By Staff, Baptist Message NEW YORK – For his entire life, Greg Oden dreamed of directing a choir at Carnegie Hall. He finally got his chance in late May, when Oden and 82 students from the West Monroe High School Rebel Choir performed a 30-minute performance that featured several Christian-themed songs before a crowd of about 2,000. “It took me 52 years to make my Carnegie Hall debut,” said Oden, a member of First West. “It’s just a revered place. I tell all the kids who have been there, that all these great, great performers have come before us. It’s one of those places walking onto the stage that is inspiring.” Five of the six songs the choir sang had Christian themes. These included “Elijah Rock,” “Lamentations of Jeremiah” and “At the Round Earth’s Imagined Corners.” This was the school’s fifth time for the choir to perform at Carnegie Hall, but the first time not to be combined with other choirs, and, the first time Oden was able to direct the group. Other locations where they have performed include 9-11 Memorial in New York, Omaha beach in Normandy, and Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican. Oden, a member of the First West orchestra, will continue his travels, this time overseas, when he goes to Europe this … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer WOODWORTH – Jimmy Noblit is a man on a mission, working four days a week alongside other volunteers to complete the Georgia Barnette Conference Center. From the time construction began last July, Noblit has spent most weeks at Tall Timbers helping to build a legacy that will long outlive him for generations to come. “Somebody has to do this,” said Noblit, a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria. “This will affect the lives of many children who come through here. They will be discipled and some will commit to missions. “The next person who makes a decision here may be the next Lottie Moon,” he continued. “It’s all for the Glory of God.” Since July 13, an army of Louisiana Baptist volunteers like Noblitt and others from around the U.S. have helped build the Georgia Barnette Conference Center and Missionary/Volunteer Training Center. Once complete, the center will house information about influential early-day Louisiana Baptists and become a state-of-the art training facility for the future of missions in Louisiana. The 8,400-square-foot center is to have six small group rooms and a large auditorium that can be arranged for up to 580 participants. Also included is a … [Read more...]

By Andy Kanengiser, MC University News Coordinator CLINTON, Mississippi -- Awesome worship services, a deeper understanding of the Bible and a marathon of fun games were all part of the agenda during a recent FUGE camp at Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. Sizzling temperatures on the Clinton campus in mid-June went with the experience for 42 kids and adult chaperones from First Baptist Church Arcadia.  The 157-mile journey from their hometown between Shreveport and Monroe to the Baptist-affiliated university was well worth it, students say. “Not only do you grow closer to our Lord, but you also have the opportunity to encourage others in their faith at different sites around the area,’’ says Madison Hoffman, 18, of Arcadia. “God is evident and moving!’’ “I love being surrounded by new people in my Bible study class,’’ says Sydney Moore, 18, of Arcadia. “Even though we are all different, we can come together with our common love for Jesus! It is such an encouraging time to be surrounded by so many kids my age who are unashamed to admit their faith.’’ An estimated 6,000 children from 15 states utilize the campus in June and July to not only sharpen their sports skills but more importantly step up their Christian … [Read more...]

By Mike Midkiff, ETBU Public Relations MARSHALL, Texas – It had been more than 20 years since Pastor Aaron Dickinson of Swartz First Baptist Church in Monroe had set foot back on the campus of East Texas Baptist University. On June 1, Dickson, who is in his first year as pastor at Swartz, returned to the campus June 1 and brought a group of senior adults from his church to attend ETBU’s annual senior adult conference, Hilltop University, to enjoy three days of fun, fellowship, worship, preaching, and Biblical teaching focused on revival and renewal. Dickson said his group came to this particular conference because he was looking for a spiritual retreat experience for his senior adults that would be fun and inspiring. “I knew about the Senior Adult Conference when I was a student here at ETBU,” said Dickinson. “I looked the conference up online to see if they were still holding it because I wanted to find a regional event our senior adults could attend. We do not have a conference like this one in Louisiana.” Over 270 campers attended representing 56 difference churches -- with 50 from Texas, four from Louisiana, and two from Arkansas. Brook Wood Baptist Church, Shreveport, First Baptist Church, Bossier, and First Baptist … [Read more...]

Andy Kanengiser, Mississippi College News Bureau CLINTON, Miss. -- One hundred kids from Louisiana’s Greenwell Springs Baptist Church were part of the first wave of FUGE campers building their faith at Mississippi College in early June. Participating in lively worship services, playing fun games, and ministering to folks at Jackson area nursing homes were just a few of the life-changing projects visitors from the Bayou State experienced at the 2016 FUGE camp. “The Holy Spirit was present here – you could feel it day and night,” Elisa Bankston said. She was among 20 parent chaperones from the church near Baton Rouge returning to the Baptist-affiliated University. “The staff did a great job. This is a well-run camp.’’ For a few hours, June 8, students and parents from Greenwell Springs Baptist temporarily left the Clinton campus to share the love of Jesus Christ to the elderly at nursing homes and to encourage foster children. They also delivered the Good News to families at apartments in Mississippi’s capital city and did yard work in the hot sun and took on other tasks as a means to earn the opportunity to spread their message. Coming to one of LifeWay’s Fuge camps for the second straight summer at MC will reap long-term … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message Lifted up by the prayers of thousands from across Louisiana, the nation and even the world, Rose Landry Long’s family sought God’s intervention. Doctors at MD Anderson did what had previously been said could not be done -- they removed a large tumor from her brain. When Rose Long, the wife of State Sen. Gerald Long, first learned of the diagnosis, she knew she was facing the battle of her life. The Long family did the only thing they knew to do … they put the situation in God’s Hand and asked for intervention through prayer. The response has been humbling. And now, her family is expressing their heart-felt gratitude for the many who did pray. “To say we have felt the prayers would be a gross understatement,” said Pam Long Jordan, daughter of the Longs, who are members at First Baptist Church in Natchitoches and strong supporters of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Northwestern State University. Doctors discovered a pair of tumors following a PET scan on June 1 but were hesitant to operate. They finally operated on June 16. “Our first neurosurgeon at MD Anderson was not able to perform the surgery in the time we wanted, so the chief of neurosurgery at MD Anderson took Mom’s case and removed … [Read more...]

The first-ever marriage retreat cruise hosted by Franklin Avenue Baptist Church is fast approaching. Scheduled for Aug. 25-29, the One Love Cruise will feature dynamic marriage enrichment sessions, men's and women's breakout discussions, fun and fellowship. Registration closes 30 days before departure. For the past 26 years, the church has hosted marriage retreats. They have grown from 50 couples when they first started to more than 400 during it most recent one. Already, 300 of the 450 available cabins the church has reserved have been booked. The Carnival cruise will leave from New Orleans for Cozumel. Gary Mack Sr., pastor of Family Life at Franklin Avenue Baptist, said the theme is One Love: one man, one woman, for one lifetime. “The retreat is a great opportunity for a husband and wife to spend time learning what it takes to have a marriage that last a lifetime,” he said. “Our prayer is that couples will experience renewal, relaxation, and romance.” For further information visit fabcmarriageretreat.com, or Pastor Mack at 504.488.8488, extension 122, or at gmack@franklinabc.com. … [Read more...]