By Tammy Sharp, Regional Reporter PELICAN - On the last night of Girls Camp at Clara Springs Baptist Encampment this past summer, my friend and pastor’s wife Julie Bell (First Baptist Church in Hornbeck) and I were celebrating because with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we’d spent the whole week making sure all 19 girls in Bobcat cabin knew Jesus. We pulled campers aside every day to talk about Jesus as they swam circles around us in the pool; as we braided hair and gently combed out monstrous tangles; as we canoed and fished; as we sternly insisted on the need for showers every day; as we enjoyed s’mores and learned about missions; as we pondered the mysteries of missing socks and shoes and towels that disappear into thin air; as we looked frantically for missing snack shack cards; as we moaned about the heat and the long line in the dining hall; as we painted nails; as we learned new recipes; and even as we doled out discipline for too much talking during FOB (Flat on Bunk, or in layman’s terms: nap time). By the last day, we were exhausted. But camp wasn’t over. We were lining up for supper when we saw our youngest Bobcat sitting alone and crying. A few questions revealed that her grandmother had not yet arrived. Phone … [Read more...]

By Tammy Sharp, Regional Reporter PELICAN - The Holy Spirit did some serious work at Clara Springs Baptist Encampment this summer, according to Camp Manager Bubba Mills and counsellors who attended sessions with their church groups. Mills said he habitually leads his staff through an in-depth Bible study during the summer. “This summer I was really praying about what we were going to do,” he said, which led him to Jerry Rankin’s A Challenge to Great Commission Obedience, a collection of 40 commissioning sermons by the president emeritus of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. “Now that I look back I realize every week they were reading four sermons telling them to do what God told them to do, no matter what,” said Mills of his staff. “It was the repetitive voice of God telling us over and over and over that we can do more, that we’re not doing enough, that we need to go.” The result was that intentional evangelism infused the camp, even among those who had no idea of what was going on behind the scenes. Mills said his young adult staffers came out of their shells to share the gospel and several recommitted their lives to Christ through baptism. With a little over 200 salvations recorded from the … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Approximately 300 students from the state’s Baptist Collegiate Ministries obeyed this summer a simple yet profound one-word command by Christ – go. Seventeen BCMs commissioned their students earlier in the spring to preach the Gospel from the highways and byways of Louisiana to the mountaintops and valleys of some of the most unreached areas of the world. Yet, each had a unique experience to live and a powerful, life-changing Gospel message to give. This year students participated in one of the most fruitful summers ever for collegiate missions. Students shared the Gospel in 5 countries. New this year to the program was the launch of a marketplace evangelism team called GoLA innovators. Through this effort, students go to pre-arranged locations, land a market place job to support themselves on the field and work with local missionaries to evangelize and disciple. Local missionaries take an active role in discipling and mentoring students.  Witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea A summer ministering in many Louisiana towns was an impetus for a greater spiritual walk for Kennedy Parson, a member of the BCM at Northwestern State University. As a member of the GOLA VBS team, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer WALKER – Pastor David Lane will be nominated for the office of first vice president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2016 LBC Annual Meeting. Willis Easley, pastor of Christ’s Community Church in Denham Springs, plans to nominate Lane for the position. Easley said Lane, who has served as senior pastor of Judson Baptist Church in Walker since May 2012, models Christ’s commandment to go and make disciples. “Throughout his ministry Dr. Lane has used his leadership positions to lead others to fulfill the Great Commission not only through his words but also in his actions,” Easley said. “Judson Baptist Church, under his servant leadership, is committed to not only give to the Cooperative program and mission offerings but also to go on international mission trips and participate in local mission projects. David’s servant leadership begins in his home where he is an example of a Godly husband and father of five.” Lane said he is excited about the possibility of serving alongside Gevan Spinney, who is expected to be elected for a second term as LBC president, especially with regard to the Harvest Initiative, a Louisiana Baptist initiative to engage at least 700 churches … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NATCHITOCHES – When his son Cort was born, Josh Currie wondered what baptizing him would be like should that blessing come to pass. Nine years later, a variety of emotions overcame the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Natchitoches as Cort publicly declared his faith and was baptized by him. “I was joyful and a little relieved,” Currie said. “When he was relieved of the burden of sin and he had experienced salvation -- to now make that decision public through baptism, I felt like at that moment it doesn’t matter what else happens in his life. “I was baptized by my grandfather and I can remember when he brought me back up in the air he was so happy,” he continued. “I remember his excitement more than anything else from that day.” His son concurred. “I felt joy from head to toe when I was baptized,” Cort Currie said. “I had never felt anything like it before.” LEGACY OF FAITH The older Currie pointed to the crucial role Christian parents serve in a child’s spiritual development. But he also lauded various faith-based activities such as Sunday school, Christian camps and Vacation Bible School for contributing to the solid biblical foundation children need in making … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA -- Registration is now open for both the 2016 Ministers’ Wives’ Luncheon and childcare during the Pastors Conference. Scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at Kingsville Baptist Church in Ball during the Monday, Nov. 14, session of the Pastors Conference, the Ministers’ Wives’ luncheon will feature Meredith Floyd, wife of Nick Floyd, teaching pastor of Cross Church in Fayetteville, Ark. The first 100 ladies to register will receive a free gift. Tickets are $15 and can be reserved by visiting louisianabaptists.org/mwl by Nov. 1. Those seeking childcare during the Pastors Conference at Kingsville Baptist Nov. 13-14 should contact Jason McGuffie, vice-president of the conference, at fbcpastor.jason@yahoo.com by Nov. 6. … [Read more...]

