As Easter approaches, the Baptist Message team invites you to pause daily from the hustle and bustle of life to focus on the days leading up to Easter or Resurrection Sunday. Join us in this challenge to read through the Gospels to get a greater understanding of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Day 2: Luke 1-2 (NKJV) ================================== (Luke 1) Dedication to Theophilus 1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. John’s Birth Announced to Zacharias 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because … [Read more...]

As Easter approaches, the Baptist Message team invites you to pause daily from the hustle and bustle of life to focus on the days leading up to Easter or Resurrection Sunday. Join us in this challenge to read through the Gospels to get a greater understanding of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death and resurrection. Day 1: Mark 15-16 (NKJV) ================================== (Mark 15) Jesus Faces Pilate 1 Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. 2 Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.” 3 And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. 4 Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” 5 But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled. Taking the Place of Barabbas 6 Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. 7 And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. 8 Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to … [Read more...]

By Message Staff GOLDONNA – Goldonna Baptist Church has teamed up with the non-profit ministry group Faith Comes By Hearing to host a prayer march for American troops and all suicide survivors March 23. The Jericho Prayer March begins at 10 a.m. at Goldonna Baptist, 287 Ash St. Subsequently, the church is selling grilled chicken plates for $7 until 3 p.m. to help the ministry to purchase Bible sticks for members of the military. These devices are the size of a pack of chewing gum and contain an audio version of the entire New Testament and selected Psalms. “One of the reasons soldiers go to the chaplains is due to suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,” said Pastor Jason Womack. “They’re having trouble coping with what they have seen or at times even done and need something real and tangible to help them heal. “These men and women build walls around their problem and oftentimes self-medicate for years,” he continued. “The saddest part is that a lot of these young people go without help or hope until they take their own lives. The members of Goldonna Baptist Church and I want to invite anyone who is interested to be involved in a Jericho Prayer March for the troops and also for all suicide survivors.” For more … [Read more...]

By Louisiana Right to Life NEW ORLEANS – The number of abortions performed in Louisiana dropped 8 percent from 2017 to 2018, and the abortion rate is at a 10-year low, according to numbers provided by the Louisiana Department of Health. Unofficially, 8,048 abortions were performed in Louisiana in 2018. In 2017, 8,706 unborn babies were killed by abortion. This is the fourth consecutive year abortion numbers have fallen in Louisiana. While the total number of abortions has been made available, breakdowns on things such as gestational age of the baby, age of the mother, and race of the mother have not yet been released. "Every baby lost to abortion is a tragedy, but we can celebrate the 658 babies alive today who might have been aborted in 2017," said Benjamin Clapper, executive director of Louisiana Right to Life. "We believe our nation is waking up more every day to the injustice of abortion, and these numbers show the continued statewide and national trend toward life. We celebrate all those in the pro-life movement who offer support to pregnant moms before and after birth and those who help them choose life. We will continue to work until every baby is protected by law and welcomed with love." … [Read more...]

By Jerry Love, Director of Planned Giving ALEXANDRIA (LBM) -- Louisiana Baptist Foundation trustees met Feb. 5 to discuss investment performances and welcome three new board members. Fran Barbato, member of FBC Lafayette, Errol Wilken, member of Metairie Baptist Church, and Chad Hardbarger, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Shreveport, were introduced at the meeting and then joined the other 11 board members in receiving reports and approving policies regarding the work of the Foundation. MARKET NEWS Lee Morris with Graystone Consulting addressed the recent difficulties experienced by equity markets. Morris said the fourth quarter in 2018 reversed many of the gains made during the year through the third quarter, and shared that the last three months of last year represented the worst performance for a fourth quarter since 1931. He added that the equity market downturn in early October was led by large growth (tech) stocks. According to Morris, the Global Investment Committee of Smith Barney had warned of this decline since early summer 2018. Moreover, he said, GIC has concluded that the “rolling bear” market ended when the S&P 500 index bottomed at 2400 in the fourth quarter. He said the equity markets … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SPEARSVILLE – Cheryl Upshaw was held captive by grief following a motor vehicle accident that left her partially paralyzed in 2004. But Upshaw experienced release from the spiritually oppressive emotions related to the tragedy after someone cared enough to question her about her eternal destiny. Upshaw’s “2 Corinthian 7:9-10 moment” took place during an in-home visit. “When I asked her about her salvation experience she began to cry because, while she had spent many years in churches, no one had ever asked her if she had one,” explained Marcell McGee, pastor of Union Baptist Church in Spearsville. “After I led her to the Lord, I wanted to make it special for her and used water from the Jordan River I had taken back with me in some bottles on a prior visit. It was special because of Cheryl’s desire to be a witness of what God did in her life.” “Coming from the Jordan River where Christ was baptized made it so sentimental,” Upshaw said. “I still have a little bit of it in a vile that I like to show people as part of my testimony. I have gone from a person who had so much guilt into one who now is free through Christ.” UNITED IN MINISTRY Since he arrived in February 2012 as … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE (LCNews) -- Louisiana College is elated to welcome home one of its own, Dr. Thomas Howell, as he debuts his book, Soldiers of the Pen, Friday, March 15, in LC’s Norton Library at 9:15 a.m. Howell highlights the Writers’ War Board -- a group of media figures who volunteered to create propaganda for the WWII effort. Members included notable names such as Pearl S. Buck and Broadway lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II. Louisiana College’s former history professor argues that the WWB’s history remains largely unknown because it was not recognized as an official part of the government’s war effort even though it received federal funds supporting its work. “Dr. Howell remains a favorite among our Louisiana College family, and we are proud to claim him as a Wildcat,” said LC President Rick Brewer. “Not only was he beloved by faculty and students alike, he was an avid sports fan and is a member of our Louisiana College Sports Hall of Fame.” Howell is among the few who graduated from LC with a 4.0 GPA.  He left Louisiana College in 2006 for a position at William Jewel College, from which he recently retired. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MANGHAM – New Light Baptist Church recently paid tribute to three generations of law enforcement officers in its congregation. The three men – Jerry Sr., Jerry Jr. and Jerry Spencer III – were recognized during the Dec. 16 service at New Light Baptist, which averages about 35 worshipers on Sunday mornings. “It was unusual we had three generations of families that have been in law enforcement,” Pastor William Waller told the Baptist Message. “We thought it needed to be a special time in our service to ask for blessings in light of what has happened in recent months with law enforcement officers throughout the country. “We recognized them not only as servants to the community but servants to this church for so long,” he added. “It is real heart-warming to know what these gentlemen have done.” A FAMILY LEGACY Collectively, the Spencers have served nearly 63 years in law enforcement. The eldest Spencer developed a passion for becoming a peace officer when Lorell Graham, his cousin and Mangham police chief at the time, allowed the then-teenager to accompany him in a cruiser during patrols in the town. When he turned 25 years old, in 1975, Spencer achieved his dream, … [Read more...]