By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer CROWLEY – Regina Istre received a late Mother’s Day present, but the delay did not lessen her joy. The mother of two was ecstatic May 21 to see her children baptized, and moments later followed them in this step of obedience as well. “It was wonderful to have them walk alongside me on this special day,” said Istre, who gave her heart to Christ and committed to live for Him during a worship service at Berean Baptist Church April 16, the same day as her children. “Knowing that we all will be walking with God in Heaven is something that I can rejoice in. This was a blessing and a great family memory we always will share. “Before we accepted Christ we weren’t whole,” she continued. “But since April 16th when we decided to put Christ in our lives, the change has been evident.” MORE CHANGES Istre and her two children were among nine people baptized in a portable baptistery at the multi-ethnic Berean Baptist Church in Crowley. The special service included a presentation of a certificate of church membership and a shirt containing the church name and logo. “We hold our baptisms outside as a way to reach people who may be passing by and wonder why people are in going underwater … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – As more and more Louisiana Baptists commit to “pray for every home and share Christ with every person” as part of the 2017-2018 Harvest evangelism initiative, a representative with the Billy Graham Evangelism Association told directors of missions and pastors from around the state that as much as prayer plays a role in mass evangelism, planning is critical, too. ORGANIZATION IS KEY “Plan it like an iceberg,” J.W. Hutchens said at the Baptist Mission Center in Pineville, Tuesday, May 16, saying, like an iceberg, so much about a crusade is not readily apparent. “The evangelist is only 10 percent of it,” he emphasized. “Preparation is 50 percent of a crusade. Forty percent is follow-up.” PLANNED PRAYER, TOO But he also underscored the importance of intentional and regular prayer. “If you do not plan on having a great prayer structure for your crusade, don’t have a crusade,” “Prayer God blesses. When you have a crusade, bathe it in prayer.” COOPERATE FOR SUCCESS Hutchens said crusades can range from just a few hundred in attendance to as many as 40,000, and both large- and medium-sized events require a concerted effort of many churches focused on drawing … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message Once again, violent storms have shredded much of north/central Louisiana as powerful storms packing high winds, damaging hail and blinding rain left thousands shaken and more than 75,000 without power. Authorities in Natchitoches, DeSoto, Caddo, Caldwell, Franklin, LaSalle, Winn, Rapides, Catahoula and Concordia parishes reported a number of trees down, homes damaged and people without electricity or phone service. In addition to the swath of destruction, tragically two people were confirmed killed by falling limbs and a one-year old baby was injured when a tree fell on its parent house in the Kickapoo area. Mansfield Police Chief Gary Hobbs gave an indication of the extent of the storm damage. He reported 25 homes had trees on top of them and there were an estimated 70 to 100 trees blocking roads. Hobbs says the police department, fire department and city officials have been working tirelessly to get the roads clear from tree limbs and downed power lines. "We are so blessed here in the city. We did have to extricate an elderly couple, but other than that we really didn’t have any reports of injuries, and to be in such a heavily populated area where it hit, we're absolutely blessed … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Twenty-six Louisiana Baptist churches are just two months away from hosting an international mission trip in their home state. Around 50 South Korean children are expected to participate in the ninth annual Camp USA, a two-week midsummer adventure for elementary and middle school students. They will spend July 14-23 in central Louisiana and the remainder of their time in Ponchatoula. A partnership of REACH Missions and the Korean Baptist Church Development Board, the camp involves 25 churches in Big Creek, Central Louisiana and North Rapides Baptist Associations, along with First Baptist Church in Ponchatoula. UNIQUE EXPERIENCE The children will participate in Vacation Bible School, games, English classes and other activities at CENLA area churches and the Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Woodworth. After a week in central Louisiana, the campers will depart for southeast Louisiana where the South Koreans will enjoy recreational activities and excursions and take part in a music camp at First Baptist Ponchatoula with children of the church. The week will conclude with a musical performance July 30, 6:30 p.m., in the First Baptist Ponchatoula worship … [Read more...]

