By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer RUSTON (LBM) – A exceptional lineup of speakers made point after point that Louisiana Baptists must be more intentional in imprinting the next generation, the nation and the world with the Gospel. EDDIE WREN In his message on “Marking the Next Generation,” LBC President Eddie Wren issued a call to pass a living faith onto the next generation. Referencing Psalm 78, Wren said God proclaimed that we must witness to and disciple “the generation to come.” “As we think about imprinting the next generation, we do not need a new gimmick or a new tool,” said Wren, pastor of First Baptist Church in Rayville. “Instead we need folks who are more interested in the old, old story of Jesus and His love than they are about the things of the world.” Wren said parents have a duty to disciple their own children and share with them about how God blesses His own, especially in times of trouble. Stories of God’s provision and miraculous power will help them understand God’s faithfulness, and their confidence in Him will grow, he said. Wren said the older generation can build relationships by mentoring and involving youth in ministry opportunities. “The faithful must disciple the coming … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer RUSTON – Messengers received a number of entity and ministry reports during the 2018 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, including efforts to reach the next generation. MISSIONS EDUCATION Missions education is a vital resource to equip the next generation to make disciples of the nations, Louisiana Baptist state missions staff said during their presentation. “Our leaders, Dr. Gibbie McMillan and Miss Jess Archer, are deeply committed to this task,” Louisiana Baptists missions and ministries director John Hebert told messengers. “We try to take this serious challenge and mold it into an intensely fun experience with the goal of creating a passion in the next generation for completing the mission of the church in bringing the Gospel to the world.” Archer, children’s and youth missions strategist, said missions focused camps are a starting point for engaging the next generation. Last summer, 369 children attended Children’s Missions Camp at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth. By the end of the camp, 30 children turned to Christ, eight restored fellowship with the Lord and several others responded to a call to missions. “Our hope is to seed this … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BATON ROUGE –David Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, has announced his plans to retire, sharing his intentions during the 2018 LBC Annual Meeting, Nov. 12-13, hosted by Temple Baptist Church in Ruston. “I have every confidence that God is going to take care of this Convention and bring about good things and better things for His glory,” Hankins told messengers during the Monday evening session. “So I know you will join me in praying during these transition days. “I’ve been reminded as I come to this time of approaching retirement of this truth,” he continued. “It is always the duty of every generation for God’s people to teach the next generation. There’s always a next generation that we have a duty to. We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us and somebody’s going to need to stand on our shoulders. So we’re to mark the next generation.” His retirement will be effective June 30, 2019. Waylon Bailey, president of the LBC Executive Board and pastor of the First Baptist Church in Covington, spoke to the Baptist Message, expressing high regard for Hankins. “Dr. Hankins has brought strong, clear, and principled leadership to the office … [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 Larry Baldridge is the new pastor at Bayou Life Church, Cottonport. Brock Huffpauir has resigned as pastor at New Life Church, Arnaudville. HOMECOMING First Baptist Church, Wisner: 95th anniversary, November 25, 10 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will be served following the worship service. Guest Speaker: Joshua Peoples, associate pastor, Providence Church in Ormand Beach, Fla. Special Music: Wayne Watson. Pastor: Thomas Peoples. Cherry Grove Baptist Church, Dry Creek: 100th Anniversary Celebration, November 25, 10:30 a.m. A meal and a time of fellowship will follow immediately after the service in the Family Life Center.  Pastor: Robbie Rollins. First Baptist Church, Delhi: Anniversary Celebration, December 8, 6 p.m. Special Music: The Sanctuary Quartet. Pastor: Jeff Coleman. REVIVAL Antioch … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Wayne Jenkins, who served 28 years as director of evangelism for Louisiana Baptists until his retirement Jan. 31, was remembered by family and friends as a soul winner whose passion for the lost continued up to his death Nov. 13. “Wayne Jenkins was a blessing to Louisiana Baptists and beyond. His willingness to pour himself out for the Gospel, even during his lengthy battle with cancer, should challenge all of us,” said David Hankins, executive director for Louisiana Baptists. “His passion for people and willingness to try new ways to engage them with the Gospel is resonating in eternity.” Keith Manuel, director of evangelism and church growth for Louisiana Baptists, said Jenkins was a major influencer on evangelism in the Southern Baptist Convention and for Louisiana Baptists. “He was a classic director of evangelism,” Manuel said. “He didn’t just talk and ideate about evangelism. He was a practitioner. His life was dedicated to sharing the Gospel internationally, nationally, and locally. There will be thousands who received Jesus’ salvation, who stand before the throne of God worshipping the King of Kings for eternity, because of the witness and the work of … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message Editor ALEXANDRIA (LBM) —Wayne Jenkins passed away November 13, but the retired Louisiana Baptist evangelism director made a spiritual impact that will last through eternity. Jenkins served as pastor with six Southern Baptist churches in Texas and Louisiana for 25 years before joining the Louisiana Baptist Convention staff as director of evangelism and church growth in 1990. He brought with him a seven-year evangelism partnership with Brazilian Baptists and continued that international relationship another 28 years, until his retirement in January. He was equally committed to soul-winning in Louisiana from 1990-2018, equipping numerous pastors and congregations for reaching the lost. Most recently, he was a central figure in visualizing and implementing the statewide Harvest initiative which is underway to “pray for every home and share Christ with every person” in Louisiana. HARVESTS AT HOME Jenkins led the effort to enlist more than 900 of 1,650 Louisiana Baptist churches to join together across the state for Harvest prayer events and soul-winning activities, far-exceeding the goal of 700 participating congregations. He helped lay the groundwork in 2015; planned and enlisted … [Read more...]

By Norm Miller, LCNews PINEVILLE (LCNews) -- The Board of Visitors membership is growing. Individual donations are on the rise in volume and amount. And in general, Louisiana College’s donor base is growing. “As the turnaround at Louisiana College continues since 2015, alumni, donors, and friends are getting on board -- and some back on board -- with the new direction on the Hill in Pineville,” said LC President Dr. Rick Brewer. “We appreciate the return of so many prayer partners and financial supporters.” The College recently received a substantial gift from the Cason Foundation, and within two weeks, the Foundation doubled the gift, Brewer said. “Words fall short in expressing how grateful we are for the open-handed generosity of Edgar and Flo Cason.” “We’ve heard about the good things happening at Louisiana College,” Flo Cason said. “And when we met with Rick and Cathy, Edgar and I were convinced that LC is in the very best of hands.” Edgar Cason told LCNews: “Our consideration for Louisiana College is two-fold: We fully endorse the College’s Vision for Preparing Graduates and Transforming Lives as we wholeheartedly support the leadership of President Rick Brewer and his Leadership Team.” Though such … [Read more...]