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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Louisiana Notables

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 Wesley Coleman is the new student pastor at Swartz First Baptist Church, Monroe. Jimmy Pitson has resigned as pastor of Clark Springs, Eros. Caleb (wife Katrina) Richardson is the new children’s minister at Woodridge Baptist Church, Shreveport. Doug Allen retiring as pastor at First Baptist Church, Blanchard. Brandon Lewis is the new Louisiana Baptists youth strategist. HOMECOMING Cotile Baptist Church, Boyce: Homecoming, March 17, 11 a.m. There will be dinner on the grounds following the service. Evangelist: Ryan Perry. Pastor: Johnny Miller. Airline Baptist Church, Metairie: 65th anniversary, March 24, 10:30 a.m-2 p.m. The church address is 421 N Lester Ave, Metairie, LA  70003. For more information, call Tiffany at 504.756.7024. Pastor: Eric Benoy. REVIVAL Louisiana College, … [Read more...]

Kids learn ‘to plug into missions’ at M-NOW

By Holly Jo Linzay, Regional Reporter WOODWORTH – Giggles bubbled up from the cluster of children gathered around the youth throwing a block party at an Alexandria apart­ment complex. Jump ropes twirled, little art­ists colored with chalk on the sidewalk and a rous­ing game of kickball took place on the nearby field. The day of fun was all part of M-NOW, a ministry opportunity for teens in grades 7-12. M-NOW, a two-day re­treat hosted by the Louisi­ana Baptists women’s mis­sions and ministry team, stands for Missions Now. The weekend was designed to engage students in mis­sion action and witnessing so that they may discover similar needs in the con­text of their own com­munities. About 75 youth, youth leaders and program staff from seven churches across the state partici­pated in M-NOW on Feb. 15-16 at the Tall Timbers Conference Center. “M-NOW has been an amazing experience,” Ra­chael Smith, a 16-year-old with First Baptist Church of Tullos, said with a big grin on her face. “It’s something I will remember forever,” Smith said, adding that coming together with other like-minded youth has made it easier for her to share her faith in a community outreach setting. Matthew Jambois, a senior with Lakeshore Baptist … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist women get R.E.A.L.

By Holly Jo Linzay PINEVILLE – About 300 women gathered for a two-day conference simply to soak in the presence of the Lord and to dwell in the Word as a respite from the world’s interruptions, organizers told the Baptist Message. The R.E.A.L. women’s conference, which stands for Relationships, Em­brace, Authenticity and Love, took place Feb. 22-23 at First Baptist Church in Pineville. The theme of the event was “Still My Soul” based on the scripture Psalm 46:10. Janie Wise, women’s mission and ministry strategist for Louisiana Baptists and coordina­tor for the event, said participants were offered 15 breakout sessions to engage in diverse topics such as spiritual growth, discipleship, personal development, overcoming sexual sins, finding your identity in Christ, worship and making connections in a multicultural world. They were treated to a number of gifted speakers in these small groups and in the general sessions, she said. NICKI KOZIARZ “How’s your soul?” asked Nicki Koziarz. “That is the most important question we can engage you in this weekend. What will it take for it to be ‘well’ with your soul?” Koziarz, who served as the keynote speaker for R.E.A.L., is a best-selling author and speaker with … [Read more...]

Luter urges LC students to develop spiritual discipline of faith

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Fred Luter challenged students to develop spiritual discipline of faith during Louisiana College's weekly chapel service Thursday, February 28. "It doesn't matter what ministry you are a part of, you must have this trait," said Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans and former Southern Baptist Convention president. "If you intend to live victoriously in this life, if you intend to live more than you lose in this life, if you intend to be an overcomer in this life, you must have this quality. "The reason why faith is so critical is because as long as you have blood running in your arteries and veins, as long as you are living in this world, you and I will be confronted with situations that require us to put our faith into action," he continued. Drawing from Hebrews 11, Luter said God tested the biblical character Abraham to see if he was willing to be obedient and offer his son as a sacrifice. Much like he put Abraham's faith to the test, Luter said God does the same for every believer. "God does not only want to hear obedience from our mouths, He wants to see obedience in our lives," he said. "Anybody can talk about faith, anybody can … [Read more...]

Louisiana abortionist’s medical license suspended

NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners has suspended the medical license of Kevin Work, a physician who performs abortions at Delta Women’s Medical Clinic in Baton Rouge and Women’s Healthcare Center in New Orleans. The LSBME issued a “Notice for Summary Suspension of Medical License” on its website Tuesday, February 26, notifying the public that Work’s medical license has been suspended pending “final resolution” in an administrative hearing. The notice states that “pending the institution and conclusion of formal administrative procedures herein, emergency action is imperative to safeguard the public health, welfare, and safety.” The suspension comes following letters by State Attorney General Jeff Landry and Louisiana Right to Life. Both raised serious questions in their letters about threats to women’s health and safety. In a news release from Landry’s office, he noted in his letter  Work has been cited on multiple occasions by the Board for failing to meet basic standards of patient care. In demanding action on this issue, General Landry outlined that the LSBME and the Louisiana Department of Health, who regulate abortion clinics, fall under the Governor’s authority. Louisiana Right to Life … [Read more...]

Pucik assumes leadership of the Northshore

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COVINGTON – Don Pucik, a former Louisiana Baptist pastor who moved out of state in 2002, has returned as association mission strategist for the Northshore Baptist Association. Pucik, who served as senior pastor of Wynne Baptist Church in Wynne, Arkansas since 2013, said he is excited about the opportunity to minister to pastors in a state where he once served. “For us it’s a homecoming,” Pucik said. “Two of our six kids were born here and the rest of them grew up here. We have always loved Louisiana, particularly south Louisiana’s culture. We’ve always loved the celebrated spirit of Louisiana life. We are really delighted to be back and we are looking forward to the future.” CALLED TO SERVE Pucik was raised in a family that practiced Roman Catholicism, but he turned from God and religion when he entered high school, he told the Baptist Message. However, before his senior year he found Christ during a worship service at a Baptist church in Dayton, Ohio. “In high school, I stepped back away from all things church, God and religion,” he said. “­The world for me became a very dark place. I met some genuine Christians who invited me to church and it was there in a storefront … [Read more...]

Inaugural ‘Church Resource Expo’ set

PELICAN – The inaugural Church Resource Expo will be held March 1, at no charge for attendees or vendors. Organizers expect more than 40 vendors to participate and are planning for a crowd of 400 at the Clara Springs Baptist Camp event in Pelican. Insurance representatives, office suppliers, copier sales and service providers, janitorial supply distributors and others will share information about the different products and support they can offer churches. There will be Christian entertainment, too. One of the largest vendors, Sysco Foods, will host a church food show that will spotlight various foods ideal for serving at Vacation Bible School, dinner on the grounds and other events. ­The expo will begin with a minister’s conference at 3 p.m., but the general public will need to wait for the main exhibit hall and food show to open at 5 p.m. Twenty-four breakout sessions by vendors are being offered during the expo, and door prizes donated by vendors will be awarded. ­The expo will conclude with two events: a demonstration from Xtreme Obedience, a ministry that utilizes dogs to share the Gospel, and a small concert by the Allen Family. For more information go to the Clara Sparings Baptist Camp website, or call … [Read more...]