ON THE MOVE Lee Slayter is the new music director at Bethel Baptist Church, Colfax. Matt Walker is the new pastor at Peniel Baptist Church, West Monroe. David Hogg is the new worship and college pastor at First Baptist Church, Swartz. Justin Lawrence is new children’s minister at Chenier Baptist Church, West Monroe. Tim Post is the new pastor at Bethel Baptist Church, Bastrop. Charles Dupree is the new pastor at Parkview Baptist Church, Monroe. Sharon Harrell is the new student minister at Lakeshore Baptist Church, Monroe. HOMECOMING First Baptist Church, Eros: Homecoming, Sept. 25, 10 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will follow the service at noon. People are urged to bring a covered dish. Speaker: Marty Black. There will be singing, preaching, food and fellowship. Conway Baptist Church, Farmerville: Homecoming, Sept. 25. Brothers In Christ in concert, 10 a.m. and memorial and worship service, 11 a.m. Speaker: Tony Campanale. Lunch will follow services in the Family Life Center. Friends and families of present and former members are invited to attend. Pastor: Paul Carter. Alto Baptist Church, Alto: Homecoming, Sept. 25, 10:30 pm. Speaker: James H. Miller. Worship: The Sanctuary Quartet. Lunch will … [Read more...]

By Philip Timothy, Managing Editor WELSH – In the small Jefferson Davis Parish town of Welsh, a church and its pastor put its faith on display by providing hope where there was little and giving unconditional love when it was needed the most. Battling rising flood waters himself, Pastor Pat Deshotel and members of First Baptist Welsh set aside their own problems to come to the aid of their neighbors. Special attention was given to a pair of widows. Each lost a husband two days before the rain and flooding began, and a day apart from each other. “I couldn’t imagine losing a spouse and then having to face the devastation of the flooding several days later. They didn’t even have time to grieve before the flooding began,” Deshotel said. “I knew both ladies and their husbands well, and I could not let them go this alone.” Joe Bertrand died Aug. 9 after a long battle with cancer leaving behind Judy, his wife of 49 years. Victor Thomas passed away the following day leaving behind his wife Shannon. While Judy Bertrand, a Roman Catholic, had family, Shannon Thomas, who is affiliated with a non-denominational, did not. “Judy had eight feet of water in her home and Shannon’s trailer was surrounded by water,” said … [Read more...]

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS -- The Caskey Center for Church Excellence at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary will serve as a strategic partner for the 2017 Southern Baptist Convention Pastors' Conference in Phoenix. The partnership will include financial and logistical support. NOBTS President Chuck Kelley announced the partnership to the school's faculty Sept. 7. "The Caskey Center for Church Excellence at NOBTS is delighted to partner with the 2017 SBC Pastors' Conference in Phoenix to highlight the role of the smaller membership church in Southern Baptist life," Kelley said. "We are passionately committed to encouraging all pastors to make excellent biblical exposition in the church and consistent Gospel conversations with those outside the church the building blocks of their ministries." The news follows the election of Dave Miller, pastor of Southern Hills Baptist Church in Sioux City, Iowa, and editor of the SBC Voices blog, as the president of the 2017 Pastors' Conference. Typically a position reserved for larger church pastors, Miller ran on a platform emphasizing expositional preaching and celebrating the contributions of smaller churches in the SBC. Miller's church, which averages … [Read more...]

By Matt Vines, Northwestern Sports Information NATCHITOCHES – Peyton Rector was at peace ending her college soccer career with one year of eligibility remaining. Finishing a psychology degree in three years, the Northwestern State product decided she would go on a worldwide whirlwind of a mission trip, visiting more than a dozen countries in 11 months. Soccer was never far away, but Rector came to a harsh realization that prompted her to reprioritize her life while paving the path back to collegiate soccer. “My faith grew a lot in this process,” Rector explained. “I always considered myself a Christian, but I realized that my real identity was in soccer. “God finally had to completely take (soccer) away from me to realize that. My relationship with God is different now, and I feel that I am able to return to college soccer and share these experiences.” Despite being away from competitive soccer for nearly two years, Rector will start at her old center back position. Rector hopes she can meld with a young but talented team to help the Lady Demons to a Southland Conference Tournament appearance, a place the program hasn’t been since 2008. THE DECISION An active Fellowship of Christian Athletes member at … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley posed an important question to students and faculty gathered for convocation Sept. 13. “Where do people hear you talk about Jesus?” he asked. Drawing from Philippians 1:12, Kelley pointed to the apostle Paul as a “master of Gospel conversations” who talked about Jesus “always, and in all places.” Holding up him as the example to follow, Kelley said Paul talked to others about Christ wherever he was—even in prison. “Where do people hear you talk about Jesus?” Kelley asked. “Is it in the grocery store? Is it over coffee or in any other casual settings?” Kelley acknowledged that students came to seminary to learn to preach and expound God’s word, but cautioned them that preaching alone was not enough, adding that a strategy for reaching those outside the church walls was necessary. “How can you mobilize your congregation to talk about Christ in their homes, at work, and with their friends?” Kelley asked. “By letting them see you talk about Jesus everywhere and at any time.” Kelley concluded by saying that his prayer this year is that the seminary would be a place that encourages and celebrates … [Read more...]