By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA  – The vision to build an orphanage and church planting center in Haiti is closer to becoming reality, after a deal was finalized to purchase land for the proposed campus. “I am exhilarated that we have reached this stage,” said Wayne Sheppard, executive assistant to the executive director, and partnership missions strategist for Louisiana Baptists. “This process has been long, but it is all according to His timing. The Lord has directed each step, and we have watched Him grant a secure footing with amazing opportunity. Louisiana Baptists are focused on raising up Daniels and Esthers in Haiti and on planting churches to help win thousands to Jesus Christ.” Sheppard traveled to the country in early March to sign papers for the 3.1 acres of land. The next step is building a deep-water well and a wall that will surround the property – projects Sheppard expects to be completed sometime in the spring. “The well will not only provide water for the children at the facility but also will allow others from the community to get water too,” Sheppard said. “In Haiti, having good, healthy drinking water is a premium. Providing pure healthy water will allow the opportunity for many to … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LC communications PINEVILLE - Louisiana College announces Dr. Jay Strack as keynote speaker for its 160th Commencement service. The May 7 ticketed event will be held in Guinn Auditorium. An effective communicator, author and minister, Strack has spoken across the US and in 30 countries to an estimated cumulative 15 million people in churches, and stadiums, such as the Georgia Dome, Astrodome, Super Dome, Reunion Arena, and the Olympic Village Stadium in Moscow, Russia. Strack's motivational oratory has gained corporate attention and includes the following speaking engagements: NASA, Walmart, Chick-fil-A, Johnson & Johnson, General Motors, Pfizer Pharmaceutical, Walt Disney Company, Universal Studios, RDV Sports and more. NFL, NBA, & MLB teams and events, including featured speaker for two NBA All Star Games. The Air Force Academy faculty and students. "Jay is the most dynamic communicator I have ever met," said Dr. Rick Brewer, president of Louisiana College. "I am thrilled that our graduates and their families will be exposed to Jay's insights, and his encouragement as well a challenge to pursue new levels of Christian leadership for the sake of the future and for God's kingdom." Brewer and Strack … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message MANY – Their names are synonymous with bass fishing. Randy Howell, Brent Chapman, Alton Jones and Cliff Crochet are among the sport’s elite and they will be at Siloam Baptist Church in Many May 7 at 6:30 p.m. for a ‘Meet the Elite’ event. Not only will these professional bass anglers, along with several others, speak about their craft but they will also share about their faith. “‘Meet the Elite’ is a great event,” said Mary Gore of Toledo Bend Ministry Resort. “It is an opportunity to reach men and boys who will go fishing but may not go to church. Besides these anglers sharing fishing tips, telling some great stories, the good news of the Gospel of Christ is shared with those in attendance. “This is the third time we have had the BASS Elite series tournament here and the two previous times saw a number of men and boys make professions of faith and accept Christ as their Lord and Savior," said Gore. While Jones, a Texas legend with a Classic title in 2008, Chapman, who is currently leading the standings for Toyota Angler of the Year, and Crochet, a Louisiana native from Pierre Part, are all confirmed for the event, Gore said reigning Bass Master Classic Champion Edwin Evers and possibly 2014 Classic … [Read more...]

ZWOLLE – What’s more enjoyable than spending a spring day fishing with a child on one of the finest fishing lakes in the country --Toledo Bend? Absolutely nothing, especially when it’s the 11th annual Toledo Bend Children’s Fishing Derby hosted by Toledo Bend Baptist Resort Ministry. Kids, ages 3-15, and parents are urged to come out join the fun April 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at San Miguel Park beach area. It will be a day of fishing, sun and family-fun. And, best of all, it’s free. A complimentary lunch will be served. For information on this fun-filled day, call Mary L. Gore at 318.452.9731 or the resort ministry at 318.645.6601. … [Read more...]

By Jamie Stephens, Regional Reporter SPEARSVILLE- As a farm boy, Joe Aulds was focused on building a future in agriculture – serving as president of 4-H and FFA and winning grand champion awards at livestock shows. But, he said his life was never the same after the day, during his senior year of high school in 1966, when he admitted to his pastor from Camp Creek Baptist Church that he was tired of running from God and wanted to surrender to His will. “Two years prior to the moment when I admitted to Reverend [William] Cottrell that I wanted to stop running from God, I already knew in my heart that God was calling me to ministry, but I had been afraid of surrendering,” explained Aulds. … [Read more...]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05roDfKar1s By Message Staff MONROE – The members of North Monroe Baptist Church are very familiar with disaster relief responses. After sending teams to respond to a tornado in Moore, Okla., and Hurricanes Ike and Katrina around the Gulf Coast, its members knew exactly what to do once 25 inches of rain fell within a 24-hour period in their area last month. The staff set up a makeshift command center, fielding calls from members who ventured out to help sandbag around homes that were nearly flooded and coordinating delivery of food to affected families.   … [Read more...]

BATON ROUGE - Istrouma Baptist Church held a "One Another Sunday" event on April 10, where several hundred members gathered for food, fun and fellowship at the church's ball-fields then some of the staff pastors baptized nine new members in a stock tank. Senior Pastor Jeff Ginn started the baptisms with Whitney Dicus who was surprised at the water temperature when she stepped into it. If your church has a baptism or salvation story - especially related to the recent floods that have hit the state - send them to us at philip@baptistmessage.com. … [Read more...]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHxD0lLGk0k MONROE – Responding to natural disasters is old hat to Alabama’s John Hayes. From Japan to Haiti … from Missouri to Oklahoma … to New Jersey to Colorado, the Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer has responded. His latest stop just happens to be in hard hit Monroe at North Monroe Baptist Church where he is serving as the head of the incident command center. An 18-year veteran of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief work, Hayes is spending this week at the command center coordinating teams responding to requests for work on homes damaged by last month’s historic flooding. Since the incident command center opened, teams have received 297 requests for work and completed 176. Hayes said teams from Alabama, Florida and Oklahoma that are stationed at the church are receiving as much of a blessing working on the homes damaged in the flooding as the homeowners themselves. “The main thing is we work with the people,” Hayes said. “We also minister to them as we try get them back into a life of normalcy. “It’s not about cleaning out the houses, it’s not about cutting the tree out or feeding them,” said Hayes. “It’s to minister to the individuals. It’s about making their life … [Read more...]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hYKj7zZnZI By Message Staff Residents of Louisiana got an unwelcomed guest Monday – more than three to four inches of unneeded rainfall in the state. With more rainfall expected throughout the week, locations - some that have already experienced historic flooding last month and remain inundated - are bracing for more high water and any possible disruptions to cleanup efforts. The additional rainfall could also prevent the fall of swollen lakes and rivers which in turn would prevent some to get back into their homes. In Monroe, one of the hardest hit areas in the state, there are homes that remain unreachable as water levels stubbornly refuse to recede. On Monday, parts of Texas saw softball-sized hail and lighting from a storm caused a fire at Murmil Heights Baptist Church in El Dorado, Ark. In Louisiana, flash flood warnings were issued for five parishes in the northwest portion of the state and nearly 4,300 homes and businesses lost power. Later today (April 12), scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will increase from Texas into Louisiana. The National Weather Service is forecasting showers and a few thunderstorms on Wednesday for many parts of the state, diminishing later … [Read more...]