Submitted by philip on Wed, 11/07/2012 - 11:48 Prayer makes a difference, men involved in Bible study at First Baptist Church of Ville Platte have learned.They gather strength from each other’s walk with the Lord “as iron sharpens iron.” By Rachel Ortego, Regional Reporter VILLE PLATTE – When First Baptist Church of Ville Platte increased its adult Sunday school by 64 percent in less than four weeks time in October, director Neil Ortego was pleased, but not surprised. “With only 38 percent of our adults being discipled through traditional Sunday School, I began praying for a way to increase participation in small groups to 100 percent,” Ortego said. “After five years of prayer and research God gave me the solution through a book written by Nelson Searcy called, Activate: An Entirely New Approach to Small Groups,” Ortego continued. “When we turned traditional Sunday school on its head, with a new methodology, name, place and purpose, class numbers exploded from 75 to 125 literally overnight.” First Baptist’s Sunday School attendance, sandwiched between the two morning services, had been hovering around the same number for years. New church members were visiting but not staying. Teacher burnout … [Read more...]

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Submitted by philip on Wed, 11/07/2012 - 11:55 Kay Small of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary fills Operation Christmas Child boxes with shoe boxes for the world wide ministry. Last year was a banner year in the state as many collection centers broke records, and officals are hoping the same will happen this year. Select rating Give it 1/5 Give it 2/5 Give it 3/5 Give it 4/5 Give it 5/5 … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 11/07/2012 - 12:01 Fellowship, Bible study, caring for each other, reaching out into your community and inviting others to be a part of the class, all are important aspects of Sunday School. Seen at left is a senior women’s class at First Baptist Church of Ville Platte. LOGANSPORT – one year after a fire destroyed the sanctuary and educational building at First Baptist Lo­gansport, the congregation is hoping to rebuild soon. In the early morning hours of Dec. 24, 2011, the two buildings burned to the ground. However, the church’s fel­lowship hall, gymnasium and youth building all survived, allowing the congregation to meet in those structures for worship services, Bible study and other activities. Plans for the new sanctu­ary and educational building are complete and First Baptist hopes to start construction sometime in 2013. Lance Cy­pert is pastor. BENTLEY –Thellos Sandi­fer Maxwell has been playing the organ at Bentley Baptist Church for 70 years. Her service was recognized and she received a plaque dur­ing the Sunday morning wor­ship service Oct. 28, followed by dinner on the grounds. Jim Garlington is pastor. DRY PRONG – New Pros­pect Baptist Church recently completed a … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 11/07/2012 - 11:59 A health insurance program for Louisiana Baptist individuals and churches could launch in the near future that its trustees believe could not only save ministers money but extend to cover others outside the state. By Brian Blackwell, Marketing Director HAMMOND – A health insurance program for Louisiana Baptist individuals and churches could launch in the near future that its trustees believe could not only save ministers money but extend to cover others outside the state. Known as the Koinos Plan, this Baptist Health Benefits Program will be available for Southern Baptist-affiliated ministers and their family members, seminary students and church employees who work 20 or more hours per week. Those participating in the plan – which operates similar to a standard health insurance policy – must sign a statement of faith similar to the Baptist Faith and Message. The trustees hope to launch the plan by Jan. 1, 2013. “I want to commend Baptist Health Benefits Program ("The Koinos Plan") to you as an alternative plan for your health insurance,” emailed Waylon Bailey, pastor of First Baptist Church of Covington and president of the Louisiana Baptist … [Read more...]

