By Message Staff WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following a vote Feb. 6 in the U.S. House of Representatives to provide full funding for the military and community health centers, several members of Louisiana's delegation to Congress released statements urging members of the Senate to pass the bill. “Our Armed Services and community health centers need and deserve certainty, regardless of the political climate in Washington," said U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, a member of First Baptist Church, Bossier City, in a statement e-mailed to the Baptist Message. "Unfortunately, some Democrats have attempted to use the men and women of our military and vulnerable Americans as bargaining chips in their efforts to secure amnesty for illegal immigrants. Tonight, House Republicans passed legislation to fully fund our defense programs and community health centers. Now, we call on Senate Democrats to put aside their own political agendas and pass this critical measure.” U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, who also is a physician, weighed in on the issue through his Facebook page. "The House has voted to fund our military, give pay raises to our troops, fund community health centers and prevent a government shutdown," said Abraham, a member of Alto Baptist … [Read more...]

PINEVILLE -- First Baptist Church, Pineville will host Jerry Pipes for a Building a Successful Family Workshop February 11. This high impact, one day workshop provides opportunities for parents, grandparents, and children to grow in their relationship with one another. At 9 a.m., Pipes will meet with students in grades 7-12 to discuss “Why Try with Your Parents?” In a humorous hard hitting format he provides students with three reasons why selling out to Christ and working with Him and their parents to be their best is the smartest possible decision they can make.   In the worship gathering at 10:15 a.m., Pipes will talk about Keys to Intimacy. The message provides hope from God’s Word through sharing the Keys to Intimacy. Though the message targets married couples, the relational principles shared apply to everyone. No one, regardless of family status, will feel left out. At 5 p.m., Pipes will lead a Parenting Conference during which he will cover such topics as “Understanding Students in the New Millennium,” “Passing the Baton of Your Faith on to Your Children and Grandchildren,” “Creating a Culture of Encouragement,” and “Keys to Discipline.” At 6:00 p.m., during the evening worship celebration, Jerry … [Read more...]

By Victor Villevieja PINEVILLE (LBM) - James Preston Mayo III - Trace to his friends - was wandering in life, depressed, lost in his own lusts and temptations. Having stepped away from God, he was following a worldly path until he remembered the forgiveness Christ offers and resolved to live for Him again. Trace’s grandparents were missionaries in Mexico for over 20 years, and he went on mission trips he barely remembers. Yet, he still recalls his encounter with God when he was only 5 years old and “met” Jesus during a school assembly. “I was sitting in the back of the room and I saw this face on the wall. I did not know what was going on,” Mayo recalled. “Later, I realized I had been looking at Jesus’ face.” Sometime after that encounter, maybe a couple of days or even a week, at his grandparents’ house, he remembers feeling God’s presence. “I felt something pressed upon me, and I could recognize Him knocking on the door of my heart.” He heard that voice encourage him to preach, and that is what he did. Shortly after that, James Preston Mayo III began to share his innocent and unassuming understanding of the Gospel in churches. Unfortunately, Trace’s joy in the Lord – at being a child of God – was soon … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Louisiana Baptist churches around the state are starting the year off by humbling themselves before God through a variety of prayer efforts. Among those efforts were churches gathering for the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association’s third annual “Call to Prayer” Jan. 28 6 p.m. at Cypress Baptist Church, Benton. Hundreds of members from the association’s 117 churches came together to pray for law enforcement, the persecuted church, government officials, missionaries serving around the world, pastors and other church leaders. Pastors and other church staff led various times of prayer. Hosted by Cypress Baptist Church, Benton, the Jan. 28 gathering brought together Christians of various ages and ethnicities to pray for law enforcement, the persecuted church, missionaries serving around the world, pastors and other church leaders. Just like the previous gatherings at First Baptist Church, Bossier City, and Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport, this event was marked by prayer from the worship center stage, in small groups around the room and by individuals who pleaded with God for revival in their community, state and nation. FIRST BOSSIER One church in the association … [Read more...]

By Message Staff MONROE – Rolling Hills Ministries has opened its new thrift store in Monroe, setting the stage for the store to be used as a tool to show Christ’s love to the people of northeast Louisiana. The thrift store that serves also as a compassion center located at 5339 Desiard Street opened Jan. 2. Among the items sold inside the store are household items, clothing and furniture. “Rolling Hills has seen God work through many ways to provide this step of faith,” said David Abernathy, executive director of Rolling Hills Ministries. “The ministry wants to add value to Monroe by serving those in need, and assure them that God loves them and desires to help them through the life situations that they are experiencing.” The $1.8 million, 15,600 sq. ft. store is the fourth Rolling Hills Minisitries has opened. The other three are located in Arcadia, Bossier City and Ruston. Like the other stores, the Monroe location accepts drop off items, and picks up donations such as furniture and other large items. Money made through the thrift store will support Rolling Hills Ministries’ compassion ministries such as the partnership with Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home starting in March. Women in the community – … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Ron Herrod said in a day when Southern Baptist churches are seeing a decline in baptisms, the time is now for Christ-followers to carry out God’s will – bringing in the harvest. “May God break our hearts,” Herrod said during the 2018 Evangelism Conference at First Baptist Church, Pineville. “The harvest is there and we’re missing the harvest.” Herrod was one of many speakers who emphasized this theme in their messages. The  program also featured Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention; Rick Gage, founder of GO TELL Ministries, Atlanta, Ga.; Sammy Tippit, founder of Sammy Tippit Ministries, San Antonio, Texas; Greg Frizzell, founder of Greg Frizzell Ministries, Oklahoma City, Okla.; and, Karen Abercrombie, an award winning actress who played the spicy, 80-year-old prayer warrior, Miss Clara, in the film “War Room.” Also, he was representative of the group’s emphasis on soul-winning as the needed focus of all Louisiana Baptist ministries. “You can build houses,” said Herrod, founder of Ron Herrod Evangelism Ministries Association, Knoxville, Tenn. “You can meet human needs. You can … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message ON THE MOVE Adam Hughes is the interim pastor at Red Bluff Baptist Church, Folsom. Gerald Burton is the new pastor at Antioch Baptist Church, Tickfaw. Matt Pinckard is the new Next Gen pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Albany. Russell Osborne is the new pastor at Lighthouse Baptist Church, Independence. Courtney Rainey is the new pastor at Greenacres Baptist Church, Bastrop. David (wife Celina) Rice is the new pastor at Brookwood Baptist Church in Shreveport. Larry Alton is the new music minister from interim at First Baptist Church, Keithville. REVIVAL Fullerton Baptist Church, Pitkin: Revival, February 21-25. Evangelist: Lyndon Longoria Pastor: Steve Squires. LAGNIAPPE Calvary Baptist Church, Forest Hill is seeking committed musicians to form a praise team. Positions needed are: lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass player, drummer, and keyboard/piano player. Singers are also encouraged to reply. Anyone interested (serious inquires only) in filling any of these positions can contact Aaron Dunn at 337.655.0237 or Wayne Dunn at 318.733.0248. Riverview Baptist Church, Alexandria: The Erwins in concert, February 8, 7 p.m. A love offering will be received. Pastor: David … [Read more...]