By David E. Hankins, Executive Director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention ALEXANDRIA – I hope this summer season allows you an opportunity to relax, vacation with your family, and otherwise enjoy some time off. But don’t forget the amazing ministries that are taking place this summer. I have been hearing reports of outstanding participation in VBS from churches all over our state with scores and scores of children giving their lives to Christ. Our GOLA VBS teams, sponsored by the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, are working throughout Louisiana and all the way to Canada. Additional summer missionaries from Louisiana are fanned out all over the globe. Numerous other Louisiana Baptists, including LBC strategists, are involved in mission trips this summer from Brazil to Belarus to Indonesia. Another summer outreach staple is our camping ministries. Tall Timbers, our LBC state camp, is experiencing another record year in children and youth attendance with most weeks full to overflowing. We are so thankful for the new Georgia Barnette Missions Conference Center which is nearing completion and which will provide needed room to grow. Even the summer session of the Louisiana legislature afforded opportunities for LBC … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer BALL – The baptistery at Tioga First Baptist Church was a little crowded in late June but Pastor Tim Hisaw did not mind. Four children who accepted Christ during the church’s Vacation Bible School walked into the water and, as Hisaw baptized each child, thunderous applause broke out from those packed in the pews inside the worship center. “It’s nice to have a full baptistery isn’t it, bud?” Hisaw told one of the children nearby. “If we get too many it will overflow and flood. It’s a good thing the choir’s not up here or they’d get wet.” Before VBS, Hisaw prayed that four families would join Tioga First Baptist by the time it was over. But God answered his prayers by drawing these four children, instead – confirmation God was at work during VBS, which averaged 85 in attendance each day. Though the children took part in recreation and refreshments, Hisaw said the end goal was sharing the Gospel. “That’s why we do Vacation Bible School,” Hisaw said. “We do this to make an eternal impact on them by introducing them to Jesus.” Church member Misty Stewart said the excitement of accepting Christ during VBS has not waned for her son, Matthew, who was baptized with the three others. Now, … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message Editor BATON ROUGE – While Louisiana’s budget debate dominated headlines across the state during the three legislative sessions in 2016, Louisiana Baptists in the House and Senate gave critical leadership in passing a number of important measures, especially those with a pro-life emphasis. -- Rep. Mike Johnson (R-Dist. 8), a member of FBC Bossier City, authored HB 1081 (Act 264), the Louisiana Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Act which ends the brutal practice by  abortionists of tearing body parts from a live, unborn child typically as part of late-term procedures. -- Rep. Rick Edmonds (R-Dist. 66), retired pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Shreveport and former vice president of Louisiana Family Forum, advanced “Jacob’s Law,” or HB 1019 (Act 563), which protects unborn children from being singled out for abortion simply for being diagnosed with a disability such as Down syndrome. -- Sen. Ryan Gatti (R-Dist. 36), also a member of FBC Bossier City, was the originator of SB 33 (Act 196). This measure prohibits the sale or donation of human limbs and organs harvested as a result of an elective abortion, thus banning groups like Planned Parenthood from profiting from baby body parts. -- … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary awarded degrees to 120 students at its 59th commencement exercises at the Daniel Lee Chapel. In all, 120 students graduated including one diploma from the Midwestern Women’s Institute, one diploma in Christian Ministry, 25 undergraduate, 80 graduate, and 14 doctoral degrees being conferred. Among those receiving doctorates from Louisiana were: Randy Tompkins, Owner of Cornerstone Consultants Ministry and trustee at MBTS and Peter Eric Keough. Tompkins received a Doctor of Educational Ministry and Keough earned a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership. President Jason Allen’s charge to students in his commencement address to, “Finish Well,” as well as a presentation of the institution’s Professor of the Year award. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer DRY PRONG – Lloyd Whitman was nearing his final weeks of a 30-year ministry at First Baptist Church Dry Prong, but refused to “coast along” until he retired. Instead, Whitman wanted to baptize at least one person during his final two months at the central Louisiana church. He did that and more, baptizing at least one person each week from the the first Sunday in January until he stepped out of the pulpit Feb. 28. Whitman said not doing so would have gone against the very mission of Jesus Christ that he has tried to fulfill in his 51 years of ministry. “To see what God was doing at the end of my ministry was rewarding to me,” Whitman said. “The mission of the church is to win people to Jesus. To see that being fulfilled at Dry Prong gave me a sense of thankfulness and gratitude to God that He was moving in a powerful way.” The string of baptisms came on the heels of the end of an 18-month search for a new pastor at First Baptist Dry Prong. Whitman said the congregation had prayed during that time that God would lead them to the right man for the job. In the process, the church experienced its own personal revival. “God was just moving in every area of our church,” he continued. “I … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer “We NEED a Word from God!” Those sentiments from Steve Horn, pastor of First Baptist Church in Lafayette and former LBC President, perhaps best summed up the feelings of so many following a tumultuous week in which seven died and seven more were shot. It especially sums up the feelings on the day following the deadly sniper attack on police officers in downtown Dallas Thursday evening. “Pray for the pastors of America this Sunday,” Horn wrote on Facebook. “We do not need a word from our President, the Governors, the Chiefs of Police, and certainly not all of the commentators on television. We need a Word from God! “Pray for your pastor to have and deliver that Word from God this Sunday,” he continued. “Pastor, our job is not to offer political commentary; our job is to expound the authoritative Word of God. God, help us!” As everyone tries to make sense of what took place Thursday night, Tuesday in Baton Rouge and Wednesday in Falton Heights, Minnesota, Horn made his impassioned plea to turn to God. And many Louisiana Baptists and law enforcement officers echoed his thoughts and for the desperate need for prayer. “Our hearts are again broken as we hear the news out of Baton Rouge, … [Read more...]

