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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Olympics: ‘Thy will be done’ is shooter’s prayer

By Tim Ellsworth, Baptist Press RIO DE JANEIRO (BP) - In Sarah Scherer's competitions, the slightest movement -- even an errant breath -- can be the difference between winning and losing. It's understandable that such circumstances can cause times of nervousness and tension during a shooting competition. That's why the Olympic shooter a few months ago decided to start reciting the Lord's Prayer to herself when the pressure is on. "I realized I do that in life," Scherer told Baptist Press. "I might as well do that when I'm competing. Being able to say a prayer that's a structured prayer is very comforting." The 2016 Olympics are a return visit for Scherer, who competed in the women's 10-meter air rifle competition in London in 2012. This time, in addition to that event, she's also representing Team USA in the 50-meter rifle three position, in which competitors shoot at a target from kneeling, prone and standing positions. When she's competing, Scherer has to summon every ounce of focus and concentration she can to be successful. And she has a time limit. That's where the Lord's Prayer comes in -- something she knows by heart and can recite quickly without losing mental focus. "The words are still just as … [Read more...]

Olympics: Faith, support steadies archer’s focus

By Tim Ellsworth, Baptist Press RIO DE JANEIRO (BP) - Mackenzie Brown showed enough promise as an archer that she moved to the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., as a teenager. That proved to be a difficult experience that required a lot of extra maturity, and Brown relied on the Lord to help her through those times. "That was kind of a culture shock for me," Brown, now 21, told Baptist Press. "It definitely put me through a couple of rough patches where my faith wasn't as strong, but I always came back. God always found me and pulled me out every time. I thank Him every day for it." Brown, the fourth-ranked archer in the world, was upset in the round of 16 on Monday (Aug. 8) by San Ye Htwe of Myanmar, ending her hopes for a medal and bringing her first Olympic competition to a close. Despite the disappointing outcome, Brown's Olympic journey was done with the support of her family and her family's home church, Flint Baptist Church in Flint, Texas. Brown's mother Stacey is the Vacation Bible School director at the church. Her father Chuck and sister Rilie are also members there. Though Brown attends church in California where she lives, she also manages to stay connected to the Flint … [Read more...]

Louisiana College freshmen move-in day Saturday

PINEVILLE – Louisiana College will welcome the Class of 2020 Saturday at 10 a.m., the official move-in day for the incoming freshman class. LC president Rick Brewer will lead faculty and staff in assisting the newcomers by unloading their gear and moving them into their respective dorm rooms. LC’s annual Wildcats Welcome Week is Aug. 14 - 19, which is a time of orientation and numerous fun activities.  Upperclassmen will also be returning to campus during that week.   … [Read more...]

Feed the Hungry

The ladies from my home church made these aprons for our cooking team to give away to the women we worked with during our ministry in Brazil. Each is embroidered with Psalm 34:8a in Portuguese: “Taste and know that the Lord is good.” We served gumbo meals to reach influential members of each of the communities – people who were lost and resisted going to church but who were enticed by a dinner invitation to enjoy “a Louisiana specialty cooked by Americans.” June Charrier Washington Baptist Church Opelousas, Louisiana … [Read more...]

Shelter the Homeless

Sunday, July 17, our street evangelism team worked with a local homeless ministry in Belo Horizonte. During our ministry outreach, we shared the Gospel with a homeless couple and they accepted Christ. Later, we found out the pastor in charge of this ministry was able to find a home for them in another city so their baby no longer had to sleep on the streets. I’ll never forget this particular Sunday morning – worshiping untraditionally among homeless people while we shared the love of Christ! Glory to God!! Debbie Planchard New Zion Baptist Church Folsom, Louisiana … [Read more...]

