By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – In a resounding rebuke of Gov. John Bel Edwards, lawmakers in the Louisiana House (76- 23) and Senate (28-11) voted overwhelmingly, July 18, to override his veto of HB 648, which protects minors, who are incapable of giving informed consent, against transgender procedures that have been declared “experimental” by medical experts in the United States and Europe. The bill was the only one of 28 vetoed by Edwards (five Senate and 23 House) that garnered an override vote in both chambers. [Both HB 1 (State Operating Bud[1]get 2023-2024) and HB 2 (Capital Outlay Budget) received line-item vetoes (five and 11, respectively) but were not totally rejected by the governor. They are included in the total above, but neither was brought up during the override session.] Also known as the “Stop Harming Our Kids Act,” the legislation authored by Rep. Gabe Firment, a deacon with the First Baptist Church in Pollock, specifically prohibits doctors and therapists from performing sex change surgeries and prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones simply to change a child’s appearance from his or her biological sex. Additionally, the bill, which now will become … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – A record number of baptisms last year, 13, and two years in a row of double-digit baptisms indicate that New Life Baptist Church in Deridder is rightly named. “We have been really fortunate,” Keith Manuel, pastor of New Life and director of evangelism and church growth for Louisiana Baptists, told the Baptist Message. “The church has been through a difficult season ministry-wise. That’s how I became affiliated with them. “We started the revitalization process. Then Laura hit, and it devastated the area,” he explained. “Then COVID came in and hit really hard. We went to everything online. Came back together. Another wave of COVID hits.” These circumstances and space considerations caused the congregation to take a new look at how they conducted ministry and discipleship and they decided to focus on growth through life groups. “We have a great worship space and parking space,” Manuel said. “We don’t have adequate education space for the number of people who attend worship. In looking at how we could make it work, this church has been great to ‘try and see.’” “We do two things – worship and life group,” he said. “Everything else supports those … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer GRAND ECORE, La. (LBM) – Blake McKneely had been a follower of Christ for 20 years but was not “all in” for Jesus. But in March, through a series of messages from Pastor Jay Begbie during worship services with the Grand Ecore Baptist Church, McKneely realized his need to be obedient through baptism. He is one of 40 individuals Begbie has baptized since early 2022. “I had asked Jesus into my heart at 13 but had not made a public profession of faith or been baptized because I felt I was not perfect enough to do so,” McKneely told the Baptist Message. “I realized from Pastor Jay that you don’t have to be perfect; you have to strive for better and ask for forgiveness of sins.” When Begbie arrived as pastor in July 2020, the church averaged five in Sunday school and 12 in the morning service. But the congregation remained intact through the coronavirus pandemic and once all the restrictions were lifted in early 2022, attendance for both began to increase. Now, about 100 gather for worship and 30 meet in Bible study classes. Moreover, the congregation recently completed a $60,000 renovation project that included a new roof and front porch with a handicap-accessible ramp. However, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BOGALUSA, La. (LBM) – The effort to extend protection to unborn babies in the state just got a boost with the announcement that Washington Parish soon will have a pregnancy center of its own. The Southeast Louisiana Pregnancy Center for Women and Children, a 1,300-sq.-ft. facility located at 502 Ave. F in Bogalusa, will be the first of its kind in Washington Parish. The center will open by the end of the year if facility renovations are completed. According to Patrick Magee, pastor of Lees Creek Baptist Church in Bogalusa and board member for the SLPC for W&C, the center, as it grows, will offer pregnancy decision coaching by trained advocates, free pregnancy tests, information about pregnancy options, maternity and other physical resources and post-decision support including parenting education. The center will also minister to women who make the wrong decision by providing post[1]abortive healing assistance as a way to show them the love of Christ. Magee, also a compassion missionary with the Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana, added that the pregnancy center has received generous support from the local community and some people have indicated they may … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – For