By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- The devastation from Hurricane Barry was far less than anticipated based on forecasts leading into the weekend, but for those who sustained damage this news does not lessen the impact on them. Several Louisiana Baptist churches reported that facilities suffered from floodwaters and winds as the result of Barry trekking through the state as a tropical storm and now a tropical depression. In places the storm dumped more than 20 inches of rain and produced sustained winds of 75 mph, with even higher gusts. With regard to Louisiana Baptist churches, Gibbie McMillan told the Baptist Message that he had received reports from three congregations, so far: -- Mechanicville Emmanuel Baptist Church in Houma lost portions of its roof, windows were broken, cemetery fencing was lost and a gazebo damaged. -- Immanuel Baptist Church in Morgan City experienced roof and siding damage, and multiple fallen trees. -- First Baptist Church in Franklin lost siding and had begun removing tree limbs downed by winds. Pastor Chris Jeffus reported to the Baptist Message that high winds damaged the roof and steeple of his congregation, the Trinity Baptist Church in New … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MONTGOMERY, La. (LBM) -- Verda Baptist Church had struggled to reach the next generation before Braden Martin arrived as pastor in November 2017. He led them to pray first, and in 2018 the congregation of 80 felt led to start an AWANA club (evangelism and discipleship for children) that has drawn nearly 50 kids every Wednesday evening, since inception, and also sparked a revival within the body of members. “When I got here, Verda had virtually no youth or kids program outside of Vacation Bible School, which was shocking since we are within steps of the school and have numerous school board employees, including the previous and new Grant Parish superintendent,” Martin told the Baptist Message. “What once was Wednesday night prayer meetings consisting of me, my wife, our baby girl and a handful of others has turned into an average of 47 kids and 18-20 members who help out every Wednesday night while a few of us gather in the sanctuary for prayer. “Having this many members each week come in and get to work is just amazing to see,” he continued. “We are all so busy, we all work hard during the week, sometimes we are just burned out and still they come. That’s the rise or fall of any … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE (LBM) – Louisiana College will welcome more than 800 fourth through sixth graders, Aug. 24, for a day of games, worship and Gospel opportunities at PreTeen Invasion. The annual evangelism conference for this age group will feature messages by Keith Badgett, children’s pastor at the First Baptist Church in Jenks, Oklahoma, and music by The Crowe Brothers from Franklinton. This year’s theme is “GO,” based on Matthew 28:19. David Anderson, children’s ministry strategist for Louisiana Baptists, told the Baptist Message that PreTeen Invasion has become the “go-to event” to celebrate the start of another school year. “This is the 9th year for PreTeen Invasion and it is always a great day,” Anderson said. “We see young people from across our state make decisions for Christ and others go away challenged to take the Gospel to their neighborhoods. This year we will be very intentional about what it means to go. This has become a great way to kick off an amazing year in preteen ministry in our local churches.” Registration is underway: The $35 per person fee includes a t-shirt if postmarked by July 19, but not after this date. Check-in will begin at 8 a.m., with the event starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m. More … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- Louisiana Baptist pastors employed social media July 14 to reach out to the congregations they urged to stay home out of safety concerns in the face of Tropical Storm Barry – with dining room tables, home offices and vacant worship centers serving as pulpits via Facebook Live. Stewart Holloway, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Pineville, said this was the first time in 25 years of serving as a minister that he has cancelled a Sunday morning worship service. Still, Holloway, broadcasting from his dining room table alongside his wife, Rebecca, quipped that he was thankful technology allowed for his home to serve as a "multi-site campus of our church." Holloway told his congregation that storms such as Barry remind Christ’s followers what is most important in life and also of God's power. "As you sit at home today, eating your hurricane snacks and thinking about all the clean-up you will have to do later this week, for now, be glad that you are able to focus on what's most important and on the power of God," Holloway said. "Here's what we encourage you to do now. Whether you are gathered with family or friends or by yourself, when the webcast … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- Some Louisiana Baptist congregations have made decisions to cancel Sunday activities as a matter of safety as Tropical Storm Barry continues to trek through the state: -- Twin Bridges Baptist Church, Alexandria -- Glenmora Baptist Church, Glenmora -- Westside Baptist Church, Natchitoches (cancelled just 8:30 a.m. worship service) -- Providence No. 1 Baptist Church, Ethel -- Riverside Baptist Church, Vidalia -- HIS Church, Pineville -- Greenwell Springs Baptist Church, Central -- Taylor Creek Baptist Church, Kentwood -- Pine Grove Baptist Church, Ruby -- Holloway Baptist Church, Deville -- First Baptist Church, Napoleonville -- Pine Grove Baptist Church, Pineville -- Kingsville Baptist Church, Pineville -- First Baptist Church, Boyce -- Fairfield Baptist Church, Dry Prong -- Hebron Baptist Church, Dry Prong -- Gardner Baptist Church, Gardner -- Big Island Baptist Church, Deville -- Birds Creek Baptist Church, Harrisonburg -- Atlanta Baptist Church, Atlanta -- Cypress Creek Baptist Church, Dodson -- Bethlehem Baptist Church, Winnfield -- Calvary Baptist Church, Winnfield -- Sardis Baptist … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer   ALEXANDRIA, La, (LBM) -- Hurricane Barry made landfall Saturday afternoon at Intracoastal City, Louisiana, according to the National Hurricane Center, and weakened to a tropical storm as it moved inland.   