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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Rolling out the welcome mat to new Louisiana Baptist pastors, wives

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...]

Seeking donors to sponsor pastors for E4+

By Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – There is an opportunity for individuals, congregations and businesses to bless attendees to the upcoming E4+ Preaching Conference through “I Love Pastors” sponsorships. The conference, set for Sept. 19 in the facilities of First Baptist Church, Pineville, will feature keynote messages by Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary Professor David Allen. There also will be breakout sessions for pastors  as well as directors of youth, media/sound, music and children ministries, and for ministers' wives. According to conference organizer Stewart Holloway, the registration fee covers only one-third of conference costs (to make attendance affordable for pastors). Sponsors are needed to cover the remaining costs, said Holloway, pastor of FBC Pineville. Anyone wishing to sponsor a pastor can give three ways: Online (click HERE); by mail (FBC Pineville, 901 Main St., Pineville, LA 71360, include “E4 – I Love Pastors” in the “for” line); or in person at FBCP. To be acknowledged in the conference program, send gifts to be delivered by noon, Sept. 14., or let Holloway know a gift is on the way (sholloway@fbcpineville.net). … [Read more...]

Louisiana Christian University preview day set for Oct. 7

By Baptist Message staff PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Christian University will hold its fall preview day Oct. 7. Scheduled from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., the event will offer prospective students a tour of the school’s campus, hear from current students and faculty members, learn more about student clubs and organizations, athletics, academic programs, ministry opportunities and residence life and gain scholarship and financial aid information. To learn more or register for Preview Day, visit https://lcuniversity.edu/admissions/visit-campus/preview-day/   … [Read more...]

LBDR wildfire response wraps up in Beauregard Parish

By Baptist Message staff DERIDDER, La. (LBM) – Nearly two weeks after wildfires broke out in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams have wrapped up efforts in the area. According to LBDR Strategist Stan Statham, teams prepared 5,509 meals, distributed 50 tracts, had 27 Gospel conversations and saw one individual come to faith in Christ from Aug. 23 to Sept. 2. “This DR deployment demonstrated the true spirit of the Cooperative Program,” Statham told the Baptist Message. “Local churches, the Beauregard Baptist Association and the LBC joined together to meet the needs of evacuees and first responders.” Statham said the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering provided half the funds to assist Philadelphia Baptist Church Deville in purchasing the quick response feeding unit trailer that proved to be a great resource in this disaster. “Our first meal was served just four hours after we received the request for help,” Statham said. According to a news release from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, crews are battling fires in four areas: Tiger Island, Highway 113 near Oakdale, Lions Camp Road and Elizabeth Tiger Island A fire was first reported Aug. 22 in Tiger … [Read more...]

LCU begins faith integration workshops for faculty

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Louisiana Christian University has adopted a new initiative during the 2023-2024 school year to integrate faith into every academic course. “Students coming to LCU expect to learn about faith and theology in the religion classes and in Chapel, but we want to be intentional about our mission and vision here,” said LCU President Rick Brewer. “We want students to know that no matter what their individual callings are professionally, that the Lord expects all Christians to be evangelists. We are preparing graduates and transforming lives because we know transformed people transform culture.” Each syllabus will include references to faith and how it will be tied to the individual disciplines students are studying. Additionally, workshops throughout the year will be held to train faculty how to be purposeful not only with integrating faith into their courses but tying it to the specific learning outcomes and subject matter of their courses. Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn commended LCU faculty for their efforts to incorporate faith into the classroom, during the first faculty workshop on Aug. 31. He encouraged them to continue creating a culture of … [Read more...]

‘Miracle from God’ saves Brushy Creek Baptist Church from wildfire

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer BANCROFT, La. (LBM) – When all hope was fading, the Father in Heaven intervened to protect the Brushy Creek Baptist Church facility from a wildfire that came as close as 50 feet in late August, according to Pastor Mike Streams. “It was a miracle from God,” Streams told the Baptist Message. “About the time the firefighters could no longer control the fire from coming across the road and to the church, the good Lord switched the wind and killed it. It was an amazing thing to see God work through it all. I don’t see how God did it, but he did.” Like much of Beauregard Parish, Brushy Creek's grounds had not received any measurable rain since mid-July. On Aug. 22, the dry conditions in the region were exploited by arson, according to the Louisiana State Department of Agriculture and Forestry, which determined the wildfire was deliberately caused. The blazes began to engulf the area near Brushy Creek in the Bancroft community. Initially, firefighters were able to contain the conflagration. However, on Aug. 25 the flames on the other side of the road nearly jumped across the pavement and threatened to move toward the congregation's building. Streams arrived on the scene that evening … [Read more...]

VIDEO: CENLA Pregnancy Center announces theme for ‘Gift of Life’ banquet

ALEXANDRIA, La. - The CENLA Pregnancy Center has announced the upcoming Gift of Life banquet's theme, "A Royal Homecoming." The largest fundraiser of the year for the pregnancy center, the event will feature Claire Lemoine (former CPC executive director, who will emcee of the event), a testimony by a former CPC client, music by a local band comprising members from area multi-denominational churches and updates about how God has used this ministry to help serve moms in need so they can experience healthy pregnancies. To purchase individual tickets, call 318.314-3061 or visit the event website. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtLipLePvV4&feature=youtu.be … [Read more...]

DR fire response continues in Singer/Merryville

By Baptist Message staff SINGER, La. (LBM) – As wildfires continue to rage in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief teams and churches remain in the area to show Christ’s love to those impacted. According to Gary Hahler, pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church, Pitkin, and DR coordinator for Beauregard Baptist Association, a Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief feeding team had cooked 450 meals since Wednesday for first responders battling the fires. “Yesterday during supper preparations, the quick response feeding unit (from Philadelphia Baptist Church, Deville) had to evacuate where they were preparing meals at First Baptist Church in Singer because the fire took an unexpected turn,” LBDR Strategist Stan Statham told the Baptist Message. “The quickly moved to the Beauregard Baptist Association office in DeRidder, reopened and fed first responders. Once again, they showed the determination of our volunteers.” Philadelphia Baptist Church is providing a feeding trailer while other churches have stepped up as well to provide feeding team members: Trinity Baptist Church, Oakdale, Glenmora Baptist Church, Shady Grove Baptist Church, Pitkin, Singer Baptist Church, Cherry Grove Baptist Church, Dry Creek, New Life … [Read more...]