By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Just as Bible critics attack the Creation account in Genesis, they also take aim at the Flood account to claim God’s Word is not true. However, just as science substantiates details in the Bible’s record of Creation, so science also adds credibility to the Flood description in Scripture. There are three broad arguments that skeptics typically make to discredit the Bible’s report about the Flood events: (1) They claim there was no global flood. (2) They dismiss Scripture, by noting that there are other flood stories (a “guilt by association” tactic that ignores the differences between the Bible’s accurate record and the fables and myths of other religions). (3) They reject biblical details as simply physically “impossible,” despite scientific discoveries which verify the biblical record. “NO FLOOD” Even secular scientists acknowledge that the Himalayans (the world’s tallest mountain range with the highest known mountain peaks on earth) are covered with fossil graveyards of marine animals. However, they argue that a slow collision of tectonic plates (“continental drift”) eventually raised an ancient seabed that stretched through what is … [Read more...]
RETIREMENT: Schmidt reflects on 13 years of Hispanic church growth in state
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – For the past 13 years, Carlos Schmidt has fulfilled the Great Commission to Hispanics across the state. He has seen the number of Hispanic-speaking churches grow from 25-55 and encouraged them to continue reaching their communities for Jesus. Now, Schmidt is set to retire, March 31, as a church planting strategist for Louisiana Baptists. However, he will continue to pursue his passion for reaching the lost with El Renuevo, Lafayette, having served as pastor of the church since 2019. CALLED Born in the country of Colombia, Schmidt’s first exposure to life in Louisiana began when he was an exchange student with a Catholic family in Crowley. Though he did not know Christ at the time, he met his wife, Gwen, while living there. The two married and moved back to Colombia, where they lived until they decided to return to Louisiana in 1980. After returning to Louisiana, they experienced marital problems, which led Gwen to find peace via her fellowship with members of First Baptist Church, Rayne. Meanwhile, Schmidt was working as a helicopter mechanic with PHI Aviation in Lafayette. He also took a part-time job as a financial management and … [Read more...]
Churches reach police officers through hospitality rooms
By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MORGAN CITY, La. (LBM) – Churches in the state have embraced their mission to further the Gospel through establishment of hospitality rooms for law enforcement officers. Through their efforts, churches such as Bayou Vista Baptist Church, Morgan City, and Live Oak Baptist Church, Denham Springs, have built Christ-like relationships with policemen and policewomen in their areas. “Being in law enforcement, I knew some of the struggles,” Bayou Vista Baptist Church Pastor Ronnie Mabile told the Baptist Message. “I knew some of the pitfalls and I’ll always have a heart for those in the military, those who serve locally in local sheriffs and police departments, and fire departments. “It’s hard on them and they have a tough job, especially in today’s climate,” he continued. “They don’t always see the best in people, and we wanted to show them the best we could by opening the room inside our church. “Our facilities are not ours; the facilities on the Lord,” he said. “So how can we not use our facilities to reach and minister to them?” Mabile spent eight years patrolling the highways and byways of Assumption Parish and after he resigned still had a burden to reach … [Read more...]
Louisiana Notables
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Baptist Message provides churches an opportunity to share with other Louisiana Baptists an upcoming revival, homecoming, new pastor, new staff member, a community outreach, or a concert in Louisiana Notables. To place your event in the paper, send your information (who, what, where, when, time) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. Please submit your information four weeks prior to the event to insure placement in the Message. ON THE MOVE Shane, wife Victoria, Russell is the new Outreach Minister at Wilda Baptist Church, Boyce. Mike, wife Phyllis, Freeman is the new minister of music at First Baptist Church, Marion. Michael Collins is the new pastor at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Farmerville. Collin, wife Leslie, Carpenter has been called by Calvary Baptist Church, Ruston as the new youth pastor. Jeremy Babb is the new associate pastor at Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia. Clayton, wife Gracie, Bryan is the new pastor at Cheniere Baptist Church, West Monroe. Billy, wife Linda, Edwards is the new pastor at Marksville Baptist Church, Marksville. Aaron Coffey is the new pastor at New Sarepta Baptist Church, Sarepta. Evan Griffin to be ordained into the ministry March … [Read more...]
LSU to post Ten Commandments in classrooms, president says
Four earthquakes within 10 minutes reported in northwest Louisiana
Second largest earthquake in state history shakes north Louisiana
REGISTER NOW: Brazil mission trip
By Baptist Message staff MANAUS, Brazil - David Denton is urging Louisiana Baptists to join an annual Brazil summer mission trip to see a Gospel harvest in a city the team has not visited since 2015. Scheduled for early July, the team will partner with Brazilian Baptist churches in Manaus, Amazonas, to reach local communities with the Gospel. The registration deadline is March 7, and a $500 non-refundable deposit is due at that time. “The trip provides an invaluable experience in partnering with believers from the United States and Brazil to fulfill the Great Commission,” said Denton, pastor, Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia, and director of Beyond the Walls ministry. Last year, 69 participants saw a harvest of 700 Brazilians and the construction of the 75th church facility in the country since Beyond the Walls began its annual mission efforts there in . The team will leave for Brazil July 10 and return July 21. The ministry, Beyond the Walls, uses a multi-team approach that combines visitation, drama, construction and cooking for evangelistic outreach. The cost of the trip is $3,220, and covers housing, meals, airfare, daily transportation, airport transfers, insurance, tips and team t-shirts. Email … [Read more...]
LCU’s social work dean says faith an integral part of profession
By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University’s Dean of Social Work Juanita Moorman practices what she professes. Moorman, who lives in Oakdale, has served as the dean of the School of Social Work since August. She also continues to be a hands-on social worker, in addition to her academic duties at LCU. Moorman said she believes it makes a world of difference—not just to her—but to her students. “I enjoy being allowed to practice clinically and still teach,” she said. “It’s an opportunity at LCU that other schools don’t offer. I think that allows students a unique learning experience—even better than I was allowed in my own studies. It enriches the classroom.” Faculty evaluations done by students echo that sentiment. Students appreciate having a professor who is still practicing what they are teaching them and preparing them to do professionally. Moorman has supervised Drug Court in Vernon Parish for the past 13 years, and does group therapy for Drug Court in Beauregard and Allen parishes from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Saturday. Her work has even helped with recruitment for LCU’s Master of Social Work program. “There’s a shortage of licensed clinical social workers, … [Read more...]
LBDR repairs damaged roofs at Portuguese camp
By Baptist Message staff PATAIAS, Portugal (LBM) – An Eastern Louisiana Baptist Association Disaster Relief team recently wrapped up a week of work at a Portuguese ministry camp that sustained heavy damage. The team of five worked Feb. 13-21 at Agua de Madei Ros Acampamento Baptista in Patais, Portugal, which is two hours north of the country’s capital city of Lisbon. While there, the team repaired roofs on three buildings and place tarp on three other structures on the campgrounds. According to DR team member Howard Turner, the camp serves as a focal point for the work of the two missionaries use the camp for ministerial efforts including 10 weeks of summer camp, weddings, retreats and other training sessions. Turner said highlights of the trip included conversations with the two missionaries and the more than 100 students who assisted in the clean-up efforts. “It was a wonderful trip all the way around,” Turner told the Baptist Message. “The two missionaries told us once, if not a hundred times, how much impact we had. One of them sent me a text message while we were there and said this was the first time he had seen some of the staff laugh and smile since the storm hit. He said we will never understand the impact … [Read more...]
