ALEXANDRIA (LBM) -- Bill Robertson, a well-known and respected figure among Louisiana Baptists, passed away suddenly Monday, February 24. No cause of death was given but Robertson, 67, had been battling a cold and congestion. “It is shocking news,” Louisiana Baptists Executive Director Steve Horn told the Baptist Message. “In the short time (June to November) we worked together, I thought we had a great start. He proved to be very capable of leading the pastoral leadership team. John Hebert, Louisiana Baptists team leader for missions and ministry, was also shocked to hear the news of Robertson’s sudden passing. “Bill (Robertson) had a major impact on the leaders and pastors throughout the convention. He was active in the convention even before becoming a member of the leadership team.” As a pastor, Robertson, a graduate of Louisiana College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, was honored as Louisiana Baptist Convention preacher of the year in 1997 and 2007. He was serving as pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Winnsboro when he was elected as president of Louisiana Baptists in 2005 and played a major role in helping Louisiana Baptists recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina and Rita. He served as LBC … [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 Caleb (wife Jenni) Robison has been called to be the Minister of Music/Children of Gloster Baptist Church, Gloster from Operation Ministry Associate at Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport. Jeff Roberts is new pastor Sharon Baptist Church, Dubach. Melanie Lawler is the new Director of Children’s Ministries at First Baptist Church, Slidell. Adam Watson is the new worship pastor at First Baptist Church, Covington. Michael (wife Beth) Gill is the new pastor of discipleship & administration at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Albany. Bryan (wife Allie) Ulmer is the new student minister at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, West Monroe. HOMECOMING Fair Park Baptist Church, West Monroe: 71st Anniversary, March 1. Pastor: Waymond Warren. Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Eunice: 150th Anniversary … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer TIOGA, La. (LBM) – Veteran author Curt Iles, who has penned 13 books, has begun writing his latest chapter in his book of life as principal of Alpine Christian School. Iles, a Louisiana College graduate who started Jan. 7 at the school operated by Alpine First Baptist Church, hopes his new role will allow him to lock arms with faculty and Pastor John Willie as they shape the next generation of Christian leaders. The school, which boasts an enrollment of 100 students, pre-k through 8th grade, offers general education classes, but also Bible lessons combined with Gospel presentations and dedicated prayer times. “We are preparing kids for life after they leave here,” Iles told the Baptist Message. “Our faculty is training them not just to learn important academic skills but also to grow spiritually, socially and mentally. Everything we do starts with the Gospel and we hope by the time they leave here our students will have the rock solid Christian foundation needed to make a difference in today’s culture.” Iles, who spent 14 years as an educator at East Beauregard High School in DeRidder, another 14 years as director of Dry Creek Baptist Camp in Dry Creek and three years as a … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – James Doughty challenged students attending the recent Collegiate Evangelism Conference to become fully devoted followers of God. “If you want to thrive in your faith, you must be devoted to the Word,” said Doughty, pastor of First Baptist Church in Monroe. HEAR GOD Doughty’s message was part of a two-day conference that included seminars designed to equip students with sharing their faith, worship by the Jason Lovins Band and a late-night time of fellowship. Held Feb. 14-15 at Louisiana College in Pineville, the conference drew students from 15 BCMs. His message and the focus of the various breakout seminars were centered on the theme, “Thrive.” Citing 2 Timothy 3:14-4:4, Doughty told the students the Bible is God’s Word, reveals the Gospel truths, enables them to become more spiritually mature and keeps them from following false teaching. And to truly thrive, he said, they must desire, read and apply God’s Word. “If we want to see people changed by the Gospel, we must be people that preach the whole counsel of Scripture,” he said. Mark Robinson, Louisiana Baptist state BCM director, said he was pleased with the student response to the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ROBELINE, La. (LBM) –A flu outbreak in the Ashley Lewis family nearly prevented her from attending a recent revival service held at the First Baptist Church in Robeline, but a miraculous recovery within the household allowed her to experience the miracle of salvation during the final night, Jan. 31. By the end of the 12-day revival, extended two days past its scheduled conclusion, 53 people, including Lewis, responded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and committed their lives to Christ -- with 44 of the new converts being baptized during the services. “(Evangelist) Sam Moore was talking about how you’re either a heartbeat away from Heaven or Hell, and I could not leave that night without ensuring that I would never be separated from my Savior,” said Lewis. “It was a new beginning.” OBEDIENT IN BAPTISM Lewis waited to be baptized on Feb. 9 so family members could attend. “Just the symbolism of likening baptism to resurrection to a new life made me feel close to Christ,” she added. “And knowing I had followed through in intentional obedience has made my faith stronger. I have a new hunger for God that I never knew I was missing.” Brian Ray, pastor of First Baptist … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black will headline next month’s Louisiana Governor’s Prayer Breakfast, March 10 at the Crowe Plaza Executive Center, 4728 Constitution Ave. in Baton Rouge. Black opens the Senate in prayer each day and provides counsel and spiritual care for senators, their families, and staff – a combined constituency of more than 7,000, according to a news release from the Louisiana Governor’s Prayer Breakfast office. He assumed his position on July 7, 2003, after serving in the U.S. Navy for 27 years, including as the chief of Navy chaplains, according to his website. During his tenure, Black earned the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Meritorious Service Medals (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals (two awards), and numerous unit awards, campaign, and service medals. Additionally, Black received the 1995 National Association for the Advancement of Color People Renowned Service Award for his contribution to equal opportunity and civil rights. He also was given the 2002 Benjamin Elijah Mays Distinguished Leadership Award from The Morehouse School of … [Read more...]

By My Sherie Johnson PINEVILLE, La. (Wildcats Media) – How to live in Christ’s victory poses a serious question for Christians facing difficult situations, even persecution. Jess Archer shared insights from 1 Peter 4:1-11 in this regard during the Feb. 6 chapel service at Louisiana College. “What does it mean to live out Christ’s victory?” asked Archer. “In order to have victory in Christ, a person has to know where they are in Christ, be obedient, and surrender to what Christ is doing in their life,” she explained. “The Lord can do a lot of things with all believers, but when that surrendered and obedient Christian says, ‘Lord, I’ll follow you in whatever way,’ that is when He gets the glory.” Believers should remember Christ’s sacrifice and struggle to have hope through their struggles. Archer recommends anyone living in the flesh to confess and turn away from that sin, sit down with mature believers for guidance, pray, and study Scripture. “We need to understand what Christ has already done on the cross, and know that the victory has already been won,” Archer said. “I was super encouraged by today’s message,” said senior Convergence Media Major Chloe Berthelot. “I think the Gospel was really clearly presented … [Read more...]

By LC Media Staff PINEVILLE, La. - Louisiana College convergence media students participated in the 2020 Southeast Journalism Conference held Feb. 13-15 at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. This year nearly 300 students from 31 colleges and universities across the Southeast participated in 15 on-site competitions and heard from Pulitzer-prize winning photojournalist Ted Jackson and Cathy Straight, executive editor for CNN Digital, in a three-day conference.  In addition to the onsite competition, SEJC recognizes work collegiate journalists have done over the previous year, ranking the best work as Best of the South. Louisiana College student winners include: Best of the South: Alena Noakes              9th place, College Journalist of the Year Joel Thompson            3rd place, Opinion-Editorial Writer Aaron Quartemont     2nd place, Hard News Radio Reporter On-site competition: Jerry Clark                   2nd place, Radio News Reporting The Wildcat Debate team competed in the 12th Annual Eddy Shell Invitational at Bossier Parish Community College Feb. 14-16. Trinity Baugh was awarded second-place speaker and advanced to the finals in novice debate, losing … [Read more...]