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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Disaster relief volunteers lead three to Christ during flood cleanup

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer SHREVEPORT – Two Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers were nearly speechless recently and for good reason. While cleaning out of homes that were damaged by recent floodwaters of the Red River, Freddie Arnold and Ginger McBride witnessed first-hand to others who subsequently accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior there. “It adds a spark of enthusiasm,” said Arnold, a white hat with Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief. “And it encourages everyone to be evangelistic.” Arnold’s conversion experience was with a then-Mormon who worked with a friend from First Baptist Church in Franklinton on a mud-out team. After suffering from overheating, the man stayed behind for a couple of days, which led to a series of conversations about Christ with Arnold and others at the host site of Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport – before eventually converting from Mormonism to Christianity. “He came to tell me he was saved and I told him that was fantastic,” Arnold recalls. “Before he could even get across the room where we were, I heard him call his wife over the phone and others there his news.” Meanwhile, McBride was assessing flooded homes with Virginia Disotell, another … [Read more...]

Rousing patriotic salute at University Baptist packed out

By R.C. Miller, Regional Reporter BATON ROUGE – Randy Gurie isn’t claiming any out-of-body experiences, but he does own up to a vision that eventually filled University Baptist Church’s sanctuary to capacity on July 4th. Because for Gurie, it wasn’t a matter of “seeing is believing.” “For me, it was ‘believing is seeing,’” Gurie says. “From the beginning, I literally saw everything about this program, from the lighting to the music performances.” And it resulted in the community program, “A Patriotic Salute to America.” The red-white-and-blue program featured performances by the Baton Rouge Concert Band, a community choir and a group of soloists that included one by the now retired “Voice of the LSU Tigers” Jim Hawthorne and narration by Louisiana Public Broadcasting President and CEO Beth Courtney. That’s not forgetting performances by the five-member gospel group Celebration, which hosted the event.  Gurie and fellow vocalists Kevin Hambrice, Fred Dressel, Lionel Bailey and Trippe Hawthorne have been performing in this group for 20 years. They perform year-round at churches and events in the Baton Rouge area, sometimes traveling around the state and in Mississippi. Those programs have always been made up of … [Read more...]

Bosnian immigrant finds more than American dream

By Karen Pearce, Baptist Press SHREVEPORT (BP) - Warmth enveloped Jasmine when she came up from the baptismal waters at Broadmoor Baptist Church. "Everything was warm around me and I was feeling happiness and like finally I'm complete," she said. "I can say it now aloud.... 'That's me, that's what I am, I am Baptist.'" "I can say it out loud now, 'That's me, that’s what I am. I am Baptist,'" Jasmine, a Bosnian immigrant, said after being baptized by Donny Durr, minister of business administration at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport. Although being Baptist is a common thing in Jasmine's current home state of Louisiana, it is quite unusual in her home country. She grew up in Bosnia where Islam, Orthodoxy and Catholicism vie for prominence. She was born into a Muslim family - her grandfather was an imam. But her father was an atheist and her mother was never willing to be labeled. "She always said there is just one God and God will help you. That was her way -- to find God, to believe that He's a savior, He's a father," Jasmine said. Her mother's faith opened the way for Jasmine to seek. Today, Jasmine knows that she has met the true God, Jesus Christ, and she has taken the brave step to publically declare her … [Read more...]

A special life: Make-A-Wish Foundation documenting life of special needs child Hendrix Ebert

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer FOREST HILL – Eight-year-old Hendrix Ebert has experienced more setbacks in his young life than most people do in their lifetimes. Born with a condition where the pulmonary veins between his heart and lungs did not work properly, he had open heart surgery at birth. His trachea and esophagus were not attached to his stomach; three bones in each middle ear did not form correctly; he has pulmonary disease, and, he is undergoing a protracted program of speech therapy. Yet, Hendrix is not defined by these difficulties, but by his lovable personality which blesses each person who comes in contact with him. “People lift him up but he does the same for them,” said his mother, Rebecca. “He has this ability to know your need. “So many people want him to feel special, but he makes so many people feel special in return,” she continued. “Hendrix has this incredible zest for life that will touch you for a lifetime.” His story is being chronicled in a documentary, thanks to a request granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Since March, a film crew has followed him at his school, church, recreational spots in Indiana, and most recently at Elwood Baptist Church during Vacation Bible … [Read more...]

God moves with numerous baptisms at Trinity Baptist

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer LAKE CHARLES – Trinity Baptist Church planned to baptize 24 people on June 28, as a special celebration of how God has blessed the congregation’s evangelism efforts so far this year. But by the time the last person came out of the baptismal waters, 46 had been obedient to the Holy Spirit, joining 108 others who have been baptized at Trinity this year. “When people started responding to that call to come, everyone stood up cheering and clapping,” said Greg Bath, minister of evangelism at Trinity. “It was unbelievable. During our second service of the day, we were here way past 12:00 (when the service was scheduled to end) and no one had left. “No one wanted to leave,” he added. “They wanted to see God moving.” The special emphasis, designated as Declaration Celebration, was promoted by the staff for several months. Nine new believers were scheduled for baptism during the first worship service, with 15 slated in the second. But time also was reserved for additional baptisms, and, just in case, TBC Pastor Steve James had brought a bag with t-shirts, shorts and towels to accommodate those who made decisions that day. The newly baptized members represented a broad range … [Read more...]

