By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – The Church of today must look like the Church of the First Century that was Spirit-led and Gospel-centered, Waylon Bailey, pastor with First Baptist Church, Covington, said during the recent E4+ Preaching Conference. Citing Acts 2:22-41, Bailey told a crowd of more than 80 pastors and ministry staff and 17 pastors’ wives at First Baptist Church, Pineville, that the church of today must tell the story of Jesus and live holy lives. “What is the church of 2024?” he said. “It is the church that shares hope and that shares salvation in Christ. People are looking around and they want to know is there any hope in my life.” “Our world needs hope and where there is hope there are going to be people,” he continued. “Where there is a way, there are going to be people. Let us be a people who tell the story of Jesus with kindness, compassion, with love toward the people around us. I want more than anything else for you to experience the peace, the love, the joy that I have found in Christ Jesus the Lord. And though my death is a lot closer than it has ever been, I also have great hope to be in the presence of God with the Savior who died for me. I believe that … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – In a state where an estimated 60 percent of the population lacks a relationship with Christ, “Here for You” is helping to remind Louisiana Baptists that a great harvest awaits. Launched in the summer of 2014 as part of the President’s 2020 Commission, the “Here for You” multi-media campaign is attempting to impact the estimated 2.7 million people in Louisiana who do not know Christ. At this point of our strategy, ‘We are not waiting on the harvest,’” Louisiana Baptist communication director John Kyle told the Baptist Message. “The harvest is waiting on us!” Since its statewide launch in 2019, “Here for You” has used social media, streaming services, broadcast television, billboards and more to reach the lost in Louisiana. The campaign has seeded God’s truth through more than 31,000 views of the Gospel presentation and more than 2,100 searches for local churches. Additionally, through a partnership with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, viewers have been directed to a customized landing page for prayer with trained counselors, who share the the Gospel. Such efforts have resulted in more than 4,300 Louisianians who have indicated … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) – During the Sept. 24 general session of the Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Board, LBC Executive Director Steve Horn shared how Louisiana Baptists have continued reaching others for Christ. FULFILLING THE GOSPEL Horn said that various ministries are helping fulfill Louisiana Baptists’ ministry purposes in three ways: seeking the lost, strengthening churches and supporting cooperative missions and ministries. In his report, he invited four individuals to share how Louisiana Baptists are fulfilling their mission through various ministries. Breakaway Camp Kevin Roberts, pastor with Trinity Baptist Church, Pineville, shared how his son, Micah, turned to Christ during Breakaway Camp this summer at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center. Roberts was overcome with emotion as he described how his older son, Noah, led his brother to a relationship with Jesus. “My wife and I were rejoicing,” Roberts said. “We knew that something had happened, something had taken place that night, and God had gotten a hold of his heart. “But Micah wasn’t the only one,” he said. “We ended up having three other teenagers from our youth group that committed … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) — Early voting for the General Election will take place Oct. 18-29 (excluding Sundays during that time period) and polls will be open from 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Voters must show one of the following picture identifications in order to vote: Driver's license; Louisiana Special ID; United States military identification card that contains your name and picture; or some other generally recognized picture ID that contains your name and signature. … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Baptist Message provides churches an opportunity to share with other Louisiana Baptists an upcoming revival, homecoming, new pastor, new staff member, a community outreach, or a concert in Louisiana Notables. To place your event in the paper, send your information (who, what, where, when, time) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. Please submit your information four weeks prior to the event to insure placement in the Message. ON THE MOVE Chris, wife Jasmine, Culpepper is the new music minister at Eastwood Baptist Church from Longwood, Fl. Ben Martinson is the new youth minister at Vivian First Baptist Church. Charlie, (wife April) Miller is the new pastor at Woodland Hills Baptist Church. Bobby Rodrigue, pastor of Belle River Baptist Church, passed away suddenly on September 14. HOMECOMING/ANNIVERSIES Bayou Macon Baptist Church, Gilbert: Homecoming, October 13, Evangelist: Waylon Tibbs. A fish fry will follow the worship service. Pastor: Larry Russell. Pine Grove Community Church, Bastrop: Homecoming, October 13, 10:30 a.m. Special Music: Louisiana Melody Boys. Pastor: James Moffit. First Baptist Church, Folsom: Homecoming, October 13, 9 a.m.- noon; 9 a.m. Fellowship; … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff CLEARWATER, Fla. (LBM) - Two Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief feeding teams have been deployed ahead of Hurricane Milton’s expected landfall in Florida. According to LBDR Strategist Stan Statham, the Rolling Hills feeding team and the Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville, quick response feeding team will head to Clearwater, Florida, to support Florida Baptist Disaster Relief. The feeding teams will partner with the Salvation Army to feed residents impacted by Milton, which is expected to make landfall late Wednesday. The storm, which was a Category 4 (with sustained winds of 130 mph) at 1 pm CST, had already produced several tornadoes Wednesday afternoon. “Please pray for our team as they seek to prepare their first meal for Saturday,” Statham said. To give to DR efforts, visit https://louisianabaptists.org/about/teams/missions-ministry/disaster-relief/donate/ (https://louisianabaptists.org/about/teams/missions-ministry/disaster-relief/donate/ … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ROAN MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (LBM) – The Carey Baptist Association laundry team recently wrapped up a short but fruitful trip to deliver a laundry trailer for use by members of First Baptist Church, Roan Mountain, Tennessee. Team members Reggy Saxton and Tom Waites arrived on Oct. 5 to deliver a trailer equipped with five washers, five dryers and two generators and returned to Lake Charles the following evening. While in Roan Mountain, the team saw the church spreading Jesus’ love through distribution of meals, water, clothes and toys. Additionally, a medical team was on hand to offer care to residents, many whose homes were inundated by the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene. “We witnessed the church of FBC Roan Mountain at its best, taking charge and sharing God’s love to the community,” Saxton told the Baptist Message. “The church members were managing the crisis like seasoned pros.” To give to DR operations, visit https://louisianabaptists.org/about/teams/missions-ministry/disaster-relief/donate/ … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ROAN MOUNTAIN, Tennessee (LBM) – A Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief laundry team from Carey Baptist Association has been deployed to First Baptist Church, Roan Mountain, Tennessee. According to Carey Baptist Association leaders, the team is expected to arrive at the church on Oct. 5 and set up the newly renovated trailer that volunteers at the church will operate. The trailer is equipped with five washers, five dryers and two generators. Roan Mountain was among the many communities that was inundated by the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene. The storm is blamed for more than 200 deaths. According to WJHL-TV, retired National Weather Service Meteorologist Tom Niziol said the flooding was historic. “The damage here in the Roan Mountain area is what I would refer to as unprecedented,” Niziol told the news stations. “In fact, many locals here had experienced the last major flood back in 1998 that wiped out this area and unfortunately led to some fatalities from drowning. All of those individuals have said to me unequivocally that this event is much worse.” The laundry team is the latest LBDR team to be sharing Christ's love in areas hit hard by Helene. A feeding team from the northern and … [Read more...]