Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Outgoing DOM Lonnie Wascom is faithful to the end

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COVINGTON – Lonnie Wascom has one final prayer request as he closes out his time as director of missions for Northshore Baptist Association Oct. 1. “If God favors me, He’ll let me go out like Elijah,” Wascom said. “I do not want to burn out; I want to burn up. I want to see people saved. I want to see our churches revived. I want to see an awakening before I die.” Wascom, director of missions for Northshore Baptist Association since its formation in 2011, announced in early May of this year his intention to retire. At the time, Wascom said in his e-mail blast he had served in vocational ministry for 55 years, and the decision was one he did not take lightly. With retirement just weeks away, Wascom said serving the association’s 90 churches has been an honor. “I’ve loved being a director of missions,” he said. “I never saw myself in this office, but I’m still excited. One brother asked what I am doing when I retire. I said ‘I will keep praying, I will stay in the Word, I will keep sharing my faith with people, I will preach as I have opportunity, and I’m going to encourage pastors and ministers. If God wants me in a local church as a pastor or another role, I’m going to do … [Read more...]

I am a transitional pastor

By Ken Schroeder Just a couple of weeks ago, someone asked me, “So how do you like being an interim pastor?” I responded, “I am not an interim pastor. I am a transitional pastor.” He gave me a look of incredulity and drilled down, “What’s the difference?” While the two terms appear to be interchangeable, the differences lie in the intentionality of the transitional pastor. An interim pastor fills the gap or vacancy caused by the departure of the previous pastor by generally preaching on Sundays and leading the Wednesday prayer meeting or service. He may provide some additional leadership, but generally he has no specific charge for him to lead the congregation. He may even be considered as the permanent pastor. With Transitional Pastoral Ministry, the congregation and the transitional pastor enter into a covenant relationship whereby the transitional pastor agrees to provide spiritual leadership to the church and lead the church throughout the transitional period. The church agrees to be loving and gracious to the transitional pastor and his family and to pray for spiritual power in his life and work. The church further promises to relate to him as a God’s anointed leader for the task, to support his leadership, and to … [Read more...]

Edmonds speaks at New Hope Baptist

Rick Edmonds, who once served as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Shreveport, spoke at New Hope Baptist Church in Elmer on August 19. He is running for Louisiana Secretary of State. Photographed are Edmonds, his wife, Cindy, Gwena McLcane and her husband, New Hope Baptist Pastor Robert McLane. … [Read more...]

Kennedy gives opening statement on SCOTUS nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh

By Office of U.S. Sen. John Kennedy WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) delivered his opening statement on Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh in the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday, September 5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WjtRpAfkfI&feature=youtu.be What Sen. Kennedy is seeking in a Supreme Court justice: "I want a judge. I don’t want a politician. I am not looking for an ideologue. I’m not looking for a hater. What I am looking for is somebody who is whip smart, who is intellectually curious, who writes cleanly and crisply, who knows what a semicolon is for and who is willing to protect the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights and understands that the Bill of Rights is not an a la carte menu." Anger is dividing this country: "We’ve been divided before and we’ll be divided again. We will survive this, but I confess that the division in our country today seems to be especially sharp. And what concerns me so much about the division is the basis for it. It’s not honest disagreement. So much of it is anger." Judges aren’t there to bypass the ballot: "It’s not the United States Supreme Court that’s supposed to fix this country culturally, economically, socially, … [Read more...]

All eyes are on Gordon

By Baptist Message Staff All eyes are on Tropical Storm Gordon. In a 10 a.m. update Tuesday, September 4, the National Hurricane Center said Gordon was moving toward the north Gulf of Mexico, and was located about 145 miles east-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River. Reports from separate NOAA and Air Force Reserve Unit flights monitoring the storm measured winds near 65 miles per hour with higher gusts. Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief officials, along with others, have been closely monitoring the disturbance. "We are praying for the storm not to intensify," said Gibbie McMillan, Louisiana Baptists state disaster relief director. The New Orleans area remains under a tropical storm warning, though the warning has been discontinued for areas in Louisiana west of Grand Isle. A hurricane warning is in effect for the area from the mouth of the Pearl River to the Alabama-Florida state border. The tropical storm warning for the area west of Grand Isle was discontinued Tuesday morning, but a tropical storm warning remains in effect from Grand Isle to the mouth of the Pearl River, including Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas. A storm surge watch is still in effect for the areas west of Shell Beach to the … [Read more...]