LC and Rapides Parish School Board strike dual enrollment agreement

By Norm Miller, LC Communications PINEVILLE - The Rapides Parish School Board voted July 7 to partner with Louisiana College to allow qualified high school students to enroll at the college in up to six hours of college courses per semester. “We are pleased almost beyond words with this development,” said Dr. Rick Brewer, president of Louisiana College. “We are grateful for the cooperation of board president Keith Breazeale and all the board members, and for their unified vision of advancing the educational quality and content for local residents. Louisiana College is elated to be a part of that equation.” Dual enrollment permits qualified high school juniors and seniors to enroll in college courses that, when successfully completed will apply to the students’ high school and college credit hours simultaneously. Limited enrollment for high school sophomores may be available, but will require the high school principal’s recommendation. Dual enrollment will be available to homeschooled students whose curricula meet Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements. “The academic and economic benefits of our agreement are remarkable,” Brewer said. “Those benefitting the most from this include … [Read more...]

First West hires new executive pastor

  First West hires new executive pastor WEST MONROE – First West has a former Tennessee executive pastor to the same position. Formerly at First Baptist Church in Collierville, Tenn., Tim Spencer was hired as the new executive pastor of First West, the church announced on July 5. As executive pastor, Spencer will oversee the daily operations of First West, as well as provide leadership to its staff and various ministries. Spencer, who has been married to his wife Suzy for 21 years, said his family is excited about the future at the Northeast Louisiana Baptist Association church. “What a blessing to join the incredible work and ministry God is doing at First West,” Spencer said in a news release. “Suzy and I are excited about working with Lead Pastor Michael Wood and entire leadership team to share God’s love in Northeast Louisiana, New Orleans and the world. We are praying for great things. Things that only God can do. We have the faithful expectation that First West will be energized for Christ-centered worship, community and service.” Spencer has served at First Baptist Collierville since June 2000. In addition to executive pastor, Spencer has served as associate pastor of worship as well as leading key … [Read more...]

Georgia Barnette Mission Conference Center Update

By Joe Dupree, Message Staff Writer WOODWORTH -- If you have been to Tall Timbers Conference Center in Woodworth recently, you may have noticed some construction going on in the middle of the campus. What is being built between the main offices and the cafeteria is the $1.255 million, 8,400-square-foot Georgia Barnette Mission Conference Center. “The Georgia Barnette Conference Center will be a valuable asset to recapture missions as a primary goal of our work in reaching Louisiana for Christ,” said John Hebert, Missions & Ministry Director “The building will contain an on-site office, coffee bar in a spacious foyer, an assembly area that will seat 280 (400 with wings expanded), and seven conference/training.” "We are very excited about getting this project going," said Robert Woods, Louisiana Baptist Convention's Mission Builder Strategist. "When it is finally finished, it will be a great building for Louisiana Baptists. It's something we've been looking forward to starting and the groups who will be coming to help us build it." The pouring of the concrete slab took place Monday (June 29) and framing of the building will begin July 13 when 45 Kingdom Builders volunteers from Louisiana and Texas come to lend a … [Read more...]

Police seek additional information on former New Orleans youth minister accused of sexually abusing juveniles

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS – Investigators are seeking any additional information on a former youth minister arrested on allegations of sexually abusing two teenage boys. Ryan Rodgers, who was a youth minister at several churches in Jefferson, Orleans and Plaquemines parishes, turned himself into authorities the morning of June 26. Rodgers is accused of touching two teenage boys in appropriately while they were sleeping, according to a press release from the New Orleans Police Department. The victims informed detectives that Rodgers woke the boys and fondled them. They told Detective Stephanie Taillon this went on for more than a year. Taillon learned Rodgers bought the victims underwear and made them pose in front of him. Most of the encounters occurred inside Rodgers’ Baronne Street apartment in New Orleans, the press release said. Detectives believe Rodgers assaulted other victims as well and are asking anyone who is a victim to contact Taillon at 504.658.5733. When the news first broke, some media outlets implied Rodgers had an ongoing affiliation with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, identifying him as a youth minister with the seminary. However, according to Kelley, these … [Read more...]

LC’s Brewer to bi-vocational pastors: ‘Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly.’

By Norm Miller, Louisiana College Communications PINEVILLE --  Rick Brewer, president of Louisiana College, keynoted the June 26 afternoon session of the Bi-vocational and Small Church Leadership Network National Celebration, held June 26-27 on LC’s campus. Prior to his remarks, Brewer invited the Blackwell Trio -- who had opened the meeting -- to join him around the piano in an impromptu mini-songfest. “I want to share with you a few words of challenge and commitment,” Brewer later said, referring to Micah 6:8 as “a summary statement for those of us as Christ followers.” Brewer quoted the verse: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” “If we could just simply do those things daily, what an impact we would have on the world around us,” Brewer said. “To act justly. You know what that means: do the right thing … be men and women of integrity … be a peacemaker. Do the things that bring about healing.” Loving mercy means to be merciful, “to extend acts of kindness, random acts of kindness” and practice the “Golden Rule -- to treat people even better than you would expect to be treated -- to leave places … [Read more...]