Agarwal challenges students to focus on ‘Next’ things in life
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Rahul Agarwal challenged students attending the recent Collegiate Evangelism Conference to consider how their everyday choices impact their future. “When you ask about what’s next, are you thinking of what’s tomorrow or what’s in your future or are you thinking of what’s in light of eternity,” said Agarwal, the director of men and married couples at Gwinnett Church, a campus of the non-denominational North Point Community Church in Atlanta, Ga., and a former Baptist Collegiate Ministry director at the University of South Florida. “So many times we are so relegated to now. We just think of now,” he continued. “We worry about our own lives instead of thinking of eternity and thinking about what God has for us.” Responding to his challenge to include Christ in their future, 10 students came forward to declare Christ the Lord of their lives, while many others answered the Holy Spirit’s call to follow Christ in obedience on a daily basis. Agarwal’s messages were part of a two-day conference that included seminars, worship led by the House Band – a group comprised of former Baptist Collegiate Ministry members from around the state – and a late-night fellowship. The … [Read more...]
‘Plenty of good news’ highlights LBF Board meeting
By Jerry Love, LBF donor relations ALEXANDRIA (LBM) – Positive economic news, the welcoming of two new trustees and a budget surplus to finish 2017 highlighted the quarterly meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Foundation Board of Trustees meeting February 6 Members also learned that $1.7 million in donations benefiting Louisiana Baptists’ ministries had been received in 2017 and the Foundation was still seeking new accounting software. Trustees also discussed changing the current format of the Board’s meeting. INVESTMENT UPDATES Lee Morris, Investment Consultant with Graystone Consulting, gave trustees a glowing update on the performance of the LBF portfolio and general overview of market conditions. In his remarks, Morris described the equity markets as “having a banner year” with emerging markets and developed international equities leading the way. He said the expectation is for international equities to continue to outperform domestic equities, possibly for several years. Other issues he addressed: --Fixed income positions are, as expected, are producing very modest returns. -- Convertible securities and preferred stocks, have done well compared to their indices and added value to the fund mix in … [Read more...]
Mother, son become ‘family’ in Christ
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer JENA (LBM)—Anthony Paul became a babe in Christ a mere three days after turning 14 years old, but he was not alone in becoming a part of the family of God. He was blessed to have his mother April join him in celebrating the transformation that had taken place in both their hearts. The mother and son joined four others for the special baptism service Aug. 12 at the First Mount Nebo Baptist Church in Jena. “There are no words to describe the joy I felt as I watched him get baptized and then I followed,” April Paul recalled. “This day was on the level of excitement that I felt when he was born, and that experience helped make real to me the concept of rebirth that we were declaring publicly to my family and friends.” Paul credited her son’s example of stepping forward in faith with her being obedient in being baptized. She told the Baptist Message she had accepted Christ a decade earlier but had not followed through with baptism because she did not fully comprehend its importance. “When I came out of the water, I was excited that I was following through with obedience that I had been putting off for 10 years,” Paul said. “I got past the discouragement Satan was trying to … [Read more...]
Pro-life movement marches on in state
By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA (LBM) - More than 12,000 people, combined, turned out across the state to march for life on three separate weekends in January and February. According to information provided by Louisiana Right to Life, a crowd of 1,200 gathered in Baton Rouge; 5,600 assembled in Shreveport/Bossier and another 5,600 rallied in Alexandria/Pineville. “It was such blessings to witness more than 12,000 Louisiana citizens at our three Louisiana Life March events boldly proclaim that every life deserves a lifetime,” Louisiana Right to Life CENLA Coordinator Brian Gunter told the Baptist Message. “We will never stop marching until every life is protected by law and welcomed with love into our world. We pray that we will see soon the end to abortion and assistance for all mothers.” A large contingent led the procession with a “Louisiana Life March” banner. Others held up signs proclaiming “Unborn Lives Matter,” “Abortion Kills Babies” and “A True Feminist Would Fight For The Rights of Unborn Women.” Some held signs urging action by pro-lifers, such as “Be A Voice For the Voiceless” and “Stop Abortion Now.” The theme of the marches —held Jan. 20 in Baton Rouge, Jan. 27 in … [Read more...]
