By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COLFAX, La. (LBM) – On his most recent birthday, World War II veteran Willis Prather celebrated a century of memories, with special appreciation for his time of service to the country. The 100-year-old Prather was a member of the famed 82nd Airborne Division. As he scanned the crowd during the Sept. 22 party at the Bethel Baptist Church in Colfax, he was speechless while remembering those who served with him overseas and those who were waiting for him when he returned home. “It was just a time when we had to be very, very, very thankful,” Prather, who accepted Christ when he was eight, told the Baptist Message. “I knew the good Lord had to be there taking care of His people. He wasn’t visible, but in your heart you knew He was there right beside you in each battle. I prayed and talked to Him many times, and thanked Him for the day He brought me home.” Prather joined the 82nd Airborne Division in 1943 as a 23-year-old from Eunice, and was assigned to a field artillery regiment at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. From there, he traveled to several states and countries until he reached Normandy, France, on D-Day, June 6, 1944 -- when Allied forces invaded northern France by … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Jeff Vincent was running from the call to pastor after he completed his tour of duty with the Army in 2010, but a burden to see his community reached with the Gospel prompted him to reverse course and plant Hope Church in Baton Rouge six years later. Vincent’s obedience has allowed him to see the church grow from just a handful in 2016 to more than 50 in early October. “We planted Hope Church at a moment in our lives when we really needed hope,” Vincent told the Baptist Message. “We were recovering from some pretty serious hurt and disappointment, and struggled and wrestled with God because we thought we had hit a dead end. After some serious prayer and investment into our healing by other leaders, we realized that this pain had a purpose and there are no dead ends when living on mission for Jesus.” Vincent was raised near Jennings in an impoverished family closely tied to the biker culture. His desire was to flee the situation one day, and the only way out was through the military. After graduating from the United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, injuries abruptly ended his military career. Vincent then moved with his wife, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ANACOCO, La. (LBM)—In the past Bill Blackmon drove his big rig cross-country in pursuit of big hauls and big bucks. But since 1993, after repenting for salvation at Good Hope Baptist Church in Anacoco, he has been driven by the desire to share Jesus among truckers, treating them as a unique people group who need to hear the hope of the Gospel. “I didn’t go to church growing up and the trucker lifestyle was really all I knew,” Blackmon said “The last thing I was thinking about was where I would spend eternity. But when I found Jesus, my purpose changed from hanging out at the bars, during my off time, to spending time with others to share with them the Good News of Jesus. “Truckstop Ministries has given me another tool to share the hope that is found in Jesus with so many people whom I share a common bond with across our country,” he added. Since 2017, Blackmon has served as a chaplain with Truckstop Ministries and has seen hundreds saved at nearly 80 truck stop chapels in 29 states. He is among 600 volunteer chaplains and “missionary” truckers who have a presence at the ministry’s designated truck stop chapel buildings. According to the group’s website, the Jackson, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Three years after sharing his testimony of overcoming adversity with more than 6,000 students at the 2016 Youth Evangelism Celebration, Ed Newton is scheduled to inspire Louisiana Baptist teens once more at the annual youth evangelistic event. Scheduled Nov. 24-25 at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria, the largest annual gathering of Louisiana Baptists will feature messages by Newton, pastor of the 27,000-member Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas, high-energy music, times of fellowship and much more. Last year’s event drew more than 6,000 youth and resulted in countless changed lives. “For many years, God has moved mightily at YEC,” said Brandon Lewis, youth ministry strategist for Louisiana Baptists. “Thousands of teenagers have experienced salvation. Others have been trained and encouraged to share their faith with friends. Many have expressed a call to ministry during the event. “In addition to all of that, YEC provides a unique opportunity for Louisiana teenagers to see with their own eyes that they are not alone,” Lewis continued. “They have 6,000 friends all across the state standing for Christ and inviting Him to use their lives … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Messengers to the 2019 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Nov. 11-12, will have the opportunity to learn about the status of the various goals and action steps outlined in the President’s 2020 Commission which is nearing its final year. Approved by messengers at the 2013 Louisiana Baptist Convention annual meeting, the 2020 initiative, led by then LBC President Waylon Bailey, pastor of First Baptist Church in Covington, seeks to reach every generation and every people group in Louisiana with the Gospel by the year 2020 through the avenues of congregational revitalization, church planting, communications and collaboration. The 2020 recommendations were crafted collaboratively by a commission of 400 Louisiana Baptist leaders, staff members and laypeople, working in 20 subcommittees of 20 members each. “I believe Louisiana Baptists will be encouraged by some of the progress made over the last six years,” said recently elected Louisiana Baptists Executive Director Steve Horn. “On the flip side, they’ll also discover many areas that need our continued prayers, attention and resources as we continue to work towards fulfilling the goals outlined in the … [Read more...]

