By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – On Feb. 7, 2017, an EF-3 tornado ripped apart the worship center and education building of the Suburban Baptist Church in New Orleans. But in 2019, the congregation has experienced a spiritual rebirth marked by nine baptisms, coinciding with the final repairs to the facilities. “For the last two years I have been inwardly focused trying to rebuild what was destroyed by the tornado,” Pastor Jeffery Friend told the Baptist Message. “God sent a mighty army of volunteers from across the country to rebuild our church and I knew the least we can do was to fill our buildings again for Him. “People have been inviting others to worship services and the neighborhood has been curious about what was happening as teams came in to rebuild,” he continued. “Many folks have known our church’s facilities were destroyed by the tornado. They wanted to see what the progress looked like on the inside. We took advantage of their curiosity and have seen God work in great ways.” Suburban Baptist Church averaged 200 people in Sunday morning worship before the tornado reduced that number to 30. However, the congregation refused to disband and used the facilities at Gentilly Baptist … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MONTES CARLOS, Brazil (LBM) – A 56-member mission team recently continued the Gospel vision of former Louisiana Baptists Director of Evangelism Wayne Jenkins with a nearly two-week mission trip to his beloved Brazil. Jenkins, who previously led 34 mission trips to Brazil, took his final mission trip to that country in July 2018 before his death Nov. 13 after a lengthy battle with cancer. His son-in-law, David Denton, said Jenkins’ love for the Brazilian people was felt by the team members who participated in the trip, July 5-16, in Montes Carlos, Brazil. “It was an emotional trip, in some aspects, but God was gracious and the trip went smoothly,” said Denton, pastor of Highland Baptist Church in New Iberia and coordinator of the trip. “We miss Mr. Wayne.  But he and (his wife) Mrs. Martha loved the Brazilian people and were instrumental in helping people catch a vision for partnership missions. Mrs. Martha continues to be an important part of the work there. Beyond the Walls remains focused on the same objective of sharing the life transforming message of God’s grace in Christ.” The Louisiana Baptist-led mission team partnered with Beyond the Walls – a Louisiana-based ministry … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SHREVEPORT – More than 150 members of Grawood Baptist Church gathered after Sunday morning worship, May 19, to build 60 beds for needy children in the Shreveport-Bossier City area. Some assembled the beds while others served food or watched the children of members constructing the beds in less than three hours for the Bossier Parish chapter of the non-profit organization Sleep In Heavenly Peace. According to its website, Sleep in Heavenly Peace was founded in 2012 and its motto is “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town.” Volunteers built 4,144 beds last year for children across the U.S. Grawood Pastor Chris Willcutt said was he thrilled to see his members display a spirit of oneness to reach the Kingdom. “From a pastor’s heart that makes me excited,” Willcutt said. “The greatest commandment of all is to love God and love others. Over the years as leadership we tried to pour out to our congregation that we need to love others. What they do for each other tends to trickle out to the community for others. I am seeing that going out into the community.” Members raised nearly $20,000 to build the beds. The largest fundraiser was through a gun raffle and clay shoot that was … [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 Breanna Allen is the news children’s director at First Baptist Church, Vivian. Jason Shawley is the new senior pastor at Angie Baptist Church, Angie. His first Sunday was May 5. Matt (wife Sarah) Tyson is the new Executive pastor/business administrator at Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport. HOMECOMING Hebron Baptist Church, Summerfield: 171st Annual Homecoming Celebration, August 4, 10 a.m. There will be dinner on the grounds after the worship service. Guest Speaker: Randy Brown. There will also be special music. First Baptist Church, Greensburg: 153rd Homecoming Celebration, August 11, 9:15 a.m. (Sunday school); 10:30 a.m. (Worship). Dinner on the grounds will follow the worship service. Speaker: Joey Bennett. Worship Leader: Ivy Butler. Pianist: Ann Butler. If you have any questions or … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LC News by Norm Miller   PINEVILLE, La. (LCNews)-- Louisiana College President Dr. Rick Brewer signed a memorandum of understanding for academic partnership with Liverpool Hope University in Liverpool, UK. After four days of meetings with more than 20 academic leaders at the 175-year-old institution, Brewer and LHU’s Vice Chancellor Dr. Gerald Pillay signed the covenantal document in Pillay’s office July 18. “As a faith-based institution, Liverpool Hope University is an international standard-bearer for the integration of faith and learning,” Brewer said. “I anticipate a long and fruitful relationship with this institution, which shares our academic convictions and worldview.” Pillay said Louisiana College “shares the same values and academic educational philosophy of our university. It was a joy to meet President Brewer and to build bridges between us.” He also noted “the splendid work at Louisiana College” and his desire to “find ways to collaborate between Louisiana and Liverpool. We look to the future with much anticipation.” Brewer met with the leaders of several academic disciplines while exploring avenues of cooperation and academic exchange. “Everyone expressed genuine interest in … [Read more...]

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- Louisiana Baptists have continued to aid churches who reported facility failures after the sporadic damage throughout the state caused by Tropical Storm Barry. According to Joe Arnold, director of missions for Bayou Baptist Association, a disaster relief team from Eastern Louisiana and Washington Baptist Associations has made temporary roof repairs to the main building of Mechanicville Emmanuel Baptist Church “We are thankful that it was not any worse than it was,” Arnold told the Baptist Message. “For the churches that had damage, first pray for them as they clean up. Second, if you have a construction crew available, we can plug them in with a church. Give me a call and we can make arrangements.” Four Bayou Baptist Association churches also likely will need assistance: -          Crosspoint Church, Cut Off: roof and ceiling repairs; -          Grace Community Fellowship, Chauvin: steeple replacement; -          Live Oak Baptist Church, Montegut: remove and replace sheet rock in the education building; and, -          Schriever Baptist Church: repair roof, ceiling and walls. Gibbie McMillan said the Louisiana Baptist Convention is working through the association … [Read more...]