Mark Tullos receives LACOSBE Lifetime Achievement Award in Vocational Evangelism
Gary Maroney, past president of the Louisiana Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists, presents the Lifetime Achievement Award in Vocational Evangelism posthumously to Mark Tullos. Accepting the award was (from left) Melodye Tullos Willie (daughter), Melinda Draper (daughter) and Matt Tullos, associate director of communications and stewardship for Louisiana Baptists (son). Mark Tullos, who passed away Oct. 24, 2017, served churches in Louisiana for 65 years as an evangelist, musician and music minister. Tullos also was executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. … [Read more...]
Joe Aulds awarded LACOSBE Lifetime Achievement Award for Vocational Evangelism
David Hanna, president of the Louisiana Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists, presents Joe Aulds with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Vocational Evangelism. Aulds has shared the Gospel in the 38 states and at 900 crusades and revivals. Before entering evangelism in 1990, Aulds was a pastor of churches in Marion, Shreveport and Winnsboro. Aulds and his wife, Donna, are members of Calvary Baptist Church, Ruston. … [Read more...]
Louisiana Notables
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@baptistsmessage.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 Jay Ellerman is the new minister of music at Alto Baptist Church, Alto. Gerald Martin has resigned as interim pastor at Gray’s Creek Baptist Church, Denham Springs. Howard Turner is resigning as pastor April 1 at Live Oak Baptist Church, Denham Springs and Johnny Morgan is the new pastor at Live Oak Baptist Church. Kevin (wife Joni) Brantley is the new youth pastor at Antioch Baptist Church, Farmerville. HOMECOMING Texas Avenue Baptist Church, DeRidder: 70th Homecoming, March 4, 11 a.m. A meal will follow services. Guest Speaker: J. P. Miles. The church is located at the corner of Bilbo and Texas St. in DeRidder. Pastor: Lindsey Burns. REVIVAL Fullerton Baptist Church, Pitkin: Revival, February 21-25. Evangelist: Lyndon Longoria. Pastor: Steve Squires. Midway Baptist Church, Jena: … [Read more...]
Let the Foundation assist you in charitable giving to ministry
By Jerry Love, Director of Planned Giving Thinking of giving to ministry in 2018? Appreciated assets – Even with the volatility in early February, markets are still at all-time highs. Give stocks or mutual funds that have increased in value to benefit your church or ministry. Retirement assets – You can redirect retirement assets as part of your estate plans. These plans are taxable when distributed to individuals, but tax-free to charitable organizations. Consider leaving your church or another ministry as the beneficiary of your retirement plan, and other assets to your heirs. IRA Rollover – Those who are 70 ½ and above can distribute IRA assets directly to a church or ministry. There are other stipulations so contact the Louisiana Baptist Foundation for more information. Donor Advised Fund – Use a DAF to ‘bundle’ 2 years of deductions into one, if possible, to take advantage of itemizing your deductions. Take the standard deduction following, using the DAF to make distributions to ministry. Again, contact the Foundation for more details. The Louisiana Baptist Foundation is an agency of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and supported by the Cooperative Program. The Foundation assists people who want to give … [Read more...]
Foundation addresses lack of information, confusion or misinformation about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
By Jerry Love, Director of Planned Giving By now most people know about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by congress in the latter days of 2017. However there may still be a lack of information, confusion or misinformation that needs to be addressed. The Louisiana Baptist Foundation assists individuals with gifts that support Baptist ministry which can impact the tax picture of the donor. We attempt to stay abreast of changes in the US tax code, particularly as it relates to charitable giving. Here are some highlights: Business Tax Reform – Without going into the depths of corporate tax changes, the reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% down to 21% it is already adding to personal pocketbooks. During January several companies, including Wal Mart, announced an increase in their base wages and other salaries. Other companies such as Apple and AT&T have announced one time bonuses for employees to share their tax savings. In addition a number of corporations have announced expansion of their workforce with several announcing the return of overseas operations to US soil. All these situations can be an encouragement to workers and allow them to give to ministry for the first time or increase the amount they … [Read more...]
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