By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MONROE, La. (LBM) – Supporters of Granberry Counseling Centers recently gathered to celebrate the ministry’s 25th year of helping improve the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual health of ministers and their loved and ones, and others, around the state. Held at the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home Family Ministries campus in Monroe, the Sept. 30 event included re[1]marks by entity President and CEO Perry Hancock, past LBCHFM Executive Director John Williams and Granberry Director Kathy Eichelberger. LBCHFM trustees, Granberry counselors from around the state, former Granberry staff and other guests also were in attendance. Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn closed the event with a prayer of thanksgiving. “We have offered so many people healing and hope,” Eichelberger told the Baptist Message. “So many people come to us who have lost hope, whether it’s in a marriage relationship or some other area of life. “We help and encourage our clients through our counseling, and if they are Christians, we also do our best to help strengthen their personal relationship with the Lord,” she continued. “We combine Christian counseling with discipleship by encouraging … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer SLIDELL, La. (LBM) – Wilbert Terry, 99, successfully completed numerous missions as a World War II veteran but he said none of those compared to the assignment he undertook to be obedient through believer’s baptism with the help of the congregation of Northshore Church, Slidell. A retired firefighter, a police officer, a former law enforcement officer and a U.S. Coast Guard veteran picked up the wheelchair-bound Terry and placed him in the baptistery while Pastor Larry McEwen baptized him during the July 31 service. Terry, a U.S. Army veteran who was part of battles in Europe and the Pacific, had surrendered his life to Christ when he was 15, but he was only sprinkled as a member of a Methodist church. When he started attending Northshore Church several years ago, Terry learned of his need to become baptized through immersion. But health concerns delayed his baptism for more than a year, until Terry finally celebrated alongside friends and family on a day when four others were baptized. “It felt good because when I think of all the Lord has done for me, importantly dying for me, I have to live for Him,” Terry told the Baptist Message. “To God be the glory. I’d love to … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: Do you have a Revival, Homecoming, a new pastor, a community outreach or a concert? The Baptist Message would love to share your church news with the rest of the state. It is very easy to do, just send in your information (who, what, where and when) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. To get your event in the paper, please submit your information three weeks prior to the event. ON THE MOVE Kenneth Austin has resigned from The Church at Marksville pending selection of another pastor. Cody, wife Margaret, Cunningham has been called as pastor at First Baptist Church, Luling. Ferran, wife Lynda, Bertrand is the new Associational Missions Strategist for Mt. Olive Baptist Association. Brett Faulk and George Johnson will be ordained as ministers of the gospel and Travis Burnett and Richard Humphries to deacon December 4 with an ordination service beginning a 3 p.m. at Elwood Baptist Church, Forest Hill. The ordination council will meet at 2:30 p.m. A reception will follow the ordination service in the fellowship hall. HOMECOMING New Ebenezer Baptist Church, Castor: Homecoming, October 23. 10 a.m. Speaker: Luke Hockenjos, evangelist. Special Music: Stephen Dickerson. Pastor: Austin … [Read more...]

By Will Hall, Baptist Message executive editor ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) — Chad Gilbert, pastor of the First Baptist Church, New Orleans, will be nominated for vice president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention during the 2022 annual meeting. Steve James, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles, notified the Baptist Message, Oct. 10, of his intention to make the nomination because Gilbert “is a genuine Christ follower, a man of devotion, integrity, and wisdom.” The LBC annual meeting is scheduled to be held in the facilities of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, Nov. 15. STATEMENT OF SUPPORT James said he has known Gilbert for several years but that they worked closely together when Gilbert joined the staff at Trinity. He said he was able to observe Gilbert’s leadership strengths and servant’s heart especially in the aftermath of Hurricanes Laura and Delta, when Trinity became a hub of ministry to hurricane survivors, disaster relief workers and law enforcement personnel. “Chad did a great job in reaching out to the community,” James told the Baptist Message. “He was our point person here and coordinated all the things that took place, from supplies coming in … to where feeding was … to handling calls … … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Louisiana Baptist youth and adult leaders are gearing up for the 35th anniversary of the Youth Evangelism Celebration, a statewide assembly focused on preparing the next generation to share Christ with the world. Scheduled Nov. 20-21 in the Rapides Parish Coliseum, Alexandria, YEC will continue its storied mission of changing lives and equipping students with the necessary tools to share their faith with their classmates. “Since its beginning in 1988, the heartbeat of YEC is the Gospel,” Louisiana Baptist Youth Strategist Brandon Lewis told the Baptist Message. “The two-fold goal has been to share the Gospel’s message of salvation through Jesus and to equip teenagers to share the Gospel in their hometowns. Each session is designed to accomplish this goal and an opportunity to respond is offered. All of this is packaged in an exciting event and gathers youth groups from across the state.” Since 2,100 students attended the first YEC held at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in 1988, the event has grown to be the largest annual gathering of Louisiana Baptists. While Alexandria has hosted the event the most, YEC also has taken place in Haughton, Kenner, … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Organizers of this year’s Louisiana Baptist Pastors Conference hope to equip participants with the tools needed to endure trials of the culture. “These past few years have been really tough on pastors and ministry leaders,” said Pastors Conference President James Doughty, also pastor of First Baptist Church, Monroe. “So, this year we wanted the Pastors Conference to focus on the call to endure even amid hard times, discouragement and trials. My prayer is that this pastor’s conference will encourage and challenge us to endure for the sake of the Gospel.” Scheduled for Nov. 14 in the facilities of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, the annual gathering’s theme is “Endure,” based on Hebrews 12:3. The program will begin, 8:30 a.m., with music led by Shane Longoria, minister of music, FBC Monroe, and a praise team comprised of various churches, and messages by Todd Strain, pastor, Calvary Baptist, and Vince Smith, pastor, The Circle Church, Alexandria. After lunch, the conference will continue, 1 p.m., with an afternoon session featuring messages by Bill Dye, pastor, North Monroe Baptist Church, Monroe, and Eddie Wren, pastor, First Baptist Church, Rayville, who was a … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Under the mantle of “Dwell,” adapted from Philippians 4:8-9, messengers to the 2022 Louisiana Baptist Convention Annual Meeting will be encouraged to celebrate how God is moving through Louisiana Baptists. The annual meeting will take place Nov. 15 at Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria. “We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Central Louisiana,” Louisiana Baptist Executive Director Steve Horn told the Baptist Message. “We hope Louisiana Baptists will come for both Monday and Tuesday to participate in the Pastor’s Conference, the annual meeting and other meetings that will occur during these days. It’s always a joy to gather with friends from across the state. “I will share updates on each of our ministry areas and help us dwell, as our theme suggests, on the good work God is doing through our cooperative missions and ministries,” Horn continued. “After several years of being challenged by COVID and hurricanes, I’m praying God will use these days as a catalyst to help Louisiana Baptists begin to dream again.” LBC President Reggie Bridges echoed the thought, saying he hopes Louisiana Baptists will come to this annual gathering to “dwell … [Read more...]