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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

First Pineville hosting Jerry Pipes for a family workshop Feb. 11

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...]

‘Retracing’ his faith, LC athlete recommits life to Christ

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...]

Churches begin 2018 with emphasis on prayer

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...]

Rolling Hills’ thrift store opens door for ministry in Monroe

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...]

It’s Time to Bring In The Harvest!

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...]

Louisiana Notables

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...]

Louisiana Church Happenings from Old Zion Hill Baptist Church, Independence

By Staff, Baptist Message Since becoming pastor of Old Zion Hill Baptist Church, Independence, in April 2014, Gary Dennis stands amazed at the countless miracles God has performed within his congregation. He has witnessed Sunday school attendance increase from 90 to 200 and worship attendance grow from 100 to 375, and he was a first-hand recipient of God’s restorative care after the historic flood of August 2016 damaged most of his members’ homes. Dennis credited prayer for each of these blessings. He added that the congregation’s desire to follow God has helped the church thrive and to minister freely in the midst of difficulty. Even in the throes of the flood, the church did not give up. Instead, members opened the fellowship hall and Sunday school classrooms to welcome hundreds of volunteers who had come from across the country to help with disaster response and rebuilding efforts. He was moved when so many of his members stepped up to volunteer even though they had lost so much. “Eventually we recovered enough to begin focusing on our new building project,” Dennis said. “In the meantime, we had a better understanding of how much more dirt we would have to haul in for the foundation. “Our people … [Read more...]

Louisiana Church Happenings from Center Point Baptist Church

By Staff, Baptist Message When Charles Wesley became the supply preacher of Center Point Baptist Church, Jonesboro, the last Sunday of August 2016, the average attendance in Sunday school was in the upper 20’s with mostly senior adults coming. Later Wesley became the interim pastor and then the pastor in October 2017. Understanding that young families were important to the future of the church, Wesley challenged the congregation to prioritize times of prayer to reach young families with children and teenagers. At the same time, the church’s leaders took part in a series of development opportunities such as the study “Experiencing God” and they focused on a model of servant leadership. Out of that, the members became passionate about missions, increasing their giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Samaritan’s Purse and the Cooperative Program. Additionally, the church provided gifts for two children at the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and 86 bags of personal care items for those served by His Hands Ministry in Jonesboro. God has answered the prayers by sending several young families and increasing attendance at Sunday morning worship and Sunday school. Attendance is more than 40 for Sunday school … [Read more...]

Louisiana Church Happenings from Flactor Baptist Church

By Staff, Baptist Message Kay Wilbanks, 66, may consider herself just an ordinary grandmother, but ever since she prayed in 2013 that her son Brock would accept Christ, God has been doing extraordinary things in her life and in the lives of many youth at Flactor Baptist Church, Leesville. Once a youth leader at Flactor Baptist, Wilbanks took a hiatus from her leadership position – after her children graduated from high school. When God placed a burden on her heart for Brock, who eventually accepted Christ, Wilbanks felt led to reach many more of the area’s young people. Though Flactor Baptist did not have anyone active in the youth group, Wilbanks did not let that hinder her from taking 14 students to the 2013 Youth Evangelism Celebration in Alexandria. Seven of the students accepted Christ. Over the next few months, the youth group was re-established, with 15 in attendance on a Wednesday evening. Wilbanks said she was tempted at one time to quit because she believed she was too old to relate to the students. But God used the situation as a reminder that He has Wilbanks there for a reason. “I’m not a minister, just an ordinary person who loves the Lord,” Wilbanks said. “The Lord has given me an exceptional … [Read more...]

Horse carries young girl to Cross

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Alyssa Rayette Altenberger struggled with emotional setbacks for several years until, in 2014, she encountered a horse named Tony who served as a means for the youngster to develop a relationship with Christ. Since meeting Tony at the Cross Branded Cowboy Church, Pineville, he has been present for a number of special moments for Alrenberger that took place inside the church’s arena -- including her baptism in a galvanized horse trough during a November 2017 worship service. Altenberger is one of five new believers at the Cross Branded Cowboy Church baptized in 2017. Another four are awaiting baptism. “Some people might ask, ‘How do you ask Jesus to be your Savior?’” Altenberger told the Baptist Message. “Well you just have to ask him. You have to love Him enough to go to Heaven with gold streets, and you will never cry, go thirsty or hungry in Heaven. “If you want to be forgiven, you have to ask Christ to forgive you of your sins,” she added with conviction. CROSS-FOCUSED While Cross Branded opens its services to anyone, it especially appeals to those who are part of the cowboy culture. An amateur horse trainer, Pastor Herb Dickerson said many times he … [Read more...]