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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Louisiana College TEACH seminar features autistic college grad

By Norm Miller, Special to the Message PINEVILLE – Diagnosed with autism at age 12, Paul Griffin conquered every challenge toward the education that medical and behavioral specialists predicted would be impossible. The child who was told he’d never read nor write earned a degree in sociology from the University of California. Louisiana College’s summer TEACH program is bringing Griffin to its Pineville campus June 25. “I heard Paul speak at Stanford University, and he received a standing ovation,” said Cathy Eschete, LC’s assistant professor of education and director of field experience. “Our community has an incredible opportunity to hear Paul’s moving story.” Griffin states on his website that he “refused to let my diagnosis keep me from achieving my dreams.” He adds that he can help others “have success on the Autism spectrum.” Success typifies Griffin’s presentations, as indicated by comments posted on his site: “Although I’ve known Paul since he was a young boy, I never dreamed he would become the concise and engaging speaker he has become today. He effectively demystifies the autistic syndrome and presents his material, which he in fact has lived, in a powerful biographical presentation that mesmerized … [Read more...]

Humility, intimacy urged at Pastors’ Conference

By Baptist Press COLUMBUS, Ohio (BP) -- Pastors and churches must humble themselves and pursue a closer walk with God if they want to experience His peace, joy and purpose, speakers said at the 2015 Southern Baptist Pastors' Conference in its first two sessions June 14-15. The conference, focusing on the theme "He Must Increase" from John the Baptist's statement in John 3:30, precedes the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Speakers in the Sunday evening and Monday morning sessions included: Dean Fulks, lead pastor of LifePoint Church in Columbus, Ohio, in the opening message of the conference June 14, used the story of Jonah to illustrate the need for pastors to live with repentant hearts. Sometimes pastors may mistakenly believe that God is waiting for them to step out of line so He can clobber them, Fulks said. But a biblical picture is found in Romans 2:3, where Paul writes that God's kindness is what leads to repentance. "God will be glorified by my life. God will be glorified by your life," Fulks said. "Either through my joyful obedience or through my rebellious disobedience ... God will be glorified." As God didn't give up on Jonah, Fulks said He … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams may begin work in flooded areas of Shreveport/Bossier later today

By Message Staff Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams are expected to begin work on homes impacted by flooding in the Shreveport/Bossier area later today. Larry Cupper, a Disaster Relief Regional Coordinator as well as the SB Louisiana Incident Commander for the Red River flood who is handling operations in the area, said 65 volunteers are meeting at Eastwood Baptist Church, in Haughton, LA., on this morning, before departing later in the day to begin mudouts of homes that were affected by floodwaters of the Red River. Cupper said in the next three weeks, teams will work on between 125 and 150 homes. "None of this could happen without the volunteers from our Southern Baptist Church members," Cupper said. The mudout, feeding, assessors, chaplains, shower and laundry units will work Monday to Saturday. A childcare unit under the direction of Stanley Staham, director of missions at Baptist Associations of Southeast Louisiana, also will help while the flood affected families are trying to get assistance. "Our childcare volunteers and unit will be ministering to their children and helping keep their minds off of the devastation of a flooded home so the parents can seek assistance this Saturday at the Bossier … [Read more...]

Bivo Mark Crook equips his church to follow God’s lead

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer VIVIAN – The bivocational pastorate was an idea unknown to the search committee of Trees Baptist Church when they first interviewed Mark Crook in June 2010. But once they and the congregation discovered how the position would benefit both Crook and Trees Baptist, they knew this was God’s direction for revival in the church and future tremendous growth. “I think that many do not understand the term or at least define it in different ways,” Crook said. “I explained to [the search committee] that I would still be on call 24 hours, 7 days a week, however the bulk of my salary would be paid by my full-time employer which would free up some funds to add additional staff in the future. They issued the call and 42 people were present to vote for me as their pastor.” Since that day he was called to serve as pastor, Crook has seen God move in mighty ways at the Northwest Louisiana church. When he first arrived, attendance on a Sunday averaged between 30 and 40, a far cry from the 110 who once attended every week for worship services. Six of the 12 deacons felt led to leave the church and those remaining members were heartbroken over the loss of family and friends who felt God leading … [Read more...]

Experienced Gaspard has learned the dos, don’ts of being a bivo

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer OPELOUSAS – When it comes to serving as a bi-vocational pastor, Gregory Gaspard knows the dos and don’ts of ministry. A bi-vocational pastor for all but the past six years of his 23 years at Unity Baptist Church in Opelousas, Gaspard has enjoyed seeing nearly a quarter-century of planted seeds grow into a harvest of mission-minded members. “In my 23 years here, I have never looked for something bigger and better,” he said. “I have embraced this church, taking it as a serious calling. We’ve enjoyed the great fellowship of people here and seeing them reach out to our community through outreach.” Gaspard’s path to ministry began in 1973 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in his native Eunice, two years after marrying his wife Elizabeth. While at Emmanuel Baptist as a layperson, Gaspard taught Sunday school and Royal Ambassadors, in addition to serving as a deacon. His involvement there prepared him for his eventual call to the pastorate. He made that decision public in 1989 and became interim pastor at Prairie Home Baptist Church in Eunice. “Serving with the different ministries stirred up in my heart that desire to pastor a church,” said Gaspard, who became pastor of Unity Baptist … [Read more...]

