By Message Staff WOODWARD, Okla. – A small team of Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers was removing debris from the yard of a home damaged by a mid-January ice storm when they encountered a resident in need of Jesus’ love. By the end of their conversation, the team members had accomplished their mission – sharing a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name. According to Louisiana Baptists state disaster relief director Gibbie McMillan, Woodward, Okla., resident Linda Hunter suffered a stroke a few days before an ice storm snapped trees in half and knocked down power lines. Noticing Hunter was in need of equipment to help exercise her arm weakened by the stroke, the team members traveled to the local hardware store, where they purchased a pulley apparatus that would enable her to strengthen her arm. The team returned a day later, finding Hunter in good spirits for their service. “When disaster relief workers respond they are ready to help people deal with their needs if at all possible,” McMillan said. “These people care about people first then do what they can to make a difference. “ The teams from Eastern Louisiana and Washington Baptist associations worked in Woodward from Jan. 22 to 31. They were part of a … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message Editor WASHINGTON —Two of Louisiana’s three newest elected U.S. officials recently spoke with the Baptist Message to share their thoughts about the wholesale change of attitude in the White House with regard to respect for the life of the unborn since the inauguration of the 45th president of the United States, with both men commenting on the participation of the vice president in the March for Life, Jan. 27, in Washington, D.C., as historic. “I’ve gotten to know Vice President Pence, starting with my campaign. He’s a godly man and believes as I do that every life is precious,” Sen. John Kennedy said. “He is soft-spoken, but he knows who he is and he knows what he believes, and, he’s not afraid to stand up for what he believes.” Kennedy garnered nearly two-thirds of the runoff vote, Dec. 10, to represent the state in the Senate. Likewise, his counterpart in the House, Mike Johnson, also won with a landslide margin, and now serves as Louisiana’s representative from the U.S. 4th Congressional District. Rep. Johnson said it was “a shame that it took 44 years for someone of his stature to appear,” and he said all the pro-life advocates who had worked “so many years in this arena” celebrated the fact … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SHREVEPORT – U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson believes 2017 will be the most pro-life year in America in a half-century. “We are just getting started, so buckle up,” Johnson told a record crowd gathered for the Louisiana Life March North Saturday, Jan. 28. “Thank you for standing for life. This is an important historic moment for our nation, for our state and for this community that all of us love so much.” More than 9,000 people turned out for the fourth annual march to stand for life. The theme for this year’s march was “Protect Them Both.” Organizers wanted to emphasize the pro-life movement values not only the unborn child but their mothers who have alternatives to abortion, such as crisis pregnancy centers in the state. The march included speakers and musicians from various denominations, including a number of Louisiana Baptists such as Lane Moore, director of missions for the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association. He told the Baptist Message after the march that he always is amazed at the diversity represented in the march. “The young families with strollers and small children is encouraging,” Moore said. “The people that attended seemed to be more excited about the future … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SHREVEPORT – Nearly 900 members of the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association ended their final days of January by crying out to God to bring revival to a nation becoming increasingly filled with turmoil. Much like the first Call to Prayer at First Baptist Church Bossier City in January 2016, this gathering brought together Christians of various ages and ethnicities to pray for law enforcement, the persecuted church, missionaries serving around the world, pastors and other church leaders. Some pastors, ministers’ wives and associational leaders led prayer from the stage inside the worship center at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport. Other prayers took place individually and in small groups. But in the end, the Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way as pleas for revival were lifted up. During Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association Director of Mission Lane Moore’s opening remarks, he said the culture is desperate for the love of Christ and is watching how believers live. “My desire tonight is that we would not leave this place the same way we walked into this place,” Moore said. “We are going to invite Him, and praise Him, and bless Him and worship Him and talk to Him … [Read more...]