Arrivals/Departures Mike Edens, new as interim pastor of Hebron Baptist in Bush. John Talbert has resigned as pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist in Winnfield. Joe Thornton has resigned as pastor of Shady Grove Baptist in Sikes. Brett Campbell has resigned as pastor of First Baptist Church of Zwolle. Stacy Morgan, new as transitional pastor of Ferriday First Baptist. James Patrick Deshotel was ordained to the gospel ministry Oct. 28 at Sale Street Baptist in Lake Charles.   Needed/Giving Guitarist or pianist needed for Sunday morning worship at Baldwin Baptist Mission. Pastor: Tony Thibodeaux. Part-time minister of youth and part-time minister of music needed at Woodlawn Baptist in Iowa.  Call 337.802.3238 or email rlouvi2@yahoo.com. Pastor: Richard Louviere. Youth worker needed at First Baptist of Dobson. Call 318.548.2268.Pastor: Travis Hampton.   Homecomings, Anniversaries, Revivals Temple Baptist in Springhill: Revival Nov. 11-14. Speaker: Jack Daniels. Pastor: Jimmy Pitson. First Baptist Ringgold: Revival Nov. 25-27. Guests: Ken Freeman and David Daniels. Pastor: Ronnie Osborne.   Church events/activities Williams Boulevard Baptist in Kenner to host Don Piper, … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 11/07/2012 - 12:10 U.S. Army Chaplain Jared Vineyard and his wife Amanda receive a standing ovation from messengers at the 2012 SBC annual meeting in New Orleans. Capt. Vineyard, a decorated combat veteran, represents the 1,425 NAMB-endorsed chaplains serving in the U.S. military. By Mickey Noah, Baptist Press ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) –They’re coming home. They’ve witnessed death on the battlefield and led soldiers, sailors and Marines to Christ. They’ve baptized converts in water-filled barrels and led worship during rocket attacks. They’ve risked their own lives and sacrificed time away from their families. They are the among the nation’s unsung heroes – military chaplains. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has reported that 33,000 troops involved in the Afghan “surge” have been withdrawn, leaving another 68,000 U.S. troops and their chaplains still scheduled to serve in Afghanistan until December 2014. The last 100,000 troops in Iraq returned home last De­cember. Since 9/11, a total of 2.4 million American military service members – including National Guard and Reserv­ists – have cycled through the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard – some more than … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/19/2012 - 11:43 LBC Executive Director David E. Hankins shows a key which is a part of the 200th anniversary of Baptist ministry in Louisiana during the evening session Monday. By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor WEST MONROE – Messengers to the 165th meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention were reminded that they were “the key” to what God is going to do during the next 200 years of ministry in the state. A brass key in the shape of the state of Louisiana was given to every person present Nov. 12 in the worship center at First Baptist Church, better known as “First West,” where John Avant is pastor. David E. Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, directed distribution of the keys as part of the 200th anniversary of Baptist ministry in the state, which took place during the Monday evening session of the LBC’s 165th annual meeting, where 703 messengers representing 267 churches were registered. “You are the key to our future,” Hankins said. “It is our calling to reach Louisiana with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.” With a theme of “Refresh: Awaken and Go,” the two-day event was designed to continue the “Awaken – It’s Time” … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/19/2012 - 11:49 Steve Horn, messenger and pastor of First Baptist Lafayette, indicated that he appreciated the concern over unity but believed expressing one’s opinion or feelings on a given issue should not be considered disunity. By Staff, Baptist Message WEST MONROE – Messengers to the 2012 annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention affirmed six resolutions, the majority of which dealt with social issues. One addressed the theological significance of a “sinner’s prayer” and another expressed appreciation for the host church, First Baptist Church of West Monroe. The four resolutions that focused on social issues dealt with the protection of religious liberty, the University of Louisiana-Lafayette’s (ULL) recent offering of a Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender academic minor, addressed the effort to equate homosexual marriage with the Civil Rights Movement and called for individuals, churches and the government to exercise financial responsibility. Of the four resolutions that address social issues, perhaps the one hitting closest to home was titled “On University of Louisiana at Lafayette Offering a LGBT Minor” and called on officials of both ULL and the … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 11/19/2012 - 12:01 Messengers affirmed six resolutions, including four dealing with social issues, at the Annual Meeting.   On “Same-Sex Marriage” and Civil Rights Rhetoric   WHEREAS, Marriage is a covenant relationship and an institution established by God rather than simply a human social construct (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6; Ephesians 5:22–33); and   WHEREAS, Southern Baptists have consistently affirmed our support of the biblical definition of marriage as the exclusive union of one man and one woman; and   WHEREAS, The Word of God indicates that all sexual behavior outside of marriage is sinful; and   WHEREAS, All people, regardless of race or sexual preference, are created in the image of God and thus should be treated with dignity and love (Genesis 1:26–27); and   WHEREAS, The Department of Justice has argued (Perry v. Schwarzenegger) that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional claiming that DOMA unfairly discriminates against homosexuals; and   WHEREAS, For the first time in history the President of the United States has publicly voiced his personal support of “same-sex … [Read more...]