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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

LBC pastor Philip Robertson elected SBC EC chairman

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee members, during a June 12 meeting, elected Philip Robertson, pastor of Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville, with a second campus in Alexandria, as the next chairman. After two votes (36-35 in favor of Russ Barksdale and 35-35) did not produce a winner by the needed majority, Barksdale of Arlington, Texas, withdrew his name. Robertson said in a news conference after the vote that he was humbled at the confidence his fellow EC members placed in him. “Just to have this opportunity is very, very humbling,” Robertson said. “But also I realize it’s by the grace of God that we are where we are. I‘ve always had a desire to serve as faithfully and effectively as I could. “I think I speak for every [EC member]: We are not looking for extra things to do,” he continued. “So, we value the privilege and the responsibility to serve. I’ve always wanted to do that in the best way that I felt I could, so therefore I allowed my name to be place in nomination and here we are.” Robertson said several individuals approached him about submitting his name for the position. After much prayer he agreed, but only when David Sons, … [Read more...]

Sheriffs to public: Daryl Stagg is ‘off the street’

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor COLFAX, La. (LBM) – During a live streamed press conference, June 12, Grant Parish Sheriff Steven McCain urged anyone who has any knowledge of crimes by, or has been victimized by Daryl Stagg, a former Louisiana Baptist associational mission strategist, to report it. “We are concerned that there are other children that have been hurt,” McCain shared. “So, our message this morning is: ‘You’re safe. Mr. Stagg is in jail.’” The contact website is www.GrantSO.org, and the phone number is (318) 627-2010. McCain indicated that the investigation was sweeping and involved Rapides, Grant and Union Parishes in Louisiana, and Kenosha County in Wisconsin. “If you’ve been hurt by Daryl Stagg, if you get in touch with us, we will do the rest,” he promised. McCain said his office was contacted about three weeks ago by the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office about “some young children that had been raped.” The investigation grew to involve the four sheriffs’ offices that are now engaged in the matter and led to Stagg’s arrest in Grant Parish on the morning of June 8. CHARGES McCain restated the charges that have been filed in Grant Parish against Stagg: three counts of first-degree rape, three … [Read more...]

Adding souls to the Kingdom, make it count

By Philip Timothy, Baptist Message managing editor NEW ORLEANS (LBM) — Spiritually, the math is not adding up for the state of Louisiana. And Steve Horn, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, wants to see that change. In his greeting to the more than 700 volunteers from the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia, Oklahoma, Missouri, Oklahoma, North and South Carolina), Saturday, June 10, for the beginning of Send Relief ‘Serve Tour’ and North American Mission Board’s Crossover at First Baptist Church of New Orleans, Horn said too many people in this state have no relationship with Jesus Christ. “Louisiana is a state of 4.6 million people, “Horn said. “Eighty percent of the people live at or below the I-10 corridor of which a quarter lives in New Orleans. “We also believe when we follow census numbers that 155 people die each day in Louisiana,” he continued. “Missionally — when we study these things — 70% of Louisiana is lost. Therefore, 108.5 or 109 of those 155 have no relationship with Jesus Christ. If they would die today, the Bible tells us they would spend eternity in hell.” “The Bible tells us very specifically in the early church in the Book of Acts that everyday … everyday … the Lord was adding to … [Read more...]

Salvations, first responder appreciation lunch among Crossover efforts in Covington

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer COVINGTON, La. (LBM) – Two Covington churches took to the streets of their community and subsequently saw five individuals come to Christ and many others request prayer, June 10. First Baptist Church reported two decisions for Jesus while New Zion Baptist Church recorded three who put their faith in the Lord. Additionally, FBC hosted an appreciation lunch for first responders after members canvassed their community with the Gospel. The efforts were part of “Crossover,” a large-scale evangelistic effort, that took place in 65 locations, collectively, in Bayou Baptist Association, New Orleans Baptist Association and North Shore Baptist Association, June 10. Sean Barnes, a member of FBC Covington and director of the church’s Community Evangelism Network, said a teenager and her brother accepted Christ during a team’s visit to their home. “I was tearing up as we led them in the sinner’s prayer,” Barnes said. “It was so awesome seeing God work and letting their hearts be tender and receptive to the Gospel.” Meanwhile, Wayne Ivey, a member of New Zion Baptist, along with his wife, Dianne, and church member Brenden Spears, who recently accepted Christ, led a young … [Read more...]