the last 26 years, Kay Bennett has shared the hope of Christ with some of the most vulnerable in New Orleans as director of the Baptist Friendship House. In late April she retired from leading this key ministry, but her heart continues to be with the human trafficking victims, homeless mothers and school children she helped during her years with the ministry. “It’s been the adventure of a lifetime,” Bennett told the Baptist Message. “This is the most fulfilling thing I can ever imagine. I’ve gotten to do and see things some people only dream about. “I’ve seen Jesus chang[1]ing people’s lives when they needed Him most,” she continued. “What a joy and honor to see Him work for all these years.” CALLED Bennett’s ministry journey began as the daughter of a dairy farmer in Kokomo, Miss., who engrained in her the value of serving others. Her father and mother also took her to church every week and planted seeds that eventually, at age 12, resulted in Bennett trusting in Christ as her Savior. While attending the University of Southern Mississippi, Bennett landed a counseling internship at a mental facility in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Though she was … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LAKE CHARLES, La. (LBM) – Steve James has led Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana, through a relocation, numerous natural disaster responses and multiple waves of baptisms during his 27 years as pastor. James is a former president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention (2002-2003) in Alexandria, Louisiana, a past trustee (2006-2017), including as chairman (2014-2015), with the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and a trustee with the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries (2020-present). As he reflected on fond memories ahead of his Aug. 31 retirement, James said he is thankful for the way God has used his church to share the hope of Christ with others in southwest Louisiana and beyond. “I have asked God that the latter days be greater than the former,” James told the Baptist Message. “I am at peace where I am. I have taken the church as far as I think I can take them. Anything you see at Trinity Baptist or hear is all God and He has let me come along for the ride. I give him the praise, honor and glory.” FROM REBELLION TO MINISTRY Despite growing up in the home of a pastor, James lived a rebellious life as a … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONTEGUT, La. (LBM) – Bernice Billiot was left hopeless after Hurricane Ida destroyed her house on the Pointe-au-Chien Indian reservation, Aug. 29, 2021. But in March, volunteers from Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief, Blessed Assurance Ministries (relief arm comprised of members from First Baptist Church, Covington), and Christian Public Service (agency of the Church of God in Christ Mennonites) came alongside Billiot and renewed her spirit by rebuilding her home. Billiot is the first of many who Louisiana Baptists plan to help through a lengthy reconstruction effort on the reservation. “I can’t express how much all the help has given me in moving forward,” Billiot told the Baptist Message. “I would still be living in my camper if it had not been for these people. It’s awesome the love they have shown to me and the others living in my town.” Of the 92 homes in the community, 78 were destroyed by Ida, a Category 4 storm (maximum sustained winds of 150 mph). Marvin and Debbie Savoie, former International Mission Board Missionaries who now are members of First Baptist Church, Lafayette, were appointed in November to oversee the rebuild project. They knew restoring the … [Read more...]

First Baptist Church, Merryville: Strength for Today Ministries presents a Bible conference, July 23-25, 6-8 p.m. The ministry of Evangelist Lyndon Longoria is celebrating its 25th year. Speakers: Dalton Isbell, DeRidder, Wesley Jackson, Anacoco, Asa Longoria, DeRidder, Robert McClelland, Kirbyville, Texas, Jim McKeithen, Hebert, Johnnie Phillips, Jena, David Richmond, Columbia, and Lyndon Longoria. Worship will be provided by Kerry Longoria and Mark Humble. First Baptist Church, Blanchard: Terrific Tuesdays, July 11, 6 p.m., John Fream, Cypress Baptist Church; July 18, 6 p.m., Casey Johnson, Bonita Road Baptist Church, July 25, 6 p.m., Lane Moore, Associational Mission Strategist for Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association. Pastor: Clay Fuqua. Zion Baptist Church, Georgetown: Revival, July 17-20, 7 p.m. nightly. Speaker: Brent Smith. Worship/music will be provided by area church including East Winnfield, Friendship Baptist and Zion Baptist. A nursery for ages three & under will be provided. Pastor: Don Wright. Harvest Sunday Bellaire Baptist Church, Bossier City: Harvest Sunday, June 16, 8:15 & 10:15 a.m., Evangelist: Lyndon Longoria. Pastor: Randy Harper. Willow Point Baptist Church, Shreveport: Harvest … [Read more...]