By Message Staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) —Louisiana College has entered into an agreement to accept coursework completed by students at the Central Louisiana Community and Technical College in Alexandria who transfer to the Louisiana Baptist school. LC President Rick Brewer and CLCTC Chancellor Jimmy Sawtelle signed a memorandum of understanding Oct. 28 to create a partnership that grants qualified transfer students who have completed general education coursework the opportunity to enter the school as upper classmen. LC signed a similar agreement with the entire Louisiana Community and Technical College System – of which CLCTC is a part – Jan. 9. There are 13 schools in the system and Louisiana College is extending personal invitations to individual schools, already having signed letters with SOWELA Technical Community College in Lake Charles and Louisiana Delta Community College in Bossier City. Brewer said the agreement is effective immediately. “This is just a wonderful time for us to celebrate this partnership of this educational partnership in central Louisiana,” Brewer said. “We are really excited about what they are doing at the school and the growth they are going to experience and how this is going to help our … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Pastors will be reminded why they are called to carry out a great work during this year’s Pastors’ Conference, scheduled for Nov. 10-11 at the First Baptist Church in Pineville. The annual gathering’s theme is “Called To A Great Work,” based on Nehemiah 6:3. “Our calling from God as ministers of the gospel of Jesus should be one the highest honors any of us ever experiences, “ Justin Clark, president of the Pastors Conference and pastor of the First Baptist Church in Lake Providence, told the Baptist Message. “I believe we need to be reminded that we have a great calling, by a great God. My prayer in that we as ministers will be reminded of that calling and leave here more energized than ever to proclaim the Good News of Jesus. SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS The conference begins 5 p.m., Nov. 10, with music led by First Baptist Pineville’s worship team, and with messages shared by Robert Smith Jr., professor of Christian preaching at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Ala., and Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board. A fellowship supper will follow the opening session. The next day, the conference will begin at 8:30 a.m., also with … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ST. GABRIEL, La. (LBM) – The temptation to forgo baptism was strong just a day after an inmate named Leann accepted Christ during a revival service at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. But a nudge by the Holy Spirit helped her stay the course toward obedience. “She told one of her friends on the way to the [Sunday baptism] service she may not go through with it,” LCIW Lead Chaplain Debi Sharkey told the Baptist Message. “Then she felt like she heard the Lord say, ‘Come as you are.’ “She said she didn’t expect to feel anything except the sensation of the cold water. But to her surprise she felt refreshed, renewed,” Sharkey continued. “She said she felt ‘lighter’ like she knew Jesus carried her sins away.” During revival services attended by 413 women Sept. 27-29 at the maximum security prison nearly 10 miles east of Baton Rouge, 24 inmates made professions of faith and 17 of them were baptized. Approximately 65 volunteers from 15 Louisiana Baptist churches participated in the revival, which included three worship services on Saturday and a worship service and baptism opportunity on Sunday. Additionally, gift boxes were distributed to the inmates. The … [Read more...]