By John Kyle, Louisiana Baptists communication director ALEXANDRIA, La. – Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, Louisiana Baptists are convinced this is “The Right Time” to reach the state. “When the Lord led us to the theme ‘The Right Time’ for our 2020 Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering emphasis, little did we know what 2020 would bring,” said John Kyle, director of communications for Louisiana Baptists. “Obviously, God knew the fear and uncertainty that would accompany COVID-19 thus making this ‘The Right Time’ to share the assurance and hope found in a relationship with Christ.” Kyle noted the theme for this year’s state missions offering was taken from Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth in which he challenged the early believers to realize “Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation” (2 Cor.6:2, NLT). “These words speak to the current condition of our culture,” said Louisiana Baptists Executive Director Steve Horn. “We’ve been reminded how quickly things can change. How quickly our health can turn. How quickly our finances can evaporate. People are looking for what Jesus has to offer and Louisiana Baptists have the opportunity to share His promise of peace and provision to the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer KENNER, La. (LBM) - A leisurely drive around Kenner on a Sunday morning in June turned out to be more than a joy ride for Jaicoven Johnson and his family. That fateful road trip took them past the campus of the Family Church where they saw members gathered outside in fellowship before entering the worship center. Intrigued by the love and joy on display, they began attending services, and on Aug. 16 church members gathered around him to celebrate his walk of faith from confession through baptism. “Something on that day in June told us to check out Family Church,” Johnson told the Baptist Message. “I felt an instant connection that only grew stronger. Instead of waiting, I wanted to get baptized the day I accepted Christ. It’s been everything I could have asked for, and more.” MERGER TO BAPTISM Johnson‘s baptism was the fi rst for Family Church, a congregation that was formed in March from a merger between Restoration Church in Metairie and Crossroads Church in Kenner. Crossroads Church had seen a decline in membership from 183 in 2012 to 20 in 2019, according to the Annual Church Profile. Meanwhile, Restoration Church had been meeting on the campus of their parent … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff MONROE, La. (LBM) – Oleta Gibson, a 104-year-old resident of the Avalon Place Nursing Home in Monroe, received a surprise visit in early April from some Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home youngsters who delivered special birthday gifts. The children surprised Gibson with homemade pictures and a rendition of the classic song “Happy Birthday” from outside her window. “We try to teach these kids from an early age we need to serve as Jesus did and look for ways to encourage others,” Lisa Vaughn, who serves as a cottage parent with her husband, Larry, told the Baptist Message. “It was such a blessing to see them on board with this from the time we told them about this idea.” A few weeks after the novel coronavirus pandemic shut out visitors to nursing home facilities in the state, Vaughn learned that Gibson’s family would not be able to come to Avalon Place for the birthday celebration. Th e children quickly volunteered to color the pictures that subsequently brought smiles to Gibson on her special day. “Larry and Lisa Vaughn do a great job serving as cottage parents,” shared Marc Eichelberger, vice president of development and public relations for the Children’s Home. “We are grateful for them taking … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Curtis Zackery challenged Louisiana College students to move beyond only knowing about the Bible and to enter into a life centered on following Christ. “Right now in this cultural moment some of us have been wooed and have been deceived to think the most important thing is we need to know stuff,” Zackery said during the “Awakening” revival series. “What we really need is to understand the power of Jesus Christ. “We don’t need to just know in our heads ideas about the Bible,” he continued. “We need to believe in our hearts that awakening can actually happen in our city, in our country, in our world.” Zackery, a youth evangelist from Franklin, Tennesee, shared from Mark 8 about how Jesus used the healing of a blind man to move the disciples from knowing about Christ to understanding Him. “This is going to be the thing that will help as a community going into the school year with some purpose, some vision and direction,” he said. “This difference between knowing and understanding is such a big deal that I think it can be the key for us to navigate our current cultural moment.” Zackery’s message during the revival, Aug. 14-16, was among many … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff WALKER, La. (LBM) – Eastern Louisiana Baptist Association is hosting a focused prayer event later this month and is asking other associations and churches to join them in the effort. The event, 24-hours of continuous prayer, begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, and continues through 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 23. Each church has been asked to recruit members to pray in one-hour increments that will focus on confession of sin, revival in the church, awakening, unity and healing for the novel coronavirus pandemic. The event is based off Psalm 57:1-2: “Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by. I will cry to God most high, oh God who accomplishes all things for me.” Eastern Louisiana Associational Missions Coordinator Richard Blue said he is excited about how God will move from this time of focused prayer. “It's time to pray,” he said. Our land needs to acknowledge God, repent of our sins, and return to God so He might return to us.” … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana College experienced a move-in day unlike any other in its history Wednesday, Aug. 12. The usual flow of incoming students was instead only staggered groups that moved into dorm rooms, and all were encouraged to wear masks and observe proper social distancing because of novel coronavirus pandemic concerns. Schools officials reported less than 250 incoming freshmen participated in move-in day, and were assisted by upperclassmen, faculty members and church groups. Another 50 will commute from home this semester. Wednesday’s move-in day kicked off Welcome Week, a time of orientation and numerous activities that will include “The Awakening” revival featuring evangelist Curtis Zachary Aug. 14-17, 6:30 p.m., inside Guinn Auditorium. Upperclassmen will return to campus this weekend, and classes will resume Aug. 17. While final enrollment numbers will not be available until later in the semester, LC President Rick Brewer is optimistic the school will enroll at least 300 new freshmen for the fourth consecutive year. He asked Louisiana Baptists to pray for students as they begin classes and noted that 70 students professed their faith in … [Read more...]