Get to know those who serve

By Curt Iles ALEXANDRIA (BP) -- His name was Raymond, and we met when we were both about 18. It was unlikely we'd cross paths, much less become friends. Raymond was an urban black man from Pineville, and I was a redneck fresh from the woods of Dry Creek. He was the janitor for our section of Tudor Hall, the men's dorm at Louisiana College. I was a freshman and he had recently gone to work at the school. I was brought up to be friendly, so I introduced myself to Raymond. I'd spent all of my teen summers working at church camp, doing custodial-style work, which had taught me that all work has dignity when done well. So that served as common ground for our friendship. As we crossed paths daily, Raymond and I became friends. I think it happened because I learned his name when we met. Our casual friendship continued for my extended five-year college stay while Raymond moved up in his department. His success didn't surprise me. He was a conscientious worker who got along well with people. Thirty years later, I returned to Louisiana College as a trustee. While walking across campus one day, I saw Raymond. Like me, he had aged, his hair and beard now peppered with gray. We greeted each other and laughed at how young … [Read more...]

Christ Church commissions Murrah to ministry

The men of Christ Church in Lafayette lay hands on Joel Murrah following his recent ordination to the Gospel Ministry. He is being commissioned to pioneer a new Celebrate Recovery ministry at the church. The ministry will start Sunday evening, October 7 at a time to be determined. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind. According to its website, this ministry is a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling our life. … [Read more...]

PreTeen Invasion draws 18 to Christ

By Message Staff ALEXANDRIA – Eighteen pre-teens responded to Micah Mariano’s call to become fully devoted followers of Jesus during Preteen Invasion Saturday, Aug. 25. “We may think as long as we do life for Jesus on Sunday, Wednesday, and at church camp, we are obeying what God wants,” Mariano said during the annual event for fourth, fifth and sixth graders at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria. “But what God wants is not our actions. He wants our hearts. He wants every bit of who we are.” Mariano, worship pastor of The FOUR56 Church in San Angelo, Texas, was the main speaker for Pre Teen Invasion. The event also featured music by the worship team from Cypress Baptist Church in Benton and powerlifting demonstrations by Steve Carrier of MegaForce Ministries. David Anderson, children’s ministry strategist for Louisiana Baptists, said Pre Teen Invasion has become the go-to event to celebrate going back to school for younger teens. “I love Preteen Invasion because it gives our fourth, fifth and sixth graders a chance to spend the day hanging out and enjoying being with each other while being pointed directly to Jesus,” Anderson said. “This event, which the Lord has let me be a part of over the years, is easily one … [Read more...]

Fund established for firefighter who died in car accident

By Message Staff POLLOCK – First Baptist Church in Pollock has established a memorial fund for a fireman who died following injuries sustained in a car accident Tuesday, Aug. 21. According to a press release from Louisiana State Police, John Whitaker, 33, died in Oberlin in a traffic accident. Brian Gunter, pastor of First Baptist Pollock, said Whitaker accepted Christ and was baptized at his church. While he recently moved to work for the Jennings Fire Department, Whitaker commuted back to Pollock some Sundays to attend church and spend time with his wife, Brittany, and their two daughters. Whitaker also attended Grace Community Baptist Church in Iota when his schedule would not allow him to travel back to Pollock. “John was a very dedicated and faithful husband and father,” Gunter told the Baptist Message. “We are all heartbroken by this tragedy and we are determined to help take care of John’s family since he no longer can.” To donate to the fund, go to any Colfax Bank branch and make checks payable to “The John Whitaker Memorial Fund.” All donations will be used to help with expenses for his daughters. … [Read more...]

Concert helps LC reopen renovated Guinn

By Message Staff PINEVILLE – A mini concert by Matt Papa helped Louisiana College reopened the doors to its newly renovated Guinn Auditorium Thursday, Aug. 23, during the school’s first chapel service of the fall semester. LC President Rick Brewer told the students, faculty and staff gathered inside the 1,661-seat auditorium how thankful he was to be back in the facility which last hosted an event in June 2016. The building, used for chapel services, commencement exercises and other large gatherings, has new lights, sound system, HVAC, roof, ceiling, walls, floor and seats. “It’s awesome to be back in here again,” Brewer said of the $6.5 million renovation. “To God be the glory.” https://youtu.be/3-9FrQPkALg The building is one of 18 school buildings that have received interior and exterior improvements after GuideOne Insurance approved a claim for $18 million of projects that stem from an April 2015 hail storm. The school contacted GuideOne to request an inspection, which revealed the refurbishment would be rather costly but the insurer agreed to cover all the repairs. “GuideOne has been incredibly gracious throughout this process,” Brewer said. “We are deeply grateful for every consideration.” The Matt Papa … [Read more...]