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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Hancock: Haiti facility closer to reality with completion of wall

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer MONROE – With the completion of a wall and security tower in mid-February, the Louisiana Baptist Convention and Haiti Baptist Convention are much closer to fulfilling a five-year dream of having a facility to house children and train pastors. Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries President Perry Hancock shared the news during the entity’s Feb. 24 board meeting, telling trustees that he is optimistic some of the dormitories for children will be ready by the end of the year. “The need in Haiti is significant,” Hancock said. “But with great need comes great opportunity for God’s people to share the Gospel in word and deed. It has taken a few years to gain traction, but the project is now moving forward.” The Louisiana Reach Haiti project is an effort sponsored by Hancock’s ministry, the LBC, HBC and 30 Louisiana Baptist churches. Haiti was devastated by 2010 earthquake that killed more than 250,000 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless. Louisiana Baptists were among the first to provide disaster relief, and since then have maintained a ministry presence through mission trips that includes construction projects, pastor training, medical clinics, food, … [Read more...]

High-energy M-JAM challenges kids to give their ‘best for Jesus’

By Staff, Baptist Message Will you say YES to Jesus? Several hundred GAs RAs, Children in Action, and other children’s ministry groups will be asked that question when they come together at the annual Mission Jamboree later this month. At the event they will learn how to say yes to doing their best for Jesus. Known as M-JAM, the event will take place March 18 at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans. A second M-JAM is scheduled for May 6 at Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth, allowing for youngsters in first through sixth grade and their leaders to attend M-JAM at the church closest to where they live. The theme for M-Jam is “My Best Yes!,” based on 1 Corinthians 9:22-23. “M-JAM is always a high energy day that points children to Christ and lets each of them know that God has a special plan and purpose for them,” said Jess Archer, children/youth mission education strategist for Louisiana Baptists. “The children will enjoy singing, dancing and worshipping God with others. Students will also meet IMB missionaries who use their gifts to serve God in different parts of the world.” Jeff Slaughter will return a second year in a row to lead worship at M-JAM, on March 18. For the past 30 years, … [Read more...]

Fields of Faith revival set for a ‘Harvest’ of souls

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer HAMMOND – It was 37 years in the making but on April 3-5, the Northshore Baptist Association and Southeastern Louisiana University Baptist Collegiate Ministry are prepared for a harvest of souls. “We believe God will move in a mighty way and we will see students get saved and lives changed,” said Randy Smith, pastor of Crossbrand Cowboy Church in Loranger. “We believe in God’s power to work and that churches will become involved in this outreach to the community. That is God’s commission – to preach the Gospel and make disciples and see people delivered.” Set for the  University Center at SLU, the Fields of Faith revival will feature challenging messages by Walt Barnes, associate pastor of student and discipleship ministries at New Palestine Baptist Church in Picayune, Miss., and praise and worship bands from the community as well as the school’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry. The revival is one of 10 Harvest events planned in 2017, according to Wayne Jenkins, evangelism and church growth director for Louisiana Baptists. Harvest officially launched Louisiana Baptists’ campaign to “pray for every home and share Christ with every person” in Louisiana. Smith’s dream for Fields of … [Read more...]

Louisiana Notables

ON THE MOVE Michelle Beaty resigned as children’s minister at New Chapel Hill, West Monroe. HOMECOMING Old Union Baptist Church, Converse: Homecoming, April 2, 11 a.m. Dinner on the grounds will follow the worship service. Speaker: Murray Hodge, associate pastor at Summer Grove Baptist Church, Shreveport. Special Music: Southern Plainsmen Quartet at 1:15 p.m. Pastor: Alton Middleton. REVIVAL Cotile Baptist Church, Boyce: Revival/Homecoming, March 9-11, 7 p.m. March 9-11, 11 a.m. March 12. Speakers: Dobie Perkins (March 9), Grady Dodge (March 10), Randy Ellis (March 11) and Wayne Dunn (March 12) when Cotile Baptist will celebrate its 35th Homecoming. All are invited to join. Pastor: Johnny Miller. Antioch Baptist Church, Farmerville: Remember, Rejoice & Reload 100 More Bible Conference, March 10-12, Friday and Saturday, 6:30 p.m.; Sunday 10:30 p.m. Speakers: Jerry Chaddick, Sonny Simpson, Casey Johnson, Jeremy Pruitt, and Jeff  Flenniken. Special Music: 11th Hour. Pastor: Rubin Weaver. Bethel Baptist Church, Houma: Revival, March 12-15. Evangelist: Lyndon Longoria.  Special Music: Kerry Longoria. Pastor: Jimmy Autin. Coteau Baptist Church, Houma: Revival - Delivering the Word, March 12-15, Sunday 9 a.m. … [Read more...]

SBC Executive Committee creates two panels to investigate SBC entities

By Will Hall, Message Editor NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LBM)—Members of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee took the initiative during a committee session and again during a plenary session to ask for official action about national entities that are causing churches to withhold support for national causes. In the end two panels were proposed to study SBC entities whose leaders appear to be out of step with the consensus of SBC churches. The national effort to address troubling activities by SBC entities follows by almost three months a related action taken by messengers to the annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. Moreover, it is an acknowledgement by SBC leaders that Southern Baptists across the country are not happy with some aspects of the direction of the national Convention. WIDESPREAD UNEASE The actions were taken about a week after Prestonwood Baptist Church announced Feb. 16 it was escrowing $1 million in Cooperative Program funds for what Pastor Jack Graham described as concerns about the direction of the SBC. Graham spoke to the Baptist Message via phone then and said church leaders had expressed to him "uneasiness" about the "disconnect between some of our denominational leaders … [Read more...]

Luter: Jesus won the ultimate battle and so can you

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Major battles have been fought throughout history but all those pale in comparison to the ultimate battle each person faces. For this battle has eternal implications, Fred Luter said Thursday, Feb. 23. “It’s a battle between your spirit versus your flesh, right versus wrong, your advocate versus your adversary, the Lord versus Lucifer, the devil versus the divine,” Luter told students during Louisiana College’s chapel service. “And because it’s the ultimate battle, this battle will determine whether you spend an eternity in heaven or spend eternity in hell. It’s the battle for your soul.” In this battle, each believer must be mindful of the shepherd’s provision, the serpent’s plan and the shepherd’s promise, Luter said. Luter, who is pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans and the first African-American Southern Baptist Convention president, recalled how he battled a bully who would take his lunch money in school. When he was tired of fighting this battle with the bully, he stood up to her, despite threats of personal injury to himself. In the end, the bully backed off and left him alone. “Some of ya’ll just have to stand up to the bullies in … [Read more...]