By Will Hall, Message Executive Editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) — Jeff Ginn, pastor of the Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, which has a campus in Ascension as well as a Hispanic congregation at the main campus, will be nominated for president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2019 annual meeting. Kirk Jones, pastor of the Fellowship Church in Prairieville notified the Baptist Message, Oct. 3, of his intention to make the nomination because of Ginn’s “faithful service” as a pastor and his “heart for the Kingdom of God and the cooperative work of our Convention.” The LBC annual meeting is scheduled to be held in the Alexandria Riverfront Center, Nov. 11-12. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT Jones noted that he has known Ginn since 2011, especially in Ginn’s role of nurturing Fellowship Church, a congregation that averages nearly 1,000 in worship attendance now. “Istrouma was the sponsoring church of our church plant,” Jones told the Baptist Message. “Before Jeff arrived they had purchased property on our behalf and we had an agreement to pay them back when we were in the financial position to do so. “About the time Jeff arrived, Fellowship had grown enough to start paying back the loan,” Jones explained. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BOSSIER CITY, La. (LBM)--Nearly a year after fire destroyed a large part of the congregation’s facilities, members of the First Baptist Church in Bossier City joined community members for a Sept. 29 groundbreaking ceremony to launch a $20 million rebuild project. “First Bossier has endured and dealt with this incredible tragedy where we navigated a lot of things emotionally and on the practical side,” Pastor Brad Jurkovich told the Baptist Message. “Walking through all of that made this groundbreaking so special. We had a great crowd of around 2,000 who joined us to help us celebrate moving forward.” Construction of the new 70,000-square-foot building could take 18 to 24 months to complete, Jurkovich said, and will include a new chapel that will incorporate some of the more traditional features of the original building, such as pew seating, but will include modern elements, such as capabilities for multi-media presentations. The new facility also will feature a student center, foyer/event center and space for Sunday school classes and other small groups to meet. ENGULFED IN FLAMES On Dec. 10, 2018, a three-alarm fire began at 5:30 a.m., originating with an uninterruptible … [Read more...]

By Philip Timothy, Message Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- Louisiana has withstood its share of devastating hurricanes but the destruction left by Hurricane Dorian to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is hard to process, according a leading authority on disaster relief. “They have no electricity, no running water, no shelter, no trees on some parts of the island,” said John Hebert, missions and ministry team leader for Louisiana Baptists. “There are stories of rescuers on Sea-Doos riding 30-foot waves and going over raised bridges. “I just can’t fathom how people were able to survive a storm of that magnitude,” he continued. “God just laid on my heart the need for us, as a state, to come to the aid of these people. It is going to take a herculean effort to help get these people back up on their feet.” In the coming weeks Hebert wants to introduce Louisiana Baptists to a project called ‘Bahama Rebuild’ which will help restore the spiritual community on the island nation. “The churches are the center of the Bahamian culture and the majority of them were severely damaged or destroyed,” said Hebert. “We have pastors without churches and churches without congregations. I am currently trying to enlist the support … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) –In his first Executive Board meeting as executive director, Steve Horn challenged Louisiana Baptists to focus on “we” and on sharing the Gospel. “The reason for our meeting today, the reason for the existence of the Louisiana Baptist Convention is ‘we,’” Horn said during the Sept. 24 meeting at the Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth. “’We’ believe ‘we’ can accomplish together what we cannot accomplish separately,” he explained. “‘We’ is the fuel behind opportunities such as YEC, ECON and others. ‘We’ is the reason Louisiana Baptists have planted more than 249 churches over the last nine years. ‘We’ have the ability, potential and power to get inside the hearts and homes of 4.6 million people through efforts such as Harvest and Here for You. Without ‘we,’ there is no reason for us to take time away from our busy schedules for meetings such as this. “Southern Baptists and Louisiana Baptists believe in the power of ‘we’ to advance God’s Kingdom in Louisiana and beyond,” he declared. Horn shared with board members that during his first four months on the job he has facilitated 11 listening sessions with pastors and an additional session with … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM)– God has the power to open even the most impossible door to make a way for sharing the Gospel, Stephen Rummage said during the recent E4 Preaching Conference. “There is someone who sits on high and is in control,” said Rummage, pastor of the Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. “God has the ability to open doors in ways we never could imagine. “Sometimes He opens up big wide doors to reach communities with the Gospel. Sometimes He opens up individual intimate doors to people. But God has the ability to give us opportunities we may not see.” Citing Colossians 4:2-6, Rummage encouraged the 82 pastors and 10 pastors’ wives in attendance at the First Baptist Church in Pineville to use prayer as a tool to open doors. “God who sits on high opens the door through prayer,” he said. “Prayer has the power to open up the doors. Continue steadfastly and don’t give up praying for someone. Being watchful and be alert. Give God thanks for the way He is answering the prayer.” Once that door is open, Rummage said Christ followers must be bold and take action by sharing the hope found in Jesus. “There is no one on the earth who God will not save … [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 Paul DeRousse is retiring as associate pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Shreveport. James Franklin has left First Baptist Church, Blanchard for Calvary Baptist Church, Harlingen, Texas. Scott Sullivan has left First Baptist Church, Haughton as education minister to for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board (Discipleship). Kevin Smith has resigned as pastor at Northwoods Baptist Church, Shreveport. Steve Efferson is the new associate pastor at Woodridge Baptist Church, Shreveport. Katie Ashcraft is the new music associate at Airline Baptist Church, Bossier City. Barry (wife Carol) Headrick is the new music minister at Gray Baptist Church. He comes from Walnut Hill Baptist Church, Vivian. Alex Hawkins is the new children’s minister at Cheniere Baptist Church, West Monroe. Russ, wife Pam, … [Read more...]

By Focus on the Family More than half a million students from across the United States will join the Bring Your Bible to School movement on Thursday, Oct. 3. The annual student-led event, now in its sixth year, provides a unique opportunity for young people to share about their faith by highlighting its source – the Bible. Throughout the day, children and teens will share their experiences via social media using the hashtag #BringYourBible. Partnership with Drew Brees This year, NFL Saints quarterback Drew Brees partnered with Focus on the Family to promote Bring Your Bible to School Day. Brees filmed a short video encouraging kids to participate on October 3. In the video, Brees says, “One of my favorite verses in the Bible is 2 Corinthians 5:7. ‘For we live by faith and not by sight.’ So I want to encourage you to live out your faith on Bring Your Bible to School Day and share God’s love with friends. You’re not alone.” After receiving criticism for partnering with Focus on the Family, the Christian quarterback responded by affirming that he obeys Scripture’s command to love everyone. Brees said that as a Christian he is called to “love all, respect all, and accept all. So that is actually how I live my … [Read more...]