By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COLUMBIA – The presidential race is in full swing, but one Louisiana Baptist church is in the midst of a campaign that reaps eternal results. Since February, members of First Baptist Church in Columbia have placed signs in the front lawns of homes and businesses in the parish. Based on 2 Corinthians 5:20, the Campaign for Christ is intended to remind believers they are representatives of Jesus. “If we’re Christians, we’re ambassadors,” said Pastor Eric Harriman. “The signs have no church name on it because it’s a campaign for Christ, not a campaign for First Baptist. If you believe you are on campaign for Christ, if you’ll let us put a sign in your yard, it will remind you when you leave and when you come home that you’re an ambassador for Christ.” The idea was born during a weekly Monday evening men’s Bible study at the church. Some men who had run for political office before told Harriman that during their individual campaigns, they had visited 95 percent of the homes in Caldwell Parish. Harriman concluded that  if someone campaigning for office could visit nearly every home in an effort to get elected, First Baptist Columbia could do the same thing in an effort to spread the hope … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer COVINGTON – The new worship center under construction at First Baptist Church Covington is a project 15 years in the making. Once complete, the southeast Louisiana congregation believes the new facility will provide a space to reach their growing community for generations to come. Scheduled for completion in mid-2018, the worship center will seat up to 2,400 people. That’s a far cry from the capacity of 1,250 in its current facility. When the church moved from its location in downtown Covington in 2001, Pastor Waylon Bailey said much of the area was mostly undeveloped. As they began exploring possible locations for a move, a leader in St. Tammany Parish advised the church against moving to the present location, saying he believed the growth was headed in another direction. But, church leaders continued to be drawn to the 43-acre site where the church stands today. Fifteen years later, the church is surrounded by restaurants, storefronts, schools and homes. Bailey said when he thinks about the 2001 move from the previous 2 ¼ acres of land with 50 parking spaces to the present spacious campus which  has 1,000 parking spaces – with an additional 500 to be added – he is thankful they … [Read more...]

ON THE MOVE Ron Nation is new as pastor at Unity Baptist Church, Deville. Chuck Evans is new as pastor at Zion Hill Baptist Church, Dry Prong. Elliot, wife Suzi, Kahn new as staff director at Acadian Baptist Center, Eunice. Stephen Richardson retires from Colfax Baptist Church, Colfax. In addition to Colfax and several other churches, he has served in the ministry for 46 years. Caleb Willis is the new minister of music at Fairview Baptist Church, Coushatta. IN REMEMBERANCE Perry Webb, Jr., 91, of Natchitoches, passed away May 14. Services were held May 21 at First Baptist Church, Natchitoches. A private graveside service, under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home, will be held prior to the memorial service. Webb served as a Baptist minister for 74 years. He began his pastoral ministry as a seminary student, serving a country church in East Central Illinois. Webb went on to pastor First Baptist Church, Poteet, Texas (1949-1952); First Baptist Church, Natchitoches (1952-1964); First Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia (1964-1975); and First Baptist Church, Baton Rouge (1975-1988). He served on the Louisiana Baptist Executive Board as secretary, vice chairman and president. He was President of the Louisiana Baptist … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Message Editor When the Louisiana legislature passed measures during a special session earlier this year to close the gap in the state budget, lawmakers targeted a number of transactions that included activities of local churches. The Louisiana Baptist Convention consulted with attorneys and tax experts to develop guidance on how these apply to congregations and associations pertaining to such areas as: Fundraisers (cake sales, auctions, golf tournaments and sponsorships) Admission and registration fees for conferences Food banks and clothing stores Snack shop and bookstore sales These changes are effective immediately; however, a second special legislative session will convene June 6 specifically to address some of the tax issues relating to nonprofits. The guidance for churches and associations is posted at https://louisianabaptists.org/tax-changes-louisiana-churches/. Meanwhile, ministry leaders should monitor BaptistMessage.com and LouisianaBaptists.org for updates. Cake Sales Overview:  A member church’s congregation bakes cakes and donates them to the church for sale to the congregation and/or general public. Analysis:  Prior to April 1, 2016, sales of items at a fundraiser event for a … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell,vMessage Staff Writer DEQUINCY – Phelps Correctional Center may not be the first place a person envisions as a place to meet for the National Day of Prayer. But for Paula Mitchell, she couldn’t imagine spending her Thursday evening on May 5 at any other place. Accompanied by Sam Carroll, pastor of Reeves Baptist Church and his wife, Connie, Mitchell spent two-and-a-half hours with about 20 inmates, praying with them for needs that thousands of others around the country did on this important day. “The men that come to the chapel are so hungry for God so they love praying, singing, and hearing Gods word,” said Mitchell, a member of Unity Baptist Church in DeRidder. “We all enjoyed having the privilege of praying together on our nation's day that we come together to ask the Lord's guidance for us, our county and our leaders. “There are no boundaries, inside or outside the walls that God doesn’t hear our prayers,” she said. “He looks for humble hearts, and those men have been so down that they know how to look up and beg for God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness.” Created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the US Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman, the National Day of Prayer is an annual … [Read more...]

