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...]

LBC Executive Director ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- In a time of uncertainty like this, when we await the exact path and strength of the storm, we also need to wait on God and watch to see where He is at work. The saying is true that “Sometimes God calms the seas and sometimes He calms the sailors.” I have seen Him do both and remind all of us to trust Him. Let us respond to the impending storm as Daniel’s three friends did when they faced the ridicule of King Nebuchadnezzar and the blazing furnace as recorded in Daniel 3:17-18: “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Remember that God is mighty to save, and He is fully able to miraculously calm this storm. Until we know otherwise, let’s pray to that end. … [Read more...]

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) -- As the state braces for Tropical Storm Barry, Louisiana Baptists John Hebert and Gibbie McMillan shared about disaster response preparations being made in anticipation of the damage that could result. Hebert, the missions and ministry director for the Louisiana Baptist Convention who oversees disaster relief operations, said disaster relief leaders already have put a plan of action into place. “We’ve assessed our resources and issued alerts to our trained personnel to prepare themselves and their mobile units,” Hebert said. “In addition, we are ready to establish command centers, and our folks are maintaining a constant state of readiness – literally watching and praying.” Hebert added that if the storm hits Louisiana, the disaster relief organization will respond immediately. If the storm shifts course, he said “we are ready” to respond to requests for help from neighboring states. “Our priority will be to assist churches, staff, then members,” McMillan said in describing how resources will be allocated. “After that we assist the people in the areas around our churches. McMillan is the Louisiana Baptist disaster relief coordinator for the state. “If they need food, … [Read more...]