Celebration Church baptizes 17 during block party

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer VIOLET, La. (LBM) – Seventeen people went all in for Jesus, June 10, during a block party at Celebration Church’s Lower St. Bernard campus, participating in believer’s baptism. One by one, each person came in and out of a water-filled portable trough and was greeted with applause during the church’s first ever “Jesus Fest” block party. According to Pastor Trevor Truitt, Thirteen who were baptized made a decision during the block party and four others already had planned on being baptized during the event. Additionally, 19 children came forward at the block party and will be contacted for follow up. “We knew God was a part of this and He just blew our mind,” Truitt told the Baptist Message. “Our church is very evangelistically driven and understand what it means to be a fan of Jesus but not a follower. Because of that, we understand the need to win others for Jesus and help them grow deeper in the faith.” Truitt said he was grateful for each person who were baptized during the “Jesus Fest” block party that featured Gospel presentations, games, inflatables, face painting, cotton candy, music and food vendors. The evangelistic event was a combined effort by the Lower … [Read more...]

NOBTS seminary teams see lives changed during Crossover

By Marilyn Stewart, NOBTS communications NEW ORLEANS (NOBTS) - Sharing Jesus in New Orleans can be as unique as the city itself. In a place filled with people from other worldviews and religions, 25 New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College students and several faculty members joined Crossover to share the gospel around the city.  Jeff Farmer, NOBTS professor of church ministry and evangelism, led Crossover teams in the community of Christ Baptist Church, Gretna, Louisiana, where he serves also as pastor. Southeastern and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminaries student participated also in Crossover in New Orleans. Farmer noted it was a blessing to serve together with other seminaries. “We have one purpose and that’s to make disciples. We love each other. We have a sweet worship time in learning and equipping, and we’re out to share the gospel,” Farmer said. “And, that’s the SBC.” ‘No one ever asked’ Rachel Darling, a 21-year army veteran, is not afraid of long hours and hard work but the demands of coursework for Crossover in the mornings and sharing the gospel each afternoon had taken its toll. By mid-week, she prayed that God would give her strength, but also encouragement. God answered her … [Read more...]

First Baptist New Orleans shares Jesus’ love to school children at City Park amusement park

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer NEW ORLEANS (LBM) - The love of Jesus took centerstage June 9 at New Orleans’ iconic City Park as First Baptist Church, New Orleans, welcomed nearly 500, collectively, from Phillis Wheatley Community School and the community for a night of thrill rides and games. By the end of the night that also included free portraits drawn by cartoonist Joe McKeever and magic by illusionist Shane Willbanks, 20 volunteers from FBNO had poured into the school children and their family members. The event was co-sponsored by the North American Mission Board, which on June 9 and 10 coordinated 51 “Serve Tour” compassion ministry sites in Houma and New Orleans as the foundation for evangelism. FBNO Executive Pastor of Discipleship Gary Myers said this was the first face-to-face event they have held for the school since before the coronavirus pandemic. Many of those children who attended will receive in early August a backpack filled with school supplies. “We wanted to bless Phillis Wheatley Community School and tell them that we love you and that God does too,” Myers told the Baptist Message. “Our members were really excited to have this opportunity to meet many of the students for the first … [Read more...]

M.E. Dodd: Father of Cooperative Program was a committed soul winner, SBC leader

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor SHREVEPORT, La. (LBM) – When most mention the name Monroe Elmon (M.E.) Dodd, it likely is in context of his leading the development of the Cooperative Program, the primary funding channel for the cooperative missions and ministries of the Southern Baptist Convention. Some might recall also that he: -- served two terms as SBC president; -- founded the SBC Pastors’ Conference; -- led the historic First Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, to become the first church in the world to own and operate a radio station; -- chaired the important Convention Lessons Committee (which was formed seven years earlier to ensure Baptist doctrinal purity of graded Sunday school lessons produced for use of all denominations by the International Sunday School Association); and -- drove the establishment of the Baptist Bible Institute, later named the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. But lost in the discussions about his impact on Southern Baptist life is the fact that Dodd was a committed soul winner. To be sure, Dodd’s contribution to the development of the Cooperative Program is no small thing. Since 1925, the first year of the stabilized system of funding for the … [Read more...]

Alabama volunteer team encourages Vintage Church during playground build

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer METAIRIE, La. (LBM) - An Alabama church teamed up with Vintage Church in Metairie, June 9, to build a playground that not only will serve as a recreational gathering place for their community but will become fertile ground to develop relationships for Christ. The playground, built by 15 members of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Brantley and 25 members of Vintage Church, will feature slides, a small merry-go-round, stepping stones and alligator and frog spring riders. Additionally, elm trees soon will be planted and benches, picnic tables and fencing will be installed. Vintage Church Generations Director Nick Perret said his church was encouraged that the Alabama team gave up a portion of their summer vacation to assist them to build what will become yet another outreach arm. The church that averages 200 in Sunday worship also participates each month in food distribution in Metairie and hosts a Hispanic worship service. “For several years we have been wanting to complete this playground so we could have another way to connect with our neighborhood, and when we found out the Alabama team would help us, our church was very excited,” Perret told the Louisiana Baptist … [Read more...]