By Message Staff NEW ORLEANS, La. (LBM) - New Orleans pastors Fred Luter and Dennis Watson recently participated in a dialogue about race, relations, respect and restoration. The discussion took place virtually on June 7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPa6gsDlAyM&fbclid=IwAR1eN621YV0YJtvXhE_gyRcNvseTs28-G5anq5zZ7l3ztaSbRnP_cgTKa7A … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - While many businesses in the state have been hit hard by coronavirus-related closings or reduced operations, a number of Louisiana Baptist congregations have reported remarkable faithfulness by members in financially supporting ministries across the state. Stacy Morgan, an associate with the Louisiana Baptists communications team, said most of the almost 400 pastors he has spoken with since mid-March have reported little to no significant financial hardships. He said creative measures taken to continue worship services, offer online giving platforms as well as the special efforts by pastors to touch the lives of their congregations despite "social distancing" and "stay-at-home" mandates have made a difference. “Church members are seeing first-hand how much their pastors care for them, and the pastors are really desperate to find any way necessary to reach their people,” Morgan told the Baptist Message. “Many churches are concerned about the coming months and the prospect of jobs returning. “However, God's faithfulness thus far has fueled their hope for the future,” he continued. “The recurring theme has been the faithfulness of God and His … [Read more...]

By Message Staff VIDALIA, La. (LBM) - Ralph Webber, whose ministry spanned 70 years, died May 28. He was 89. Born June 3, 1930, in Jonesville, Webber was ordained to preach at 20 years old while attending Louisiana College. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from LC and later earned divinity degrees at the master and doctoral levels with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Throughout the years Webber with his wife, Ann, by his side during their 66 years of marriage, served as pastor of Utility Baptist Church, Jonesville; Sicily Island First Baptist Church; First Baptist Church of LaPlace; Suburban Baptist Church, New Orleans; Vidalia First Baptist Church; Harrisonburg First Baptist Church; and, the Osyka Baptist Church in Mississippi . He also served as interim pastor of the Immanuel Baptist Church, Natchez, Miss., as well as a number of other congregations in Delta, LaSalle, and Ouachita associations. Webber also served as director of missions and ministry with the Louisiana Baptist Convention from May 1981 to February 1997. During that time, he worked with 78 churches in Catahoula, Concordia, LaSalle and Tensas parishes. Funeral services for Webber were held May 31 at First Baptist Vidalia. Webber is … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer HAMMOND, La. (LBM) – The most recent Mother’s Day weekend resulted in an extra celebration for Lachee and Chris Morgan. Their daughter, Bry’Anna, 8, told her parents on May 7 – three days before the holiday – she had declared Jesus as her Savior and wanted to share the decision publicly through baptism. “We prayed together and all cried,” Lachee told the Baptist Message. “As a parent, the only thing you can hope for is your children accept Jesus and that you will all be together for eternity. Eternity is so much bigger than life here and are excited Bry’Anna will join us in Heaven one day.” Bry’Anna, who stirred the baptismal waters at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Hammond, May 24, said her salvation experience evoked an incredible joy and excitement that has not waned. “I was happy and excited then, and am still now,” Bry’Anna said. “My job as a Christian is to tell everyone about Jesus and what He did. I can’t wait to do so much for Him.” PRAYER-FOCUSED RESULTS Pastor Ken Schroeder credits a church committed to pray for a harvest for Bry'Anna's openness and readiness to receive salvation and her subsequent obedience in baptism. Hers was the sixth salvation and baptism … [Read more...]

By Louisiana College Office of Communications PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews) — We stand with our fellow Christ followers in grieving the senseless death of George Floyd. Racism is sin! I have and will continue to teach and stand against it with all my heart! We are all made "in the image of God!" (Genesis 1:27) Fellow Christians and Americans, we need to see others as Christ does, as we are all created in His image and for His service. Louisiana College is a Christ-centered institution, and we not only pray for those directly affected by his death, but for citizens who have been wrongfully persecuted, judged, or harmed----because of their race. The Bible calls upon the righteous to speak. Christians can no longer be silent in the face of racial injustice. Christians have been given "the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:18) Therefore, we can no longer simply give lip service to or simply offer piecemeal solutions to the racial issues that continue to plague our nation. Americans must stand together across racial, political, and cultural lines and recognize our common humanity. Reconciliation will happen when the true church of Jesus unites and loves one another and the world the way Jesus showed us. -Rick … [Read more...]