DEVILLE – For more than 10 years, Philip Robertson, pastor of Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville, had a vision for starting a second campus. During that time, he watched, prayed and waited for God’s timing, when in March 2015, Horseshoe Drive Baptist Church in Alexandria asked the 750-active-member-strong Philadelphia congregation for help in staying viable. Robertson knew that coming alongside this smaller congregation, which had dwindled to about 35 active members, was “God’s will for Philadelphia Baptist Church.” His faithfulness to the multi-site vision God had given him resulted in a re-launch celebration Sept. 18 with 338 in attendance on the Horseshoe Drive campus, now Philadelphia Baptist Church, Horseshoe Drive. A combined 1,022 worshipped on the two campuses that Sunday, and Philadelphia Baptist Church became one congregation in two locations. “It’s very humbling and an honor they would see us as someone they could reach out to,” said Philip Robertson, entering his 21st year as pastor at Philadelphia Baptist. “I have had multi-site ministry on my heart for more than a decade.... It became apparent very early on that God was in this conversation. There began to be affirmation upon affirmation that this … [Read more...]

  By Norm Miller, Louisiana College communications Louisiana College’s first annual Values and Ethics Conference drew more than 300 people who heard experts on the design of the universe, current and future implications of biotechnology, and the fundamentals regarding the sanctity and dignity of human life, Oct. 10. “The keynote speakers proved they are top-flight experts, whose credentials are as impressive as their content was stimulating,” said Louisiana College president Rick Brewer. Doug Axe, PhD - chemical engineer-turned-molecular biologist - said school children “start to invoke an ultimate God-like designer to explain the complexity of the world around them, even the children of atheists.” Because humans have the knowledge to make things, then intuitively humans know all that exists is designed from knowledge, Axe said. He believes this intuition should be taken seriously particularly as opposed to the random and accidental nature of Darwinian evolution and related modern theories. “Accidental causes do not invent,” said Axe, who is gaining popularity for his recent book: “Undeniable: How Biology Confirms Our Intuition That Life Is Designed.” “Undeniable” and Axe are touted by scientists … [Read more...]

By Message Staff SABINE PARISH – Longtime evangelist Vernon Stephenson has died from injuries sustained from a weekend car accident. Stephenson (73) and his wife Rebecca (74) were traveling east on Highway 6 just west of Highway 476 around 12:20 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, when the single-vehicle accident occurred. According to a release by the Louisiana State Police, the vehicle exited the right side of the road, hit an embankment and rolled over. The driver and passenger spoke with Troopers on the scene. Both gave a detailed account of the events that transpired before being transported to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport for treatment. Vernon Stephenson died later that afternoon from his injuries. His wife sustained minor injuries, according to the report. Stephenson, a vocational evangelist at First Baptist Church in Zwolle and retired missionary at Toledo Bend Baptist Resort Missions, was awarded the "Lifetime Achievement" award at the 2016 State Evangelism Conference in Lafayette on January 27 by the Louisiana Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists. He served as treasurer of the North Sabine Baptist Association, assisted in the music ministry at First Baptist Zwolle and conducted services at the Many Detention … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff writer PINEVILLE – Described as authentic and stalwarts for the cause of Christ, Samuel and Judith Camp were presented the 2016 Louisiana College Trustees Distinguished Service Awards at the 110th annual LC Founder’s Day ceremonies Oct. 6. LC Board Chairman Randy Harper presented the award to the Camps, calling them a shining example of two people who love the Lord and the college. “Sam epitomizes what we call a man’s man,” said Harper, pastor of Bellaire Baptist Church in Bossier City. “He believes in what he says and he means what he says.” In accepting the award, Camp told students his success is due to a strong faith, rooted in Christ. “Put God first,” Camp said. “Put Him in the driver’s seat of your life.” LC President Rick Brewer publicly thanked the Camps for their passion for LC. “Sam and Judy Camp are stalwarts for the cause of Christ, and they are among some of the most authentic Christians I have ever known,” Brewer told the Baptist Message. “Their public commitment to Christ and the integration of the Christian faith in every facet of their lives stands as an example to our entire Louisiana College family.” A running back and punter at Tulane University from … [Read more...]