By Jerry Love, LBF Communications ALEXANDRIA -- Despite a steady downpour and soggy conditions, 53 pastors and laymen braved the conditions to get in a couple rounds of golf May 22-23 for the annual Baptist Golf Fellowship at Links On The Bayou in Alexandria. Sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Foundation and the Baptist Message, the fellowship is a time for pastors and laypersons to come together for a relaxing and light-hearted game of golf. Eddie Joslin, a layman from First Baptist Church DeRidder, was crowned the grand champion after shooting a solid par 72 on the soggy course. He would also play a hand in helping First DeRidder maintain its stranglehold in the team competition with a solid score of 319. Only once in seven years has Frist DeRidder failed to bring home the team title and that came in the fall of 2015 when Unity Baptist Church, Cotton Valley upended the defending champs. Members of the winning team from FBC were Dennis Millsap, Joslin, Jerry Istre and Josh Eubanks. First DeRidder and Joslin were recognized the evening of May 22 at the Baptist Building as trophies were given to them along with  Super Seniors (70 and above), Seniors (60-69), and Under 60 age brackets with each bracket divided … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary communications NEW ORLEANS – Standing in front of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s Leavell Chapel on graduation day, Tara Garcia looked back with fondness on her undergraduate experience. But unlike the graduates lined up beside her, Garcia earned her degree inside prison walls. Garcia completed every class except one prior to her release in January from the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women in St. Gabriel. “I don’t think you grasp how many lives are changed because of what you have done,” Garcia said she tells her NOBTS professors. “Prison, for me, outside of accepting Christ as my Savior, is probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” Last year’s graduating class of 13 marked the first conferral of degrees by NOBTS’ extension center at the women’s prison. Soon after, the extensive flooding in Louisiana in August 2016 forced the evacuation of residents to various facilities across the state. The extenuating circumstances prompted Garcia to ask for a six-month early release, which was denied. In chapel the following Sunday, Garcia faced a moment of truth. “I asked myself, ‘Who am I doing this for?’” Garcia said regarding her … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary communications NEW ORLEANS – God’s holiness, sovereignty and glory were underscored to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary graduates for their new chapters in ministry by President Chuck Kelley during commencement May 13. “You are to so live your lives that those who see you will give glory to God because of the way you are living,” Kelley exhorted the seminary’s 144 graduates. Focusing on God’s nature with a walk through Scripture, Kelley began with John 1 and Isaiah 6 to show God’s holiness; Psalm 139 to demonstrate God’s sovereignty; and Revelation 5 to remind that glory belongs to Christ. Kelley concluded by encouraging graduates to let Scripture animate their lives and ministries, saying, “Leave with His Word in your heart, in your mind, and coming out of your mouth.” SPECIAL HONOR Steve Lemke was recognized for his 20 years of service in his final graduation as provost, receiving a standing ovation. He will transition to the role of vice president for institutional assessment Aug. 1 and was named provost emeritus. “I pray regularly for you,” Lemke told the graduates. “I pray that God will enable you to be strong and powerful in your … [Read more...]

Pilots for Patients, a Louisiana based 501©3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to providing free air transportation to qualified patients in need of diagnosis and treatment at medical facilities not available locally. Medical facilities such as M.D. Anderson in Houston, St. Jude in Memphis, TN, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, AR. Pilots for Patients goal is to eliminate the burden of travel and let the patient concentrate on getting better.  Patients requesting assistance must be medically stable and ambulatory. Patients have to be able to fly in an unpressurized aircraft and be aware that no medical care is provided in flight. Pilots volunteer their time, talents and aircrafts to fly missions, for those in need.  Flights are limited to 300-350 miles. We currently require a five to seven day lead time to arrange the flights. Pilots for Patients want to connect pilots, patients and patrons. Forms can be downloaded from www.pilotsforpatients.org  or patients can contact the office to discuss their travel needs.  For more information, call 318.322.5112, e-Email pfp@pilotsforpatients.org or go to their website: www.pilotsforpatients.org. … [Read more...]

By Message Staff LAFAYETTE - First Baptist Church in Lafayette is joining others in Acadiana for an effort June 4-11 to rebuild homes damaged by massive flooding last August. Eight Days of Hope, a non-profit organization sponsored by the American Family Association, will be in Lafayette Parish for the eight-day effort that will require volunteers, prayer warriors and monetary donations. First Baptist Lafayette is encouraging its members to sign up to receive help, as well as getting the word out to its congregation about opportunities to serve. The church also is donating the costs to feed volunteers for one of the days. “We are certainly blessed to be a small contributor to this worthy project,” said Steve Horn, pastor of First Baptist Lafayette. “I like the approach that “8 days” seem to have. The timing of their coming is a nice shot in the arm to help us get closer to the finish line.” Since 2005, Eight Days of Hope has restored or rebuilt more than 1,785 homes following natural disasters including Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Hurricane Rita in Lake Charles and Hurricane Isaac in LaPlace. “Thousands of families in the area are trying to figure out how they can rebuild their homes because of the mass … [Read more...]

By Gary D. Myers May 23, 2017 We are finally ready to start digging in the water system and in the Canaanite gate. Set-up was challenging, but the team persevered and the task is complete. The sifting table produced many buckets of pottery today. A few really exciting finds turned up in the sifter. Unfortunately, we can’t tell you what we found. You will hear about this one eventually. There was another exciting find – not as big as the one from the sifter – we still can’t talk about it. Using a backhoe and watching carefully, we removed the layer of dirt near (and weeds) near the entrance to the water system. The material was mostly backfill from R.A.S. Macalister’s dig at Gezer in the early 1900s. Scripture tells us that “A person’s heart plans his way; but the LORD determines his steps” (Prov. 16:9, CSB).  This text comes to mind when considering the NOBTS Tel Gezer team, particularly in regards to our work in the water system. God has brought NOBTS a unique task in excavating the water system and he has equipped our dig team with unique people to accomplish this undertaking. By Cory Barnes May 24, 2017 Most archaeology takes place in a square space that is contained by nylon string. The goal of … [Read more...]