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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Evangelists reap 15 souls for Christ on Harvest Sunday

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – Ten harvest evangelists and one music evangelist filled the pulpits of 11 churches in the Monroe-West Monroe area during Harvest Sunday, Jan. 22, and 15 people come to faith in Christ. The evangelistic effort preceded the Louisiana Baptist state Evangelism Conference, Jan. 23-24, in the facilities of First Baptist Church, West Monroe. Louisiana Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists President Gary Maroney told the Baptist Message that Steven Kelly, director of missions of Morehouse and Northeast Baptist associations, was instrumental in rallying support for churches to host the evangelists. “God had heard and answered our prayers to provide a church for every one of our evangelists that had indicated a desire to participate in Harvest Sunday,” Maroney told the Baptist Message. “When LACOSBE met at our annual luncheon and business meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 24, there was such a spirit of rejoicing and thanksgiving for what God had done.” Louisiana Baptist Evangelism and Church Growth Team Director Keith Manuel added: “I thank the Lord for the work of our evangelists and their willingness and faithfulness to help local area churches as part of the … [Read more...]

Life March Central: Keep fighting for life

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) - More than 500 Louisiana Life March Central participants were encouraged to continue fighting for the rights of the unborn, seven months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade (a decision in 1973 that legalized abortion), triggering a ban on abortions in Louisiana. “Though Roe v. Wade has been overturned that battle is not over,” State Rep. Mike Johnson, a member of First Baptist Church, Pineville, said Saturday, Feb. 4. “I’m proud to be part of a legislature that has stood up for life long before Roe v Wade was overturned. We have to be pro-life. We have to give the children love.” Men and women, young and old, from various denominations and ethnicities joined together to make the journey from the Louisiana Christian University campus to the riverfront in Pineville. Other speakers included State Rep. Gabe Firment, a member of First Baptist Church, Pollock; Kim Lyons, director of the CENLA Pregnancy Center, Alexandria; and David Jeffreys, LCU executive vice president and chief operations officer. The life march was the last of five held in the state over the past few weeks. According to Louisiana Right to Life officials, a crowd of … [Read more...]

ECON 2023: Pray, win souls daily

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WEST MONROE, La. (LBM) – Five months ahead of evangelistic events tied to the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in New Orleans, participants at the recent Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference were challenged to share the hope found in Christ each day. Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn told the ECON crowd that they can change the state if they would commit to pray for and share Christ with others “daily.” ECON was held in the facilities of the First Baptist Church, West Monroe, Jan. 23-24. “Would it be said of us that we could be known as a group of churches, a people, that are known to have a culture of evangelism,” Horn said. “What does that look like? When I read the book of Acts, I see ‘daily.’ “The Bible says in a variety of places in the book of Acts that ‘daily’ the Lord was adding to His church. I know that you as Louisiana Baptists believe every word of God’s Word. Would you believe that word with me – ‘daily’?” Horn previously said he has prayed for 2,023 people to be saved through two evangelistic events tied to the SBC Annual Meeting: “Crossover,” a large-scale evangelistic effort held before the SBC Annual Meeting, and the … [Read more...]

NLBA prayer event: Seek God for revival

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer BLANCHARD, La. (LBM) – Nearly 400 members of the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association’s 108 churches came together, Feb. 5, to cry out to God during the local fellowship’s eighth annual “Call to Prayer.” Hosted by First Baptist Church, Blanchard, the gathering brought together Christians of various ages and ethnicities to pray for law enforcement, the persecuted church, missionaries serving around the world, pastors and other church leaders. Just like the previous gatherings at NLBA churches, this event was marked by prayer from the worship center stage, in small groups around the room and by individuals who pleaded with God for revival in their community, state and nation. URGENCY TO SEEK GOD “We are in an uncertain hour all across this nation,” NLBA Director of Missions Lane Moore said in his opening remarks. “These last couple of years have been challenging in ministry. We are obviously living in a more wicked and fallen world every day. However, we also know from Scripture, that the Father has us in His hand. Let’s remind ourselves of that truth tonight.” Clay Fuqua, pastor of FBC Blanchard, told the crowd to ask the Lord to search their hearts, as King … [Read more...]

FIRST PERSON: My Asbury Journey

By Don Pucik, Special to the Baptist Message ASBURY, Ky. (LBM) -- It began with a phone call from a friend on Thursday afternoon. He had heard that a spiritual awakening was underway at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. In February 1970, Asbury was the epicenter of a campus revival that impacted hundreds of college and seminary campuses across North America. After reaching out to other friends and searching online, I began piecing together a few facts. On Wednesday, Feb. 8, following a routine 10 a.m. chapel service in Hughes Auditorium, a small group of students remained behind to worship and pray. As students made their way to the altar rail across the front of the stage, the Holy Spirit ignited a deeper, heart-level work. Word spread swiftly as students began to message one another “you need to get back to Hughes!” As I write this account 180 hours later, the worship of our Father continues without pause. Two other campus chapels and a local church building have been opened to accommodate the crowds that now exceed three thousand students, faculty, and guests Slipping into Hughes on Saturday evening, I was one of those “guests.” I became a part of the Asbury awakening for the next two days and … [Read more...]

