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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Baptismal waters wash away fear of water, sin

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer EUNICE – Judy Ryder was held captive by a fear of swimming since childhood, but God used a recent baptism at Acadian Baptist Center’s pool in Eunice to help the amputee break through this stronghold. With assistance from four men at North Eunice Baptist Church, Ryder was lifted onto a chair and into the pool to stir the baptistery waters Sept. 9. “It was difficult at first, but once I got into the water, the fear was gone because God was with me,” said Ryder, who accepted Christ at a worship service at the church two months earlier. “When I came back up out of the water, I was as calm as I could be.” The baptism, which took place during the church’s annual back to school picnic at the camp, was one of the most memorable for Interim Pastor Bert Langley. “She had a lot of apprehension and didn’t know how she would take care of herself in the water,” said Langley, who also is director of missions for Acadia Baptist Association. “But after her baptism, she had the biggest smile on her face and broke out with a ‘praise the Lord.’ “It was an overall great experience,” he continued. “The church got to see this unique baptism and at the same time this lady was able to accomplish … [Read more...]

Wish granted, Pastor returned to state for final ‘homecoming’

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MOWATA – Veteran church planting strategist Greg Penna has not lived in Louisiana for 22 years, but his wish was to one day return for burial near a church in the state that felt like home. Penna, who died September 1 from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in Oklahoma, desired to be buried in the Mowata Baptist Church cemetery, alongside many members that he and his wife, Cindy, referred to as their second family. “We would call that our home church,” said Cindy Penna. “The people made it special. It was at Mowata he learned what family was all about. His dad was absent, but there he got to see family the way God intended it to be. They helped teach him what it meant to be a pastor.” Penna accepted Christ as his Savior and was baptized at First Baptist Church in Hammond, Indiana, when he was eight years old. Shortly afterward, Penna moved with his family to Lake Charles. When he turned 17, Penna began his service in vocational ministry as the pastor of First Baptist Church in Bunkie when he was a student at Louisiana College. Penna subsequently served churches in Florida, Louisiana and Oklahoma, and attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Cindy … [Read more...]

C.J. Cavanaugh’s impact celebrated at LC’s Founders Day

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Louisiana College honored legendary biology professor Charles J. Cavanaugh with the unveiling of a historical marker in front of the Cavanaugh Hall of Science during its annual Founders Day celebration October 4. “Prof Cavanaugh was a transformational leader who sought the best for his students,” said LC President Rick Brewer. “Though he was not aware of our Vision to Prepare Graduates and Transform Lives, his legacy assuredly lives as a precursor to such vision.” Cavanaugh, who earned his degree from Louisiana College in 1932, began his career in higher education at New York University and Hofstra College in Long Island, New York. While he enjoyed life in New York, Cavanaugh longed to return to Louisiana. Finally, in 1945, Cavanaugh received his long-awaited invitation to teach at Louisiana College as chairman of the biology department. Throughout the next 32 years, Cavanaugh taught thousands of future physicians and other medical personnel. During his tenure at Louisiana College, Cavanaugh developed and directed a pre-med program from which more than 90 percent of students who applied to medical, dental and veterinary schools were accepted. Away from campus, … [Read more...]

Vote NO on fantasy sports betting in Louisiana

By Staff, Baptist Message During the 2018 regular session of the state legislature, lawmakers passed House Bill 484, allowing Internet gambling on fantasy sports. Participants will pay to create a virtual sports team based on actual players in sports leagues. Wins and losses will be based on the players selected and how each athlete performs week-to-week on their real teams, thereby accruing points for the fantasy team. Although, signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards as Act 322, Louisiana’s Constitution requires a statewide vote, which will be held Nov. 6. Approval or defeat will be parish-by-parish, meaning some parts of the state might allow fantasy sports and others prohibit it. The Louisiana Baptist Convention is urging church members to aggressively campaign to vote “NO” on fantasy sports. “This type of gambling is insidious because it specifically targets children,” said Will Hall, director of Louisiana Baptists’ Office of Public Policy. “Gambling industry claims that children can be excluded by technology ring hollow.” “Already, children in the state are circumventing ‘systems’ designed to keep them out of gambling,” Hall said. “The Picard Center at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette … [Read more...]

Richard Blue’s selection as next DOM for ELBA was a ‘God thing’

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer DENHAM SPRINGS – Eastern Louisiana Baptist Association has named one of its own to serve as the next director of missions. Richard Blue, the pastor of Walker Baptist Church for the last 20 years, began serving in his new role October 1. While this is his first time to serve as a director of missions, Blue believes his experience at churches and in associational life has prepared him for this next chapter in ministry. “I never would have seen myself in this position 20 years ago,” Blue said. “I am humbled and see this as a tremendous amount of responsibility. The only way to get things done is through Christ who strengthens me. With the Lord’s help and the cooperation of the people, we will be able to get things done to reach people in a changing climate of churches and culture for the next 25 years.” PASSION FOR MINISTRY Blue repented for salvation at age 12 after understanding his need for Christ at a Vacation Bible School held by Levy Street Baptist Mission in Shreveport. Four years later, Blue accepted the call to vocational ministry after several weeks of leading a home-based small group Bible study sponsored by Levy Street Baptist Mission. During the years that … [Read more...]

