By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer BALL, La. (LBM) – Nathan Law, Joshua Pugh and Macey Baze were chosen to represent Louisiana at the national competition at Dallas Baptist University, June 17-18, following the recent state Youth and High School Bible Drill, and Speakers’ Tournament. The event, which was postponed last year by COVID-19 safety concerns, drew 62 children and 96 youth to Kingsville Baptist Church in Ball, April 24. Bible Drill is a discipleship program for children and youth to help increase their knowledge of the Bible. It is also fun as children learn to memorize Scripture and gain confidence in their knowledge of the Bible and their ability to quickly locate significant passages with ease. Participants in the state Bible Drill and Speakers’ Tournament advanced from the district level after competing in their local churches. “We are so thankful that we were able to host state Bible Drill and Speakers’ Tournament in-person this year,” Louisiana Baptist Youth Ministry Strategist Brandon Lewis told the Baptist Message. “The students worked hard and did a fantastic job. The scriptures that have been hidden in students’ hearts is a treasure that will remain with them forever. We’re also thankful for … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Corporate prayer at 7:14 every morning and evening, in the months following the onset of COVID-19, have sparked a renewed commitment to discipleship and evangelism among Louisiana Baptists. At least 30 members of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, have joined the prayer movement, based on 2 Chronicles 7:14, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” The twice-daily prayer times, in effect since mid-March and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, also attract 150 others from across the nation to participate regularly. The call is sponsored by Project 200, a nationwide community of men passionate about the Great Commission which includes an emphasis on discipleship. Jeff Draughon, a CBCA member as well as a member of the Project 200 board, said prayer calls have been a “game changer” for so many individuals and families across the country and even internationally. He noted that more than 700 calls have taken place since March 19, 2020. “The powerful, spirit-filled devotionals have been led by … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – Recognizing the need for personal revival, Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn announced a 28-day personal revival guide that he hopes hundreds of churches and members will engage with later this year. “We are in a desperate situation,” Horn told Executive Board members during their May 4 meeting at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth. “We are doomed. I am asking the Lord and seeking the Lord about what could be my part in helping that. I am not even sure we are ready for revival in terms of mass evangelism right now, but instead what we are desperate for is personal revival.” State missions services staff began a joint focus on personal revival May 9 and will conclude June 5, using Horn’s booklet, “Change Me.” The effort is based on Psalm 139:23-24. “It is my prayer, my vision and my dream that we will have hundreds of churches in Louisiana at the end of 2021 or to start 2022 that will seek the Lord for personal revival,” Horn said. “And, so, pray for us as a staff over the next 28 days as the Lord brings that to your attention and pray that each one, most of all me, would have a sense of God doing something new, fresh and real in our … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff LAKE CHARLES, La. (LBM) - Heavy rainfall on Monday, May 16, dumped up to 15 inches in parts of southwest Louisiana and other areas of the state still recovering from Hurricanes Delta and Laura that devastated the region last year. “We know that this situation is becoming a little too familiar for a lot of us in Lake Charles,” Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter said in a video update on the city’s Facebook page. “This is another challenge, but it is not a challenge that we are not capable of handling.” Accuweather said the rainfall on Monday was the third-wettest day on record for Lake Charles. According to the National Weather Service, more than 15 inches of rain fell in south Lake Charles and other areas received up to 12 inches of rain. The excessive rain caused flash flooding that stranded cars in city streets and sent water inside homes. The Advocate newspaper reported that 10-12 inches of water fell in the Baton Rouge area, flooding streets and stranding some motorists m in their cars. St. George Fire Department crews performed multiple water rescues of motorists who drove into high water. Motorists also were stranded at the intersection of Camellia Blvd. and Johnston Street in Lafayette, … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff HALL SUMMIT, La. (LBM) – Fifteen members of a Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief team spent Tuesday, May 11, clearing debris from around homes in Hall Summit that sustained damaged from a storm that came through the area the prior day. Marvin Leleux, incident commander for the team comprised of members from Natchitoches, Red River and Sabine parishes, and Keith Bryant and Matt Trahan with the Shreveport Volunteer Network, removed trees that fell on or near three homes in the community. Leleux, who is also a pastor of Springhill Baptist Church in Ringgold, said the team was grateful to be a part of being Christ’s hands and feet to those in need. “We were thankful in getting those people back on their feet as soon as possible,” Leleux told the Baptist Message. “You can’t pay me enough to do this, but in Jesus’ name I would do this all day long.” The storm destroyed at least one home, ripped off roofs from other homes, damaged vehicles and downed utility trees and poles throughout Red River Parish, KSLA News 12 reported. Hail produced from the storm also knocked out car windows in Caspiano and vehicles at the Joe D. Waggoner Jr. Lock and Dam No. 5, located on Red River south of the … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke, LC News PINEVILLE, La. (LC News) - When Mary Robinson came to Louisiana College in 2016, she had already experienced a full lifetime of professional and personal accomplishments—as a teacher, a mother and grandmother—the Peabody Montessori elementary teacher was happy with the challenges God had placed before her. But the Lord knew Mary was up for a new challenge. “My journey was God’s journey,” Mary said. “I enjoyed working with the children, but I heard the call from God to go back to school.” So that’s exactly what she did at age 67. Mary, now 72, earned her degree in missions and ministries, with a psychology minor, last year during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She participated in Louisiana College Commencement ceremonies May 8. Mary, who grew up in Shreveport, said she has had the call of God on her life since the age of 15. As an adult, she spent many years living all over, as a military wife, finally settling down in Cenla. Robinson worked at Pinecrest State Hospital in Pineville for 30 years, 28 as a manager, before retiring in 1998. Always active in church—the Rose of Sharon Missionary Baptist Church is her current church home—but she has also visited many times at … [Read more...]