Fire destroys New Friendship facilities

By Baptist Message POLLOCK, La. (LBM) – A fire destroyed the worship center, education building and fellowship hall at New Friendship Baptist Church Thursday. According to church member Wayne Baum, a church lady was inside the fellowship hall when she smelled smoke a little after 9 a.m. Fire crews from Jena, Grant Parish, Deville and Ruby-Kolin responded. The cause of the fire was still under investigation. The parsonage, which is across the road from the other buildings that burned, was not harmed. Baum asked for prayers as they move forward. “Pray for our congregation,” Baum said. “We are devastated but are thankful no one was injured.” … [Read more...]

Convergence media students, professor earn awards at SEJC

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Louisiana Christian University convergence media students recently were honored during the 2023 Southeast Journalism Conference for their work in writing, broadcast reporting, public relations and editorial cartoons. Additionally, LCU Professor Elizabeth Clarke, chair of the Division of Media, Communication and Theatre, was recognized with the Byron St. Dizier/David Sloan Award for the SEJC Outstanding Educator of the Year Award for 2023. Eleven students attended SEJC at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Feb. 9-11, and participated in on-site competitions against students from other universities across the Southeast. The SEJC includes 38 colleges and universities in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. The following LCU students received awards: Nathan Roper, Micah Meche, Phoebe Lim and Emily Slay: public relations campaign, 2nd place Noel Schonhoff: television anchoring, 2nd place Kai Stone: television news reporting, 3rd place Camille Soileau: news/feature photography, 2nd place In addition, Best of the South awards were given to the best student submissions representing published and broadcast works of journalism for … [Read more...]

Sold-out Abide ’23 women’s conference inspires to live ‘missionally’

  By Marilyn Stewart, NOBTS communications NEW ORLEANS (NOBTS) – The voices of 1200 women from 15 states and 250 churches—a sold-out crowd—filled the chapel at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as they gathered to praise, learn, and fellowship at the Abide Women’s Conference, Feb. 3-4. Kelly Minter, Lifeway author, Bible teacher, and podcaster, headlined the third annual event that came days before the launch of her latest book, the 90-day devotional “The Blessed Life.” “It has been our prayer that God would ignite a passion in the hearts of all that came for His glory,” said Tara Dew, wife of President Jamie Dew and one of three plenary speakers. “Whether in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, or among the nations, God wants to use His children as missionaries so that all may know Him.” “Women Living Missionally” was the conference theme. Co-sponsoring aspects of the event with NOBTS and Leavell College were the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board. The partnering entities provided exhibits, door prizes, swag items and other gifts. Other partners and exhibitors included: Lifeway; WorldCrafts, the compassion ministry of the National WMU; the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) … [Read more...]

Winnfield’s Gates joins SBC WMU in missions discipleship for young men

By Julie Walters, SBC WMU BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (SBC WMU) – Keith Gates, a judge and member of First Baptist Church, Winnfield, has joined the Southern Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union staff as a ministry for consultant for Royal Ambassadors, Challengers and Youth on Mission. “RAs changed my life as a camp staffer in the early 2000s,” Gates said. “Developing a better RA program, at least in my circle of influence, has been a passion of mine since then.” Gates brings ample experience with RA programs in multiple churches and the Louisiana Baptist Convention. He has served as a leader of RA chapters at First Baptist Church, Lafayette, Goldonna Baptist Church and FBC Winnfield. Gates also is on the state RA Council, where he will continue to help plan RA Congress (a weekend missions conference for first to sixth grade boys) and other activities around the state. In addition to running Gates Law Firm in Winnfield as an attorney, he also serves as a judge for the City Court of Winnfield and adjunct professor at Northwestern State University, where he teaches in the pre-law and paralegal studies program. “We are excited for Keith to join our team,” said Joye Smith, affinity networks manager for national WMU. “He brings a … [Read more...]

Noted cardiovascular surgeon to discuss being heart healthy

By LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) – Cardiovascular surgeon Gary Jones will discuss his campaign to “Keep Louisiana Walking” during Louisiana Christian University’s Happy Heart Day, Feb. 8. Jones, a native of Franklin and graduate of Tulane University, will share the program that promotes awareness of the signs, symptoms and risk factors of peripheral artery disease including a history of smoking, Type 2 diabetes, advanced age, high blood pressure, a family history of PAD and high cholesterol. “February is Heart Health Month, and walking is an easy way to start and maintain a physically active lifestyle,” said Sonia Tinsley, division chair for Allied Health. “We want to prevent and manage heart disease in central Louisiana. “Dr. Jones has graciously offered to come to campus and discuss what it takes to keep your heart healthy,” she continued. “His initiative of ‘Keep Louisiana Walking’ goes along with our Step Up, CENLA program - which is to get our community physically active and decrease the risk for chronic health conditions.” The event will take place at 4 p.m. in Granberry Conference Center and is free and open to the public. Attendees to the event will be invited to visit and walk the Parrish Fuller … [Read more...]