Prayer takes center stage at second day of Hope4U Crusade

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA - The Rapides Parish Coliseum became a house of prayer Monday night, Oct. 15. Dozens of people lined the altar after a call to pray for restoration and the lost by evangelist Ken Freeman on the second night of the Hope4U GO TELL Crusade. “We’re running out of time,” Freeman said moments earlier about the need to share Christ. “We’ve gotta get busy.” https://youtu.be/p0mmsi5dcPw Freeman shared his testimony of how he turned from an out of control life to a purpose-driven one anchored in Christ. After accepting a friend’s invitation to attend a church service in 1968, Freeman found Jesus. For more than 30 years, he has shared the Gospel at more than 3,000 churches and seen more than 200,000 individuals make a decision for Christ. He told the crowd Jesus can transform their lives too, if they repent of their sins and turn to Him. “I’m proof,” he said. “God can take a mess and make it His message.” At the invitation, 38 of the 783 in attendance came forward to declare Christ the Lord of their lives and eight made other decisions. The Hope4U GO TELL Crusade continues through Oct. 17 6:30 p.m. at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria. During today’s session, Scott Camp, … [Read more...]

First day of Hope4U Crusade yields 150 decisions for Christ

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA – Approximately 150 people out of 1,100 in attendance responded to evangelist Rick Gage's passionate plea to make a decision for Christ during the opening night of the HOPE4U GO TELL Crusade Oct. 14. "If a person wants to go heaven he's got to go through Jesus," said Gage, founder of GO TELL Crusades in Duluth, Georgia. "If you want to go to heaven my friend you've got to go the Jesus way. "Jesus said only few will make it to heaven," he explained. "Will you be one of the few who makes it to heaven?" At the invitation, 61 came forward to declare Christ the Lord of their lives and 89 made other decisions. The Hope4U GO TELL Crusade continues through Oct. 17 6:30 p.m. at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria. During today's session, evangelist Ken Freeman, founder of Ken Freeman Ministries in Martindale, Texas, will bring a Gospel message, and award-winning Christian bands Rush of Fools will be joined by the GO TELL worship team to share about Christ through music. The crusade is part of the statewide Harvest campaign to “pray for every home and share with every person” in Louisiana through the end of 2018. "We need to see a move of God here in central Louisiana," Gage said. … [Read more...]

First Baptist Norco becomes GuideStone’s first P&C insurance church in Louisiana

By Roy Hayhurst, GuideStone Communications DALLAS -- Representatives of GuideStone® honored First Baptist Church of Norco, as it became the first property and casualty insurance customer served by the Southern Baptist entity in the state of Louisiana. GuideStone, through its alliance with Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company, began serving as an insurance agent in the Bayou State this year. While the alliance is nationwide, GuideStone serves as a Brotherhood Mutual agent in Texas, Louisiana and Alabama. “Since 2012, we have found the alliance with Brotherhood Mutual to be beneficial for the churches we are privileged to serve,” GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins said. “We are committed to providing a comprehensive solution to churches from an organization committed to their ministry success. We hear regularly from churches that they have struggled to find good insurance solutions from companies committed to their church. “We hear often about dramatic coverage gaps and high deductibles. Through our alliance, we’re able to offer these benefits to protect churches and ministries well,” Hawkins continued.  “As an added bonus, many are finding this better service and benefits at a potentially better price. We are thankful … [Read more...]

At LC Chapel, the Holy Spirit moves 100 LC students to make decisions for Christ

By Message Staff PINEVILLE – A movement by the Holy Spirit prompted more than 100 Louisiana College students to make life-changing decisions for Christ during the campus chapel service Thursday, Oct. 11. LC President Rick Brewer said the college staff and local pastors prayed countless times God would move among the students. While many of the decisions were to restore fellowship with the Lord, 30 students gave their lives for Christ. “In my near 32 years in Christian higher education, I have never seen such a response to the Gospel,” said LC President Rick Brewer. “Despite peer pressure and their concerns about lunchtime, 100 of our students decided to get serious with God.” Each student, who made a decision, received the discipleship book “Download.” Members of the LC staff and local pastors will follow up with each individual who made decisions Thursday. Tim Hisaw, pastor of Tioga First Baptist Church and captain of the counseling and follow-up team for the upcoming Hope4U Crusade, was amazed at the response. “This was truly a mighty move of God,” Hisaw said. “The Lord even moved some students to come forward at the end of the chapel service and counsel some of their friends. If this is any indication to how … [Read more...]

NOBTS trustee chairman appoints search committee

By Gary D. Myers, NOBTS Communications NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustee chairman Frank Cox announced the names for the 11-member presidential search committee today (Oct. 11) and called on Southern Baptists to pray through the search process. "We ask that Southern Baptists pray for us as we seek God's man to lead New Orleans Seminary into the next century of ministry here in New Orleans and surrounding regions," Cox said. The NOBTS bylaws call for the trustee chairman to appoint a committee with 11 voting members -- including the board chairman, the immediate past chairman, one faculty member, one student and seven other board members. The president search committee is as follows: -- Bryant Barnes, trustee; pastor, First Baptist Church, Columbia, Miss.; -- Jack Bell, trustee; pastor, First Baptist Church, Hornbeck, La.; -- Frank Cox, trustee chairman; pastor, North Metro Baptist Church, Lawrenceville, Ga.; -- John Foster, trustee; retired educator, New Orleans; -- David Leavell, trustee; pastor, First Baptist Church, Millington, Tenn.; -- Jackie Myers, trustee; education specialist, Sicily Island, La.; -- Gary Shows, trustee; pastor, Temple Baptist Church, … [Read more...]