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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

September 30 is coming!

By Clark Palmer TIOGA, La. (LBM) – For Louisiana Baptist churches, Sept. 30 is “Numbers Day” – that’s the end of the fiscal year and a calendar reminder for our congregations to submit their individual reports to the Annual Church Profile. And these numbers matter. When I became moderator of my local association, I considered setting some goals for increasing attendance and baptisms. My first step was to look at “the data” to create a baseline, and I discovered the numbers were “off.” What I mean is there were no discernible trends. One year we were up, the next down. Even the numbers from a decade ago seemed suspect because of this undulation. As I dug deeper, what I realized is that several churches were not reporting their numbers every year. And it only took a couple to throw off the numbers for the entire association. I’ve since discovered that 15-20 percent of our churches statewide don’t fill out and return the ACP. Importantly, this is a problem for making decisions about cooperative ministries such as where to plant a church and what congregations might need revitalization assistance. Then I began to wonder if this could also account for at least some of the reported overall declines for the SBC in … [Read more...]

Long-time Tall Timbers food services director Reggie Burnaman passes away at 67

By Baptist Message staff WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – Reggie Burnaman, food services director at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth, died Tuesday, July 27. He was 67. A native of Bridge City, Texas, Burnaman oversaw the operations inside the dining hall since 2006. Before he came to Tall Timbers, Burnaman owned Reggie’s Restaurant in Glenmora, a community he resided in since 1982. Burnaman also was an active member of Glenmora Baptist Church, where he was chairman of deacons (2004-2006 and 2013-2021). “Reggie has been so special to the Tall Timbers staff,” Tall Timbers Director Josh Bumgardner told the Baptist Message. “The word that has been said the most of him this week is his kindness. “His solid faith in Jesus and his character have always been an encouragement,” he continued. “He helped others, inside and outside of work. His work in the kitchen and his amazing food have transformed our camp over the last 15 years as he provided meals with that special touch for retreats.” Burnaman’s son, Todd, shared on Facebook that his dad faithfully served Christ. “Yesterday, daddy finished the race and received the prize,” said Burnaman, director of Dry Creek Camp. “I’m thankful for the Lord’s grace to … [Read more...]

Young LC alums follow the Lord’s lead to Amazon and Pacific Northwest

By Elizabeth Clarke, LC News PINEVILLE, La. (LC News) - From a college class of about 300 in small-town Louisiana, to working with Amazon to deliver smiles. Life since graduating from Louisiana College in 2018 has been nothing short of an adventure for Lake Charles’ natives Grant and Lauren (Hixson) Phillips. Grant and Lauren Phillips, both 25, say honoring the Lord and having a loving family with a supportive community have brought continued blessings into their young but successful lives. “We are proud of Grant and Lauren as they represent the ‘best’ of Louisiana College’s alumni base,” said LC President Rick Brewer. “Indeed, they faithfully amplify the Mission and Vision of their Alma mater by living the gospel of Christ in the place God has called them to serve. I am confident Grant and Lauren are the people they are because of a solid Christian example from Godly parents and the LC ‘family’.” Family may have played a major role in young Lauren Hixson’s choice to attend LC, as she hails from a long line of LC alums. Her great-grandfather James Hixon was, in fact, one of the founding language professors at the college. Her aunt and uncle, Sandy and Paul Hixson, attended LC, and cousins Meggie and Emma Hixson … [Read more...]

Former abortion clinic director Abby Johnson to headline ‘Gift of Life’ banquet

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – During the upcoming CENLA Pregnancy Center ‘Gift of Life’ Fundraising Banquet, Sept. 14, at the Alexandria Riverfront Center, former Planned Parenthood clinic director Abby Johnson will share her testimony about how she became an outspoken pro-life advocate. “People will want to hear her story,” CPC Director Claire Lemoine told the Baptist Message. “She was on the inside walls of Planned Parenthood for many years and now she is traveling around the country with a powerful message. To have her visit central Louisiana is a long-time dream of ours and we can’t wait for people to have this rare opportunity.” According to her website, www.abbyj.com, Johnson left Planned Parenthood as a clinic director after assisting with an ultrasound-guided abortion on Sept. 26, 2009, during which she “watched in horror as a 13-week baby fought for, and ultimately lost, its life at the hand of the abortionist,” Johnson quickly departed the nation’s largest abortion provider, vowing to become an advocate for life inside the womb and to expose the lies of the abortion industry. She has continued sharing her story around the globe and has helped more than 430 former abortion … [Read more...]

Cajun connection found in ‘last frontier’ of Alaska

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer ANCHORAGE, Alaska (LBM) – David Gamble has served as a church planter with the North American Mission Board for the last 10 years in Anchorage, Alaska, but he told the Baptist Message that he is constantly reminded about his roots by the continuing encouragement he receives from his home congregation of Wood Springs Baptist Church in Grand Cane. Before Gamble and his wife, Kristi, relocated to Alaska, WSBC provided financial support to help the couple prepare for the journey northwest, he said. Since the couple moved there, WSBC has shipped a trailer for use in the ministry, contributed money to help refurbish a mission hub that teams use while in Anchorage and the nearby Wasilla area, and mailed or emailed hundreds of notes. “They encourage us in so many ways,” Gamble told the Baptist Message. “We are enjoying our time here and love serving the Lord in Alaska, but there’s something special -- even 10 years after moving up here -- when somebody from your home church encourages you. Sometimes you feel alone and forgotten on the mission field, but then we get re-energized when you hear from people in Louisiana who ask how they can pray for you.” The Grand Cane congregation … [Read more...]