Louisiana College hosting Bi-Vocational/Small Church National Celebration

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – Hundreds of Ironmen will convene upon Louisiana College next week, but not for a grueling 140.6-mile triathlon. Called by some as the Iron Men of the Southern Baptist Convention, these bi-vocational ministers, pastors of smaller churches and their wives will meet for the annual Bi-vocational and Small Church Leadership Network National Celebration. Scheduled for June 26-27 at LC, the theme for the annual conference is “God Has A Plan For You And Your Church.” The focal scripture will be Jeremiah 29:11. Philip Caples, Vice President of Integration for Faith and Learning at LC and director of this year’s conference, said the school and the Louisiana Baptist Convention are trying to connect with bi-vocational pastors in the state to encourage them to come to the event because of the much-needed training it will provide for their congregations. “One reason that we are excited about this opportunity is because Louisiana College wants to be a resource for all churches in our state,” said Caples, a member of the Bi-vocational Small Church Leadership Network. “However, with approximately 70 percent of Louisiana’s Southern Baptist churches having less than 100 in worship … [Read more...]

Louisiana College, seminary students with Louisiana ties graduate

Students from Louisiana College, as well as those from Southern Baptist seminaries recently graduated. Below is a list of the graduates. LC President Brewer addressed the 148 graduates and hundreds of onlookers May 16 at the college’s 158th commencement ceremony. His message was entitled "And Then Some," with the goal of challenging the graduates to "do hard work, and then some." Meanwhile, Daniel Akin told the spring graduates of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, that "Our God is a global God. He is always with those who are on mission with him." The seminary's 61st graduating class of 274 graduates heard Akin, the president of the seminary, issue a challenge with Jesus’ last words in Matthew 28:18-20. He highlighted God’s sovereign power, plan and promise. And at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., 297 graduated on May 14, with 107 graduating from the seminary's Boyce College on May 8. Seminary President Albert Mohler Jr. charged the new Southern graduates to "Take your place in line and fulfill your ministry with eyes wide open, knowing your destiny in Christ. Go into the world of darkness as brave children of the day." Click here for 2015 graduate listings … [Read more...]

New beginnings at Standard Baptist Church in Olla

By Joe Dupree, Message Staff Writer OLLA - Out with the old and in with the new. That seems to be the popular way of doing things nowadays. For the folks at Standard Baptist Church, it was just time to replace an aging sanctuary with a larger and newer building that would house congregants comfortably. The original church structure, which was made of wood, was built back in 1945. The current structure was built later in the 1960's. But as time progressed, the building began deteriorating and the leaders of the church decided it was time to build a new, larger sanctuary. "Our old building has some age issues, " said Rodney Shelton, chairman of deacons, Standard Baptist. "Our attendance has grown. The Lord has blessed us with our attendance growing and with this building project. "With our growth, there's just a good chance they'll be uncomfortable," said Shelton. It was about a year ago the church decided a new sanctuary was needed to accommodate the large growth in congregants. "If you talk about the history of the building, that's one thing," said Shad Tibbs, pastor of Standard Baptist. "The history of this church five years ago, what I saw, is a very small group of people who were, in reality, tired of … [Read more...]

Pineville braces for potential Red River flooding

By Joe Dupree, Message Staff Writer PINEVILLE – As the Red River continues to rise, concern of potential flooding also continued to rise amongst the officials of Pineville. On Thursday, the Louisiana National Guard sent a group out to the riverfront, on the Pineville side, to help secure sewer pump stations that will help pump excess water out should it reach people’s homes along the river. The river is expected to reach its cresting point of 38 feet by this weekend. The National Guard has also been sandbagging the area around Pump Station #23 on Dupree Road in Pineville to prevent any potential flooding from getting into the sewage pump. City officials are hoping the sand bags aren’t needed but they prepared for the worst. “There are some low areas that we are concerned about,” said Rich Dupree, Pineville’s city manager. “The mayor has been going door to door, visiting those homeowners, letting them know, if water doesn’t cut into their homes, it will cut off access to their homes.” Fortunately for much of the downtown and greater surrounding areas of Pineville, it sits among the high parts of the river so there isn’t much concern of any massive flooding but only concern for minor flooding along the … [Read more...]

Louisiana College receives update from SACSCOC

By Norm Miller, Special to the Message PINEVILLE --Louisiana College president, Dr. Rick Brewer, received notice today that the college’s probationary status has been extended to allow the college to provide more information regarding Comprehensive Standard 3.2.4, External Influence. “Our accreditation remains intact,” Brewer said, “and our academic reputation speaks for itself. We remain encouraged because of the recent upsurge of interest in and support for the college. Our stakeholders continue to entrust their students into our care as evidenced by our enrollment numbers that are on track,” Brewer added. An official of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) notified Brewer of its governing board decision via telephone, saying that a detailed letter about the matter is forthcoming. During the coming weeks, officials from both SACSCOC and LC will confer prior to the college filing an official response later this year. “We are crafting several academic and revenue development initiatives that we anticipate launching this year. We believe these efforts underscore our commitment to preparing graduates and transforming lives in a culture that is relational, rigorous and … [Read more...]