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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Wayne Jenkins: Heaven gains a soul winner

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...]

Jenkins made an eternal impact

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...]

Louisiana College thankful for growing donor base

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...]

Man shot attending during double funeral at First Baptist Crowley

By Message Staff CROWLEY – A man was left in serious condition after he was shot while attending a funeral at the First Baptist Church in Crowley Saturday, Nov. 10. According to Cullen Clark, pastor of First Baptist Crowley, the incident took place ‪around 11 a.m.‬ outside the church, which was being used for a funeral for a son and his mother. Pentecostal Bishop Aaron Wilson was leading the funeral of 26-year-old Brydon Gray and his mother when shots rang out, causing panic among the nearly 300 in attendance. Gray was fatally shot at his home in Crowley October 28, and his mother passed away from natural causes a few days later, according KATC TV. Crowley police Chief Jimmy Broussard said a male victim was exiting the church during the procession when multiple shots were fired before the suspects fled the scene. The male victim was taken to the hospital after being shot three times. He remains in serious condition. The shooters are still at large In addition to the injuries to the victim at the funeral, multiple vehicles were hit with bullets, including one belonging to Wilson. Clark told the Baptist Message his church will look for ways in the days ahead to minister to its community. “We are not going to become insular … [Read more...]

Hankins announces retirement plans

By Staff RUSTON, La. (LBM) — David Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, announced his plans to retire during the pre-convention meeting of the Convention’s Executive Board in Ruston Monday afternoon. “At the close of this annual meeting, I will be giving Dr. Bailey, president of the Executive Board, official notice of my intention to retire,” said Hankins. His retirement will be effective June 30, 2019. “The theme of this year’s annual meeting is “Marking the Next Generation,’” Hankins told the board. “I have great confidence in the future generation of leaders God will choose to lead Louisiana Baptists.” According to the Convention’s by-laws, Hankins announcement will initiate a process in which the Executive Board will form a search committee. Once formed, the search committee will elect its own chairperson to begin a search for a new executive director. Hankins has served as executive director since 2005. He is a California native who was reared in Texas. He is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University as well as Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned both a masters and doctoral degree. In a statement on his resume, Hankins indicates he was exposed to … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists celebrate unity in Christ during bi-lingual Pastors Conference opening session

By Message Staff RUSTON – Louisiana Baptists came together with their Hispanic brothers and sisters to celebrate their unity in Christ during the opening session of the Pastors Conference, Nov. 11 at Cook Baptist Church in Ruston. In step with the conference theme “Whole: Equipping the church to love the whole church,” the session featured music led by Fellowship Church in Prairieville and Istrouma Espanol in Baton Rouge, and a message shared by Louisiana Baptist Church Planting Strategist Carlos Schmidt. “Since we are all in Christ, all ethnic, social, economic and gender barriers have crumbled,” Schmidt said during his message. “He does away with it. Christ is all in all. We can truly say we are one family in Christ. “Therefore, in our relationships with one another, they should be saturated with kindness, mercy, humility and forgiveness,” he continued. “There is no place for un-forgiveness in the Christian life. As you have been forgiven by Christ, therefore you should also forgive one another. “All of us might be different but the scripture says there is none good enough, there is none righteous,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you are white or Hispanic in God’s eyes, we are all sinners and Christ paid the … [Read more...]

Revival at Washington Baptist Church

Washington Baptist Church, Washington: Revival, November 16-18, Friday and Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will follow morning worship. Evangelist: Lyndon Longoria. Special Music: Brad Mount. Pastor: Louis Charrier. … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists win big in midterm elections

By Message Staff By large margins, Ralph Abraham, M.D., and Mike Johnson retained their seats in the U.S. House, following the midterm elections held Tuesday, Nov. 6. Abraham won 67 percent of the vote in the 5th Congressional District race and Johnson garnered 64 percent in the 4th Congressional District election. Abraham is a member of Alto Baptist Church and Johnson is a member of First Baptist Church in Bossier City. “Representing Louisiana’s 5th District has been an incredible honor, and I am so grateful to the people for allowing me to continue to serve,” Abraham said in a written statement. “Regardless of what party controls the House, I will always vote for the conservative principles and Louisiana values that Washington still desperately needs.” Johnson said he is looking forward to serving his second term in Congress. “I hope that the Democrats if they’re in charge will be willing to work with the Republicans and continue the great strides that we’ve made over the last two years – reducing taxes, reducing regulations, rebuilding the military, putting originalist judges on the federal court,” Johnson told KALB-TV in Alexandria. “These are all things the American people deeply care about. We’ve got big … [Read more...]

Tyndall to speak at Community Baptist revival

Community Baptist Church, Greensburg: Fall Revival, November 11-16, Sunday 10 a.m. & 6 p.m., Monday-Friday, 6 p.m. Evangelist: Brian Tyndall, serving worldwide with Uttermost Evangelism. Special Music: Gloryland Pickers. Beginning Monday there will be sandwiches and drinks for attendees from 5-5:45 p.m. Pastor: Larry Stewart. … [Read more...]