By Baptist Message staff MURRAY, Ky. (LBM) - A Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief shower unit has begun serving in Murray, Kentucky, one of several communities devastated by a series of tornadoes last weekend. According to Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief strategist Stan Statham, the team from Mt. Olive Baptist Association arrived Dec. 14. They are stationed at First Baptist Church, Murray. The Louisiana Baptist Convention also has donated tarps, furring strips and financial gifts. Statham encouraged Louisiana Baptists to pray and, if led, give financially to help those in a state that has helped with disaster relief efforts in Louisiana. The Associated Press reported that 74 were confirmed dead and another 100 were missing after the tornadoes touched down in the state over the weekend. “The last two years getting hit hard ourselves we know what it’s like in moments of need,” Statham said. “We continue to pray and be sensitive to their needs.” To give to DR efforts in Kentucky visit https://louisianabaptists.org/missions-ministry/disaster-relief/donate/ … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff SLIDELL, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist pastors in St. Tammany Parish rejoiced about the resounding vote, Dec. 11, against a proposal that would have brought casino gambling into Slidell. By a margin of 63 percent against (37,664 “nays”) and 37 percent for (22,031 “yeas”), voters rejected a proposal to build a $325 million casino complex in an area east of the I-10 interchange in Oak Harbor. DAVID DEFEATS GOLIATH The Slidell project was proposed by Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, also known as P2E, which owns one of the 15 approved riverboat casinos permitted in Louisiana (for a bankrupt and defunct Shreveport casino that they proposed to move to Slidell). Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was among those who backed the proposal. According to WWL-TV, more than $3 million dollars was spent on advertising to get residents to vote in favor of the casino. Opponents spent $1 million to fight against the proposal, WWL reported. Proponents had promised big returns in terms of jobs, economic development and tax revenue. TROUBLED PAST Three years ago, the Los Angeles-based P2E failed in the legislature in their bid to move their now closed Shreveport riverboat casino to … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, Special to the Baptist Message GRAND CANE, LA. (LBM) -- Not many pastors celebrate 14 successive years of ministry at one church, and fewer still do so when 89 years-old. Wayne Roberts first preached at Wood Springs Baptist Church in Grand Cane, Louisiana, in a pulpit supply role 14 years ago, he told the Baptist Message. He’s still preaching and his wife Bobbie, 87, still plays the piano, and they both continue to exude spry spirits as well as a deep love for the Lord’s work and His people. “Wood Springs believes in missions,” Wayne said. “We give to home and foreign missions. Our people gave about $100,000 for the new ministry building at Toledo Bend.” The church also helps people in the community after personal tragedies and sickness, and aids those who are in financial straits. “We use God’s money wisely,” Roberts said. “We may be small, but Wood Springs is probably the most mission-minded church we ever served,” his wife added. The pandemic cut worship attendance in half, but about 25 have remained faithful. “Wayne isn’t a longwinded preacher. That’s why the people like him,” she explained. “About 15 minutes is as long as you can keep anybody’s attention,” he reasoned. “I don’t care … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer LAKE CHARLES, La. (LBM) – Alexis Benoit was a faithful follower of Christ as a child until, at age 14, she succumbed to the desires of the world. But a recent invitation to attend services at Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles, brought the 22-year-old mother of two children back to church for the first time in eight years, and she renewed her relationship with Christ through baptism, Dec. 5, at a grand opening service of Trinity’s remodeled central venue worship center. “It had been heavy on my heart and mind to take this step,” Benoit told the Baptist Message. “I was sitting in the church service after my baptism and realized all my anxiety and negative thoughts had gone away. I am just trying to be a better example for my kids because they deserve a mom who is deeply committed to Jesus.” RESTORED Benoit was among three believers baptized during the special service, while another three converts stirred the baptismal waters, Dec. 1, during a special prayer and dedication time at the facilities. Since September, Trinity Baptist has baptized 21 persons who have made first time professions of faith, that compares to 29 for the prior 12 months, September 2020 to … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Rusty, wife Sandy, Richardson is the minister of education and discipleship at Airline Baptist Church, Bossier City. Billy Flowers is the new pastor at First Greenwood Baptist Church, Greenwood. Lee R. Darbonne is available for pastorate supply. He is a seminary graduate that lives in the Rayne, LA area but will go where needed. Please call 337.257.4787. Rick McPherson resigns as administrator after 30 years at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, West Monroe. Bruce Butts is the new pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church, DeRidder. REVIVAL Mount Olive Baptist Church, Logansport: Revival, January 9-12. Evangelist: Sam Moore. Pastor: Rich Tull. LAGNIAPPE Bayou Rouge Baptist Church, Evergreen: Furniture for sale. 22 15-foot long pews (light maple in color) padded back and seat; matching Lord’s Supper … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand,” (John 10:27-28). The prayer of any Christ-following parent is that one day your child will turn to Jesus and also embrace God’s calling on his or her life. Even before the birth of our oldest daughter, my wife, Ashley, and I had lifted those two requests to the Lord. Isabella, now 12, placed her trust in Christ several years ago. But on Nov. 22 God answered yet another prayer at the 2021 Louisiana Baptist Youth Evangelism Conference. She was attending her first YEC, joining other students from Calvary Baptist for the event in Alexandria. During each decision time, students were encouraged to come forward and make their salvation decisions public in front of more than 4,600 teens and some younger children who were packed inside the Rapides Parish Coliseum. After the final session and the salvation invitation, those who felt a call to ministry were asked to come forward. Isabella shared with me that then she moved out of her seat and joined other students near the main stage to … [Read more...]