Meanwhile, a number of Louisiana Baptist churches have announced they would be serving as  community shelters.   STORM PATH   As of 1 p.m. the eye of the storm was about 5 miles inland and moving northwest at a speed nearing 6 mph. Maximum sustained winds were 70 mph and extended outward up to 175 miles from the center.   Meteorologists expect the system to turn north-northwest tonight, followed by a turn toward the north on Sunday.    Along its path through south-central and southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi, rain accumulations 10 to 20 inches are forecast with isolated maximum amounts of 25 inches.    SHELTERS, DAMAGE, RESPONSE    South Walker Baptist Church in Walker, Christ’s Community Church in Dedham Springs and Satsuma Baptist Church in Livingston have opened to serve as shelters in their respective communities.   Mechanicville Emmanuel Baptist Church in Houma reported that high winds had damaged the worship center roof.    Floodwaters caused a … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer CROIX-DES-BOUQUETS, Haiti (LBM) – The Children’s Transition Village in Haiti has welcomed its first group of economic orphans, after more than five years of prayer and hard work by Louisiana Baptists and the Haiti Baptist Convention. According to Darrin Badon, president of Louisiana Reach Haiti (a partnership between the Louisiana Baptist Convention, Haiti Baptist Convention, Louisiana Baptist churches and the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home) seven boys entered the facility in Croix-Des-Bouquets July 1. The buildings are designed to be home for up to 20 boys and 20 girls. But the hope is to eventually reunite the children with their families. “Every day in Haiti the battle for the family is being fought,” said Badon, also director of operations at Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. “Often it seems like a war that can’t be won -- as poverty and high unemployment destroy one generation after another. Many children end up in orphanages, but care can range from good to deplorable. “We will offer our children the best of care. But not to keep them,” he said. “We can’t be, and will not be, a place that divides the family that God designed and created. “As we receive these … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PANAMA CITY, Florida – A small area in the Gulf of Mexico, just off a sandy white beach in Panama City, Florida, served as a “baptistery” for 20 students and adults from Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, at the end of summer camp in late May. Student Pastor Kevin Flattmann beamed with excitement as 18 young people each declared they were a new creation in Christ through baptism. Two repentant adults – who were convicted because they had not yet been obedient in being baptized despite enjoying the forgiveness of salvation -- joined the youth in being buried and raised in Christ in the saltwater. “You put a lot of effort in these camps and you pray so much for God to work in those students’ lives during the week it take place,” Flattmann told the Baptist Message. “They are dealing with things today you never thought they would be dealing with, and to see them take this important step of baptism is a powerful representation of how the Gospel changes lives. To see these students have the outward joy of Jesus written on their lives as each one went down into to ocean water and up was a moment I’ll never forget.” Before camp began, Flattmann led several months of prayer times with … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA (LBM) -- Louisiana Baptists are invited to recommend candidates for service on state convention boards and committees, and, are asked to submit resolutions for possible consideration by messengers at the 2019 Louisiana Baptist Convention. COMMITTEES The Louisiana Baptist Committee on Committees is conducting its work, Sept. 7, to nominate persons to serve on various state convention committees. Currently, 17 nominees are needed for service on committees, including: Credentials; Moral and Social Concerns; Nominations; Order of Business; and, Resolutions. Nominees for committees should be sent to Keith Sheridan, pastor of Lee’s Creek Baptist Church in Bogalusa, who is the Committee on Committees chair. Recommendations should be sent to him not later than Aug. 16 via email, pastor.keiths@gmail.com., or through the U.S. Mail: 1803 Lee’s Creek Church Road, Bogalusa, LA 70427. BOARDS The LBC Committee on Nominations is beginning its work to fill vacancies on state boards. At this point, 32 nominees are needed to serve on the LBC Executive Board and as trustees of Louisiana College, the Children’s Home and Family Ministries, the Baptist Message, and the Baptist Foundation. The Committee on Nominations chair is … [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 Dana Trahan is the new pastor at One Life Church, Walker. Joey, wife Rachel, Anwar is the New High School & College Minister at First Baptist, Haughton. Jeff, wife Mary, Hurst is the new pastor of Alabama Baptist Church, Arcadia as of July 15. HOMECOMING Evergreen Baptist Church, Bernice: 129th Homecoming, July 28, 10:30 a.m. Special Music: Sanctuary Quartet. Pastor: Wayne Sistrunk. Beech Springs Baptist Church, Quitman: 112th Homecoming Celebration, July 28, 10 a.m. A covered dish lunch will follow morning worship. Speaker: Jason McNaughtern, former pastor. Special music: Southern Plainsman Quartet. A love offering will be taken. Pastor: Jim Lancaster. REVIVAL Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville: Revive Monday, July 22, 29. July 22: Evangelist: Mike Stone. Worship: PBC Worship … [Read more...]