By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Leaders of Send Network Louisiana, a partnership between the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Louisiana Baptist Convention, have mapped out a God-sized vision to see His Kingdom expanded in Louisiana by one percent over the next decade. If successful, 28,841 of the 4,648,794 Louisianans could turn to Christ through 231 churches planted in the state by 2030 (based on each new church reaching 125 people with the Gospel). But to achieve this goal, an army of supporting churches and new church planters will be needed. “This is an exciting God-sized vision for Louisiana,” Send Network Louisiana Director Lane Corley told the Baptist Message. “We want to see churches assess how they can join in helping make this possible. The next 10 years will be a great time in our next chapter of church planting, and I really appreciate [Louisiana Baptist Executive Director] Steve Horn for supporting this important move in our history.” Corley, who previously served as a Louisiana Baptist church planting strategist, began a new role, fully funded by NAMB, Aug. 1. Joining him as Send Network church planting catalysts are Carlos … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Baptist Message provides churches an opportunity to share with other Louisiana Baptists an upcoming revival, homecoming, new pastor, new staff member, a community outreach, or a concert in Louisiana Notables. To place your event in the paper, send your information (who, what, where, when, time) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. Please submit your information four weeks prior to the event to insure placement in the Message. ON THE MOVE Robin Alderman Dean is the new music director at Belle Park Baptist Church. Eric Zimmer is the interim pastor at Haynes Avenue Baptist Church. Scott Shirley is the new pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Shreveport. Brenton, wife Lynsee, Smith is the new pastor at Pritchard Baptist Church from Ridgecrest Baptist Church. Lee Myers is the new Louisiana Baptists Youth Strategist. Scott McKenzie has accepted the call to be the Associate Pastor of discipleship & administration for First Baptist Church, Zachary from First Baptist Church, Lafayette. HOMECOMING Welcome Home Baptist Church, Dodson: Homecoming service, October 8, 10:15 a.m. Worship: Sanctuary Quartet, Pastor: Jim McKeithen. Humble Baptist Church, Elizabeth: Homecoming, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer GLENMORA, La. (LBM) – When disaster strikes, your gifts to the Louisiana Missions Offering, named after the historical state missionary Georgia Barnette, help provide relief for those affected in Louisiana and beyond, James Irvine shared with the Baptist Message. During the last 19 years, Irvine and his Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief shower trailer have offered a mainstay ministry of care for individuals impacted by 90 catastrophic events. Since driving the trailer to south Louisiana to his first disaster response effort only days after Hurricane Katrina impacted the area in 2005, Irvine has traveled thousands of miles across the United States immediately after the devastation of hurricanes, floods, ice storms, tornadoes and fires. Importantly, his motivation is “to give a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name,” without strings attached but in the hope that someone will ask, “Why?” That gives him the opening to share about Jesus, he said. “When they do accept Christ, it’s very rewarding because you have been successful in your mission,” Irvine told the Baptist Message. “Sometimes it gets frustrating, but you have to remember it’s not about you but your Lord and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) -- A field at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center was transformed to a mini water park for 15 people with special needs during the fourth annual Champions Camp, Sept. 7-9. The campers, accompanied by 20 “buddies” and staff, displayed their best moves on the water slide and tossed suds made by a water foam cannon. Among those was Logan Singletary, a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria. “Tossing all these suds really was something that I had fun doing and it’s a reason I love coming out here to this camp,” Singletary told the Baptist Message. “I’m really glad they had this for us, and it made me smile.” The Louisiana Baptist summer camp for people with special needs matched participants with buddies who accompanied them during the event. The camp featured karaoke, an ice cream sundae party, fishing, games, a demonstration of a dog obedient to his master and worship designed for children and adults from ages 8 and up who have intellectual or development disabilities. Clint Stewart, who served as camp pastor, said the event allowed each person to realize they are a champion and loved by God. “I have come every year since this camp … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer  PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Christ is in hot pursuit of those who are lost and desires all to come into a relationship with Him, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary Professor David Allen said during the recent E4+ Preaching Conference. Citing Luke 19, Allen told a record crowd of more than 100 pastors and ministry staff and 19 pastors’ wives at First Baptist Church, Pineville, that Zacchaeus longed to see Jesus and went to great lengths to get a glimpse of Him. In the end, Zacchaeus who had stolen from the poor through his job as a tax collector encountered Jesus and his life was changed forever. “Jesus did not save Zacchaeus because Zacchaeus gave money to the poor or gave back what he extorted,” he continued. “Jesus saved Zacchaeus out of grace because all of salvation is by grace through faith, not of works lest anyone should brag about it. And he gives evidence of that salvation by opening up his pocketbook and his billfold and giving to the poor and by making right what he extorted from the people.” Allen said while many in the crowd hated Zacchaeus because he had used his position as a tax collector to steal from them, Jesus reminded the Jewish people that Zacchaeus, too, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Former “America’s Next Top Model” contestant Leah Darrow encouraged more than 900 guests gathered at the CENLA Pregnancy Center’s Gift of Life banquet to be the ones who answer the call to help provide hope for women with unplanned pregnancies. The fifth annual event, Sept. 12, was held at the Randolph Riverfront Center. “You are the other person on that end of the call for people in their hardest moments,” she said. “These young ladies who are calling these pregnancy centers are sometimes out there and they don’t know where to go and they don’t have anyone else to call but you. And CENLA Pregnancy Center picks up and answers those calls and they help redirect these women and show a place of redemption.” Darrow was the keynote speaker for the single largest fundraiser for the pregnancy center. The event also featured remarks by other pro-life advocates, an update on the impact of the center, music and food. CHANGED LIFE In her message, Darrow shared she was caught up in a lifestyle of worldly success that led to suicidal thoughts, depression and low self-confidence. But soon after appearing on “America’s Next Top Model” in 2004, she found … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist state missions and ministry directors and entity heads rolled out the welcome mat for more than 15 new pastors and seven spouses, Sept. 11. Held at the Baptist Building in Alexandria, the event featured remarks by Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn, introductions by state ministries and entities, a tour of the building and lunch for those in attendance. The event was open to any pastor or staff member who had transitioned to the role of pastor since October 2022. “The strength of our cooperation is built on the strength of our relationships,” Horn told the Baptist Message. “This event has quickly become a favorite of ours as we seek to establish personal relationships with new pastors in our state.” Louisiana Baptist Pastoral Ministry Team Director Ray Swift said the event reflected God’s grace and the unified work of Louisiana Baptists maximizing the Gospel’s impact across the state. “This provides a way to say to every new pastor ‘we love you and we are here for you,’” Swift said. “It makes a way to see, hear and receive information and resources every Louisiana Baptist pastor needs for their personal lives … [Read more...]