By Will Hall & Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message RUSTON —Wayne Jenkins said in years past his team had tried other Convention-wide initiatives, but nothing with the focus of the newly launched Harvest campaign to “pray for every home and share Christ with every person” in the state. Moreover, the Louisiana Baptist Convention evangelism and church growth director said this cooperative effort is special because he truly believes Louisiana Baptists “have the ability to achieve these goals” ­‑ and he said the harvest of salvations that resulted from Louisiana Baptists 2017 Evangelism Conference is promising. Ed Newton led a kickoff for Harvest 2017-2018, aimed at youth, during the first day’s evening session of ECON 2017. After a pizza social at Temple Baptist Church, Ruston, Jan. 23, Ed Newton presented a message emphasizing the Gospel to hundreds of young people who were part of a packed worship center. “Heaven is real,” said Newton, pastor of Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas. “Life is short. Jesus is good, and, He desires to save you right where you’re at.” Without believing in Christ, Newton said, the future is hopeless. But he emphasized no one had to remain trapped in that spiritual … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer RUSTON – Gevan Spinney said he believes God wants to do something in Louisiana and he urged every Louisiana Baptist church to be a part of the Harvest, which could be the largest joint evangelistic effort ever in the state. GEVAN SPINNEY “At least pray God would send his revival through the state of Louisiana,” urged Louisiana Baptist Convention Spinney said during the 2017 Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference (ECON) at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, held Jan. 23-24. “We are praying for the next two years God will flood our state with the Holy Spirit.” Preaching from Mark 15:21, Spinney, pastor of First Baptist Church, Haughton, encouraged everyone to be a cross bearer in the example of Simon, who carried the cross for Jesus. “It’s impossible for you and I to take up the cross of Christ with our hands’ full,” he said. “What is it you and I need to deny ourselves? What is it we need to let go of in our schedule to pick up the cross?” In order to reach the state for Christ for the next two years and beyond, Spinney said pastors will need to train their people to share the Gospel and love the lost. “We’ve got to go where the broken people are,” Spinney said. … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Jeff (wife Andrea) Tinsley is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Haynesville. Marty (wife Joy) Williams is the new associate pastor at First Baptist Church, Zwolle. Marvin  (wife Dianne) Cooper is the new pastor at Bethany Baptist Church, Bethany. Billy Flowers is the new pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Vivian. Kevin Kellow is the new youth minister at Ferry Lake Baptist Church, Oil City. Blade Foster is the new youth minister at First Baptist Church, Oil City. Jason Harp is interim pastor at Brookwood Baptist Church, Shreveport. Bill Stroud resigned as pastor at Caddo Prairie Baptist Church, Hosston. Wayne Dubose is the interim pastor at Trinity Heights Baptist Church, Shreveport. Bob Heustess retired January 31 after serving 46 years as pastor at Grace Memorial Baptist Church, Slidell. Dennis Hackler is the new pastor at Cherry Ridge Baptist Church, Bastrop. HOMECOMING Trinity Baptist Church, Natchitoches:  65th Anniversary, Feb. 19th, 10:30 a.m. Lunch and concert will follow the service. Friends and families are invited to attend. Speaker: Wayne Bridges. Music: Bob Adams. Pastor: Josh Currie. REVIVAL Wilda Baptist Church, Gardener: Revival, Feb. 8-12. Evangelist: … [Read more...]