HOMECOMING Hillcrest Baptist Church, Franklinton: Church Anniversary, July 17, 10:30 a.m. A pot-luck meal will follow the morning service in the Christian Life Center. Pastor: Andrew Voss. Lakeshore Baptist Church, Monroe: 62nd Anniversary, July 24, 10:45 a.m. Pastor: William Smith. Beech Spring Baptist Church, Quitman: 109th Homecoming, July 24, 11 a.m. Dinner on the grounds following the service. Special Music: Glorifying Him. Pastor: Jay Lancaster. REVIVAL First Baptist Church, Converse: Revival, July 10-13, Speaker: Gary Hanberry of First Baptist, Larose. Worship: The Mackey Willis Family. Pastor: Lon Almeida Aimwell Baptist Church: Revival, July 13-17. Speaker: Bill Robertson. Pastor: Ronnie Sandifer First Baptist Church, Zwolle: Revival, July 13-17. Speaker: Spencer Lovitt. Pastor: Jerry Penfield First Baptist Church, Minden: Revive (summer revival series), July 17, 24 & 31. July 17, 6 p.m. Speaker: John Lary. Music: Jake & Rachel Chapman. Fellowship following service features ice cream. July 24, 6 p.m. Speaker: Eddie Briery. Music: Joe & Jody Nida. Fellowship following service features hot dogs and soft drinks. July 31, 10:45 a.m. (no first Gospel hour). Speaker: Argile Smith. Music: Ammer Gayle Whatley. … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message Editor BATON ROUGE – Gov. John Bel Edwards signed House Bill 51 into law June 28 as Act 12 of the 2016 Second Extraordinary Session for the Louisiana Legislature, removing a number of taxes on church activities that were imposed in March as part of Acts 25 and 26 of the 2016 First Extraordinary Session. Although Act 12 took effect July 1, the Louisiana Department of Revenue has yet to issue an official interpretation. However, legislators have said publicly this measure should fix the difficulties created for churches by the earlier action. When the LDR releases its guidance, churches should anticipate relief from collecting taxes on such things as cake sales and auctions, which were tagged with special tax rates from April 1, 2016 – June 30, 2018. HB 51 was offered by Rep. Jim Morris of whose District 1 office is in Oil City, but a number of legislators signed onto the bill as co-sponsors, including 58 representatives and two senators. Rep. Rick Edmonds (District 66, Baton Rouge), a retired Louisiana Baptist pastor (Calvary Baptist Church in Shreveport) and former vice president with Louisiana Family Forum, was particularly aggressive in working this issue. He offered eight bills which were rolled into … [Read more...]

ALEXANDRIA – Louisiana Baptists are invited to submit names of nominees for service on state convention boards and committees and to submit resolutions for possible consideration for the 2016 Louisiana Baptist Convention. The Louisiana Baptist Committee on Committees is beginning its work to nominate persons to serve on various state convention committees. Currently, 17 nominees are needed for service on committees on Credentials, Moral and Social Concerns, Nominations, Order of Business and Resolutions. Committee on Committees Chair is Jake Roudkovski, Bogue Falaya, Folsom. In addition, the Louisiana Baptist Committee on Nominations is beginning its work to fill vacancies on state boards. At this point, 17 nominees are needed to serve on the Convention’s Executive Board and as trustees of Louisiana College, the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries, the Baptist Message, and the Baptist Foundation. The Committee on Nominations chair is Philip Robertson, Philadelphia, Deville. As in previous years, persons should submit names of nominees and the committee or board for which they are being nominated. Submissions should include information on the nominee’s church membership and current employment. Nominations … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Summertime usually means less activity on a university campus but not Louisiana College, not this summer. The Pineville college is humming with activity as the school is undergoing $17 million worth of construction. Eighteen of the 23 buildings on campus are receiving new roofs, after hail from a storm last year caused extensive damage. Other work includes a number of interior upgrades between now and late 2017. LC President Rick Brewer calls the improvements on campus a miracle. “Transformation is a central theme for Louisiana College both in the classroom and in our campus facilities,” Brewer said. “The blessing we’ve received from the GuideOne insurance claim will impact the entire campus with 18 roof replacements, several interior repairs and the refurbishment of Guinn Auditorium. Indeed, this work accelerates the significant deferred maintenance facing the college.” LC contacted GuideOne insurance company for an inspection, which revealed the refurbishment would be rather costly but agreed to cover all the repairs. The first wave of construction began in late May, when Campers on Mission refurbished a fountain near Alexandria Hall administration building, formed … [Read more...]