By Philip Caples, Louisiana College PINEVILLE (LBM) --While reading through the book of Galatians recently, I was reminded of a very important word: “freedom.” In Chapter 1, verse 5, Paul stated, “It was for freedom that Christ has set us free,” (NIV) and according to Ronald K. Fung, this use of the word “freedom” references the Christian being free from subservience to the Law. “Hence the Galatians must stand firm in this freedom and refuse to submit again to the yoke of slavery,” Fung wrote in “The Epistle of the Galatians” volume of the New International Commentary of the New Testament. The subject of freedom is not foreign within the Book of Galatians. For example, Paul references the cost of freedom in his statement about the substitutionary atonement of Christ in Gal. 1:3-5 and in his allegorical use of Sarah and Hagar in Gal. 4:21-31. Freedom is not foreign to an American citizen either. Independence Day marks an important event concerning Americans’ freedom. On that day our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence, stating, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer JENNINGS – More than 200 students from Texas traveled to southwest Louisiana in mid-July to help a dozen homeowners bounce back from damage caused by the August 2016 floods. For a week, the middle and high school students from the organization Bounce Student Disaster Recovery worked to repair homes still wrecked by the previous high water. During the day, the students installed flooring, painted walls, built wheelchair ramps and re-roofed homes. First Baptist Church in Jennings provided housing for the students and Bounce team leaders provided meals. Brian Wells, minister of education and senior adults at First Baptist Jennings, said the students’ labor of love in the community left behind many seeds planted in the lives of the homeowners and other residents. “People from our community and parish were very grateful for them coming in and providing an expression of God’s love, compassion and hope,” Wells said. “To see people still concerned after 11 months and wanting to help really put us as the church in a good light.” Wells recalled the joy and gratitude he encountered at each site he visited. “They would come to tears when you asked them about the help they were … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Larry Evans is the new pastor at Parkerson Avenue Baptist Church, Crowley. Frank (wife April) Walker is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Carlyss. Casey (wife Katie) Stark is the new pastor at First Baptist Church, Slidell. Jeff (wifeSusan) Smart resigns as pastor at East Leesville Baptist Church to become the new pastor at Cook Baptist Church, Ruston. Leonard Free is the new associate pastor at Unity Baptist Church, Pineville. HOMECOMING Hebron Baptist Church, Bernice: 169th annual Homecoming, August 6, 10 a.m. Dinner on the grounds following morning worship. Speaker: Joe Aulds. Pastor: Andy Price. First Baptist Church, Greensburg: 151st Homecoming, August 13, 9:15 a.m. (Sunday school), 10:30 a.m. (worship), Noon (dinner on the grounds). Speaker: Kevin Hand. If you have any questions or need directions please call 225-222-6580, First Baptist Church, 6260 Hwy 10, Greensburg, LA. Everyone is welcome. Pastor: Tommy Smith. Cypress Baptist Church, West Monroe: Homecoming, Aug. 13, 10 a.m. Special Music: Ben Waites. Pastor: Chad Ballard. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Farmerville: 145th Homecoming Service, August 13, 9:45 a.m. Special Music: Sanctuary Quartet. Pastor: Larry … [Read more...]

By Message Staff NEW ORLEANS - Five months after a powerful tornado damaged several buildings of Suburban Baptist Church, the congregation is just hours away from getting back into its worship center. Teams from First Baptist Church in Haughton and Grace Baptist Church in Springfield, Tenn., have spent the last two weekends performing a flurry of work to finish the flooring, ceiling, painting and plumbing it the worship center. They plan to hold their first service since before an EF-3 tornado touched down in the area Feb. 7 this morning (July 30). More than 100 churches from across the U.S. have responded in the months following the tornado, helping rebuild the facilities. In the past week alone, teams from Metairie Baptist Church, Level Ground Church in New Orleans, First Baptist Church in Lockport and Vintage Church in New Orleans have provided food and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary provided housing. First Baptist Church in Rayville also donated funds to the rebuild. "The journey has been more exciting than destination," said Jeffery Friend, pastor of Suburban Baptist. "Since the tornado I've met so many wonderful people that I wouldn't have had it not been for the storm. So, my list of friends increased … [Read more...]

By Message Staff WOODWORTH – The message was a simple one … God can use anyone. In the midst of a busy week at Girls Mission Camp, missionary Star Williams* asked campers to be still and think for a few moments about their passions. Moments later, Williams told the students, first through sixth graders, how they could then use their passions to help bring people to Christ. “All of these things God can use for His glory to help people know about Jesus,” Williams said. “God can use you. Don’t let anyone say to you that you can’t do it, because you can. We want you to be obedient. Whatever God wants you to do, just say yes to Him.” The camp at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center drew 242 campers, adult and staff from 24 churches. Its theme was “Dive In,” based on Luke 10:27-28. Campers participated in missions, crafts, fishing, paddleboats, hiking, a Luau, ropes course, swimming and Bible study sessions. They also heard inspiring messages from camp pastor Joe Wood and took part in worship led by Molly Jo Johnson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P04wfu6p9V4 By camp’s end, six campers accepted Christ and another three re-dedicated their lives to Jesus. Jess Archer, children and youth missions education … [Read more...]

Another successful year of Cross Camp wrapped up Friday, July 21 with more than 55 decisions – 45 first time salvations, six surrendering to the ministry, and four rededications -- among the 641 teens and youth ministers. There were 23 Louisiana churches that brought campers. Once again the week-long camp was held at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas. Started in 1992 by a group of ministers in northeast Louisiana, the camp offers students a chance to experience God, work and grow closer together and turn their "wreckage," or sin, over to God. Camp Pastor Kirk Jones of Fellowship Baptist Church in Prairieville based his message on the camp’s theme of Thread. The theme is based on a message by W.A. Criswell, the charismatic, conservative pastor who led First Baptist Dallas for more than 50 years, and follows the Bible from the beginning to the birth of Jesus. The week-long camp offered campers Bible study, worship, small group activities and ‘wreck’ activities. Holding it at ETBU allowed campers a chance to stay on campus in the dorms and eat in the cafeteria. The executive staff met at the conclusion of the camp (Saturday, July 22) and set the dates of July 16-21 for next year’s camp. It will be … [Read more...]

By Message Staff NEW ORLEANS - Just a few months away from completing a renovation to its buildings that were heavily damaged by a tornado in February, Suburban Baptist Church has suffered yet another setback - theft inside its worship center. Multiple times in the past six days, burglars have broken into the worship center and stolen office and construction equipment, according to Pastor Jeffery Friend. But just like the tornado that tried to destroy the church’s spirit, Friend said a theft will not stop the congregation from moving back into its buildings. "I truly believe wherever God is showing out, you should look for Satan to show up," Friend said. "I'm not surprised bad things have started to happen. In fact I anticipated it. But God has been doing amazing things at and for Suburban." Among the items stolen were three computers, two televisions, two printers, power tools and shingles. Until they can install a security system in two weeks, the church also has to pay $1,800 for overnight armed security guards. Friend said an investigation by the New Orleans Police Department is ongoing. An EF-3 tornado touched down in eastern New Orleans Feb. 7, heavily damaging Southern Baptist Church's facilities. More … [Read more...]