The Lame Leap

A man with severely bowed legs had suffered his whole life from the extreme curvature of his bones. Painfully making his way to a local store, he passed through a plaza where the street evangelism team had set up speakers to share the Gospel with shoppers. Just listening with mild curiosity as he walked by, he suddenly felt complete relief from the constant aching he had always experienced. So he stopped to pay serious attention as the group repeated their message. Afterward, he came forward to share with the Americans through an interpreter how he had been healed, and how he wanted to know more about this Jesus they had been describing, and subsequently he gave his heart to Christ. Trying to explain through the interpreter what Jesus meant to him, he said “Jesus is a drugstore” who healed his body and his soul. Eddie Spry Jerusalem Baptist Church Mocksville, North Carolina … [Read more...]

3,202 SAVED in Brazil!

By Will Hall, Message Editor BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (LBM) – Louisiana Baptists returning from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, are sharing testimonies of widespread revival in churches, communities, prisons and schools, following an 8-day schedule of crusades, medical ministries and other outreach efforts in this South American country. Wayne Jenkins, director of evangelism and church growth for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, said there were a recorded 3,202 salvation decisions resulting from events conducted July 10-17, bookended by overnight flights between the two continents, July 8-9 and 18-19. “God did exceedingly above all that we could think or ask,” Jenkins said. “Even working for the first time with this Brazilian association, the way was smooth in constructing three church buildings in five business days and reaching the number of people who came to know Christ, especially in some difficult areas. “Moreover, the Gospel was received by every age group and social class,” he added. “On top of that,” Jenkins offered, “it is remarkable to think that Burl Cain was given favor, in such a short amount of time, in lining up the three entities in the country needed to get permission to replicate in a Brazilian federal … [Read more...]

72-year-old Brazlian proof that age is not a factor in accepting the Gospel

The 72-year-old man was a visitor to the medical and eye clinics held at First Baptist Church in Veneza, Brazil, and was given something much more precious - an opportunity to hear Christ. He heard the Gospel presented several times before meeting Sue Johns, a member of First Baptist Church in Graceville, Florida, who served with the Louisiana Baptist mission team’s ophthalmology clinic. While she was fitting him with eyeglasses, he was convicted by the Holy Spirit and began singing a hymn he had composed. Johns learned he had fallen away from church for some time, and so prayed with him to get right with God and get back into church. On the final Sunday of the mission trip, he attended the evening service and asked Jesus to forgive his sins and committed to live his life for Christ. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg_1WiHbJu8   … [Read more...]

Boudia and Johnson proclaim Christ on national TV after winning Olympic silver

Used by permission from the Christian Examiner. By Michael Foust, Christian Examiner RIO DE JANEIRO (Christian Examiner) – David Boudia and Steele Johnson won a silver medal for the United States Monday – and then proclaimed the name of Christ to a national television audience. Boudia and Johnson won silver in men's synchronized 10-meter platform, giving Boudia his third all-time Olympic medal and Johnson his first. Boudia's faith has been well-known to the sports world – he co-wrote a book, Greater Than Gold, about his faith – although many viewers likely didn't know much about Johnson, who was in tears after the duo learned they were second. To read the rest of the story, click here. … [Read more...]

Olympics: Swimmer wins gold, shares source of happiness

By Tim Ellsworth RIO DE JANEIRO (BP) - Take a close look at Caeleb Dressel during some of his swimming competitions, and you'll notice a Scripture reference written across his face. The reference changes with each event, and he hasn't yet worn the references at the Olympics, but a favorite one for the 19-year-old is Isaiah 40:31: "but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles...." That verse served as the inspiration for the large eagle tattoo on Dressel's left shoulder, and the Scripture references he wears are not just for him. "It's the reason I'm in the sport, not just to go fast times, but to inspire people and show them where I find my happiness with what God's given me," Dressel said in an interview last year after U.S. Nationals. Dressel made his Olympic debut on Sunday (Aug. 7) in stunning fashion, winning a gold medal as part of the U.S. men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay team. Swimming the first leg ahead of teammate Michael Phelps, Dressel turned in a personal-best time of 48.10, just .02 seconds behind the leader to keep the U.S. team close. Phelps then pulled the U.S. team ahead for good. Dressel swims again on Tuesday (Aug. 9) in the qualifying heats … [Read more...]