By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer WOODWORTH – The recent RA Congress concluded with truly a Holy Spirit moment during the Saturday morning session according to Gibbie McMillan, state director for Royal Ambassadors. After offering an invitation to come forward and accept Christ, McMillan watched as 14 young men made their way to the front of the Tall Timbers Conference Center activities building. Only the Holy Spirit could have orchestrated that moment, McMillan believes. “We had a very great opportunity right there to see those boys come to Christ,” McMillan said. “It’s a moment where we present the Gospel to them and they respond in a way of the Holy Spirit drawing them to a point of decision. “It’s always an exciting time to see the Holy Spirit move in this way,” he said. “Seeing the boys come forward to make a decision is why we do ministry.” McMillan said the decisions resulted from seeds being intentionally planted, cultivated and harvested. “That’s the end result,” McMillan said. “This is an example of why it’s vitally important the Gospel be presented at every opportunity.” Dustin Lee, children’s minister at First Baptist Lafayette, was able to lead one of the boys in his group to Christ at RA Congress. Lee … [Read more...]

IN REMEMBERANCE Jeffrey L. Woodrich, 57, passed away April 4. An accomplished carpenter, painter, and cabinet maker, the lifelong resident of Walker took those skills on the road when the Lord called him into the ministry. He and his wife started Louisiana Volunteer Mission Builders, which later turned into Jeffrey Woodrich Baptist Builders. He worked for the Louisiana Baptist Convention for 17 years as the associate and then Mission Builder Strategist building numerous church buildings across the state. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Erin Dawn Higginbotham Woodrich, his three sons, Toby Keith and wife Amanda and their two boys Jordan and Kyle; Cory James and his wife Sarah and their daughter Elena Belle; and Jeffrey Andrew Woodrich; his mother, Melba Janette Woodrich; his sister, Deborah Ann McMorris and husband Brett along with their two children Austin and Jenna.; his in-laws, Louis Lodney and Mary Higginbotham and sisters-in-law, Patricia and Tereasa Higginbotham. He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Ernest “Woody” Woodrich and his grandparents, Ernest and Helen Woodrich and Toby and Ola Haynes. A memorial service took place April 8 at Judson Baptist Church in Walker. ON THE MOVE Steven Hicks is the … [Read more...]

By Jamie Stephens, Regional Reporter WOODWORTH – Speakers encouraged more than 175 ladies representing 70 different churches and 26 associations to pray and listen as they seek to reach the lost in Louisiana and around the world. The women gathered April 1-2 for the 116th annual Women’s Missionary Union meeting, held this year at Tall Timbers Conference Center, to hear a number of messages around the theme of “opened eyes to follow” based on Matthew 20:32-34. THE LORD’S ARMY “You are a mighty army of Southern Baptist women who are steady and intent on serving the Lord through missions,” said Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director David Hankins in welcoming the attendees to the annual meeting. Referencing 2 Kings 6:13-20, Hankins recalled Elisha’s prayer for the young servant. “We should be driven to our knees in prayer as we reach out to younger generations. We must open our eyes to the cross, to the Promise, to the potential, and to the next generation so that the following generations can have their eyes opened to the Lord,” said Hankins. With Hankins’ remarks fresh on their minds, attendees took part in several breakout sessions about engaging the younger generations and a variety of other topics, including the … [Read more...]