national causes through the Cooperative Program has been relatively stable, but down about $1.4 million, or off about 1 percent, compared to the same time frame last year. LOTTIE MOON The Christmas offering hit an all-time high of $165.8 million only a year ago, when Southern Baptists responded with generosity to IMB’s revelations about chronic overspending and the need for personnel reductions. IMB leaders had forecast an even larger offering for this year, announcing in November 2016 it had crafted … [Read more...]

Vacation Bible School

Southside Baptist Church, Shreveport: Galactic Starveyors Vacation Bible School, June 8-10. Thursday and Friday, 6-8:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – to 2:30 p.m. Southside is located at 730 E. Flournoy Lucas Road, Shreveport. For more information, call 318.798.6200. Pastor: Buddy Hankins. … [Read more...]

Kelley credits Jesus for the transformation of Angola, prisoners

By Message Staff PINEVILLE – Any given life can be transformed through Jesus Christ, even a prisoner serving a life sentence for murder at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley said Monday, June 5. “Never forget you can change your life,” Kelley told those attending the monthly First@First Business Leaders luncheon at First Baptist Church in Pineville. “You can be transformed. A stale marriage can come alive. Kids that are breaking your heart can be made different and new. Jesus Christ can make anybody new. “If you don’t believe me, you come with me to the cell blocks at Angola,” he continued. “And if you just walk around with me, you will pick out our students instantly because you will see something is different about these guys. They will stand out.” Since 1995, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has held classes at Angola to train inmates who were incarcerated in what was once known as the bloodiest prison in the United States. Now, instead of committing crimes, thousands have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior and the prison has seen an 85 percent drop in violence. To date, 319 inmates have graduated from the seminary’s extension … [Read more...]

This Train Is Bound for Glory …. This Train!

By Michael Evans It profoundly saddens me to hear that the Cooperative Program is down. I realize our great state has suffered major catastrophes and has an economy that is underperforming expectations. I get that -- but I believe I will borrow from Maya Angelou who once said, “Ignorance is a terrible thing. It causes families to lose their center and causes people to lose control. Ignorance knows no bounds. Old and young people, middle-aged, black white can all be ignorant.” I heartily agree. I know I once was young and ignorant, and now I am old and ignorant -- except now I know wisdom comes from dependence upon the leadership of the Holy Spirit. I believe those of us who know the value of the Cooperative Program have a biblical duty to enlighten those who may not be aware of the blessings that await any church that will give and support our cooperative ministries through the CP. Elwood Baptist Church is a country church in Forest Hill, and may I tell you we always have more than enough money and then some -- to borrow from Louisiana College President Rick Brewer -- for anything we are led to do in the service of the Lord. Our church has dedicated itself to giving 16% of its tithes and offerings to the … [Read more...]