By Louisiana Right to Life staff BATON ROUGE -- Thursday, Gov. John Bel Edwards was joined at the Capitol by pro-life advocates as he signed HB 606 into law. HB 606, initiated by Edwards, authored by Rep. Frank Hoffman and carried on the Senate floor by Sen. Regina Barrow, ensures that businesses and organizations that perform abortions cannot receive taxpayer dollars, even for other purposes. At the signing, Edwards reaffirmed his commitment to policies that will encourage health facilities in Louisiana to offer true healthcare rather than getting into the abortion business. "I commend Gov. Edwards for signing this legislation today, and I thank him for asking me to author this important legislation. I also appreciate Sen. Barrow for carrying the legislation on the Senate floor. Louisiana taxpayers should not be asked to give their hard-earned dollars to businesses in our state that sell abortion," said Hoffman. Deanna Wallace, Legislative Director for Louisiana Right to Life, added: "Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, as Cecile Richards admitted last week, plans to sell abortions at their facility in New Orleans. We believe it is a reasonable policy that taxpayer dollars should never benefit those businesses that sell … [Read more...]

By Message Staff Doctors have discovered two brain tumors in Rose Landry Long, wife of Sen. Gerald Long (R-District 31), according to her daughter Pam Jordan and the family is asking for prayer. The tumors were discovered following a petscan June 1. “Doctors believe this is a primary brain tumor,” said Pam Jordan. “The only way we know what we are dealing with is to have a brain biopsy. We are in the process of having her information passed on to M.D. Anderson in Houston. “She will probably have this procedure next week,” Jordan continued. “Our family would like to thank everyone for their concern and prayers.” Long and her husband are members of First Baptist Church Natchitoches and strong supporters of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. She also serves on the Louisiana Baptist Moral and Social Concerns committee. Sen. Long told the Baptist Message he appreciates the prayers and encouragement from many around the state and beyond. “We are overwhelmed by the show of support from our church family and the entire body of Christ,” said Sen. Long. “Our prayer is that God will be glorified through all of this as we work through this trying time.” The Long’s daughter, Pam … [Read more...]

By Message Staff Louisiana could see its highest Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting messenger count since 2013 if pre-registration numbers continue to rise. Through Wednesday afternoon, 208 messengers from Louisiana had pre-registered, according to SBC Vice President for Convention Finance William E. Townes Jr. Though an official number won’t be known until the actual annual meeting in St. Louis, Mo., ends on June 15, the 2015 SBC Annual reported that 175 messengers from Louisiana registered for last year’s meeting in Columbus, Ohio. The 2013 annual meeting in Houston, Texas, saw 383 messengers register from Louisiana. The pre-registration numbers for the annual meeting mirror a trend across the SBC, Baptist Press reported on Wednesday. Just under 5,000 have pre-registered so far. Townes told BP that he projects 6,000-7,000 messengers in St. Louis and 10,000-11,000 total attendees. Last year, 5,407 messengers attended the meeting in Columbus. Townes told BP in written comments his projection “is just an educated estimate at this point. Based on my best estimate at this point, I would suggest that the hotel reservations are a pretty good indicator of our anticipated increase in attendance. I think the pre-registered … [Read more...]

By Marilyn Stewart, Regional reporter The sold-out crowd of 1500 women at Celebration Church, Metairie, cheered when Jennifer Rothschild, noted author and accomplished singer, took to the stage for the recent women’s event Fresh Grounded Faith. With Rothschild were actress Karen Abercrombie, “Miss Clara” from the film War Room and Stormie Omartian, bestselling author of the Power of Prayer series. “It’s God’s love that makes you lovely,” Rothschild told the crowd of women from all backgrounds and age groups. Blinded at age 15, Rothschild is the author of 11 books including the bestselling Lessons I Learned in the Dark; Self Talk, Soul Talk; and the recently released Invisible: How You Feel is Not Who You Are. Rothschild is the author of the popular Me, Myself and Lies Bible study and the 7-session DVD-driven study, Hosea, carried by LifeWay. Trials and failures do not define a person’s value, Rothschild told the crowd. “Who you are and what you struggle with are not the same thing,” Rothschild said. “The Lord values who you are, not where you are.” A wife, mother, speaker and accomplished singer with six albums to her name, Rothschild has been featured on the Today show, Good Morning America, Dr. Phil, and the Billy Graham … [Read more...]